The Fairest of Them All by Cathy Maxwell Page A

didn’t answer. He was too angry.
    And then he saw his brother Ben. Ben had just stepped out of a room with a group of men. He carried several ledgers and appeared to have his own assistant to the assistant.
    His younger brother stopped at the sight of Jack. The men he was with looked on with more than polite interest. Ben said something to them and then started walking toward Jack.
    â€œHallo, brother,” he said as if he and Jack were on the friendliest terms.
    Aware that they were being observed by the ­curious, Jack held out his hand. “Good to see you.”
    While shaking Jack’s hand, Ben nodded to ­Perkins. “Baynton has you back at work, I see.”
    Perkins shrugged. “It is always my honor to work for His Grace.”
    â€œGive him a wild chase,” Ben advised Jack. “Perkins becomes bored if we don’t do something to liven his dull existence.”
    There was humor in his comment but a touch of anger as well. So Jack wasn’t the only one Gavin had unleashed Perkins on.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Jack asked his brother.
    A guarded expression came to Ben’s eyes. He glanced at the gentlemen waiting for him. They actually all had the look of assistants—­and they waited for Ben.
    His brother looked down at the floor as if uncertain of what he was about to say before admitting, “I work for Liverpool.”
    Elation and relief flood Jack’s veins. “How fortunate. I didn’t know.” Ben could have told him this last night, but Jack dismissed the idea. The meeting with his family had been an emotional one and, while he was always ready to advance the cause of his adopted country, he could understand there was a time and place for such discussions. Like now.
    â€œLet me have a moment of your time,” Jack said. “Perhaps you can listen to what I have to say and between us we can chart the best course.”
    Ben glanced again at the men waiting, a signal to Jack that he did not have time. “Have you talked to Russell?” he suggested. Jonathan Russell had been named chargé d’affaires when Ambassador William Pinckney had been recalled by President Madison.
    â€œI have done more than talk to him. He has made the rounds with me and is as frustrated as myself over the implied slights we have received. Ben, I have yet to present my letters of introduction to anyone of importance. Even to those who are un important. I am continually put off—­”
    â€œIt is difficult, Jack. We have more pressing concerns with Napoleon eating up the Continent—­”
    â€œYou are going to have two battlefronts if I can’t find someone willing to listen. Our grievances with Britain can be resolved. However, we need your government to sit with us in good faith.”
    Ben took a step back. “With us?”
    â€œWith us Americans,” Jack clarified, although he thought it was obvious.
    His brother now moved closer. “Everyone knows that you are the head of the American dele­gation but you are British.”
    â€œI was born in England,” Jack agreed slowly. “However, I’ve taken up residence in America.”
    â€œBut you are British .”
    â€œI don’t consider myself so.”
    â€œAnd that is the problem. Once an Englishman, always an Englishman, Jack. Of course many of the gentlemen in this building remember you calling on them numerous times before last night. However now that they know you are Baynton’s missing twin, well, the mood is not welcoming. They think you disloyal.”
    â€œI’m not being disloyal to my country.”
    â€œThat isn’t how they see the matter.” Ben sounded almost regretful, until he added, “I understand their concerns. You are English, Jack. I’m English, and we have the same parents. You come across as a—­” He caught himself from finishing the sentence, but Jack was not going to let him