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Sophie and Benedict had only been back at My Cottage for two days when an express messenger arrived with a note for Benedict from Anthony stating that Eloise had “run away” and was at a place supposedly close to My Cottage and that he and Colin would be behind the messenger as they were going to rescue Eloise, or make her marry the man that she’d ran off to.
Benedict’s mouth had fallen open as he read the letter from his brother, so shocked that the paper fell from his hands and he was frozen in space and time as he tried to comprehend what had occurred.
Sophie had read the note and frowned “this is very strange” she said.
“I… I know, why… why would she not tell someone… why would she not tell me of all people. I get not telling Anthony… but me!?” Benedict said
Sophie sighed and placed her hands on her husband’s shoulders. “Eloise has always been one who valued her privacy, whilst she might not comprehend it when it comes to the rest of you, she does keep her own council most of the time” Sophie explained
“I know that but… running away… she’s had proposals in town, men who had offered for her… and she refused them all! Even an Earl?! And she’s run off to a baron?!” Benedict mused
“Ben, those men in town where not suitable for Eloise, they wanted the surname, or her dowry… if this Sir Phillip has offered to court her, mentioned marriage… it’s possible that Eloise may have fallen in love during her letter writing… that is something that I can see as being very Eloise”
“But running away?!”
“Your sister is very much like the rest of you, she’s impulsive… something will have happened, Penelope, her best friend, just married your brother… Francesca has returned to Scotland unexpectedly… she could very well be feeling lonely and sought out someone or something she felt would give her comfort and purpose… you surely remember what that is like?” Sophie said
Benedict nodded “i know that but still, Soph, she tells me everything. She always has, we’ve never had secrets…”
“That’s rubbish and you know it… you kept your fair share of things from her… she will have her reasons.”
“But what if this man is in his 60s!?”
“Ben darling, if that was the case she’d have turned up here, she knew we were returning after Daphne’s ball, if she didn’t feel safe, if she didn’t like the man… she would have come here, regardless of how embarrassed she would have been”
“What if she couldn’t… or can’t”
“Ben. She is like you, she’s practically part cat. She’d have found a way out, and she’s the best shot in your family… she’d have gotten out.”
“But…”
“Ben, my love, you will make yourself dizzy and sick by going over the buts and the what-if’s… Anthony and Colin will likely be here in an hour. Get dressed, say goodbye to the boys and in the meantime I shall ask Mrs Crabtree if she knows any of the staff over at Romney Hall and if they know anything about this Sir Phillip but i have every faith that all will be okay” she soothed.
“I guess… but…”
“Ben, if you But once more, i am going to have to slap you. I am trusting you, as I am sure Kate will be trusting you not to do something stupid… and control Anthony… if he nearly dualed Simon over Daphne, I can only imagine what he will do to either your sister or this Sir Phillip…”
“Oh Anthony won’t be the issue…”
“Benedict I swear to God you better get those ideas out of your head… I am pregnant with our fourth child… according to you, the daughter you’ve dreamed off… You have to be responsible. You have to come back to me in one piece. I am not raising four children on my own and if you do something stupid like challenge him to a duel, or get yourself killed then I will drag you back from the afterlife just to kill you myself… or you’ll be banned from my bed from now until the day either of us die…”
Benedict looked scandalised. “You wouldn’t do that?!”
“I will if you do something stupid! I want you to be on your best behaviour!” Sophie scolded.
“I… I can’t promise that”
“Well then you best get used to sleeping alone” Sophie said moving away from her husband, arms crossed over her chest looking furious.
“But… but… you… fine” he sighed “I will do my best… I promise not to do anything stupid… but I am not promising not to hurt this man if he has hurt Eloise…” he said
“That is fair… if he has hurt Eloise in anyway, you better leave a piece for me…” she said seriously
Benedict laughed, “that is fair enough I can promise that”
“Good, now go get ready and I'll go speak to our housekeeper” she said pressing a kiss to his cheek.
Benedict nodded and departed to get himself ready and Sophie had to admit, out of everything that went through her brain as she waved off her husband and three brothers-in-law, she had not expected them to turn back up, drunk as skunks, falling out of the carriage with Eloise in tow, who was sporting a black eye looking furious with her brother’s and filling Sophie in on what happened and as she climbed into bed with her husband who was passed out from the excess alcohol she sighed “so much for not doing anything stupid…”