Page 24 of Chasing Benedict
He was a slight man but handsome—ridiculously so. Jealousy and annoyance had prompted Alex to listen at the keyhole, and what he’d heard had changed his entire strategy. Alex would never have pegged Ben as one who might resort to selling himself, but the more Alex thought of it, the more it made sense. Since Eton, Ben had been determined not to rely on his father, which was why he’d supplemented his meager monthly allowance using his fists all the way through his completion of university. Not long after amassing an impressive pile of winnings from his brawls, Ben had returned the most recent payment of his allowance to his father, along with a letter in which he told the viscount to go to the devil. From then on, he had won everything that was his by fighting and with smart investments, which had afforded him the comforts he had lacked during his first years at school.
Ben had managed to support himself without going to the viscount for a single pence for years. But, Alex assumed something had changed Ben’s circumstances in the past few years. With no other recourse, Alex could imagine him crafting the idea of going to business as a paramour to men who secretly desired other men. But there was more to it than that, for he had overheard Ben claiming that the London Gossip was on to him and ‘the other courtesans.’ There were several others, which made him the likely orchestrator of the entire thing. It was so like Ben to not only scheme to earn the income he needed, but to take others under his wing in the process. Ben had many flaws, but no one could accuse him of not caring about those in his inner circle. At times he cared too much, and that presented its own set of problems.
With this new knowledge tucked away in his mind, Alex had decided on a new course of action. He’d known from the start that to reveal everything to Ben would be difficult, and his last few attempts proved that. Using this new information, Alex could take control of the situation and limit Ben’s options to flee—creating the opportunity to resolve their issues. In the process, perhaps he could learn more about what was going on between Ben and Cynthia Milbank, and lend a hand in helping put a stop to this London Gossip business. In the end, if he couldn’t win Ben’s heart again, perhaps Alex could solve this problem for him.
Alex went still, glancing up as the butler appeared on the threshold.
“Mr. Sterling will receive you in his study. Right this way, my lord.”
The door to the study hung ajar, allowing Alex a view of Ben sitting behind his desk. He didn’t look up from the paper he scribbled on when the butler closed the door, furrowing his brow as he studied a row of figures jotted on a scrap of paper. A ledger sat open before him, riddled with Ben’s haphazard, nearly illegible handwriting.
Alex sank into a chair, crossing one leg over the other as he watched Ben work, content to drink in the sight of him. His lack of cravat and coat exposed the thick column of his throat and offered the barest glimpse at tufts of chest hair. He hadn’t been shaved this morning, and dark blond whiskers had already overtaken the topography of his jaw. Alex’s face tingled at the memory of that facial hair tickling him during a kiss, and his fingers longed to trail through the wiry strands of his side-whiskers.
For lack of something to do with his hands—short of hauling Ben out of that chair and kissing him soundly—Alex reached into his coat pocket and retrieved the small pouch of sugarplums he had stashed there this morning. The flow of sugar through his veins mingled with the heady rush of being near Ben again, making him feel slightly giddy. He was chewing his fifth sweet when Ben spoke, though he kept his head lowered over his work.
“This is an interesting change,” he muttered.
“How so?” Alex asked.
“You’ve decided you prefer to sit and observe me as if I’m under a microscope, rather than resuming the campaign to convince me to forgive you.”
“Ah. Well, that’s because I haven’t come to beg for forgiveness.”
Ben’s paused, pen hovering over his paper, and Alex briefly made out random figures being added together.
Ben’s gaze flicked to him briefly before he resumed his task. “Then why are you here? I have no intention of allowing you to dress me, if that’s it.”
Alex smirked. “Pity. I just purchased a stunning damask from Aubrey that I think would make the perfect waistcoat for you. Oh, and this burgundy broadcloth I just adore … it’d make a stunning pair of coats for us both.”
Ben snorted and shook his head. “It’s as if youwantto advertise to the entire city that we’re a pair of backgammon players.”
Alex chuckled. “Nonsense. They’ll all simply assume you were inspired by my exquisite taste, as the rest of the men of London are. I spied four men on my way here wearing yellow-dyed cravats.”
“People without sense are easily influenced. Don’t allow it to make you think too highly of yourself.”
“It is too late,” Alex argued. “I consider myself quite the thing.”
With an exasperated sigh, Ben laid his pen aside and met Alex’s gaze. “I don’t have time to play games, Alex. If you could get to the point of your visit—”
“I’ve come to make a deal with you.”
Ben frowned. “What kind of deal?”
Alex replaced the sugarplums in his pocket and rose to his feet, planting his hands on the surface of the desk and leaning in. Ben slouched, meeting the challenge in Alex’s gaze without wavering.
“I know the truth, Ben,” Alex began. “I know you’re one of the Gentleman Courtesans. I also suspect you’re the ringleader of the entire operation. I must assume Aubrey was a courtesan as well. I couldn’t puzzle it out at first—how he could afford such extensive renovation and expansion of his shop. And he’s a fine catch for any woman, but a former countess as a wife? Something didn’t add up until I realized both of you are wealthier now than you’ve ever been.”
He wouldn’t reveal that he’d eavesdropped on Ben’s conversation with that Martin fellow. There was no time to argue over semantics.
Ben showed no outward reaction to Alex’s accusation. Folding his hands over his abdomen, he pursed his lips. “I’m still waiting for you to tell me about this deal you wish to make.”
“Name your price. I want you for one month, exclusively, and am willing to pay whatever you demand.”
For several seconds, Ben didn’t speak. However, Alex watched him too closely to miss the flick of his gaze toward the figures he’d been adding. From here, Alex could only see numbers, the amount of commas and zeroes leading him to believe Ben was adding sums of money. It looked like an astronomical figure, and apparently, he wasn’t finished tallying. Based off the open ledger, Alex assumed he was searching his assets for a certain amount of money. But, for what reason? If it was something important and Ben needed funds, then Alex had the upper hand. His inheritance had left him with more money than he could spend in four lifetimes, and a number of his own assets to draw on if need be.
“I need to ensure I understand what you’re saying,” Ben replied, slow and succinct. “You have abandoned your quest to resume our previous relationship and now wish to purchase me to warm your bed? And just what brought on this sudden change of heart?”
It was excruciating to remain placid and feign nonchalance, when what Alex wanted was to insist that nothing had changed and he still loved Ben beyond all reason. But appealing to Ben’s emotions wasn’t working. A more mercenary approach was necessary until Ben had softened toward him. Once that happened, Alex would do everything in his power to prove his love, and just how unwilling he was to live without Ben.
