Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Benedict pulled his watch from inside his coat and looked at the time for what was probably the tenth time this morning. Miss Pettigrew had not yet made an appearance and he had already delayed his coachman half an hour. The foolish girl did not have the good sense to see that he was making her a damn fine offer. Money, status, a place in society as his duchess when the time came, and protection from her brother were not enough to entice her to leave the shambles of an abbey she now called home.
He took one more sip of the whiskey the innkeeper had brought him. It was passable, but he would be glad to return to the Lair where he served some of the finest drink in London. The skies were a smokey gray but that was typical of England, he just hoped the journey back to London would not be hampered by the weather. When he stood from his seat, he tossed the young boy cleaning the tables some coin and walked outside to where his coach was waiting, but stopped dead in his tracks as he rounded the corner seeing Miss Pettigrew standing beside his carriage holding a travel bag. She was wearing a simple pale-yellow traveling dress with a matching bonnet, her deep chocolate-colored curls pinned up underneath, and short white gloves. Her cheeks were pink from the brisk wind where she had walked to the inn from the abbey.
He sauntered over to her, tipping his hat and giving her a slight bow, and taking her bag from her where she held it tightly in her hands and gave it to the coachman to secure it along with his. “Good morning, Miss Pettigrew. I was beginning to think you would not come.”
“I almost didn’t,” she said, her cobalt blue eyes locking with his. “Please don’t make me regret this, Mr. Kingston.”
Her face was edged with concern. He took her elbow and assisted her as she climbed inside his private coach. “I believe you are making a wise decision, my dear.” He followed her inside to sit on the seat opposite her and watched as her eyes took in the opulence of his traveling coach. It was the best money could buy and even rivaled that of his wealthy friends, but he absolutely refused to travel in less.
“I notice that you don’t have anything with you to pass the time as we travel. Do you not read or embroider like other young ladies?”
The carriage started off with a jerk and Sophie clutched the seat to keep herself steady. “I love to read. I hope you aren’t one of those gentlemen who feel a lady should not waste her time reading or doing anything that would expand her mind. As far as embroidery goes, I’m not very good at it. I have tried several times to embroider slipcovers for pillows and well they are just horrible. They turn out to be just a splattering of thread that one can barely decipher.”
He smirked at her comment. “Well, I have never been overly fond of embroidered pillows, slipcovers, or samples, and as far as reading, I prefer a lady who can hold a conversation on topics other than the weather.”
She nodded but her lips were still pressed in a tight line. They were silent for several minutes when she took a deep breath that drew his attention to her. “My brother will be a problem. He will not be happy when he discovers that I am not at the abbey. I do not know his whereabouts or when he plans to return, but if he does, before we are wed, he will come for me.”
Kingston looked over and saw the faint bruises still around her throat and the contempt he felt toward her brother was rekindled. “I am not afraid of your brother.”
“He will feel as if I have betrayed him.”
Kingston reached across the carriage and took her hand. “It is he who has betrayed you, Sophie. You are his sister, and he allowed his vices to put you in the position you are in now. He betrayed you and the legacy your father and ancestors built before him. You were his to protect…. now you are mine.”
Sophie instantly felt a jolt move through her body at his words and she pulled her hand from his. In the close confines of the carriage, she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. His eyes were an icy blue that contrasted with his dark hair. His smile was just a bit crooked, and he had the slightest bit of stubble on his face which she thought added to his good looks. It was easy to see where women would find him attractive, with the added title, he would be irresistible. That in and of itself was a sobering thought.
“You have told me very little about what will be expected of me as your wife, Mr. Kingston. We will be in the carriage for a considerable amount of time, would it not be beneficial to us both to become more familiar?”
“We will have two days’ travel to get to London, how…familiar would you like for us to become?”
Sophie studied him and for a moment a shiver of fear moved through her, but then she saw the twinkle in his eyes and realized he was teasing her. She couldn’t help but smile in return. It felt good to do so. It had been a long time since she had smiled.
Benedict was struck by the way her enchanting smile transformed her face, and he found himself wanting to see it more often. “I feel that as we begin our…marriage, we will spend quite a lot of time in each other’s company. We will attend balls and dinner parties with my friends and even with the prince on occasion. It will be vital for everyone to see us together. It will validate our marriage and cement our place in society. In time, we can be in each other’s company as much or as little as we choose. Along with the responsibilities my uncle will pass to me as the Duke of Kenworth, I will have The Lair in London and if successful, in Brighton as well. My business interests will certainly take a lot of my time, but as I mentioned before, you will have a chance to develop your own interests and the funds to do as you choose. You may decide to travel or simply take your place as a leading member of the beau monde.”
Sophie tilted her head to the side and pondered the foolishness of asking her next question. “So, you have no desire to proliferate your lineage at any time?”
“I have never given it much thought, to be honest, I never saw myself married or in a position to have children. If you are concerned that I will not keep my word, I can assure you that I will never expect you to share my bed. It will never be a decision forced upon you.”
Sophie felt a sense of relief mixed with disappointment. She had always imagined herself with a loving husband and children, now that dream seemed distant, but the relief she felt at not having to worry about Mr. Kingston forcing himself upon her, as her brother’s friends surely would have done, overrode any disappointment she was feeling.
She looked at him from underneath her thick dark lashes and gave him a soft smile. “Perhaps we can be friends then, Mr. Kingston.”
He chuckled softly. “If we are to be friends, you should call me Benedict or Kingston, and I will call you Sophie.”
Her smile widened further with a magnetism that seemed to draw him to her.
“I would like that very much.”
He reached into his pocket and took out a deck of cards. “Do you play?”
Sophie watched as he took the cards and flipped them through his fingers. “No.”
Benedict watched as her smile faded. “You do realize that one can play cards and not gamble, Sophie. Her grace, the Duchess of Avanley, is an exceptional player, in fact, she is too exceptional, and I have vowed never to play with her if anything was at stake.” She looked up and he continued. “We have a long trip; we might as well find a way to relax and enjoy ourselves.” He gave her a wink. “Let me teach you.”
Sophie knew she was letting her prejudices influence her, but really what could it hurt? It would certainly pass the time and help ease what was already an awkward situation. “Alright, but you have to promise that if I win you will not get angry.”
He gave her a strange look and she felt the need to explain herself. “Anytime we played games as children, Edward would become so enraged at losing to me that he would become violent. I started losing on purpose just to appease his ego.”
Benedict’s frown darkened his features. “Another reason for me to seek reprisal against your brother.”
Sophie shook her head. “That’s not why I told you. I am not looking to use you as an angel of retribution.” Her lips turned up slightly again. “Shall we play?”
She placed both her hands on her lap and sat up eagerly waiting for his instruction as he began dealing the cards.
Several Hours Later
Benedict was surprised when the carriage came to a stop outside the posting inn where they would be spending the night. Time had passed quickly but what astonished him the most was that he was genuinely enjoying her company on the trip. They had played a few different games with cards, all of which she was equally bad at. Apparently, being a terrible gambler ran in her family. Luckily, they weren’t playing for money. Sophie had proven to be a quick study when learning the games, her luck was simply terrible. But she would laugh off every loss and the one time she did manage to win a hand, he thought she would jump through the roof of the carriage in excitement. It was shocking to think that while he had imagined the trip back to London with her to be tedious and awkward, given their situation, it had been most pleasant.
Sophie’s soft laughter cut through the silence, and he looked to see her studying her cards intently with a cat who ate the cream grin on her face.
“I hate to disappoint you, Sophie, but we are going to have to cut this game short.”
Sophie looked up with a pout on her lips and a gleam in her eye. “But I think I might win this hand.”
He couldn’t help the smirk that appeared on his face. “I doubt it.”
She tilted her head slightly and her bright blue eyes widened. “Are you afraid of losing?”
He watched her eyes twinkle, and her lips turn up in a mischievous grin and he thought that he wasn’t afraid of losing, he was afraid he would kiss her. The thought startled him. He opened the carriage door and quickly climbed down. He took a deep breath; the cool outside air seeming to sober him and return his senses.
“Are you alright?”
Her soft lilting voice made him flinch. “Yes, just taking a bit of fresh air before we go inside the inn. I will arrange our accommodations and for us to have supper in a private room. Would you like a bath brought up for you?”
Sophie’s eyes widened. She certainly didn’t want to take advantage of Mr. Kingston’s kindness, but she would dearly love to soak in a hot tub of water. Water she didn’t have to haul inside and heat on the stove herself before she used it.
“From the expression on your face, I can see that you desire one. I’ll have a bath ordered for you.”
Sophie pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Is it too much? It really is, isn’t it?”
Benedict took her hand and placed it on his arm so he could lead her inside. “It is absolutely too much.” He heard her sharp sudden intake of breath and looked down into her bright eyes filled with worry and gave her a wink.
“Mr. Kingston, you are teasing me.”
“I am, Sophie, but you had best remember to call me Benedict especially while we are traveling together. For all intents and purposes, I will be introducing you as my sister. It is the only way I can think of to save your reputation.” He smiled down at her again.
She returned his grin with one of her own and he once again had that uncomfortable feeling that he would very much like to taste her lips. “We had better hope no one recognizes me because you look nothing like my brother.”
“Is that a compliment, Sophie?”
This time she gave him a wink of her own. “I suppose you will have to always wonder, Benedict.”
His name slipped easily passed her lips and he liked the way it sounded. He shook the carnal thoughts from his head. It had been a long day on the road. It would do him good to get a restful night’s sleep.
When they entered the inn, Benedict immediately sought out the innkeeper. He acquired two rooms and a private dining room where he escorted Sophie so she could wait until his coachman could bring her bag to her room.
Once he had inspected the rooms and made certain everything was in place, he went back downstairs to join her. When he entered the private room that he had reserved, she was standing near the fireplace staring into the flames. She seemed lost in her thoughts, and he felt like he was intruding. He closed the door as quietly as possible, and she turned around at the noise. If she had been contemplating something serious or regretting the decision she had made, her face gave no indication.
“I thought you might be the innkeeper returning with something to eat” She moved over to take a seat at the table. “He has been in here at least three times asking if I needed anything. I thought I would wait for you, but the last time he came in, I asked him to bring us something to eat and some drink. I thought that would keep him occupied until you returned.”
Benedict arched his brows higher as he came further into the room taking a seat across from her. “It seems as if our eager-to-please innkeeper has an affection for you. I’m not certain if I should be jealous or protective.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “I would suggest neither.”
He nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Very well.”
At that moment the innkeeper returned with their meal. Benedict watched as the man fawned over Sophie. The young man served her and poured her drink all while keeping his eyes fixed on her. Benedict’s hands tightened into fists as an unfamiliar feeling began to creep over him.
He cleared his throat drawing both of their attention. “I think we can take care of things from here. Thank you.”
The man nodded in understanding but also turned to give Sophie one last smile before leaving them alone.
“I think you scared him.”
Benedict reached for his glass. “If he had stayed a minute longer, I might have done more than that.”
Sophie was buttering her bread. “That was unnecessary.”
“Just because our marriage is to be a business arrangement doesn’t mean I would permit a man to salivate all over my wife.”
Sophie chuckled a little. “A pretend wife.”
Benedict took another sip of his drink as he eyed her over the rim of his glass. “It may be an arrangement, but our marriage will not be a sham.”
Sophie didn’t seem to hear as she was eating her meal quite ravenously. It was at that moment that he took note of her frame. She was thin, very thin, and while James had informed him of her lack of food, he had not imagined that she had gone hungry. Once again, the anger he felt for her brother intensified when he thought of how she had suffered.
Sophie must have sensed that he was staring. She put her fork down and hesitantly took a sip of her wine. “I’m sorry. It’s been a while since I had a full meal like this.” Her cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment.
“It’s alright, please enjoy your meal.”
She picked up her fork and took another bite of her roast chicken, only this time she ate slower, not as if someone was going to come in at any moment and take it away from her.
Benedict continued to watch her until she pushed her plate away. Her cheeks were still rosy, but her smile was not nearly as bright as before.
“I think I will retire early.”
Benedict rose from his seat. “There will be a tub of hot water waiting for you. I will escort you to your room.”
Sophie stood from her seat and placed her hand on his arm as he led her from the private room where they had enjoyed their supper and up the stairs to the chamber where she would sleep.
He opened the door and there was a large copper tub filled with steamy hot water in the center of the room. “Lock the door after me, Sophie, and do not open the door for anyone. Do you understand?”
Sophie nodded, finding it hard to drag her eyes from the welcoming sight of the warm tub. “Thank you. I will see you in the morning?”
The words were more of a question as if she half expected him to change his mind and disappear in the night. He took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “I will be here, Sophie.”
Sophie nodded before moving inside the room and closing the door behind her. Benedict waited until he heard the bolt locking the door before moving down the hall to his own room which was just a few doors down from hers. The inn was beginning to fill up and the noise from the other patrons below in the taproom was starting to drift up the stairs. They would be leaving early in the morning, and he hoped that the crowd gathering below would quiet down soon.
Sophie stayed in the warm bath until the water began to cool and her eyes started getting heavy. After she dried off on the clean linens, she was sure were brought by Mr. Kingston and put in the room for her, she climbed into the small but clean bed. While she may not know what the future held for her, she did know that this was the first time in a long time that she felt safe. It didn’t take long for her eyes to close and sleep to claim her.
She was not sure how long she had been asleep when loud noises from downstairs startled her. She plumped up her pillow and laid back against it, but the boisterous laughter and loud crashing noises from below seemed to get louder by the minute. A knock on her door caused her to sit up. Mr. Kingston had warned her about opening the door for anyone. She remained quiet thinking that perhaps someone had mistaken her room for their own, but when the knock came again, she threw on her robe and approached the door. It might be Mr. Kingston after all.
The knock came again, and she spoke softly through the closed door. “Who is there?”
“I came to check on you, miss, and brought you some warm milk. The patrons downstairs are loud, and I thought it might help you sleep.”
It was the innkeeper who had been so attentive to her at dinner, but she knew better than to open the door. “I appreciate your concern, but I am fine. Thank you.”
“Can I just leave you the milk, miss?”
Sophie sighed heavily as she unbolted the door. The innkeeper was standing there with a smile that went ear to ear and a mug in his hand. She returned his smile and reached for the mug when a deep booming voice from down the hall startled her, nearly causing her to drop it.
Benedict was growing increasingly irritated at the noise from below. He dressed quickly determined to find the innkeeper and demand that he take control of the situation before he had to deal with the young men himself. When he opened the door, he had not expected to see the lovesick innkeeper outside Sophie’s door. If the man was trying to get into her room, he would soon regret that decision. When he took a step forward, he was surprised to see Sophie’s door open, and her hand reach out to take a mug from the man before her. Now he was furious. Had he not told her not to open the door for anyone?
His pace increased as he moved forward pleased when he saw the innkeeper’s smile falter at his approach. “What the hell is going on here?”
“I…I…was just bringing the lady some milk.”
Benedict’s eyes narrowed into angry slits. “Instead of trying to visit a lady’s room, shouldn’t you be seeing to the riot going on downstairs?”
“I just wanted to make certain she was safe.”
Benedict’s voice grew louder. “That is my job! Now throw out the men downstairs or I will do it myself. And I would suggest you do not return to this room. Do I make myself clear?”
The man nodded and at least had the good sense not to glance over at Sophie before walking away. When the man had disappeared back down the stairs, Benedict turned to see Sophie still standing there holding the mug of warm milk in her hands before bringing it to her lips.
Benedict pushed her back into the room as he followed her closing the door behind him. “Did I not tell you to lock the door and not to open it for anyone?”
Sophie backed away, the mug of milk still in her hands. “I did lock the door. The racket from the people downstairs woke me. When the innkeeper knocked on the door, I stayed silent. I thought someone might have my room confused with theirs. I was just going to ignore it, but he was persistent. If it makes you feel better, I asked who it was before I opened the door.”
Benedict took note of her appearance. She was wrapped in a white robe, her bare toes peeking out from underneath, her long brown curls were loose down her back, and it infuriated him that the innkeeper was given even just a glimpse of how she looked right now.
“The man may seem harmless, Sophie but he is still a man. A man who obviously is infatuated with you. If I had not…”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed and she sat the mug down on the table by her bed with enough force that some of the milk sloshed over the side. “I understand how men can be, Mr. Kingston.”
Benedict sighed knowing she was speaking of her brother and his friends. “Try to get some sleep, Sophie. I will make sure that you are not disturbed again.”
She didn’t move and he knew he had to get out of her room quickly before he gave in to the intense desire that he had to take her into his arms. “We will leave at first light.”
He shut the door louder than he intended and marched back to his room hoping he could salvage what was left of the night and get some rest.
The next morning Benedict’s mood was as dark and stormy as the skies above them. What little sleep he had gotten last night had been broken. The commotion downstairs subsided not long after the innkeeper had gone back downstairs, but Benedict had worried about Sophie. He had slept in his clothes in case she needed him again and listened for any noise he heard in the hallway. As a result of his vigilance, he was in a foul mood this morning and hoped Sophie would be ready to leave and not keep him waiting.
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when he made his way to the dining room. He thought he would have a cup of tea while he waited for Sophie to wake. His coachman was already getting the carriage ready for their departure which in his opinion could not be soon enough.
Thankfully, the inn was quiet now and he hoped he could get a few moments of peace before they commenced their journey. As he walked into the private dining room he had reserved, he was surprised to see Sophie already there ready to go, her bag sitting on the floor beside her.
“Good morning, I know you said that you wished to leave early, and I didn’t want to make you wait.” She took a sip of her tea before hiding a yawn behind her hand.
Benedict watched as her eyes fluttered a few times. He held out his hand to help her to her feet. “If you are ready, I see no need to linger here. I would like to reach London by nightfall if possible.”
Sophie allowed him to lead her outside where the carriage was already waiting. When the coachman opened the door, she felt Benedict’s hands span her waist as he easily lifted her inside the carriage. She leaned back against the carriage cushions and was thankful that they were traveling in comfort. A few minutes later Mr. Kingston joined her, and the carriage lurched forward as they departed for London.
Sophie guessed by the dark look on his face that he had gotten even less sleep than she did last night and since neither of them were inclined to conversation, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It did not take long for the rhythmic rocking of the carriage and the clackety-clack of the horses’ hooves to lull her to sleep.
After having the worst night at a posting inn that he could ever remember, Benedict would be glad to be back in his bed at The Lair in London. He was accustomed to late nights; however, he was not used to worrying over a blasted female. Now that he had Sophie with him, he found himself concerned with her welfare and the thought that she could have been in danger last night didn’t sit well with him. It was making him rethink his entire plan. Perhaps he should abandon the idea of marrying her. He could navigate the ton alone. A duchess wasn’t a requirement, even if it would make his entrance easier. He could still protect her from her brother even if she wasn’t his wife. Hawk and Avanley were well connected, he could talk to them about securing her a position as a companion. Maybe Hawk’s Aunt Louisa would be interested in taking Sophie on her travels with her.
He looked out the window as the English countryside moved past. The skies were growing darker and there was a definite chill in the air. He reached under his seat and pulled out the blanket he kept there. Sophie had fallen asleep almost as soon as they left the inn. He watched as she slept, thinking of how stiff her neck would be if it continued to rest at that awkward angle for much longer.
She really was a beauty. Given the right setting and the attire suited to her station, she could be considered an incomparable. As he watched, she moved a bit, the tip of her tongue coming out to moisten her lips. He moved so he could reposition himself so that he was sitting with his back in the corner of the carriage. He then reached over and lifted her onto his lap so her head could rest against his chest. Her eyes immediately flew open, but he soothed her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Go back to sleep, Sophie. I’m just trying to make you more comfortable.”
He adjusted the blanket around them, gritting his teeth as her perfect little bottom wiggled on his lap as she got all cozy against him. Her head was lying against his chest. Sprinkles of rain hit against the windows, and he silently cursed himself for giving into his impulses and holding her because he knew this would never be enough. Sending her away or procuring her a post as a companion or governess would not satisfy him. Holding her like this would make the simple business arrangement, the one he thought would be so easy and beneficial to them both, a torment for him. But their marriage was a business arrangement and no matter how tempting Sophie Pettigrew proved to be, he would have to fight the wicked thoughts and urges coursing through him. Because no matter what, he could not give in. Taking Sophie to his bed would only complicate things, and he had enough complications in his life as it was. Once they got to London, he would marry her, spend as much time with her as necessary, and then return to The Lair. She would be safe and protected with his name attached to her and his conscience would be appeased for his part in what her brother did to her. That was how it had to be, with no exceptions. When the carriage hit a bump in the road, he reached his arms around her holding her to him and a soft mewling noise escaped her lips. He had been involved in spy missions with his friend Camden Davenport, he had helped track down a French assassin, and he had built a gaming empire, but damn it all, if keeping himself out of Sophie’s bed might prove to be the hardest thing he would ever have to do.