Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
“Who do you think could be responsible for this?” Avanley asked as he stood in the middle of the vacant building Kingston had been contemplating purchasing for his gaming house. Broken glass littered the floor where bricks and rocks had been thrown through the windows.
Kingston moved about the room surveying the damage. “I have no bloody idea.” He held a crumpled piece of paper in his hand, a note left behind by the vandals that trashed the building. “All the note says is that I would pay for what I have done.”
“Hmm, that certainly doesn’t narrow it down, does it?”
Kingston balled up the paper the note was written on and tossed it on the floor among the broken glass. “I have been running the Lair in London for several years now, taking money from a great many men, some lost fortunes to me. Why now would someone be seeking revenge? I just don’t believe it is an angry patron.”
Avanley took a deep breath. “Perhaps it is one of the gaming hells already established in Brighton. You threatening to open another version of the Devil’s Lair here would take their business. Some people don’t appreciate competition.”
Kingston’s brow wrinkled as he thought over the possibilities “I suppose it could be, but the gaming hells here are not the same caliber as The Devil’s Lair. We would not cater to the same clientele. I would not be direct competition to their business.”
“I think we should send for Davenport. He has experience with this sort of thing and will surely be able to find the culprit,” Charles said speaking of their mutual friend and former spy and assassin, Camden Davenport, Duke of Stafford.
Kingston shook his head. “Davenport is on a wedding trip with Abigail. Now that her wounds from her encounter with the Frenchman Toussaint have healed, they plan on traveling a bit before settling down at his country estate and taking up his duties as Duke of Stafford.”
“We could assume it was an isolated incident, some rowdy youths out being mischievous.”
“I might have thought that had it not been for the note left behind.”
Avanley moved back toward the door. “So, what is your next move?”
“I am not certain, but I do know that I will not be so easily intimidated. If I choose to open another gaming establishment here in Brighton, I will do so. This will not deter me. I suppose I will continue looking at other properties in town. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident and will not occur again. The person responsible must know the kind of power and influence I have, and if they persist, I will find them out and make them pay. “
Charles kicked a large piece of debris out of his way. “Well, since you have this well in hand, I think I will go back to join my wife in bed. I suggest you do the same, and I will see you tomorrow. If you change your mind about Davenport, let me know. Harrison always knows where he is and can easily send for him.”
Kingston nodded but didn’t answer as he took one more look around at the broken glass and debris surrounding him and his anger returned full force. This was not what he should be dealing with right now. He should be in his bed holding his naked wife, her legs wrapped around him as he thrust inside her. Instead, he was forced to watch her walk away, probably with that bloody Earl of Warrick still on her mind while he was out here in the cold darkness dealing with vandals set on sending him some sort of warning message. If he could get his hands on the people responsible, he would beat them senseless.
He walked out to the carriage. “Take me home. There is nothing more to see here.”
As he climbed inside the carriage and took a seat, he closed his eyes thinking of Sophie. Her scent still lingered in the carriage, and while he hoped she would still be awake when he returned so they could continue what was started in the carriage, he was almost positive that she would not be. But there was always tomorrow and certainly nothing would happen to keep her away from him. His luck had to start improving.
Next Morning
Sophie happily came down the stairs dressed in her riding habit. It had been a long time since she had ridden, and she was excited for the activities the prince had planned for the day. When she entered the breakfast room, she was surprised to see Benedict already there waiting for her.
“Good morning, I was not sure if you would have breakfast this morning. You must have been very late when you came home. I hope the incident at the building last night was not too serious.”
Benedict had risen from where he sat when she entered the room. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle.” He moved toward her. “You look very beautiful this morning. I’m assuming from your choice of attire that you have plans to ride today?” He pulled a chair out for her, and a servant sat a plate of food before her.
She cheerily smiled up at him. “Of course, it is one of the activities the prince has planned for the day. We are to ride this morning and then we will sail on Lord Warrick’s yacht this afternoon, and I believe the earl has plans for all of us to dine while onboard this evening. It will be a full day. I hope you will decide to join us.”
Benedict scowled at the mention of Warrick, and Sophie squinted her eyes at him. “What is the matter?”
Benedict sat beside her. “When were these plans made?”
Sophie shrugged her shoulders just a bit. “Yesterday, as we walked to the beach. You were with the prince. I’m sorry, I should have mentioned them sooner. Was there something else you wished to do today? I can send word that we are unable to attend if you so choose.”
Benedict would love to say yes, to tell her that the only plans he had on his mind was getting her to bed, but if the prince arranged these outings, it would be rude to decline his invitations. He probably should investigate a bit more into the incident last night to see if he could uncover the person responsible, but there was no way in hell he was going to leave Sophie alone with Warrick again, allowing him another opportunity to get his hands on her.
“No, we can’t refuse the prince, and I look forward to seeing how well you ride. Did you ride often? Most ladies of the ton are quite proficient at riding.”
There was a wicked twinkle in his eyes, and Sophie narrowed her eyes just a fraction suspicious as to the hidden meaning behind his words. “My father was a proficient rider as was my mother. I had my first pony at three years old and was jumping him over hedges by the age of five. I would say that I am as proficient as most of the ladies we will be riding with today.”
He grinned. “Catherine, the Duchess of Leicester is known for her riding abilities. I will be curious to see if you can keep up with her.”
Sophie grinned, and he had the most urgent need to kiss her, but before he could act on his impulses, Henry came in carrying a large bouquet of flowers.
“These just arrived for you, your grace.”
Sophie looked to Benedict confused as to who would send her such an ostentatious arrangement. “Thank you, Henry. Were they accompanied by a card?”
Henry immediately handed her a small white card on a silver tray, and Benedict watched as she read it.
“They are from the Earl of Warrick. Why would he send me such a large bouquet?”
Benedict stood from his seat and moved closer to her. “Because he is smitten with you, my dear. What does the card say?”
Sophie handed it to him. “Just a note of thanks for an enjoyable day yesterday. I’m sure he sent them to all the ladies.”
Benedict tossed the card on the table and reached for Sophie’s hand. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips.
Sophie suppressed a shiver at his touch.
He put a finger under her chin to lift her face to his. “Enjoy your breakfast. I will change into riding clothes and join you shortly.”
Sophie’s hand dropped onto her lap, and she turned away to look down at the plate of food before her, but she had no appetite. Something had come over Benedict. He had been acting differently since the carriage ride from London to Brighton. What could he possibly want from her? She knew their arrangement, their marriage, was not typical. And he had been very clear about how he perceived their relationship. Could it be that he was just truly wicked in nature with the sole purpose of his behavior to bed her and once he had her, would things go back to the way they were before? Sophie picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite. After what her brother had done, she abhorred gambling, but it seemed as if she was about to take the biggest gamble of her life. She only hoped her luck was better than that of her brother’s because what she had to lose, was very valuable indeed…. her heart.
Benedict sat atop his horse and watched along with the others as Catherine and Sophie lined up on their mounts preparing to race.
“This makes me quite nervous. Are you certain Sophie is up to the challenge of racing Catherine? You know how reckless Catherine can be, and I wouldn’t want to see Sophie get hurt,” Bella asked as she sat on her horse between Charles and Benedict.
Benedict shielded his eyes as he looked toward where the ladies were lining up. “I asked her about her riding abilities this morning and she said that she has been riding since she was a young girl. I am certain she would not have accepted the challenge if she had not been capable.”
Charles leaned forward to look around his wife. “Care to make a wager?”
Benedict grinned. “Certainly, I will wager one hundred pounds that Sophie beats Catherine.”
Charles laughed loudly. “That is a fool’s bet. I have seen Catherine ride and beat many gentlemen who claimed to be expert equestrians, but if you wish to give away your money, who am I to stop you?”
Bella rolled her eyes. “The two of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Sophie could get hurt and all you can think about is to wager on the winner. I bet Leicester would never dream of betting on or against his wife.”
“I will see your bet. Catherine is extremely competitive, and I don’t think Sophie can compete with her,” Leicester said as he rode alongside Charles.
Charles leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “See Isobel, even Leicester is willing to take Kingston’s money.”
Bella huffed out an exasperated breath but just as she was about to respond to her husband, she let out a little shriek as the two ladies took off racing their horses down the lane.
“There is a jump about halfway down. I hope Sophie is prepared to take it. I’m sure Catherine would not have told her,” Leicester said as he sat back smugly on his horse as the two ladies took off, dirt flying into the air as their horses raced across the ground. Benedict watched as they neared the jump and he almost closed his eyes, afraid that Sophie might have exaggerated her riding abilities, but when she sailed over the hedge, he felt his heart begin to beat again and he released a heavy breath he had not even realized he was holding. As the ladies neared the finish line, he stood up in his stirrups to see better. They were neck and neck and from where they sat, it was impossible to see which lady had won. They watched for Hawk’s signal. He had positioned himself at the finish line to determine the winner and when he rode over to where Sophie was walking her horse in circles to cool him down and lifted her hand in the air, Benedict let out a whoop and clapped his hands together loudly.
“Well done! Your wife is truly a fine horsewoman if she can best Catherine,” Leicester said as he offered to shake hands with Benedict. “I am afraid that Catherine will not rest until there is a rematch though.”
Benedict laughed loudly feeling a sense of pride at how wonderfully Sophie had ridden, but when he looked back toward where she and Catherine were cooling down their horses, he saw Warrick had already made his way to her and was presumably offering her his congratulations. “Bloody bounder!”
He nudged his horse forward to go to his wife’s side. When Warrick saw him riding in his direction, he grinned and tipped his hat before riding back in the direction where Prinny and a few others had sat to watch the excitement.
When Benedict reached Sophie, he was taken aback by the beaming smile on her face.
“Did you see? I won!!”
He couldn’t help himself. He knew it was not considered the proper thing to do, kissing your wife in the middle of a crowd of onlookers, but he didn’t give a damn. He leaned over, placed his hand at the base of her neck, and pulled her into him for a long slow kiss. Everyone would be scandalized, and it would probably be mentioned in the papers and scandal sheets tomorrow, but if it made Warrick realize who she belonged to, he didn’t care.
Sophie couldn’t hide the surprise on her face when Benedict pulled back.
“Congratulations, love.”
Sophie didn’t know what to say, but soon they were surrounded by the others in their group wishing her well. Even Catherine had ridden over to congratulate her and say she was glad that she would finally have some competition. Benedict had ridden back to where Charles was waiting, allowing her to have her moment as he watched.
“That was quite the kiss, even for a rogue like you. If you aren’t careful, your reputation will begin to rival mine.”
Benedict glared over to where Warrick sat beside the prince. His eyes fixed on Sophie and Benedict could see, even from a distance, the longing in them. There was no denying it, the man wanted her. He wanted his wife.
“Don’t look so murderous, Kingston. We are to be guests on the man’s yacht this afternoon. It would be beyond rude for you to throw him overboard. Besides, I have to admit, other than his infatuation with your wife, Warrick seems to be a straight-up fellow and if rumors are true, he is quite the Corinthian. You can’t help but like the fellow. I predict that once the season begins, he will be hailed among the ladies as a nonpareil. Speaking of his yacht, have you seen it? It is the very fine three-masted vessel docked here in Brighton. Hawk said it was the finest he had seen and has even talked to Warrick about procuring something similar of his own.”
Benedict turned sharply in his friend’s direction. “If you don’t stop boasting of his attributes, you may find yourself tossed overboard that fine vessel this evening.”
Charles laughed heartily at that comment as Benedict rode back to join his wife.
Later that afternoon, aboard Warrick’s yacht, The Conqueror
Sophie had never been aboard a yacht before. Her mother had been petrified at the thought of sailing, so their family never ventured out to sea, and even though they were in sight of the coast the entire time, she couldn’t help but feel a small bit of trepidation. But as she stood on the deck looking out over the horizon at the seemingly endless sea, she also felt a sense of peace. The sun had begun to set on the horizon and as it sank lower into the sea, it cast the sky in a glorious burnt orange that made her think of fire. She placed her hands on the railing and looked over to see the ship moving slowly through the waves.
“Are you thinking of jumping?”
Sophie jumped at the sound of Benedict’s voice coming from behind her. “Oh, you startled me.”
Benedict stepped closer beside her. “When I didn’t find you down below in the salon with the other ladies, I became concerned. Bella said you had come on deck for some fresh air, were you feeling unwell?”
She shook her head and smiled. “No, I just wanted to come on deck. This is my first time to sail and while everyone was below, I thought it would be quiet and peaceful here on the deck.”
“Am I intruding on your solitude?”
Sophie laughed softly. “Of course not.”
“Good” He moved behind her and swiftly turned her around to face him, his hands gripping the railing effectively caging her between his arms. “Because I have been waiting to have you alone for hours now.”
He leaned closer, capturing her lips with his as he pressed his body against hers. Her hands clutched at the lapels of his coat, and he deepened the kiss. He felt desire for this woman like he had never felt before and when he heard voices coming up on deck from below, he pulled away, his breath coming swiftly between his lips. He stepped away not wanting anyone to see how close he was to losing what little restraint he still had anytime he was near her.
Sophie was not terribly surprised that he had kissed her. After all, he had kissed her most scandalously in the park this morning in front of everyone when she won the race against Catherine. She had thought it might have been the excitement of the moment, but this kiss was different. This kiss almost burned. She felt it all the way through her body and if it had not been for the railing behind her for support, she was certain her knees would have buckled.
“Sophie? There you are. I was worried about you when you didn’t rejoin us, and when I decided to come look for you, everyone joined in.”
Benedict took another step back while Sophie looked quickly from him toward the group moving toward them.
“I was just admiring the sunset. It is beautiful on the water, and I took longer than I meant to. I hope my disappearing didn’t disrupt whatever you were doing below.”
Bella stepped forward and faced the horizon. “Nonsense, we were all eager to come up on deck. It is lovely, isn’t it.” She turned to Sophie and narrowed her eyes slightly when she noticed her red lips swollen from Benedict’s ardent kiss just a few seconds earlier. “It is quite romantic too, don’t you think?” She looked back at Benedict and gave him a knowing grin.
Charles stepped forward. “Let’s take a walk, Kingston. I have been wanting to ask you if you had any more information about the incident last night.”
Benedict looked once more at Sophie hoping she would see the promise of more to come in his eyes as he moved to follow Charles away from the group.
Once they were out of hearing Charles said. “Good God, man. You can’t go about molesting the woman in public. The kiss in the park and the obvious tryst on the deck will have everyone talking.”
Benedict was growing tired of the constant lectures and advice from his good friend. “Everyone including Warrick. And she isn’t just any woman, she is my wife.”
“Is that what this is about? Are you doing this solely for Warrick’s benefit? Marking your territory like some sort of dog in heat. Because at last, I knew, you had still not bedded your wife and were living under the ridiculous notion that your marriage could remain neutral, no love, no connections, just a contract of sorts.”
Benedict’s frown intensified as he turned to confront his friend. “I may not have imagined being married in the traditional way, nor did I expect to feel this way about Sophie, but I have since decided to make some adjustments to our agreement, and I damn sure have no intention of letting Warrick or anyone else for that matter try to take what is mine.”
Charles slapped his friend on the back. “Finally! I knew you would see the error of your ways and fall into matrimonial bliss as the rest of us. Isobel can relax now. She has been so afraid your resistance would cause a big enough gulf between you and Sophie that it could not be fixed.”
Benedict rolled his eyes. “Is that all you wished to discuss, my relationship with my wife? I thought you were interested in finding the culprit trying to scare me away from Brighton.”
“I have been giving some thought to that. We have been under the assumption that it is simply someone who doesn’t want you to open another version of The Devil’s Lair here in Brighton, but what if we are wrong? What if it has nothing to do with business?” Charles shrugged his shoulders. “You must admit that you have acquired quite a few enemies over the years. I am your closest friend and even I find you trying to be around at times.”
“Are you going to make a point at some time in this conversation or is this just to be an assignation of my character? According to your theory, you are opening the list of suspects to include everyone from scorned lovers to anyone who has taken exception to me and the life I have led. That list, my friend, would be incredibly long.”
Charles arched his eyebrows. “I am just thinking you should keep an open mind and be careful. The person responsible may not be just determined to see your business ruined, they could try to do you bodily harm or take your life as well. Just be careful.”
Benedict had not given any thought to his life being in danger, but if Charles was right, the danger could extend to Sophie as well. He shook the thought from his head. He was letting Charles get to him. If there was another incident, he might take it more seriously.
He watched as Charles walked back toward the group. He blew out a frustrated breath and followed behind him. When they reached the spot on the deck where the others had gathered to watch the last remnants of sunshine disappear from the sky, he looked around but didn’t see his wife. He walked over to where Bella stood speaking to Persephone.
“Where is Sophie?”
“Since this is her first time aboard a ship, Warrick offered to give her a tour of the vessel.” She saw his eyes darken in anger. “Dinner is to be served in twenty minutes, I’m sure she will be just fine. Besides, what could happen in twenty minutes?”
Benedict felt his stomach tighten. A whole hell of a lot could happen in twenty minutes. It had only taken him a mere five minutes to have Sophie naked from the waist up and just a few more to have his hands up her skirts. Damn it!
He started off to find his wife when Bella placed her hand on his arm. “Dinner will be soon enough. It will look bad and cause more talk if you go storming off in search of her. Warrick is an honorable man; he will not seduce her right before dinner is served on his yacht filled with guests. Stay with us and show her that you are not some crazed jealous husband.” She leaned just close enough that he could hear her and no other. “Even though you are.”
Benedict turned sharply to her and frowned at her words, but her charming smile seemed to melt away the anger he was feeling at her teasing comment.
He stayed on deck anxiously waiting for Sophie to appear again, and when it was time to go below deck for the light supper Warrick had planned, he breathed a sigh of relief when he entered the small salon to find Sophie already there. He released Bella into Charles’ care and strode forward toward his wife.
When Warrick saw him headed in their direction, he inclined his head slightly. “Good evening, your grace.” Then he boldly took Sophie’s hand and raised it to his lips. “I must see to my other guests.” He walked away leaving Benedict alone with his wife.
“Did you have a nice personal tour of the ship?” Benedict asked as he reached for her hand wanting to wipe away any remnants of Warrick’s touch from her skin. He ran his thumb over her knuckles and raised it to his lips for a lingering kiss before turning it over and lightly licking the inside of her wrist.
Sophie tugged her hand away when she noticed several pairs of eyes turned in their direction. “My tour was very informative. Although, I am not certain I would wish to sleep onboard a ship. I would still be much too nervous, especially if there were no land in sight.”
“So, you are saying that when we travel, we should do so by land.”
She laughed softly. “I suppose that would be best if we do indeed travel together in the future.”
He leaned over so he could whisper in her ear. “There are a great many things we will do together in the future.”
Sophie was too shocked to respond and thankfully didn’t have to as Warrick announced that dinner was served. Benedict offered her his arm and escorted her to the table where the others were already taking their seats. As he sat beside her, she felt his hand move to her knee. He gave her a little squeeze that sent anticipatory shivers up her spine and suddenly she wished dinner would end quickly so she could find out about the promises of pleasure she could see in the intensity of his eyes.