Page 52 of Chasing Benedict
Benedict came to his feet, hands braced on the table. “Perhaps if you didn’t act like a child, I wouldn’t have to treat you like one. Do you want to know why I don’t tell you everything? It’s because I am too busy cleaning up your messes and wiping your nose like a goddamn nursemaid! Your gambling, your drinking, your lack of care for your own well-being … I’ve come behind you, fixing the things you’ve broken as you traipse about without considering how your actions affect us all!”
“I never asked you to do any of it!” Nick roared. He was standing now, hands clenched and trembling at his sides. “I didn’t need you to be my father. I only ever needed you to be my friend.”
“And as your friend, I cared enough to help you. I tell Aubrey everything because of the five of us, he’s the levelheaded one. He knows how to solve problems, and he can do it without panicking and making matters worse. If I never confided in you, it’s because I didn’t think you could handle it.”
Nick snorted and shook his head. “Your overinflated opinion of yourself is astounding. You take pride in being the one to sort everyone else’s problems and clean their messes, but you neglect your own! You’ve been falling apart for months, and we can all see it! But do go on about what a scapegrace I am. If that’s what you must do to make yourself feel better, then have at it.”
Before Benedict could voice the blistering retort lingering on his tongue, Calliope shot to her feet.
“Stop it, both of you,” she said, a sharp command injected through her words. “Nick, we are a guest in Alex’s home, and you are being unconscionably rude. You haven’t seen him in years, and should take this time to grow reacquainted. Benedict, Nick has been hurt ever since that night at Boodles over the things that were said. However, he ought not have begun this conversation at the table. If the two of you wish to argue or bludgeon one another, I suggest you do so outside and leave Alex and I to our meal!”
Nick plopped down into his chair like a naughty pupil who’d just had his knuckles rapped with a ruler. His wife glared at him while taking her seat, as if to quell any lingering rebellion. Benedict followed suit, forcing himself to eat though his stomach was now in knots.
He’d had no idea Nick felt that way. Throughout their long friendship, Benedict had always been the one Nick came to with a problem. Since university, Benedict had deftly maneuvered Nick out of dangerous situations, secure in the knowledge that as long as they were friends, he would be there to continue in that way. Benedict wasn’t privileged to have many friends, and for years, Alex and Nick had been the only ones. If Nick hadn’t wanted his interference, he’d never said so, and he certainly had never acted as if he didn’t.
The meal went on with the strained silence broken only by casual conversation between Alex and Calliope. Benedict rediscovered his appetite, his stomach begging for sustenance after the long day of training. He gorged himself on lamb and potatoes drenched in a rich sauce, pork pie with a flaky crust, and two slices of pound cake. He guzzled wine to dull the ache in his head, and did his best act as if this were a normal meal shared by friends.
When it ended, they returned to the salon, where Alex and Calliope fell into talk about fabric and gowns. Nick and Benedict sipped their port and stared at one another with silent animosity. It wasn’t until Calliope approached to tell her husband she was ready to turn in for the night that Nick finally spoke.
“I won’t apologize for the way I feel,” he said. “But I am sorry if you felt blindsided by what I said. If we aren’t friends anymore, I suppose I would understand.”
Benedict laughed. “I see no reason to end our friendship over a row. It isn’t as if we’ve never had one before.”
“True enough.”
“You are stuck with me, I’m afraid.”
Nick took his wife’s hand to lead her away. “Sooner or later, I suspect it will bemetaking care ofyou.”
Once they were alone, Alex came to sit beside him on the love seat. Their sizes pushed them tight against each other, and Alex’s hand fell onto his thigh.
“I’m sorry,” Benedict mumbled. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“Think nothing of it. Nick has always had a quick temper and never knew how to hold his tongue until the right time. He baited you.”
Benedict scoffed and laid his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. “He does it like no one else can.”
“Even me?” Alex teased.
Benedict opened one eye to peer at Alex. “Even you, though you have certainly given him competition.”
With a deep sigh, Alex leaned into him, his head falling against Benedict’s shoulder. Benedict laid his hand atop Alex’s and took in the sweet smell of him.
“You smell like cake,” he said.
Alex chuckled. “Good enough to eat?”
“Definitely. Only, I don’t think I possess the energy just now. Besides, I thought you wanted to discuss something with me.”
“You’ve had a difficult evening. It can wait. Let’s go to bed.”
Benedict offered no argument, his overeating at dinner having made him drowsy. His body would pay for it in the morning, but just now he didn’t care.
Once alone in his bedchamber, Alex dismissed both their valets. They helped one another disrobe, hands lingering and caressing in places. Benedict had been aroused all day, rushing through his training so Alex could take him to bed and deliver on this morning’s promise. However, Benedict was drained both physically and emotionally, and would likely fall asleep before Alex could even begin. All he had the strength for was a slow, lingering kiss—one filled with unspoken promises.
Then, they fell into bed together, Alex curled up against Benedict’s body.
CHAPTER 11
