#//since this site's basically forcing everyone onto beta 5/15

[honorhearted]

"How haven't I kept my promises?" Ben spat, finally having heard enough of the soft-spoken, slanderous insults. "I would say that in all the time we've known one another, I have come a long way from the man you first met. My intention was always to help you. And if that is so horrible, then I apologize." His stiff chin, however, belied any such apology. "I think we can both agree that had I not reacted uncouthly, you wouldn't be sitting here with a man you intend to marry. You would still be trapped in that cramped, miserable little room with nothing but a cage of birds to keep you company. "

Ironically, Johanna's mention of hysteria did imbue a sense of calm -- or at least, Ben grew calmer than he was prior. "I know," he agreed, sighing, "you're right -- it won't help Father if my head isn't screwed on straight. I won't turn away any suggestions, no matter how seemingly insignificant nor hopeless. If Father has taught me anything, it's to never lose hope, and most especially when life seems its very bleakest."

Jutting his chin, Ben glanced in between Anthony and Johanna, not wanting to admit that a part of him wished to finish the job. So long as Turpin drew breath, he posed as a danger to his friends and family. "It may be smarter," he allowed, "but whom else could it be? My father is beloved by everyone in Setauket, and has never made an enemy in all his life. Should anyone spit in his eye, he would gladly turn the other cheek...within reason, of course."

Overwhelmed -- there were no other theories! It had to be Turpin! -- Ben pressed his lips together and shook his head. "I...don't know," he admitted, shrinking beneath their gaze. "I suppose it could've been highwaymen...perhaps some wayward travelers? But if it was that sort of a crime, then his house would've been in a state of disarray. Whatever happened, he went willingly, and without a trace. He didn't take along anything of value. That's why I'm convinced someone took him, because he wouldn't have left without his Bible and valise -- those accompanied him everywhere he went."

benjamin tallmadge.

Agitated, Ben tried his best to reel in his temper. “Of course I’m not certain,” he said. “If I were, I wouldn’t be all the way out here in the middle of the city, dragging you away from your school with the hopes of getting answers. All I do know is the beadle is so closely associated with Turpin that he practically lives up the man’s arse.” He nodded towards Anthony. “Begging your pardon, sir.”

Rolling his dampening palms over his knees, Ben sighed and tucked his chin toward his chest. “I understand your reservations – hell, you’re always reluctant, and in this instance, you might be right – but I feel the best way to move forward is to find the beadle. Given how he is most likely the culprit, it will be fastest if we can eliminate him as a suspect.”

Or just eliminate him, he grudgingly thought, but chose not to say aloud. No, if he had, he knew Johanna very well might go into hysterics.

By now, Anthony, too, was gaping at him as though he’d sprouted multiple appendages, so Ben offered them both a feeble smile. “Forgive me,” he said. “I’m not exactly gentile when my father is in danger.”

Spy?

It wasn’t the worst idea, but there still remained one problem. “I would gladly throw Brewster into his trajectory,” Ben agreed, “but we still need to find the man first.” Anxious, he began bouncing his knees out of nervous habit. “I tell you, I have searched my father’s house up and down, and multiple times on multiple occasions. If he turns up now, it’ll be a true miracle…” He exhaled. “Still, we can go back, just in case I missed something. You both are undoubtedly levelheaded in comparison to myself, so a fresh pair of eyes might be wisest.”

 she  was  planning  on  running  away  anyway.  with  anthony,  of  course.  she’s  known  for  years  that  her  options  for  marriage  were  either  whoever  the  judge  picked  out  for  her  or  she  could  elope.  if  anyone  wanted  to  elope  with  her,  that  is.  now  she  has  anthony  and  they’ve  been  speaking  of  elopement  for  months  now.  it  was  the  only  way  to  disappear  from  that  dreadful  school  and  there  was  a  thrill  involved  with  the  idea  of  running  away  to  be  married.  still,  something  held  her  back.  an  unseen  pressure.  the  back  of  her  mind  tells  her  it  was  the  tallmadges  and  how  invested  they  become  with  her  life,  but  the  majority  of  her  mind  –  still  ruled  by  her  though  process  that  kept  her  alive  when  she  was  the  judge’s  ward  –  tells  her  that  no  one  would  care  for  her  that  much  that  they  would  want  to  be  at  her  wedding.  apparently,  mr.  tallmadge  thought  differently.  

 ❝  you  should’ve  seen  him  when  we  first  met,  ❞  she  mumbles  to  anthony.  it  is  a  mistake  to  admit  things  so  freely.  ❝  always  reluctant?  ❞  she  rolls  her  eyes.  ❝  just  because  i  didn’t  want  to  be  dragged  away  by  a  man  i  just  met  –  who  didn’t  keep  his  promises  –  doesn’t  mean  i’m  always  like  that.  ❞  if  only  mr.  tallmadge  knew  how  she  reacted  to  anthony.    

 ❝  i  just  don’t  think  we  need  to  rush  into  hysteria  right  now.  ❞  coming  from  her.  who  mr.  tallmadge  must  consider  to  be  the  most  hysterical  woman  alive.  ❝  you  have  every  right  to  panic,  sir.  if  it  were  not  for  anthony,  i  fear  i  would  be  the  same  way.  i  hope  i  can  be  of  some  use  then?  ❞

 she  sighs,  taking  a  deep  breath  in.  ❝  what  do  you  think  immediately  going  to  london  will  accomplish?  suppose  it  isn’t  the  judge  or  the  beadle  or  anyone  like  that.  i  think  it’s  smarter  if  we  look  for  something  before  we  sail  across  the  sea.  ❞  not  to  mention  the  fact  that  johanna  doesn’t  want  to  ever  return  to  london.  the  city  anthony  talks  about  with  stars  in  his  eyes.  the  city  that  still  bares  a  great  weight  on  her.  ❝  who  else  do  you  think  could  be  involved?  what  other  theories  do  you  have?  ❞