Unperceived Love

Chapter 6

"Sir, I must ask you a serious question." Colonel Adaams was in the printshop's private office for the fifth time since the ball a week before.
"Go ahead, boy." Lord Worthington smiles, knowing what is about to proceed.
"I think I am in love with your daughter, sir." he stops uncertain of how to continue.
"That was not a question. Many men have told me that they 'think' they love my daughter, what makes you different?" the man was not going to let him have it easy.
"I" he began more sure of himself, "am in love with your daughter and I would like to ask your permission to court her. I will protect her with my life and will make sure she is always safe. I will never leave her. I have loved her since we were children. Though, I did not realize it until just last week. Her elegance and grace would make the finest of gentlemen proud." he sighed happy that he had gotten it off his chest. He watched, expectantly, unsure of the reply he was going to receive.

The older man got up and went to the bookshelf behind him, pretending to look, scratching his chin. 'He did not praise her head and that is what I wanted her to know how to use the most, not these charms of grace and elegance. Those come naturally. Proper use of the head is one of the hardest things to master, so therefore it must be praised the highest.' He thought.
"Son, I will be brutally honest with you" he watched, amused on the inside, at the way the boy was sitting on the edge of his seat. "Out of all the people that have asked for her hand, you boy, have been the one I have known the longest. Though I did not watch you grow up, through my correspondences with your parents ,I know that you are a good boy and will do them proud. But as for this afore mentioned courtship,I will let Samantha decide. I believe the best judge will be the one who's future we are discussing. Therefore you must ask her. I will not tell her. I give my permission. Only" he says warningly "if she gives her consent willingly."
"Yes, sir! I will let her decide sir. She will be in the best of care." He said ecstatically. He stood and shook the old man's hand.
"Go on then, go ask her." He said urging him out the door.
"Thank-you again,sir!" he walks out shaking his hand again.

'Why does he look so satisfied with himself?' Ben wonders while putting fresh ink on the press. 'One day I'll wipe that smirk off of that pale child. Marching around as if he runs the world. Ha! And he's only seventeen!'

"Ben. I'd like to speak with you." The lord is standing in the doorway of his office. "Come on in."
Ben wipes the ink off his hands and makes his way for the small study.
The man studied his apprentice as if seeing him for the first time. His eyes followed the wave of his dark blackish hair to his deep brown eyes, his clearcut jaw line and broad shoulders, then to his hands. Still stained with ink, he could tell that they had out in many a hard day of field labor when printing was slow, yet they were still gentle and strong and large.
Silently waiting to be informed of the reason he had been summoned Ben stood patiently.
"My boy," he begins while waving his arm signaling for him to sit. "I wish to know your honest opinion of this young general, Adaams."
Not knowing what else to say but the truth he hesitates before beginning "I believe he is a coward and weak. He cannot possibly be of a sound mind. He is too young and inexperienced to be a general. And he has this air about him that attempts to make everybody he meets feel inferior. He does things just for the glory of it, not for the love of it. And sir, I was asked to be honest so here goes: I do not believe he has a serious thought in his head besides pursuing Sami. And he doesn't believe that women should possess brains!" he looked at the gentleman's face quickly, for he had just told one of their secrets AND used his pet name for the man's daughter!
He stroked his chin once again. "I trust your judgement more than my own. You have the gift of foresight and the experience for insight. I have given this young man permission to court Samantha, which no doubt she will accept this offer. And I believe that they will need a chaperone. So, you and Clara will be going with them on whatever they decide suits their fancy. Spectating and interfering only when necessary."
Ben was taking it all in 'courtship! the general! SAMI?! she'll never say yes to him! she deserves someone better! but, he will be able to provide for her and he will be able to retire sooner than most since he started out so young.' he thinks while trying to pull himself together.
"What do you say? Will you chaperone their meetings?" he's smiling kindly at the dumbstruck young man.
"Aye sir, I will watch over their meetings." He says snapping his head to look the man in the eye. "I won't let him harm her." seriousness burning in his eyes.
"Thank-you. I will rest easier now that they will be in good hands." He smiles. "Now let's finish and lock up. I believe we may find some manner of news awaiting us at home."