Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
A loud clap of thunder caused Sophie’s eyes to fly open. Her body stilled when she realized that she was lying in Mr. Kingston’s lap. Her head was resting on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and feel the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She tried to sit up, but his arm was anchored around her waist.
“Finally awake, Sophie?”
His arm fell away, and she quickly moved to the other side of the carriage. She put a hand to her hair self-consciously adjusting her coiffure.
“I thought this was to be a business arrangement, Mr. Kingston, that we were going into this as more of a friendship.”
Benedict watched as her cheeks blushed a pretty shade of pink. “It certainly is and as your friend, I decided to move you from the awkward angle your neck had twisted into so that you could travel more comfortably.”
Sophie tilted her head from side to side as if she were testing out his explanation. “I suppose I should thank you for that. It’s just that being so close to you startled me when I awoke.”
Benedict’s lips twisted into a rakish grin. “Well, that’s one I haven’t heard. I don’t believe I have ever startled a lady before, especially by being so close to one.”
Sophie couldn’t help but giggle at his statement. “I’m sure you haven’t, but I am not your typical lady.” She stopped and her forehead wrinkled a bit. “I am your…I’m not sure how I would explain our relationship. Am I your fiancé or business associate?”
Benedict saw her smile spread across her face and a dimple appeared on her left cheek. “To all of England, you are my fiancé, only the two of us, and perhaps a few close friends, will know of our arrangement. I see no need in involving anyone else in our personal lives.”
Sophie leaned back against the cushions and studied his features. He really was a handsome man, and she could see how his smile would make a girl’s toes curl.
“You snore by the way.”
Sophie’s eyes widened in disbelief at his proclamation. “Excuse me?”
“You… my dear…snore.”
Sophie’s mouth dropped open. “I most certainly do not!”
Benedict laughed. “Loud enough that it drowned out the sound of the storm outside.”
Sophie put her hands on her hips, determined to defend herself against such slander. “I have never snored a day in my life. You, sir, are speaking falsely against me.”
Benedict laughed again. “How would you know if you snore? You were asleep.”
“I’m sure I would know if I did… and I don’t.”
Benedict crossed his arms behind his head. “Don’t get so offended, Sophie. You aren’t the only lady that snores. I have heard that Lady Sefton snores so loud that it shakes the windows of her bedchamber. It’s a good thing we will have separate bedchambers throughout our marriage.”
Sophie narrowed her eyes. “I am not discussing this with you any further. It is untrue and you are either saying these things hoping to make me angry, or you are trying to cover up your own shortcomings.”
Now Benedict’s curiosity was peaked. Sophie did not snore; he had only been teasing her just to see her enchanting smile. She did, however, make the most sinful sounding sighs and mewling noises while she slept. He had been on the verge of telling her the truth, that he had just been taunting her, but now that she had mentioned his shortcomings, he was curious as to what she felt they were.
“My shortcomings? Please enlighten me on what you feel them to be.”
Sophie squirmed a bit in her seat. She had only mentioned shortcomings to get back at him for lying about her snoring. Now she had to come up with something or look foolish. She studied him and damn it if she couldn’t find a single flaw on his person.
Sighing heavily, she blurted out. “Your smile, it’s crooked.”
Benedict’s eyes widened. “Crooked? How so?”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “This is ridiculous. We should not be pointing out each other’s flaws.”
“I never said your snoring was a flaw, but since you have pointed out my obvious deformity, I think you should expound on it.”
“Very well, when you smile, your lips lift up on the left side, more so than the right.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Although I wouldn’t call it a deformity. It is rather…unique.”
Benedict leaned toward her. “I have been told that it is charming.”
Sophie tried to stop the grin from forming on her lips. “I guess that depends on the person.”
Benedict arched an eyebrow. “What other shortcomings have you found?”
“I can’t really say. We have not known each other long enough for me to formulate a list.”
He leaned back. “It was just a jest; you do not snore.”
Sophie leaned forward quickly. “I knew it!”
Benedict loved the way her eyes lit up with glee. “I am pleased that you are happy.”
Sophie reached over and placed her hand over his. “I really don’t think your grin is a shortcoming.”
Benedict suppressed a shiver at her touch. His eyes widened. “Hmm, are you simply marveling at my perfection, or could it be that you find my crooked grin charming as well?”
Sophie chuckled softly. “If I told you that I did, it would only boost your arrogance, and I have a feeling you need no help in that department.”
Benedict loved the banter between them, but the desire to pull her back over to him and kiss her was growing stronger by the minute. Luckily, the carriage came to a stop before he had a chance to act on his impulses.
“Stay here. I’ll see what the problem is.”
Sophie nodded as he stepped out of the carriage into the rain. She moved so she could see out the window. The rain had slowed but the skies were still gray and there was a thick silvery mist settled over the ground.
“Sophie.”
She jumped a bit at Benedict’s voice behind her. She turned back toward the door. His face was serious, all previous teasing and laughter gone. “Is everything alright?”
“The carriage has bogged down in the mud. We will have to dig the wheels out and push it out of the muck. The coachmen are unhitching the team now. I’m sorry but you are going to have to get out. There is a grove of trees off to the right that will give you some shelter from the rain and wind.” He offered his hand to her.
Sophie placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her to the ground. He took his heavy greatcoat off and draped it around her.
“This will help keep you dry and warm.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and escorted her to the stand of large oak trees. The trees’ widespread branches would offer shelter and keep her dry as long as the rain didn’t pick up. The team of horses was tied not far away, and the coachmen were already working on digging around the wheel.
Benedict looked down at her. “Hopefully it will not take very long. Just stay here and try to keep dry.”
“I could help.”
His eyes narrowed. “You will stay here, and you will stay dry.”
His words were stern, and he didn’t give her an opportunity to argue. He walked away taking off his coat and throwing it inside the conveyance as he moved to the back of the carriage to help his coachmen.
Two hours later the carriage was still not free. Sophie had taken a seat underneath the largest of the oak trees. The rain had picked up a bit, but Mr. Kingston’s greatcoat was keeping her warm. She pulled the coat closer around her, his scent lingered, and she breathed deeply noting the faint aroma of sandalwood, oak, and a hint of tobacco. The same scents she remembered from when he had held her close inside the carriage. Her eyes closed as she tried to push away the feelings that Mr. Kingston was beginning to stir inside her. She looked back to where the three men were working on the carriage. Benedict had rolled up his shirt sleeves, his tall black hessians were covered in mud and more than likely ruined. His white shirt, wet from the rain, was plastered to his chest. His dark hair had fallen down into his eyes. She stood from where she had been sitting when one of the coachmen came running toward her.
“We are almost ready. We are going to hitch the horses back up, and then I think we will be able to push the carriage out. We should be on our way soon, Miss Pettigrew.”
Sophie gave him a small smile knowing the men would be glad to get back moving and out of this weather. She continued to watch as the horses pulled the carriage while Mr. Kingston and one of the coachmen pushed from behind. She held her breath and clasped her hands in front of her as the carriage began moving forward. When it was free, she stifled the squeal of excitement that almost slipped past her lips. Mr. Kingston walked over to her, and she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth at the sight of him.
“The wheel is not damaged and hopefully we will not have any more rain. I would like to avoid another stay at a posting inn.”
Sophie couldn’t find words, as she was too busy staring at the way he looked. She had seen handsome men before. When she had her season in London, there had been a few men that caught her eye, but none of them looked like him. He was all muscle and man. Her eyes drifted from his throat to the opening of his shirt and his chiseled chest to the bulge in his trousers before moving to his muscular legs showcased by his wet breeches and the way the rain had them plastered to his body.
“Are you alright, Sophie?”
She swallowed hard and blinked a few times to pull herself out of the ridiculous stupor she had drifted into. “Fine…I’m fine.” He flashed her that crooked smile she had mentioned to him earlier, and it truly was charming.
“I would offer to escort you back to the carriage.” He held out his arms, “but as you can see, I am covered in mud.”
Sophie pulled his coat tighter around her and started walking toward the waiting carriage. The grass was wet, and she lifted her skirts to keep them out of the mud and muck. In her haste to reach the carriage and escape the man following behind her, she slipped, her arms flailing out to catch herself but suddenly she was swept up into the strong arms of the man she was trying to keep her distance.
“Put me down, I am perfectly capable of walking.”
She felt his deep chuckle reverberate through her as he continued to carry her back toward the carriage. “Allow me to play the gallant hero, Sophie. It is not the part I get to perform often.”
Sophie allowed him to carry her the remainder of the distance to the carriage. When he sat her back on her feet, she reminded herself to breathe. “Thank you. I’m afraid your great coat is muddy as well now.” Her voice was slightly more than a whisper.
Benedict opened the door of the carriage and helped her inside. “It is alright, I have more. If you will excuse me, I need to take a moment to change my clothes. I wouldn’t dream of arriving in London looking as I do now.”
Sophie’s eyes widened just a fraction. “You are going to change right here?”
His grin made her chest tighten. “Don’t fret, my love. I wasn’t planning on stripping in plain sight.” He gave her a wicked wink. “Unless you wish it.”
Sophie turned away quickly. “You are behaving like a rogue, Mr. Kingston.”
“I have never tried to be anything but a rogue, my dear.”
Her face was still turned away as a smile slowly crept across her face. She heard Mr. Kingston speaking to the coachman and she leaned forward to peek out of the window. She caught just a glimpse of his bare shoulder as he swept a fresh shirt over his head. She knew she should turn away, but when his hands moved to his breeches, she felt her throat go dry as he slid the material down his legs. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of his partially visible backside. What was she doing? First, she agreed to marry a man she barely knew and now she was spying on him as he changed his clothes.
He turned and saw her, the smile on his face evidence that he knew exactly what she had been doing. She turned around quickly and leaned back against the cushions of the carriage to wait for him to join her. She fanned her cheeks hoping they were not as red as she feared and silently prayed that he did not mention her spying and add to her humiliation.
Perhaps there is something she could do to keep herself occupied for the remainder of the journey to London. Something other than thinking about what she had just seen and obsessing over Benedict Kingston.
They had traveled for three hours since they finally got the carriage moving after becoming marred down in the mud and Sophie had scarcely said a word. He had offered to play cards with her again, which she politely declined. His efforts at conversation were unsuccessful as well. While she did not seem angry or upset with him, her refusal to engage with him was beginning to be irksome. He crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her from across the carriage.
“Perhaps we should discuss what happens once we arrive in London.” That got her attention. “We will go straight to Kenworth House in Grosvenor Square. There you will be shown to suitable chambers. I will return to my apartments at The Lair.”
Sophie nodded. “When will you expect to marry?”
“As soon as I can arrange for a special license. Once we are wed, arrangements will be made for us to journey to Brighton. I have business there as well as previous plans with the prince. It will be an excellent time for both of us to make our debut as a couple. Of course, in the meanwhile, we will make certain that you are outfitted with a new wardrobe, one befitting my future duchess.”
“How much longer before we arrive in London?”
Benedict watched as she brought up her hand to stifle a yawn and he wondered if she was about to feign sleep to avoid further conversation with him. “I apologize for the grueling pace we have set. I just can’t abide another night at an inn. If you are tired, perhaps I can help make you more comfortable.”
Sophie thought of how he had held her earlier that morning when she had fallen asleep in the carriage, and she simply couldn’t allow that to happen again. “Thank you, but I am comfortable enough. Tell me about your uncle. Will he be at Kenworth House when we arrive?”
Benedict sighed heavily. “He has already returned to his estate in Essex. It’s the family seat. As he is dying, I assume he wishes to do so there.”
He saw the concern on her face. “Should you not be with him?”
Benedict arched an eyebrow as he contemplated her words. “My uncle and I do not have a close relationship. In fact, we didn’t have a relationship at all.”
“But since you are his heir and the only family he has left, shouldn’t you…”
“I did not ask for your counsel on this matter, Sophie. I needed a bride from an aristocratic family to legitimize my entre into the beau monde. You needed the protection my name and title will give you from your brother as well as the rest of the world. It benefits us both. My past and how I choose to deal with it are my own business.”
Sophie was taken aback by his harsh remarks. “Certainly, I understand my role perfectly.”
Damn it! He had not meant for his words to be so harsh. “Let’s talk of something more pleasant. Is there something you would like to do while we are in London? Other than shopping, I know all ladies love Bond Street. Is there someplace I can take you that would please you?”
Sophie tilted her head to the side and thought. “Since the season is winding down, most of the ton will be leaving London soon. I have always wanted to visit Vauxhall Gardens and the theater is always entertaining, but perhaps that would be better saved for another time. I don’t want you to feel as if you are responsible for me.”
“It will be important for us to be seen together as much as possible. I will be more than happy to escort you wherever you wish.”
“I just don’t want to keep you from what you deem important.”
Benedict wondered how a lady as beautiful as Sophie had managed to make it through her debut season without securing a husband. “I’m certain I will have time to see to the needs of my new bride.”
Sophie’s eyes widened and for just a second, she wondered if there was a hidden meaning behind his words, but she dismissed the thought almost as soon as it came into her head. She turned back toward the window to admire the countryside as they continued the journey to London.
It was well past midnight by the time the carriage came to a stop outside Kenworth House. Sophie had dozed in and out for the past hour and while he was accustomed to keeping late hours, he had to admit that he was anxious to get out of the carriage and return to the familiarity of The Devil’s Lair. Footmen raced down the stairs to open the door of the carriage. He stepped out and then offered his hand to Sophie.
“I will show you to your room and make certain your things are delivered there directly. You must be exhausted.”
Sophie took a minute to look up at the large mansion looming before her. The nerves she had first felt at accepting such a ludicrous proposal were returning. She hesitated until she felt Mr. Kingston’s hand at the small of her back propelling her forward.
She lifted her skirts as they ascended the steps up to the large front doors. There were no other servants about at this hour. When they entered the grand hallway Sophie was awestruck at the opulence before her. Her father’s estate had been grand but nothing comparable to Kenworth House.
Benedict stood by her side noting the way her eyes seemed wider in her pretty face. “I will be happy to give you a tour of the house in the morning as well as introduce your staff and select a lady’s maid for you, but right now I’m sure you are tired.”
Sophie once again felt the reassuring touch as his hand rested at the base of her spine. “Thank you.”
They continued walking up the stairs to the duchess’s chambers. He saw no reason for her to stay in any other rooms since they would be married as soon as he could make the arrangements and so before he left for her tiny little abbey, he had left instructions for those rooms to be prepared for her.
Sophie allowed him to lead her up the stairs and down the hall to a set of rooms. He opened the door and stood aside to allow her to enter. The rooms were much larger than any she had stayed in before. Fresh flowers were in vases on the tables. Candles were lit and a fire had been built in the hearth. She moved over to the large four-poster bed and ran her hand down the clean fresh blue coverlet and fluffy white pillows. Not only was this the loveliest bedchamber she had ever seen, but it was also a room that had been prepared for a guest. She turned back to where Benedict was lounging against the doorframe.
“You had this room prepared for me before you left, didn’t you?”
He smiled as he pushed away from the door and walked toward her. “For the most part, yes, when we stopped to change horses at the last stop, I had a rider go ahead and inform the staff to light the fires and candles.”
Sophie took a step back as he continued moving toward her. “How did you know I would accept? I could have refused your offer or told you to go to the devil, how were you so certain that I would agree to this?”
Benedict continued stalking her until he had her backed against the wall. “I am a gambler, Sophie. I know when to place a bet and when to walk away from the tables. I know which horse is going to make money.” He lifted his hand to her cheek allowing his finger to glide over her smooth soft skin. “I have seen members of the beau monde and patrons in my club bet on everything and anything. At Whites, there was even a wager on a drop of rain sliding down a windowpane. I decided to wager on you.”
Their close proximity was his undoing. He could smell the rose water in her hair. He could see the way her chest heaved as her breathing increased. He had wanted to kiss her full pink lips from the moment she walked into the Lair all those weeks ago, and now he had her alone. He had never been able to resist temptation, but his mind was screaming at him to walk away before his actions ruined the arrangement they had.
“I will see you in the morning after I have made arrangements.” He forced himself to step away from her and leave the room. He hurried down the stairs eager to immerse himself back into the familiar surroundings of The Lair. There were several things that had to be taken care of, the most important being a special license. He would attempt to get one right away. He wanted to have their marriage take place as soon as possible. Once she was his wife, her brother would no longer have any control over her, and the sooner that bond was severed the better.