Page 38 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
“Climbing out a window? Bloody hell! He has gone mad! Yes. On that, you are very correct, something has to be done. Still, I am yet to see how this concerns us. What are we do to do? Nicholas would not go against his father’s wishes.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. Many times, she wondered if this young Duke was as sensible as he portrayed himself to be.
“We are going to help everyone end up with their heart’s loves. Unfortunately, I need your help. I have got a plan. Sadly, it isn’t something a Lady can execute all on her own. That is why I have come to seek your help.”
He grinned. In a time like this, he grinned! “Ahh. I see, the damsel has finally admitted to being in distress. Never worry, knight Benjamin to the rescue. As it happens, I have a white horse to go.” Beside herself, she found her cheeks curving in a smile as he winked at her. Trust him to find amusement in such a dicey situation.
She finally agreed to take her seat. He got down opposite her, and she began to tell him of her carefully laid out plans. As the night rolled by, she was glad she had come to him after all. There were loopholes in her carefully crafted plan which he had easily pointed out and amended. By the time they returned to the ball, they had come up with a foolproof plan, and Isabelle was feeling so different about Benjamin Witherspoon. It scared her, but she could no longer deny it – she was attracted to the impossible, arrogant Duke.
Chapter 25
Benjamin Witherspoon was many things, but what he was not was a valiant warrior for love. He did not do love, did not believe in it, period! Yet, here he was, assigning himself as a cohort in this mission Isabelle Birmingham had carefully planned out and roped him into. Indeed, he had reasons why he was doing this. For one, he wanted to see his friend happy. There was also the fact that he had been terribly bored lately, and this would serve as good entertainment. Deep inside, though, he knew that the foremost reason why he was doing this was because of who had asked him.
There was something about Isabelle Birmingham that drew him in like moth to a flame, that had him coming back, no matter how many times he got burned. In the beginning, he had accepted that it was merely lust. Now, he wasn’t so certain anymore. Sure, she still – in Nicholas’s words – made his blood boil. And his balls? Yes, she made them itch. Last night was proof. His trousers had felt too uncomfortable from the bulge he had grown the moment his eyes fell upon her bare skin. It had affected him more than he liked to admit, and when he held her as they danced, it had taken sheer willpower to keep his manhood from stirring towards her. All the time they had been in his old room at the Stamfords’ home, he had thought of a million things he could do to her in such a private enclosed place. Pacing around had done nothing to relieve him of his discomfort. He was only glad she was so innocent, and she had not suspected a thing.
Indeed, he had felt all of those things, conversely, he could not deny that it was beginning to become something more. The tug in his heart when she smiled, and her eyes lit up. Her quick wit, the way she bantered with him and always had a witty retort for everything. She excited him, and more than that, she warmed him. Even now, sitting beside her in this carriage as they headed for Hyde Park where they would be meeting a certain Alan Sheldon, he could feel her in every breath he took. He had called upon her earlier in the day, and her mother had been more than happy to let her go with him, with only one maid as a chaperone. Of course, it had been a maid of Isabelle’s choosing. She had said she could trust this one.
“We are almost there,” he said, sensing her impatience.
She looked up and gave him a small smile. There was that pull again. He managed to give her a wink and quickly looked away. He could not afford to betray anything. Until he was entirely certain this attraction was mutual, there was no way he would make such a fool of himself.
Soon, they arrived Hyde Park, and immediately he helped her and the maid down, he led the way to where they had requested Alan to wait for them in the letter he had written to the man.
“Are you certain you can recognise this man?”
“Without doubt. The Sheldons have been doing business with my family for centuries. I have known Alan since he was a boy of about twelve summers. Now, he is twenty and six. I would recognise him in my dreams, I declare.”
He smiled at the indignation in her voice. “Good. Keep your eyes open.”
She did not miss a beat. “I intend to. In fact, I see him. Over there.”
He followed her outheld hand to a man who was sitting on bench, facing their direction. Benjamin had not really had any expectations, but he was impressed by what he saw. This man was good looking and well dressed. He also sat like a man who knew his worth. If the lady Agnes had chosen this man, Benjamin knew title or not, he must be worth it. The man looked up as they approached, and recognition dawned in his eyes when he sighted Isabelle. His eyes stayed on her for only a brief moment before returning to Benjamin, still it left Benjamin feeling some way that the man had looked at her in the first place. He pushed the feeling away, focussing on the task at hand. As they got closer to the merchant, he got up on his feet. When they reached him, Isabelle floated over and held his shoulders as she kissed the air on the side of his cheeks. Such familiarity! It gnawed at Benjamin even when he knew he had no right to be put off by it. She had known the man for fourteen years, after all.
“Alan, the overseas agree with you, as always. I wouldn’t have known you were back if I had not seen you sneak out of my father’s house in the dead of the night.” Benjamin watched the man’s face for his reaction. He gave himself away when he flushed. Hmm … interesting.
Isabelle stepped back, and he stepped forward to shake the man’s hands. She did the introductions.
“Alan, I would like you to meet Benjamin Witherspoon, Duke of Sussex and close friend to Nicholas Stamford, the one who Agnes is to be married to.”
The man’s eyes widened in alarm, but Benjamin was quick to calm his fears. “There is absolutely nothing to worry about, Mr Sheldon. I assure you, we are here in your best interest.” Alan visibly relaxed as he accepted Benjamin’s handshake. It was firm, and Benjamin’s respect for him climbed up a notch.
Alan finally spoke. “Pleased to meet you.” Then regarding Isabelle, “You look as lovely as always, Isabelle. I received your letter. I take it you already know of my liaison with your sister. Howbeit, I am yet to fathom the reason for this meeting.”
Benjamin turned to look at Isabelle who had a smile on her face as she responded. “In due time, Alan. Shall we walk?”
Upon his agreement, they began to walk. Both men flanked Isabelle by her sides, and her maid remained about seven feet behind. Far enough not to hear a thing unless she strained her ears, close enough for anyone watching to know that they were together.
As they walked, Isabelle explained the entire situation and the plan they had come up with carefully, to the merchant, and Benjamin remained quiet, watching the man’s reaction from the sides of his eyes.
“That is all, Alan. What do you think of it?” she asked as she finished.
He took a deep breath before responding. “I must confess. This is a lot to absorb. Nicholas is in love with your youngest sister, but he cannot say so for he must obey his father’s dying wish. You both, are willing to help me elope with Agnes, to get married?”
“Exactly! I have watched you two for so long, and I reckon, I have never seen two people better made for each other. You make her an entirely different person, Alan. She has been nothing but miserable since the engagement, so has Eleanor. I only want to see my sisters happy and full of light again.”
Alan said nothing for a long time. He appeared to be in deep thought, but they continued to walk. Moments later, he stopped and they did. Then, he moved to stand in front of Benjamin and Isabelle.
“I must declare that you have my profound gratitude for this selfless deed. I have spoken with Agnes regarding this, and our affair has come to an end. She made the same request you have just made, and I shall give you the answer I gave to her.” He paused to heave a sigh, and they waited for his answer. Benjamin had a feeling it would not be what they had been expecting when they made their plans. This was confirmed as Alan spoke.
