Page 27 of Chasing Benedict
“It does. Our outing?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Very well. Until then.”
He didn’t even gaze away from the window, making it clear that Alex had just been summarily dismissed. It took a great deal of his will to turn and walk away, reminding himself that this was only the beginning. If he had his way, what he and Ben shared would never end.
ALEX STAREDat Ben’s shadowed silhouette, anticipation making him restless. The sway of his carriage intensified his anxiety, and his left leg bounced in a manifestation of it. He had arrived at Ben’s residence to collect him half an hour ago, and they’d nearly reached their destination. Alex could feel Ben’s annoyance from across the carriage but brushed it off without a second thought. Alex would have to deal with his companion's surliness through the first days of their arrangement. It wasn’t enough to deter him. Besides, his hope was that this outing would help ease some of the friction between them, reminding Ben of times long past but hopefully not forgotten.
“Where are you taking me?” Ben asked.
It was the first time either of them had spoken during the ride, and Alex was grateful he hadn’t been forced to break the silence.
“It’s a surprise,” he teased.
“I hate surprises,” Ben grunted.
“I think you will like this one. Besides, when was the last time you did something fun? I imagine you spend quite a bit of time training for your boxing matches and … and tending to your … business.”
Ben’s teeth flashed in the dark in a mocking grin. “Fucking. My business is fucking.”
A shiver raced through Alex as the crude words fell from Ben’s lips. His pleasure-starved body had been vexing him since yesterday; fevered dreams of kneeling before Ben and swallowing his cock having tormented his sleep. Knowing Ben as well as he did, Alex had a feeling he’d be made to wait until they reached Kent for theirbusinessto truly begin. He felt as if he might die between now and then.
He groped about for something to say lest his wandering thoughts cause him to do something stupid. “Doesn’t it concern you? The potential for being caught, I mean. There is greater risk for you than the other men involved.”
Ben shrugged. “No more risk than sneaking around in parks with renters or meeting lovers in public house rooms. At least, by attaching a price to my services, the risk is outweighed by the potential for wealth.”
“You make an interesting point. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“I daresay you never thought of men as courtesans at all before now, let alone male courtesans who service other men.”
“No,” Alex agreed. “Though I have to admit the idea is ingenious. It certainly seems to have improved your fortunes, as well as Aubrey’s.” He had a certain thought and sat up straighter, eyes widening. “Dear God … Nick was involved, too, wasn’t he? You’re thick as thieves, and I cannot believe you’d start such a venture without him.”
Ben didn’t even bother to deny it. “Nick was one of the best before he met Calliope and settled down. Earned himself a king’s ransom and gambled most of it away within a few years. His inheritance has set things right again, and he’s become better at managing his funds.”
Alex wasn’t surprised to hear that their old school friend had allowed his vice to lead him to destitution. Dominick Burke had joined their small circle of friends once they’d reached university. Benedict resumed his secret bare-knuckle brawls in this new setting—though he took greater care to avoid being caught. Alex had been curious enough to sneak away to watch the spectacle, both horrified and entranced by the beauty and brutality of Ben—bare-chested and sweating, pummeling this man or that one with his hammer-like fists.
It was at one of these matches that they’d met Dominick, who approached them while counting his winnings and praising Ben for his skills. His obsession with gambling led him to wager on just about everything—from footraces and fights, to the changing of the weather and the probabilities of certain boys being sent home in disgrace after some lark or another. That he was now reformed came as a greater surprise than the realization that his gambling had continued to plague him up until recently.
“Good for him,” Alex murmured. “Where is he living these days? Now that he’s no longer at Albany, I don’t know where to find him.”
“He hasn’t been to London in months, but I cannot say where he might be at present. There’s an estate in Cornwall and another in Leicester. His father-in-law also owns property in Surrey, and he and his wife visit regularly.”
That was disappointing, only because Alex hadn’t laid eyes on Nick in years … since his wedding day, in fact. Their close friendship wasn’t enough to let Dominick in on Alex’s secret, and he wondered if Ben had ever come clean. As far as Alex knew, Aubrey and Lady Dane were the only mutual friends who knew about their history and preferences.
What would Nick think if he knew? He would likely discover the truth eventually. Once Alex had achieved the desired outcome, he didn’t intend to be without Ben ever again. From the outside looking in, others would see a close and enduring friendship between two men. Being as close as he was to both of them, Nick was sure to notice that something deeper was at play. It was one of many challenges they would have to navigate together—presenting themselves to society as bachelors who had been the best of friends since university, and hiding the true nature of what they shared. For many, it might seem like a bleak future, but Alex saw the silver lining of it. When they were alone, they would be free to carry on as they pleased—free from prying eyes and scrutiny. Free to love one another and be loved.
He wanted to express such thoughts to Ben, but now was not the time. As the carriage slowed to a stop, Alex reminded himself that he was playing the long game. He would have to earn Ben’s heart back piece by piece, and thus far he didn’t even have the barest sliver.
Patience,he reminded himself.It will take time.
The door swung open, and the footman laid the steps. Alex emerged first, turning to watch Ben peer cautiously at the building illuminated by gas lamps. The light showed the scowl that marred his face as he looked at Alex.
“No,” he snapped. “Absolutely not.”
Alex pursed his lips. “You promised. We shook on it. One outing to the place of my choosing.”
“I wouldn’t have agreed had I knownthiswas where you intended to take me … which, I suppose, is why you decided not to divulge our actual destination.”
