Unwanted

Chapter 5

My Dear Benjamin,

I hope this letter finds you well as it has been so long since we last saw each other. I hear congratulation are in order for your completion of university, your father is quite proud. I am unsure of your plans following the summer season in London but I am writing to request your immediate presence at my estate, I am afraid there is a delicate matter that we must discuss. It is also time sensitive, so I urge you to return as quickly as you are able. Please, mention this to no one, least of all your father. I am certain that an explanation of wanting to see your fiancée after four years apart would be easily accepted by all. As your friend and fiancée, I beg you to make haste.

Always,

Tess

Benjamin's hand trembled as he reread the letter from his betrothed. He could not help but feel a strong sense of foreboding and sighed heavily as he placed the letter on his desk. His heart was beating quickly in his chest as he stood and strode across the room to pull the velvet cord to call for his valet. As he waiting for his valet, his thoughts buzzed chaotically around in his head. What on earth could be wrong with Tess? Was she ill? Was her father ill? Had something happened to the estate? To her dowry? What could be so urgent that he need  return before the end of the season?

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his valet.

"Ah Reeves, very good. I have just received word that impels me to depart immediately for Woburn Alley. I am uncertain of the length of my stay but I do intend to return to London before the end of the season, so you need not pack everything" Benjamin directed. "I must go speak with my father, please inform me as soon as the carriage is prepared."

"Very good sire." Reeves replied with a bow before turn on his heel and striding off towards his master's bedchamber.

Benjamin quickly moved in the opposite direction towards his father's study. After three quick raps on the heavy oak door, his father called for him to enter.

"Good morning my boy, what can I do for you?"

"Good morning Papa, I came to inquire if I may take one of the carriages and return to Woburn Alley. I received a letter this morning from Tess and I should very much like to surprise her. I have not seen her since I left for university. I am sure that we must start making arrangements for the wedding as well, it is only 6 months away now" Benjamin lied smoothly, injecting sincerity into his explanation.

"Of course you may. How long do you intend to stay?" His father questioned.

"I am unsure. I plan to return to London before the end of the season" Benjamin replied.

"Very good" his father responded, followed by a brief pause. "I have a splendid idea, why don't you take your mother with you? She has been complaining for weeks about feeling ill due to the London air and this dreadful heat. I am sure a short sojourn to the country would be exactly what she needs." His father replied excitedly. George loved his wife dearly but every year around the middle of the season, she would begin complaining about feeling ill and there was never anything he could do for her. None of the ten doctors he had called for her had any explanation. His wife, Anne, was a rather fragile woman with a soft-spoken demeanor and blue eyes he had gotten lost in countless times in their 30 years together. Benjamin was nearly his duplicate 25 years younger except that he inherited his mother's glowing blue orbs rather than his muddy brown ones.