Page 66 of Chasing Benedict
“Very good, miss,” Dr. Pruett replied, retrieving a seal from within the satchel hanging from his arm. “If you would be so kind as to retrieve that taper, we will seal it properly.”
As they set about that task, Ben remained stony and silent, leaving Alex to finish off the viscount. “Am I understood, Sterling?”
The viscount refused to answer at first, glowering at Alex as if contemplating murder. Alex pressed his full weight on Sterling’s chest, producing gurgles and panicked flailing.
“All right,” the viscount managed between wheezes. “All right, goddamn you! I agree!”
Alex backed away just as the doctor approached.
“It is done, my lord.”
“Good,” Alex replied. “Now get out of my sight. I will send word when your new lodgings are prepared. Hodge, see Miss Milbank to the room I selected for her. She is not permitted to leave until I escort her off my property in the morning.”
Pruett and the butler left with a silent Cynthia in tow. Alex stooped to take Sterling by his lapels and yank him to his feet. The man’s feet scrabbled on the slick tiles as he fought to get free, to no avail. Alex wrenched open the door to the corridor and threw Sterling over the threshold. Two of his biggest, strongest footmen awaited his orders.
“See the viscount off Vautrey lands immediately. He is not permitted within a mile of the gates.”
Alex slammed the door just as the men each took hold of Sterling’s arms, dragging him to the entrance hall. When he turned, Alex collided with Ben, who was upon him with a strong grip and a guttural growl. Alex found himself pinned to the nearest wall, with Ben’s mouth assaulting him in a feverish kiss.
Ben’s hands braced his jaw, his lips devouring and his tongue plunging as he went at Alex as if starving for the kiss. Alex was breathless when they pulled apart, Ben’s eyes bright and burning with a dozen different emotions.
“You ridiculous, daring, beautiful man,” Ben said with a shocked laugh. “How did you … when did you … I have so many questions.”
Alex stroked Ben’s cheek, now dizzy from his sensual assault. “Impressed, are you?”
“Impressed is too mild a word, but it will have to do. When I get you to bed, I’m going to show you just how impressed I am.”
Alex laughed as Ben kissed his neck, his day’s worth of whiskers tickling the tender skin. “It doesn’t matter how or when. It only matters that it’s over. You’re safe now, and so are your friends.”
Ben pulled him close, his head rested on Alex’s shoulder. “I can never thank you enough. Everything good that has happened this past month has been because of you. I was dying, slowly and painfully. You brought me back to life.”
“You fought for it all on your own,” Alex insisted. “I couldn’t do it all alone. You were always the strong one, Ben. I think, for a time, you simply forgot that.”
Ben leaned back so they were eye-to-eye, one hand bracing Alex’s cheek. “I love you. I haven’t said that to you in so long, and I almost missed my chance to say it again. I love you, Alex and I always will.”
Alex leaned into Ben’s touch, absorbing it along with those sweet words. Ben had mumbled them while half-asleep and drugged from the aftermath of lust. This was different somehow, more real.
“And I love you,” he replied. “Whatever comes next, I want you to experience it with me. I don’t want ever want to be away from you again. I know we cannot have the same sort of life as those who love one another and can legally wed and freely share their devotion. But if none of that matters to you, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want you and Ella, and a long life devoid of all the hurt and destruction our past has given us.”
“Yes,” Ben replied, giving Alex a short, soft kiss. “I want that, too. Now that you’ve offered me the world, you’ll never be rid of me. You’ll be stuck with me when I’m old and fat and curmudgeonly.”
Alex laughed and poked at Ben’s hard, flat stomach. “You will never be fat, and you’re already an insufferable curmudgeon.”
Ben gave Alex a playful push, then patted his belly. “Just wait until you’ve lived with me long enough. I only have two states—hard as a marble statue, or soft as a buttered roll.”
“Fortunately for you, I happen to adore buttered rolls. And I think I will enjoy feeding you desserts and watching you grow portly and gray.”
Ben took his hand and led him back to the door of the dining room. “And I shall enjoy watching you, skinny and balding, still traipsing about in your banyans.”
“Perhaps I’ll add a turban to the ensemble once I begin to age. I think they look rather dignified.”
Alex squeezed Ben’s hand, enjoying the moment of intimacy before they had to hide their true affection from their guests. It didn’t matter that only a select few would know what they shared. Alex was grateful that they could be who they really were, free from prying eyes and judgment when they were alone. They could become what they were always meant to be.
“Whatever you’re wearing,” Ben said just before they opened the door. “I will love you in it … and take joy in stripping it off you and throwing it to the floor.”
AFTER THE PARTYguests had been shown to their rooms for the night, Benedict, Alex, and the original four courtesans and their wives gathered in the drawing room for drinks. With Aubrey leading, they toasted to the defeat of the London Gossip and the permanent departure of Viscount Sterling. Port and sherry flowed as Benedict introduced Alex to Hugh and David and their wives. Hugh drew Alex into an absorbing conversation about painting, while Aubrey and Nick played at cards. Calliope sat at the piano to play for them, while Lucinda lingered nearby to chat with her. Regina and Evelyn sat side by side on the loveseat, shoes removed and pregnant bellies cradled by loving hands.
Benedict stood back and watched them all with a deep sense of satisfaction settling over him. Just before they’d entered the drawing room, Nick had draped an arm over his shoulders and given him a little jostle.
