The Companions of Time

chapter 16

After Lucas told us that we were going to the opera, Grey and I got excited, we were going to the opera in 1810!

I made my way to the sitting room with a novel called 'The Great Knight' which, from what I've read so far, was about a man that was appointed by the king to go steal the opposing king's sword and scabbard, as an act of blasphemy against the opposing king. But in order to get to the king he has to battle with the knights of the opposing kings round table.
I was determined to finish reading the book by the time I was going to go to sleep.

When I walked into the sitting room, to read until dinner, I saw Ben sitting in a chair, a stray tear on his face and a ring in his hand.
I headed for the door, to give him so privacy, but then he saw me and stood out of respect.

He quickly wiped his face and placed the ring in his pocket, and awkwardly bowed slightly. I curtsied back, and his face grew red.
"Did you enjoy town?" He asked trying to act normal.

"Very much sir, I daresay I haven't been to such a lively town since I left from France," I said smiling, hoping to brighten his mood.

"Yes, I do take pride in the town, but I do not like the hurrying of everyone, it flusters me so," he said easing a bit.
"May I?" I asked nodding toward a chair.
He nodded, and I sat down as gracefully as I could, and placed my hands in my lap gracefully as well.

"The Great Knight? One of my favorites," he said smiling "out of all the books, you choose this one. However did you find it?"

I smiled picking up the book in my hands "you can tell it is a good book, by the condition of the book." I motioned toward the spine of the cover "see how the cover on the spine is worn down, and the book looks a bit battered? That means it's been held quite a bit, which most likely means it has been read and loved."

Ben smiled, and I looked down in embarrassment at my little ideology.

"I have never heard someone speak with such admiration and knowledge of books," he said smiling.
I looked up suddenly, surprised he did not laugh at me.

"So do you sir enjoy the art of traveling to another world by means of literature?" I asked with a soft and bashful smile.
"Enjoy? I should say not!" I looked down in disappointment "I adore it! I just love being able to imagine being a different person, in a different place, going on different journeys."

" I feel the exact same way! Oh how I long to be an author someday, but I'm afraid all my ideas will be absolute rubbish."
"No, I'm positive that you will think of a marvelous plot. Perhaps, you may write of your life, and actual events that have happened to you," Ben said smiling "if you ever write a book, I shall read it from cover to cover, not a moment interrupted."

I smiled and opened my book to the spot that I had marked with a ribbon.
Remembering what Lucas had said to Greyson and I, wanted to be able to find out the opera we would be going to see.

"Has your brother told you of our evening plans?" I asked.
He frowned.
"I'm afraid he hasn't. What does he plan for us?"

"He says we are to eat supper here, and he will eat in town, since he has business, and we will meet him in town to go see a new opera. How could he not have told you?"
Ben sighed and looked down "he and I currently have a bit of a disagreement over something, and he has become unbearable."

"My goodness, whatever has happened between you? You are both so mildly tempered, however could this have happened?" I asked, curiosity growing by the second.

"Lucas wants the ring I received after my grandmother's death, to marry the girl that I want to marry."

"Oh my goodness! How dare he do such a thing to you!? Please I apologize for interrupting, continue."

"He has received this estate, and half of the money left for us. I have received the other half and the ring. He is being selfish, and blames me because I shall not give it to him. And in two years when I come of age, I will not be living here, and I must find or build my own estate," he said explaining his story.

"Oh sir, it seems you have not gotten the better end of the reward. I'm terribly sorry that he has treated you so. But I daresay how old is the elder Mr. Thompson, if you are only two years until you come of age?" I asked curious.

"Why he is of 5 and twenty, and I am a mere 19, it is quite hard to compete with him. I have no idea how I shall make it on my own when I will be only 21. He has taught me much in business, but I am afraid I will not  be able to to make my life like his," Ben said sadly "I do not want to bring shame upon my family's name."

"Mr. Thompson, I do hope you understand that material things do not make a man happy, it is the joy hard work and dedication bring. Sir, you do not need a large estate and many gold things to be happy. They may bring temporary enjoyment , but I daresay the relationship between your brother is more important than that," I smiled to reassure him "and if it's any consolation I believe that any girl would choose you over him, if they knew of Lucas' selfish attitude. A grateful and giving heart is what I look for in a man, and I daresay that is what any woman would want."

After I finished my little speech, I was greeted with a warm smile from Ben, and he stood.

"Thank you very much Miss  Matthews, I must go see to preparations for dinner," he said bowing, before walking out of the room.

I frowned when I remembered that Lucas was 25 years old, and that he had a selfish attitude.

I had to let Greyson know.