The Anatomy of Deception - Lawrence Goldstone [68]
“I am not sure that I know your sister well enough to have intentions, Mr. Benedict, although this seems a question more for your father to be asking.”
Benedict sipped his cognac. “Well, Dr. Carroll, as my sister pointed out, I’ve been ordained to take his place and have therefore been delegated certain tasks with which I might gain experience.”
“And I am one of your tasks?”
“Not you specifically. Abigail is one of my tasks.”
“Abigail seems more than able to fend for herself.”
Benedict removed his spectacles and polished them with a silk handkerchief that he took from his vest. “You might be surprised,” he replied. “In any event, we take a dim view in our family of those who attempt to prey upon the weakness of women.”
“I don’t find women to be particularly weak,” I rejoined, wondering how he could make such a statement with Abigail as a sister. “Certainly no more so than men.”
“Women are gullible and naïve,” insisted Benedict. “They are easily swayed by flattery or pleasing prevarication. It is the natural order of things.”
I was stunned. These were sentiments that I associated with Elias Schoonmaker’s generation. “I’m not sure Darwin would agree,” I replied simply.
“Darwin dealt with physical traits. I am speaking of essential character.” Benedict leaned back in his chair in studied relaxation. “Dr. Carroll, I will be blunt. We have quite a bit of money, as you know, and as such my family is an appealing target for some who wish to improve their circumstances at our expense.”
I was supposed to be insulted, of course, to rise to the bait, to point out that it was his sister who had pursued me and not the other way round, and that I was not even sure of her motives. Protestations of innocence, however, were what people as rich as the Benedicts doubtless heard every day. Instead, I remained silent and, after a moment, he continued.
“It is only because your professional reputation is so excellent and that you work with Dr. Osler that we will take no action at the moment and allow you to continue to call on my sister.” Benedict spoke easily, casually, as if menacing potential suitors was a common event. Perhaps it was. “Abigail has, I might add, expressed an interest in you, but she always was susceptible to charm.” Charm? This man thought I had made my way on charm? “If, however, we find that your attentions are motivated by a desire to improve your social or financial position or are in any other way insincere … well, Dr. Carroll, we can make things extremely difficult for you, and we can do so whether you are in Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Constantinople.”
Ten days ago, I would have been overpowered—one of the most dominant families in the city, perhaps the entire nation, had promised to break me unless I behaved exactly as I was told. But I was not the same man as ten days ago. During that period, I had been threatened with prison by Borst and bodily injury by Haggens, uncovered a murder, and put the work of a decade at risk. While I certainly did not take the Benedicts lightly, the threat issued by Albert seemed rather benign compared to the others.
“Mr. Benedict,” I replied, “I understand your position exactly. Although I can issue all the appropriate assurances of honorable behavior, you would still have every reason for skepticism. I am sure, after all, that the most convincing assurances come from the worst rogues. Your father … and you, of course … will, I know, judge me by my demeanor, not by anything I say.”
I had not expressed the appropriate fealty, but nor had I challenged his authority. A stalemate, if he would allow it. For the moment, evidently, he would, as, without further conversation, he rose. “I will fetch my sister,” he said evenly. “Wait in the sunroom.”
I was escorted by a retainer through the labyrinthine house to a small room at the back whose ceiling and walls were glass. It was filled with greenery and flowers, and the moon was visible overhead. The air was as thick as I imagined the tropics to be. Five minutes later, Abigail walked in. She was once again