A Question of Class

by Julia Tagan

  “I’m sorry for ever doubting you, and I never will again.”

  She kissed him. “And I’m sorry I lied. I was unsure who I could trust.”

  “Of course. For the past few days I’ve been trying so hard to deny everything I felt for you, and everything you mean to me. I can’t live without you. You understand that, don’t you?”

  “I do. And I can’t imagine my life without you. We can do so much now, together.”

  “One more thing.”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t try to ride off without me anymore. Understood?”

  She laughed, remembering the night they met. “I am sorry about that. If you’ll promise to do as I say from now on, we’ll be fine.”

  “Anything you ask. As long as you promise to marry me.”

  “I will.” Relief poured through her body. Benjamin was hers, and he loved her as much as she loved him. They kissed again, slowly and softly, and his body stirred once more. She gave him a gentle nudge.

  “We have to go. We don’t have time for that right now.” She rose and dressed.

  Benjamin sat up and put on his shirt. “You’re right. We’ll take Delcour’s horse and carriage and head north and then west.”

  Catherine nodded. She imagined the three of them in France together, safe out of Morris’s grasp. She would be Benjamin’s wife. The thought made her smile.

  Her reverie was broken by the sound of a galloping horse. They ran to the window overlooking the front of the house.

  “It’s Morris,” she said.

  Benjamin scrambled to get on his breeches and boots. “I’ll go get Sophie. Take the satchel and the wine and head out the side door. Wait until Delcour has come into the house and then make a run for the barn. We’ll meet you there.”

  She dressed and ran downstairs and into the parlor, grabbing the satchel where Benjamin had left it on a chair. She glanced out the window and saw Morris charging inside. If she wasn’t quick enough, he’d trap her and she wouldn’t be able to escape.

  Too late, she noticed the Yquem standing on the foyer table. In her rush to grab the bottle, Catherine tripped over the Turkish rug. She lost hold of the satchel, grabbing it before it fell to the ground, but several of the false wine labels fluttered out. Catherine scrambled to put them back in as the front door opened with a thunderous bang.

  Morris stood there panting. He must’ve whipped his horse the entire way back from Trenton.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he yelled. “Is it true you’ve been seen carousing around town with Benjamin Thomas? Is this what I get for having taken care of you the past five years? For giving you the best of everything?”

  She tried to stand up but he shoved her back to the ground. Her only thought was Sophie, her only goal to keep the girl out of Morris’s clutches. Perhaps, if Benjamin got away safely with Sophie, there’d be hope for the two of them. Morris needed someone to take out his anger on, and Catherine was more than willing to sacrifice herself. Otherwise, he would destroy them all.

  “I’m sorry, Morris, I am,” she said.

  Morris regarded her oddly. It wasn’t the reaction he expected.

  “What did you say?” He glanced around. “Where the hell is Thomas? Is it true what Carpenter said, you ran away with him?”

  “Of course not, if I ran away with him what would I be doing back here, waiting patiently for you?”

  Catherine prayed Benjamin would know to leave with Sophie when she didn’t show up at the barn. She hoped he would understand, having loved his own sister so, that what Catherine wanted right now was for the two of them to be gone. In the meantime, she needed to draw Morris away from them.

  “I’m here and I’m willing to do whatever you like,” she said. “I’ll go away, quietly. You can start again with someone else.”

  He eyed her warily. “What’s happened?” When she didn’t answer, a glint appeared in his eyes. “Did Thomas use you up and leave you? He did, didn’t he? I knew it. You’re a broken woman, my dear. And he knew it and so will any other man you’re with know it, if it’s up to me. Everyone will hear you’ve been banished, and let that be a warning to any other scheming woman who comes my way.”

  “Of course.” She rose slowly, still clutching the satchel, her eyes glued to his. “I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “What do you have there? Give me that.” Morris tore the satchel from her arms. He rummaged inside, and she could see from the grim line of his mouth he was unhappy. He took out a fistful of the false labels.

  “You figured out my little secret, did you?” He turned to her with a menacing look. “You bitch.”

  Catherine turned around and grabbed the bottle of Yquem. He lurched toward her but stopped when he recognized the label. She held it high.

  “If you come near me, I will drop this,” she threatened.

  Morris backed up a step. “Don’t be stupid. I should’ve known you’d find a way to get your hands on the Yquem. I forget what a smart girl you are.”

  “If you want this wine, you’ll leave immediately. Get on your horse and go back to town. When you return, it will be here safe and sound, and I’ll be gone forever. You’ll have me out of your life and your precious bottle will be safe. Isn’t that what you want?”

  He sneered at her. “And how do I know you won’t take the bottle with you?”

  “Because I’m willing to smash it to pieces right now. It means nothing to me.”

  The sound of a horse whinnying outside caught Morris’s attention. He turned his head toward the open front door.

  Seizing the opportunity, Catherine made a dash for the staircase. If Morris discovered her sister, he’d have complete power over her. He would no doubt send Sophie to the poorhouse, if only to spite Catherine. She had to keep him away. As she hoped, he came after her. At the second landing, he got hold of the hem of her skirt. Catherine kicked him away and kept running, all the way up to the top of the house, still clutching the bottle of Yquem. She pushed through the trap door that led to the widow’s walk and climbed out. Morris, wheezing, struggled to get up the last stairway as she ran to the railing. Far below her, Benjamin was standing in front of a horse with Sophie bundled in the carriage.

  “Go!” cried Catherine. “Take Sophie and go. There’s no time.”

  Benjamin glanced around, confused, and finally lifted his face upwards.

  “You must leave,” pleaded Catherine. “Please, Benjamin, get Sophie to safety.”

  Footsteps echoed behind her, and Morris’s beefy hands wrapped around her neck. She fell back on top of him and they both landed hard on the ground as the bottle of wine rolled out of her grasp. Using his weight to his advantage, Morris twisted on top of Catherine and pinned her hands over her head.

  “You lying whore. Let your paramour run for the hills, you won’t make it out of here alive.”

  “Get off me.” She struggled to break free.

  “The more you fight the more I like it, my love.” Morris ran one hand down over her breast, and yanked the material of her dress until it was exposed. He grabbed her hard, and ground his pelvis into her body. “I will miss this, though. But maybe there’s time for one more, no?”

  Catherine pushed against him, but he was too strong. She pictured Benjamin and Sophie galloping away. He would take care of Sophie as if she were his own sister. No matter what Catherine would encounter going forward, she had that comfort.

  A strange vibration rumbled through the floor. Catherine turned her head to see a pair of black boots running toward her. Benjamin had stayed. Relief and frustration coursed through her body.

  Morris was lifted off her. She rolled away, and heard a sickening crack as Benjamin hit him hard in the ribs. Morris reeled backwards, coughing, but still standing.

  “Is this how you repay my kindness?” Morris asked. “Did she put you up to this?”

  “After everything you did to Dolly, running away like a coward and leaving her to be killed, you expect me to be grateful?” Benjami
n was panting.

  Morris’s face darkened. “You said you didn’t remember anything from that night.”

  “Oh, I remember everything. I remember you hiding in the carriage, quaking from fear as your wife was pulled away. And as they were hacking her to pieces, you left her. You left us behind. You sicken me.”

  “No one will believe you or your story. You’re nothing in this town. I’m respected. They’ll take you and toss you in jail.”

  “Perhaps they’ll take another look when I explain how you’ve swindled them, and they’re not drinking the Chateau Margaux they’ve paid a handsome sum for.”

  This couldn’t be happening. Catherine’s head reeled. She had to focus, stop them from killing each other, but a wave of vertigo hit her before she could speak. She wondered where Sophie was, what she was thinking, if she was scared.

  “If you let us go,” said Benjamin, “I’ll give up the evidence and you’ll be done with us. But only if you let us leave from here and never look for us again.”

  Morris rubbed his ribs and considered the offer. “You want Catherine, do you?”

  “Yes. I do.”

  “That sounds like a reasonable offer. I have no use for the girl anymore.”

  Catherine knew her husband didn’t mean it, and she wanted to cry out and warn Benjamin, but she couldn’t get the words out.

  “It is a reasonable offer,” said Benjamin. “You win both ways.”

  “No, don’t do it.” Catherine finally found her voice. “He’ll never let that happen.”

  “So little faith,” said Morris. “I think it’s quite fair. Now let’s shake on it, like gentlemen. There’s no need for any more violence.”

  Benjamin moved forward, haltingly, toward Morris. When he was a few feet away, Catherine saw Morris make a sudden movement followed by a flash of steel.

  “He’s got a knife!” she yelled.

  Morris reached forward to slice Benjamin in the gut but Benjamin jumped back just in time.

  Catherine retreated out of the way as the two men circled each other.

  Morris’s clumsiness contrasted with Benjamin’s catlike maneuvers. But Morris held the knife out in front of him with a strong grip, and steadily forced Benjamin backward, toward a corner of the widow’s walk.

  “Stop, Morris, enough,” shouted Catherine.

  Benjamin was now a few feet from being trapped and Morris’s face was a mask of fury.

  Benjamin grabbed Morris’s arm to try to pry the knife away from him, but Morris held firm. Using his free hand, he grabbed a handful Benjamin’s hair and yanked his head back. Benjamin was pressed against the railing, on the verge of losing his balance, and had to let go of Morris’s arm in order to keep from going over the edge. Morris cocked the arm holding the knife back, ready to stab him in the throat.

  “Cathy!”

  Sophie burst through the open trap door and onto the widow’s walk. Morris glanced over at her.

  “The bottle!” Benjamin yelled.

  Catherine scooped up the Yquem in a smooth motion and tossed it in Morris’s direction. The bottle sailed over his shoulder and as Morris turned to grab it, he slammed hard into the railing.

  In an instant, he disappeared over the side of the house and was gone.

  19

  A moment of silence was followed by a dull thud and breaking glass.

  Catherine ran toward the railing, but Benjamin stopped her. “Don’t look.”

  She fell into his arms and drew Sophie into their embrace.

  “I couldn’t stay down there,” Sophie cried. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t.”

  Benjamin ran his hand over her hair. “Don’t fret, Sophie. Without you we may not have made it out of here.”

  “You’ve proven quite a distraction,” said Catherine. “First Mr. Allen, now Mr. Delcour. Your timing is impeccable.” She lowered her voice and addressed Benjamin. “Are you sure he’s dead?”

  Benjamin strode to the railing and peered over. Catherine could tell from the sober look on his face it was over. Her arms were sore where Morris had pinned them down, but he could never hurt her again. Yet no one deserved that kind of ending to it all, the sense of being off balance and the long fall down. It made her sick inside and she wished Sophie had not witnessed such an awful sight.

  Benjamin took Catherine in his arms. “Everything’s all right. It’s over now. Delcour would’ve killed one or all of us if we hadn’t stopped him.”

  Catherine nodded. “Of course, you’re right.” She wiped her eyes.

  “Was that Mr. Delcour?” Sophie’s eyes were wide.

  “Yes, it was,” said Catherine.

  “Hmm. He wasn’t nice.”

  Catherine couldn’t help but laugh. “No, he wasn’t. But we don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

  “Do you think there are more bad men coming?”

  “It appears my husband came alone. For now, we’re safe. But not for long.”

  Back downstairs, Catherine instructed Sophie to gather their belongings from the bedroom. Catherine and Benjamin went into the salon, where Benjamin poured Catherine a drink to quiet her nerves. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. I worry what this will do to Sophie, though.”

  “This is preferable to what Delcour would have done to you both.”

  Catherine nodded. “What happened to Freddie? Is he still here?”

  Benjamin shook his head. “I sent him off through the woods. I didn’t want to get him involved.”

  “That was kind of you. I had hoped you and Sophie would leave, that you’d get out safely with her.”

  Benjamin rubbed her arm gently. His fingers were rough on Catherine’s skin, but his touch was gentle. She liked the combination and her body warmed to his caress.

  “I would never have left you,” said Benjamin. “I couldn’t imagine doing that to you, leaving you at his mercy.”

  Catherine was astonished at how much she loved this man, how much he meant to her. “We need to leave town immediately.”

  “No.” said Benjamin. “Catherine, you’re not going to like what I have to say, but please listen. If we all leave town and Delcour is found dead, they’ll track us down. We have Sophie to consider.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “I will take the fall for stealing the Yquem, for Delcour’s death, for everything,” said Benjamin. “You can say I forced you.”

  “Why would I do that? You’ll go to jail, and possibly be hanged, while Carpenter will come after me with fangs bared. None of us will be safe.”

  “You can expose the fraud. You have all the proof you need. Carpenter will go to jail, and that leaves you as Delcour’s widow. They don’t know anything different. You’ll inherit everything and you and Sophie can live in peace. You’ll never again have to rely on a man like Delcour, so you can make your own decisions and do whatever you like. You’ll be free.”

  When he was done speaking, Benjamin’s eyes were dark. Catherine could tell he was tormented by this decision. It went against everything they wanted.

  “I’ll only I agree if you leave,” she said. Benjamin started to speak, but she stopped him. “I love you more than anything. You’re the only man I could imagine being with. But we have to part.”

  “No. I won’t run away and leave you.”

  “If you get sent to prison, it’s the same thing. This way there’s a chance. I’ll say you ran off after Carpenter’s men came after us, and I don’t know where you’ve gone.”

  They both sat in silence for a moment.

  “You can’t stay, Benjamin. It will only make things worse.”

  More than anything, she wanted to run away with Benjamin and Sophie and leave this town forever. But he was right. In order to keep her sister safe, Catherine would have to stay and play her cards carefully. Yet Benjamin’s presence would jeopardize their fragile plan. “Our only hope is if you leave.”

  Benjamin lowered his head. Catherine could tell he understood.

>   “Where can you go?” It was the saddest question Catherine had ever asked.

  “I’ll make my way up the coast and get on a ship to France. It’s unsafe to try to do it here.”

  “To France,” she said wistfully. She’d dreamed of them going together, finding a small cottage to live in. Teaching Sophie French. It was not to be.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I’m leaving and you’re going to have to stay here and clean up this mess.”

  “It’s the only way.”

  “But we’ll be together again,” he said.

  Catherine smiled, but she was sure her face betrayed the truth. The future was too cloudy. Who knew where Benjamin would end up, or what would happen to her and Sophie?

  “I’ll send for you,” he said. “I’ll get settled and find work, and then I’ll send for you and Sophie. It will only take a matter of months.”

  “Do you promise?” she asked.

  “I do.”

  Catherine closed her eyes, trying to keep from sobbing. Benjamin’s lips touched hers.

  Sophie came running down the stairs. “Is Mr. Thomas back for good?”

  “I have to leave, Miss Sophie.” Benjamin kissed her head. “But I’ll see you again. In the meantime I’d like you to be a good girl and keep on protecting Cathy for me. Will you do that?”

  “Yes, Mr. Thomas. Of course.”

  Catherine loved he called her by her nickname, Cathy. It was as if between Sophie and Benjamin calling her by this new name she could tap into the inner resources she’d long kept concealed. “Cathy” was a strong, capable woman who forged her own way in the world.

  Catherine went to work. She filled a sack with several items from the house Benjamin could sell to pay for a seat on the coach to Boston. But she avoided taking anything that would raise suspicion or be traced back to the Mount.

  At the stable Benjamin harnessed one of the mares to the carriage Catherine had taken to escape the night they met. The wheel had been fixed and Benjamin gave her a wry smile as they both remembered their first meeting, without either of them saying a word.