Chapter 17After a rigorous few rounds at Jackson’s gymnasium, even before considering his repast, Jo decided that a cup of Cribbins’ good coffee was required. Also, as Edward had departed for Wiltshire that morning, he could combine the excuse of that pleasure while checking on Ben.
Cribbins welcomed him with an accompanying waft of the promised brew, and Ben, returned from meeting with Nathan, was sitting in his usual fireside chair, coffee cup in hand.
Once Jo was settled and took his first sip, he asked, “Did Edward get away?”
Ben’s face was neutral, “Yes, we saw him off at the crack of dawn. He’ll write as soon as he’s home, I’m sure.”
“When might he return?” Jo asked, reckoning since Ben was not glowering, he might hazard such a delicate question without a nearby object being thro
