Chapter 28

Benedict was silent as he digested all that Hester had told him. “What would you have me do?”

“Let me go your Majesty. My daughter has ignored your terms. She has not come back until now and nor will she. Holding me captive serves no purpose anymore.”

Benedict stood and approached Hester until he stood beside her chair. Hester cringed inwardly not knowing what to expect. Benedict stood over her and she leaned back in her chair to look up at him. His clear blue eyes betrayed nothing but, in his face, there was something she could not quite describe. He remained calm and betrayed nothing to her but when he spoke Hester realized there was more to his actions than he had ever dared tell her.

“I apologize for keeping you here. I will think on what you have said. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps my reasons have not been honorable after all and I have been selfish.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it as what Benedict said struck home. She looked up into his eyes searching anew for somethi