Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick Page A

ago.”
    “I’m aware of that, Hodges.” Benedict picked up the envelope, opened it quickly and read the short message.
    RUMORS LINKING YOUR NAME TO THAT OF MISS AMITY DONCASTER HAVE REACHED US STOP YOUR MOTHER WISHES TO KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER STOP SHE REMINDS YOU THAT IT IS TIME YOU GOT MARRIED STOP
    Benedict dropped the message on the tray. “It’s from my father. I’ll draft a reply before I leave the house.”
    “Yes, sir,” Hodges said.
    He exchanged a look with Mrs. Hodges, who smiled what Benedict thought was a distinctly smug smile.

    An hour later Benedict went up the steps of an elegant little house situated in a quiet, attractive neighborhood. He was shown immediately into the study, where he found Richard seated at the desk.
    Richard looked up from the architectural drawings he had been examining.
    “It’s about time you got here,” he said. “I assume you are aware that you are the subject of some very interesting gossip linking your name with that of Miss Amity Doncaster?”
    Richard was two years younger and somewhat taller. His red-brown hair and sea-green eyes had come from their mother. Richard had also inherited Elizabeth Stanbridge’s warm, outgoing, optimistic personality.
    More than one person had remarked that the Stanbridge brothers were as different as night and day. Benedict was well aware that he was the one cast in the role of dour, gloomy night: always ready to point out the drawbacks and the risks of a venture; always assessing the worst case and planning for that eventuality.
    Richard, by contrast, was a bright, sunny morning. Although he was a truly gifted architect, his most valuable contribution to the firm of Stanbridge & Company was his ability to charm potential clients. He also had a very good head for business. The combination made him invaluable.
    If the task of dealing with the clients were left to him, Benedict thought, Stanbridge & Company would no doubt be bankrupt within six months. He was the first to admit that he had little patience with clients who did not comprehend the importance of sound engineering principles and the need to resist the temptation to cut corners when it came to the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Most clients wanted to be dazzled by spectacular architectural details. They just assumed the bridge or the building or the glass conservatory would not collapse.
    “I have just this morning been made aware of the chatter about my relationship with Miss Doncaster,” he said. He set the black leather case on the desk and went to stand at the window. “One would think that people would have more important matters to discuss.”
    “You can hardly expect people to ignore gossip that involves both a hint of scandal and attempted murder,” Richard said. He looked amused.
    “Huh.”
    Richard paused and then cleared his throat. “I’m aware that the bit about attempted murder is true. The news in the press has been remarkably consistent, if very likely exaggerated. I don’t doubt but that Miss Doncaster barely escaped the clutches of a killer.”
    “Thanks to her bravery and self-defense skills,” Benedict said.
    “They do say that travel is educational. What of the romantic aspect of the stories? Ben, tell me the truth. Are you involved in a liaison with Miss Doncaster?”
    “Not a liaison.” Benedict turned away from the window and met his brother’s eyes. “I am engaged to her.”
    He realized he liked announcing that he was engaged to Amity. It was as if the more frequently he made the statement, the more real it became.
    Richard’s brows shot skyward. He lounged back in his chair and put his fingertips together. “Well, well, well. Wait until Mother finds out.”
    “There was a telegram from Australia waiting for me when I walked through my front door today.”
    “I’m not surprised.” Richard chuckled. “I got one yesterday. Mother sends her love, by the way. Evidently her painting has been inspired by the atmosphere of