Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Later that evening
Sophie sat quietly in the carriage opposite her husband who did not seem his normal raffish self. It was as if something was weighing heavily on his mind. She blew out a slow, steady breath and fiddled with her gloves before raising her head and speaking.
“You are very quiet. Did you not enjoy our time on the yacht?
Benedict remained where he was keeping his eyes leveled on his exceptionally beautiful wife. “There are other things I would have enjoyed more.”
“How very cryptic. From the way you acted during dinner and the carriage ride home, I thought I had done something to upset you.”
Benedict grinned that one-sided grin that made her insides warm. “I am merely keeping my distance.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Keeping your distance? From me? Oh, may I ask why?”
“Because if I touch you now, as I very much wish to do, I would have you naked in approximately a minute. Maybe longer depending on how slow I decide to remove your garters and stockings. And since I would prefer to have you naked and sprawled across my bed where I have all the time in the world to kiss every inch of your lovely naked body and my fingers can caress every part of your soft skin, I decided keeping my distance would help me avoid temptation. But mark my words, Sophie, it would take very little encouragement on your part to cause me to cast aside every bit of restraint I have and take you right here.”
Sophie’s mouth fell open slightly. “That is the most wicked answer to a question I have ever heard in my life.”
“I have never professed to be anything but wicked, darling. And as soon as I get you home and behind closed doors, I am going to show you, my sweet innocent Sophie, Every. Little. Wicked. Thing. I. Know.”
While his words caused her to be warm all over and a sensation she could not describe moving from her belly to the juncture between her thighs, she did have a touch of fear. Because his eyes and his words held a promise, a promise that she could not escape, even if she wanted to.
She began nervously tapping her slippered foot against the carriage floor, while Benedict continued to watch her as a lion would watch a gazelle just before he pounced on it. When the carriage came to a stop outside their home, she felt her hands begin to tremble. A footman opened the door, and Benedict got out and offered her his hand. Sophie took a deep breath to calm her nerves as she stepped down from the carriage. They walked up the steps together but when the door was closed behind them, he pulled her to a stop.
Benedict could wait no longer. He looked at the two footmen in attendance and said in a tone that brooked no disobedience. “Leave us!”
He waited until they scampered out of sight, then he swooped her into his arms and began climbing the stairs. As he took the steps two at a time, he wondered how angry she would be if he simply ripped the dress from her body, he was not in the mood to wait for buttons. He would buy her another, he was much too anxious to have her naked to bother with buttons or ribbons. When he reached the top of the landing, he leaned in to kiss her when a very nervous voice from the bottom of the stairs called out to him.
“Your grace? I am terribly sorry, your grace. but you have a visitor who has been waiting for the past two hours for your arrival.” Henry called from below them, his face red from embarrassment at what he was witnessing.
Benedict sat Sophie on her feet. “I swear, Henry, if this is something that could have waited till tomorrow, I will sack you.”
Sophie softly slapped at his arm. “Don’t say that to poor Henry.” She leaned over the railing just a bit. “Don’t look so worried, Henry. He is not serious.”
“I am most serious.”
Sophie smiled. “You will frighten him. Go take care of your business. Lessons can wait till another night.” She started to walk away, but Benedict grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
“This is not about those bloody lessons, Sophie. This is about you and me. This is about making you my wife, and to hell with the lessons, and to hell with any other man that thinks they can have what is mine!” He pulled her into his arms for a punishing kiss leaving her stunned before turning to march back down the stairs.
From the furious expression on his face, Sophie hoped whoever was waiting to see him was prepared for his reaction.
Before Benedict walked into the library where Henry had deposited his most unwelcome visitor, he pulled his butler aside. “Did you happen to get the man’s name, or ask what the hell he wanted to speak with me about?”
Henry nervously began wringing his hands. “He gave me the name Sir Peter Silsbee, but he did not have a calling card. I told him that you and her grace were out for the evening and that he should perhaps return tomorrow, but he was most insistent that he speak with you tonight. He would not tell me specifically what he wished to speak with you about, he did say that what he needed to tell you could potentially save you a great deal of trouble.”
Benedict took a deep breath trying to regain his normally composed demeanor before opening the door and proceeding inside.
“Silsbee, I have been told that you wish to see me and that is of the utmost importance. At this late hour, I certainly hope you are speaking the truth.”
The man before him was very slender, not very tall, and looked as if he would piss his pants in fear. He bobbed his head quickly and cleared his throat rather loudly. “Are you Benedict Kingston, the new Duke of Kenworth?”
Benedict was growing increasingly impatient with the man. “I am, now what do you want?”
Silsbee took a step back. “I know that you do not know me, and I normally keep to my own business, but yesterday I overheard a conversation concerning you.”
Benedict blew out a frustrated breath and moved to take a seat behind his desk. He motioned for Silsbee to have a seat as well. “Overheard? Go ahead, enlighten me, what did you hear?”
“I was sitting in a tavern not far from here having a cup of ale and a quick meal before I made preparations to leave town. While at the tavern, I heard a man telling another gentleman that he had been paid two hundred pounds to kill you. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, maybe it was a man who was heavy into his cups and just talking out of turn, but then he began speaking of how the man who had paid him was set on revenge and would have it one way or another and that with you out of the way, your duchess would be vulnerable.”
At the mention of Sophie, Benedict sat up and began paying closer attention. “Can you tell me what the man looked like?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “The man speaking was short, much shorter than you, your grace, and his clothes were torn and dirty. The man he was talking to, was a gentleman, you could tell by his cultured voice. He looked to be a few years older than you with dark hair. I knew that if I didn’t at least inform you of what was said, I would never forgive myself if something untoward happened.”
Benedict regarded the man across from him. Being a gambler most of his life, he found it easy to read people and from what he could determine from his brief meeting with Silsbee, the man did not give any outward indication that he was lying.
“While I appreciate the warning, you must admit, it is not a lot of information to go by.”
“I know, but at least you are aware that there may be someone wishing you ill will. I know the information is not a lot, but I feel my conscience will rest easier knowing that you have been warned.”
Benedict rose from his chair. “Thank you for that. If the information proves to be accurate, I will be in your debt. Do you have accommodation for the night?”
The man held his hat in hand and nodded slightly. “Yes, your grace. I will be staying at the Three Masts Inn on the edge of town. I will be leaving Brighton on the morning stage and returning to Cornwall.”
Benedict walked with him to the door. “Henry will show you out, and once again I thank you for the information.”
Henry came back into the study after he saw Peter Silsbee to the door. “Is there something I can do for you, your grace?”
“Do you know if my uncle kept brandy in the house?”
Henry nodded. “I will bring a bottle.”
Benedict called out after him. “Bring two glasses, Henry.”
Benedict closed his eyes and tried to fight off the headache that was forming between his eyes. First, the vandalism, and now it seemed as if Charles’ prediction had been accurate, and someone was indeed intent on doing him harm. Now, he just needed to discover who it was before either he or Sophie was hurt.
Henry came in a few minutes later with a bottle of brandy and two glasses as he had been instructed.
Benedict took the bottle and motioned for Henry to take a seat. “Do you drink, Henry?”
“Only on special occasions, your grace.”
Benedict handed him a glass. “Well, today is a special occasion. I am celebrating the loss of my sanity.”
Henry looked at him strangely, and he felt the need to elaborate.
“You know I was not meant to be Kenworth and now that I have had the massive responsibility thrust upon me, nothing in my life is as it were. My business, The Devil’s Lair, is being neglected, it does not seem likely that the new gaming house I wanted to establish here in Brighton will come to fruition, and now it appears someone is willing to pay to make sure that I do not get to enjoy my title for very long.” He swallowed the brandy in his glass. “And I will not even mention my other problem.”
“If I may be so bold, your grace. While I know you were not in the direct line of succession, you are still a Kenworth, and as a Kenworth, I have confidence that you will be successful in all your endeavors. As far as someone wishing to do you harm, I suppose the first thing you should do is to come up with a list of suspects.”
Benedict gave him a small smile and held out his glass to him. “Henry, you sound as if you may have worked for the war department in the past. There is a slight problem with that, the list would be rather long I’m afraid.”
“I might be able to assist you by offering a suggestion. Could it be that perhaps someone wasn’t very pleased to see you inherit Kenworth? Perhaps someone next in line to the duchy? It is just a thought, but one I feel is pertinent. If you would like, I can research the family lineage and give you the name of your heir apparent.”
Benedict was surprised that he had not thought of that himself. “Thank you, Henry.”
The older man stood from his seat, placed his glass on the edge of the desk, and bowed deeply as he exited the room. Once Benedict was alone, he poured another drink and leaned his head back against the chair as he thought of the life he had left behind and wondered if he would ever feel as if he fit into his new role. Would he ever feel at ease, would he ever be worthy of Sophie? And now with the added threat, would he be able to protect her?
Sophie paced back and forth in her bedchamber unable to sleep. She listened, waiting for footsteps, wondering if he would come to her room. She waited until she heard the door to his bedchamber close softly. She moved back to the bed watching the connecting door, but after many minutes of just waiting, nothing. She tiptoed over to the door and took a deep breath before knocking lightly and opening the door to take a peek.
His deep somber voice startled her. “By all means, come in, Sophie.”
Sophie slowly moved farther into the room, closing the door behind her. “I don’t mean to intrude. I was just worried.”
Benedict was sitting in an overstuffed armchair before the fire, a glass in his hand. He had discarded his coat, and his shirt was unbuttoned halfway. He was staring into the fire, and while he knew she was there, he had yet to turn to look at her.
She hesitated before moving closer. “You look as if you just received some very bad news.”
He sat his glass on the table beside him and held his hand out to her. “Come to me, Sophie.”
She stepped closer and placed her hand in his. His fingers wrapped around it, and he tugged her closer, his eyes taking her in. He moved her to where she stood in front of him, and he placed both hands on either side of her waist as he rested his head on her belly.
Sophie ran her fingers through his hair, then let them slide down to lightly caress the back of his neck. A deep growl escaped his lips as he pulled her onto his lap. His fingers slowly traced the curve of her jaw as he pushed her hair to the side.
“You know that since you walked through my door at The Lair, nothing in my life has been the same. Nothing has been easy.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I thought I could marry you, help you, because I felt some sort of responsibility for your brother and what he had done and was trying to do to you. And in return, you could help me.”
He tugged at the ribbon just below her throat, keeping his eyes locked with hers. “I thought it would be easy to have an…arrangement. But I was wrong.” He parted the folds of her gown exposing her breasts as his head dipped to press kisses along the side of her neck. “You are so beautiful.” His lips moved across her collarbone. His other hand wrapped around her ankle before moving higher to her knee.
Sophie’s body tingled everywhere he touched. His kisses made her burn for more, long for something she didn’t understand.
Benedict stood with her cradled in his arms and carried her to his bed. He tugged his shirt over his head and moved to lie beside her. His hands pushed more of the soft white diaphanous material away exposing her from the waist up. She was glorious, and it felt almost reverent to be the only one to see her like this. His hands moved over her flat belly loving the way her skin prickled with his touch. He lowered his head and began placing kisses from the valley between her breasts down to her navel, his tongue flicking over her skin to taste her sweetness.
Sophie gripped the sheets and pressed her heels into the bed. The sensations solicited by his kisses and touch were making her tremble. Her eyes opened as his hand moved to caress her hip. The gown she was wearing was barely covering her now and she felt a bit of uneasiness at being so exposed, so open. Her hands moved to his shoulders, and she felt his body twitch and tighten at her touch. When his lips moved higher, first to her breasts, and then her neck, and finally met her lips again, she felt like she would explode. Her hands moved over his chest to his taut abdomen and the waistband of his breeches.
Benedict loved the feel of her soft hands on his skin, but he wanted more of her, and with a swift tug, he ripped the rest of her gown away leaving her naked beneath him. His hand instinctively sought the warm damp flesh between her thighs and as his fingers parted her folds, he swallowed the cries that slipped past her lips. She was so bloody tight, and his cock was so incredibly hard for her. He moved from the bed quickly, removing his trousers and covering her once again with his body before she came to her senses.
Sophie’s eyes widened at the sight of him. While she knew the mechanics of how a man and a woman made love, she just couldn’t imagine it being a pleasurable experience. The sheer size of him would have to make the joining painful.
Benedict saw the look of uncertainty, and maybe even a bit of fear in her eyes. He vowed he would make this good for her, his Sophie, his wife. He positioned himself between her legs but did not attempt to enter her. He lifted one of her legs higher to place kisses on the inside of her thigh before moving higher until his tongue flicked over her folds. He held her hips when she tried to move away. Then slowly he let his tongue move inside her. Her cries became louder, and her thighs tightened around him as she neared her climax. When he knew she was right on the edge he moved over her positioning his cock at her entrance.
“Hold onto me, Sophie.”
She nodded as her arms gripped his shoulders. He pushed further inside her giving her body time to adjust even though it was nearly killing him. The amount of restraint it was taking for him not to just drive himself into her was more than he thought he possessed. He lowered his head and nibbled along the side of her neck as he inched further. When he reached her maidenhead, he paused. He knew there would be discomfort, but that was something he couldn’t take away. He took her lips in a possessive kiss getting her body to relax then thrust his hips forward, sheathing himself in her completely. Her body stilled at the pain of the intrusion, but she did not cry out. He continued to kiss her not wanting to see tears in her eyes.
Sophie stiffened at the sting she felt when Benedict thrust into her, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she would want to continue, but the discomfort subsided quickly and when he moved again inside her it brought nothing but pleasure. She clung to him as his thrusts became harder and longer. A wave of pleasure swept over her body, she shivered and trembled as she reached her climax.
Benedict felt her body tighten around his cock, and it was his undoing. He thrust two more times and spilled himself inside her, something he had never done with a woman before. He collapsed on top of her before rolling to his side and pulling her against him. He kissed her bare shoulders and down the top of her spine.
“I apologize if I was not gentle. I tried to hold back as much as possible to ease the pain, but you have been driving me mad with need these past weeks.”
Sophie turned in his arms, so they were facing each other. “That was worth the small amount of pain. Is it always like that?”
He chuckled as he kissed the tip of her nose. “I can’t vouch for others, but between the two of us, I would say yes, perhaps even better.” He wrapped his arms around her tighter. “Give yourself some time to recover, and we will test that theory if you would like.”
Sophie leaned forward and kissed his chest letting her hands roam over him. “How much time?”
“You are insatiable, darling. I would be careful if I were you, a man can only take so much temptation.” He threw his leg over hers to pin her against him.
“Am I a temptation?” Sophie asked coyly.
Benedict flipped over to his back bringing her atop him. Her breasts pressed against his chest as his hands gripped her arse. “My darling Sophie, you are the biggest temptation I have ever had to face, but if you are set on another go so soon, who am I to deny you?” He kissed her. “Lift up on your knees and position yourself over me. It will give you the control of how fast you want to go. You may find yourself a bit sore.”
Sophie liked the feeling of being in control. She pressed her hands against his chest as she positioned herself over him. He was still hard, and as she slid down slowly over him, she saw Benedict close his eyes and grit his teeth.
She raked a finger down the center of his chest. “Oh, was that too much for you?” She teased him as she raised herself higher. “Perhaps we will try again.” She slid down lower this time feeling a bit of the tenderness he had mentioned, but she liked having this power, and she liked teasing him. She moved higher again, never fully taking him in.
“Woman, is your intention to drive me mad?” Benedict growled as she once again lowered herself slowly over his cock but never fully took him.
Sophie leaned lower over him, her breasts grazing his chest. “I intend to drive you mad with desire. To show you that I was paying attention when you were trying to give me lessons.”
He arched his eyebrows at her cheeky comment. “Is that right? Well, let’s see how much you remember. He grabbed her hips and pushed her down over him before sitting up and wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her fiercely while one hand squeezed her arse and the other moved to her breasts.
Sophie gasped and threw her head back.
“Move darling, slide up and down my cock.”
Sophie did what he asked, pressing her hands against his shoulders for leverage.
“That’s right, love. Just like that.”
He heard the soft sounds escaping her lips as she continued to ride him. She was a quick learner. He moved suddenly and stood from the bed. “Wrap your legs around me, Sophie. He carried her across the room and pressed her back against the wall, all while being sheathed inside her.
Benedict had intended for her to set the pace, but with her cheeky teasing and the ways her body caressed and enveloped him, he could not take much more. He pinned her against the wall as he thrust into her causing a short shrill scream to escape past her lips. He pressed his mouth against hers as he rammed inside her again. Her fingers were digging into his shoulder, he would not be surprised if she drew blood, but he didn’t care. She felt so good, it was too good to stop. Her legs were wrapped around his waist like a vice, and he continued to pound into the tender flesh of her body. When he felt her tremble as her climax overcame her, he moved back to the bed throwing her down on it while he stood beside it. He grabbed her legs and put them over his arms while his hands cupped both breasts, and he thrust as hard and fast as he could. He had lost control, this was his wife, his recently virginal wife, and he was pumping away as if she were a common strumpet. Her cries grew louder, and he felt her tighten around his cock again. This time when he felt her warm wetness surround him, he emptied himself into her.
Sophie felt as if she couldn’t catch her breath. She ached and her legs trembled. When he released her and pulled himself out of her, she felt the sting again and wondered if she had been too brazen to tease him the way she had done. A fine sheen of perspiration was on his forehead, and she felt as if her muscles would not support her if she tried to stand.
Benedict felt like the biggest arse. He had meant to be gentle and was anything but, he had meant to be easy so she wouldn’t feel pain, but he could see from her limp body that he had let his lust take control. He lifted her into his arms and moved her on the bed so that her head rested on the pillow. He covered her with the coverlet before moving to the other side and climbing into bed beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her body still trembling.
“Go to sleep, Sophie. Tomorrow, I will make it feel better.”
Sophie didn’t think she could speak. Her body ached everywhere and the area between her thighs throbbed, but the feelings of ecstasy that had swept over her made it worthwhile. She pressed her body back against his, relishing the warmth and security he offered and after several minutes her eyes grew heavy, and sleep claimed her.
Benedict held her close while she slept. She was so beautiful, and she belonged to him in every way now, his to protect. And he would never allow anyone else to possess her.