It was with a great deal of shame that Benjamin went to speak to his father, the Duke of Ware, the day following his conversation with Lord Simons, confessing all. He would not have done so unless it was absolutely necessary, and, in this case, it certainly was. He needed an advance on the next lot of funds that were due to be deposited in his account in around a month’s time, and the mortification of explaining what he had done was a weight on his shoulders. As he spoke, his father remained quiet, sitting back in his chair and watching Benjamin with eyes sharper than usual.

The man was typically fairly uninterested in the details of their lives, with the exception of their eldest brother Daniel. He was content with his wife providing guidance to the rest of them. Now, however, his usual nonchalance was replaced with a hard, assessing stare.

Once Benjamin had finished speaking, there was a prolonged silence. Benjamin wished that the ground would open up and swallow him whole, thinking that perhaps death might be more welcome than this particular situation.

“Your mother has brought her concerns to me repeatedly,” the Duke said eventually, disappointment evident in his features, which were so like Benjamin’s own. “Only yesterday, she told me how uninterested you were in listening to her words, even though they were wise and true. You showed a lack of respect for your mother and for me when you refused to listen.”

“I know,” Benjamin said, miserably. The mistakes he had made suddenly brought his life into sharp relief, making him realize just how much of a mess he was making of things.

“You have lost yourself in a world of pleasures,” the Duke continued, quietly. “It is something that a great many gentlemen do, although most come out the other side with a renewed sense of their responsibilities and a dedication to their work. However, that has not happened to you.”

Benjamin sighed, unable to even look at his father. “I am sorry, Father.”

“You need not apologize to me!” he exclaimed, pushing himself up a little straighter in his chair. “Rather, you need to think of that young lady that you brought here. Whether you were inebriated or not, you should know better than to take the innocence of a young lady, Benjamin.” His eyes were filled with pain rather than anger, which only cut deeper into Benjamin’s heart. “I think it just as well that Lord Simons chose not to push for you to marry his daughter. It shows that he cares for his daughter, not just her reputation.”

His father’s words hit Benjamin hard, although he could not easily dismiss them. “I did not — did not take her innocence, although I am aware I have nearly ruined her. I have said that I am sorry, Father.”

“That does not cut it!” his father retorted angrily, banging his fist on his desk in a show of emotion Benjamin was not used to seeing from the man. Benjamin raised his eyes and saw his father gazing at him speculatively before sighing heavily as his shoulders slumped, the anger receding.

“Perhaps it is my fault,” the Duke said, sadly. “I have not guided you as I ought.”

“No, Father,” Benjamin replied at once, not wishing for his father to take on the mantle of responsibility. “You have tried to give me the time to choose my own path and I confess that I have am beginning to realize I have made rather poor decisions.”

His father raised dull eyes to his. “You have no thought of your future, then?”

Biting his lip, Benjamin shook his head, feeling as though he were the biggest disappointment a man could have for a son. He had rarely taken the time to assess his life, as much of it was spent in rather a daze of alcohol and good times.

“Then I have a plan,” his father responded, making Benjamin look up in surprise. A sudden chill ran through him as he recalled what his mother had threatened. Was he about to be cut out from his father’s will? Had he gone too far, and was to be cast aside by the family?

“You are to leave this place and go where I tell you,” his father continued, firmly. “You are to remain there and make it as profitable as you can.”

Confused, Benjamin stared at his father. “Make what profitable, Father?”

“The estate, of course,” the Duke replied, as though Benjamin was a simpleton. “I have a few estates to my name, as you know, but one of the smaller ones is not as profitable as I would like. I had been meaning to go there and inspect it myself but now I think it is quite the right place for you.”

Benjamin blinked rapidly, relief that he was not about to be thrown out from the family circle flooding him.

“The estate is some distance away, however, and I do not expect you to return to town within the year. However, should you give up and leave in order to chase your pleasures once more, then I shall have no choice but to cut you from my will.”

Benjamin pressed his lips together, trepidation filling him. “But Father, I have no experience. How am I to know how to manage anything?”

“You shall have to learn,” came the brisk reply. “You have been idle for too long, Benjamin. You need some kind of endeavor to allow you to focus on what you want your life to be, for I assure you that you cannot spend it indulging yourself – as I hope you have already begun to see.”

Benjamin gave a swift nod, knowing that he could not refuse to do as his father asked, despite feeling as though he was about to leap into the unknown. To leave his friends behind and to go to an entirely new situation was quite a thought, despair beginning to fill him. “What if I fail, father?” he asked, quietly. “What if I cannot make the estate any more profitable than it already is?”

There was a long pause, as the Duke considered the question. Benjamin bit his lip, waiting for his father’s judgement to fall.

“In one year, I shall look at your progress,” came the eventual reply. “I have already written to my steward there, who knows to expect you. He shall write reports to me as regards the estate and how you are managing things. Do not expect him to do everything for you, however, Benjamin. He is there to teach you should you request it of him, but many things you shall simply have to take the time to learn. If, after one year, the estate has not improved, I shall look over the reports and, if I am satisfied that you have done your utmost, then that shall be all there is to the matter.”

“And if it is clear I have not?”

His father chuckled. “I intend to put the fear of God in you, Benjamin, and so I shall. Should you choose to continue with your laziness and sloth, leaving your steward to handle matters while you fall back into old habits, then I shall have to consider the consequences of such actions. It may or may not include an adjustment of my will, but that will be entirely determined by what you do.”

An icy hand gripped Benjamin’s heart, as he became aware that his father had done just as he intended and as his mother threatened. They were all used to his mother’s constant nattering, but when his father spoke as such, there was weight behind the words. Benjamin was afraid, afraid that he would not work as hard as his father expected and, in doing so, put his entire future in jeopardy.

“I am quite sure you can do this, Benjamin,” his father said, softly. “You are a good man, a better man that you have been acting as of late. A lack of direction has left you filling the void with untoward behavior. I believe this will ultimately be good for your character. Trust me when I say that I have no desire for you to be without your inheritance. I only do this in order to assist you.”

Benjamin managed a tight smile. “I am aware of that, Father. I confess that my own actions have shamed me. Until last evening I did not see the damage I have been causing others, nor the wastefulness of my life.”

“Then I have every hope that you will succeed,” his father said, gravely, rising from his chair. “We will miss seeing you here, Benjamin, but you will need to remain at that estate if you are to make a good go of it. Perhaps the allure of some of the more feminine kind will become less appealing by the time you return. Mayhap you might even consider matrimony!”

A quiet chuckle rumbled in his father’s chest as he shook Benjamin’s hand. “Be sure to write to us, to let us know how you fare. Your mother loves you as much as I do and I know she would be dreadfully upset not to hear from you.”

Benjamin shook his head. “I believe Mama will be glad to see the back of me,” he said, miserably. “After all she has said that I have put her through and the disrespect she believes I have shown.”

His father’s face softened. “However you feel about your mother, she acts as she does because she cares for you and wants only what is best. You are her son and she will always love you, no matter how much you frustrate her. It is one of the trials that comes with being a parent.”

Benjamin could find nothing to say in response.

“Now, on you go and get yourself organized,” the Duke said, leading him towards the door of the study. “I shall have the carriage brought around in an hour.”

“An hour?” Benjamin stared at his father, thunderstruck. “I am to leave today? For an entire year?” He had thought that he would have been allowed a few days grace to get used to the idea of leaving, having a few last nights of well-behaved fun with his friends as he organized his things, but apparently his father thought otherwise.

“The sooner you get there, the sooner you can begin!” his father exclaimed, slapping him on the back. “On you go now. Your new home awaits. Oh, and Benjamin?”

“Yes, Father?”

“Be respectable. Leave the maids and the townswomen alone,” his father said with a tilt of his head that implied more than he said.

“I will,” he promised, nodding to his father that he understood his meaning.

Benjamin made his way along the hallway, his steps slow and measured. This all seemed very well prepared. He got the distinct impression that his father had been planning this venture for some time, aware that at some point he was going to have to intervene in Benjamin’s life.

“This will not be so bad,” he told himself, ignoring the way his heart lurched at the thought of leaving. He had never been very good at being alone. “I can do this.”

The truth was, Benjamin was nervous. He was about to leave town, leave his family and friends without a word and travel to some far off county without knowing what on earth he was meant to do, not to return for an entire year. At least the estate was not in decline, for that would have meant a far greater struggle.

“Benjamin?”

His mother emerged from the drawing room, and Benjamin was surprised to see her eyes sparkling with tears.

“Hello, Mama.”

“He has told you, then?”

“I think it for the best, Mama,” Benjamin replied, catching her hand. “If you knew what I did, you would be glad that I am gone from your house.”

A look of concern passed across her face.

“I am sorry for how I have spoken to you of late,” Benjamin continued, quietly. “I do hope that I can do what Father asks.”

“I am quite sure you can,” his mother replied, with a fervency that astonished him. Apparently, he was not as little in his mother’s estimation as he had thought.

“Is the carriage going soon?”

“Within the hour,” Benjamin replied, with a quick smile. “Apparently Father wants me gone from London as soon as possible – which I unfortunately cannot protest against.”

His mother nodded, and he bent to kiss her cheek before dropping her hand, turning on his heel, and walking away to his room.