Chapter 7
Seven
She most certainly was not going to wait when he could be walking into danger.
Victoria slipped from the bed, padded across the floor and paused in the corridor. She could follow Benedick to the upper level, which was nothing but storage, or she could alert one of her footmen.
Since she would likely be of little help if Benedick found himself in a confrontation, she hurried down the stairs and went to Hank, who was sitting on a chair at the entrance to her home.
No doubt he had seen Benedick carry her upstairs but she did not want to take the time to explain to save her reputation. Not when Benedick could be facing a dire fate.
“We heard someone on the upper floor,” she told him.
Hank immediately came alert.
“Mr. Valentine has gone up to investigate and I would feel better if he were not alone.”
Hank marched for the stairs, another footman set to follow.
“You, stay here and keep guard on the door,” Hank ordered then took the stairs two at a time.
Victoria hurried after him because she needed to be there in case something happened, though she still hoped that it was the storm.
Except, as soon as she reached the foot of the stairs that led to the attic, there was no mistaking the scuffling of feet and grunts from those above.
“Oh, dear.”
Victoria started to hurry up the stairs but quickly retreated back as two bodies, locked in a struggle, came rolling toward her.
The fight continued once they landed in the corridor.
Hank followed quickly to assist, but it appeared that Benedick had matters well in hand as soon as he had the assailant who had attacked her on his back and was pummeling him with his fist. All the man could do was try to push Benedick away, no longer trying to defend himself.
“This is what happens when you strike or bruise a woman,” Benedick ground out. “I should kill you for leaving bruises on Victoria,” he said as he stopped hitting the man who was now limp, though still alert and groaning.
“Hank, get your friends,” Benedick ordered. “Bring them up here and you will be in charge of keeping him locked away, or tied to a chair, I really do not care, until we can summon Bow Street in the morning.”
Hank nodded and hurried away. And even though the man was incapacitated, Benedick still sat on him ready to hit him again if he attempted to fight.
The man’s face was bloodied and his eyes would probably swell shut. Benedick was battered as well. There was a bit of blood beneath his nose and a bruise forming on his jaw.
Victoria hurried away to gather washcloths, fresh water and bandages.
Not for the man on the floor but for the man she loved.
* * *
Benedick stared down at the man who had the audacity to think he could touch Victoria, let alone bruise her. His hands hurt, his jaw ached and he would probably awaken tomorrow with every part of his body hurting from this fight, but Benedick had never felt better in his life.
Invigorated.
Maybe he should even thank the scoundrel for bringing him back to Victoria, but he didn’t want to think about that man having any part in his reunion.
Hank returned with Charlie and Jimmy, and only then did Benedick get off the man.
“How did he get in?” Jimmy asked, holding onto the man’s arm so hard that he winced.
“I can only assume he broke in earlier,” Benedick said. “And was waiting until he hoped Lady Victoria was asleep.”
The man glared at him and Benedick knew that he was right.
“As soon as this storm is over and it is light out, go for a Runner. Until then, keep an eye on him,” Benedick instructed.
The three of them hauled him away and Benedick could hear the man’s grunts and complaints. No doubt the three were probably inflicting their own harm on him.
With a smile, and then a wince because it hurt, Benedick returned to the chamber he had been assigned to find Victoria waiting for him.
“Sit!” She pointed to the side of the bed, next to where she had bandages sitting, and he quickly obliged.
She took a wet cloth and wiped his face, rinsing the blood from the cloth before returning to her task.
“I would like to scold you, but it wouldn’t do any good, and you also did not have much of a choice.”
He said nothing, just stared at her creamy breasts, which were almost fully on display as Victoria leaned over to treat his wounds.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I shudder to think what could have happened had I succeeded in sending you away.”
“Do not think on it because you would have never succeeded in getting me to leave.”
“That is because you are stubborn.”
Benedick snorted. “Not nearly as stubborn as you.”
“Yes, well, you may be correct.”
She then sat beside him and bandaged his hands. His knuckles were bloodied and bruised, but again, he did not care. He had saved Victoria and that was all that mattered.
“Well, then,” she said and stood when finished.
“Do I not at least deserve a kiss for my valiant efforts and saving you from the fiend?” he asked.
Victoria chuckled. “I suppose you do.”
She then bent forward and placed her lips against his.
If Benedick didn’t know what it was like to truly kiss her, maybe he would have been satisfied with the light, chaste kiss, but he wanted more. As she started to pull away, Benedick wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.
“What are you doing?”
He did not answer, but placed a hand behind her head, pressed his lips to hers.
Victoria smiled but was soon kissing him back.
When she sighed, he delved and Victoria welcomed him.
Her arms going around his neck as her fingers feathered through his hair.
He wanted to lay her on the bed right now and do all the things that they had enjoyed before, but this time he wouldn’t stop until she was his.
He wanted to feel the weight of her breast in his hands again, to trail his fingers up her thigh and bring her the pleasure that at one time had him swallowing her cries of release so that they would not be heard and discovered, but it was not time for that again.
As difficult as it was to do, especially being already achy with need, Benedick pulled away before he stood.
She blinked at him in confusion when he walked to the end of the bed and started for the door.
Her plump lips were parted in shock, disappointment in her blue eyes and he was hard pressed not to chuckle.
“Good night, Benedick.”
Ah, he recognized that determined tone. She may want him to stay but would not ask because he had literally just set her aside.
Victoria crawled under the coverlet, pulled it up to her chin, then turned on her side, back to him.
Did she really think he would leave her now?
Benedick grinned as he turned down the lamp, closed the still open bedchamber door.
Victoria sighed with disappointment into the darkness right before he crawled into the bed beside her.
“What are you doing?”
“I am not leaving until I have my answer.”
“What answer?”
“You never told me if you loved me or not.”
Victoria moved closer to him and put an arm across his middle and settled her head on his chest. “Good.” He could feel her smile against his chest. “If that is what keeps you here, I might never tell you.”