Benedict's Challenge - Carole Mortimer Page 0,27

much as possible.

Quite what would happen to her once she returned to London, she had no idea.

Perhaps Benedict might give a reference of her character so that she could become a governess or lady’s maid?

Whatever transpired, she could not and would not be any more of a burden upon Benedict’s generosity of nature than she already was.

By the time Benedict had calmed Beatrix down from her nightmare and persuaded her into going back to sleep while he remained seated and reassuringly close in a chair beside her bed, the sun was already rising outside her bedroom window.

Beatrix’s nightmare had served as a timely reminder to Benedict that he had responsibilities here. Ones which did not allow him to indulge in a relationship with Chloe or any other woman who might expect more from him than brief physical pleasure.

Merely thinking of Chloe’s pleasure brought back the taste of her on his lips and tongue. A sweet and earthy musk Benedict knew would haunt him long after Chloe had disappeared from his life.

By Chloe’s design, he was sure, Benedict saw very little of her during the next two days.

Jimmy proved himself equally as elusive.

They did both join Benedict in the evenings for dinner, as he had originally requested. But those evening meals were strained and polite affairs, during which Benedict’s irritation grew to such an extent, it was a relief when Chloe and Jimmy excused themselves and returned to their respective sleeping quarters.

During the day, it seemed Chloe and Jimmy were content to each find their own way of amusing themselves. Chloe, by wrapping up warmly before taking long walks about the countryside. Jimmy, by stubbornly insisting on carrying out work in the stables. He continued to keep those bandages about his forearms, but the industrious way in which he now worked implied they were no longer necessary.

Benedict divided his own time between the work needing his attention on the estate, and Beatrix. The former as a way of exhausting himself so that he could fall into bed and sleep at night, rather than lying awake, his body aching to touch and again make love to Chloe. The latter provided a brief diversion to exactly the same thing and also resulted in Beatrix suffering no more nightmares.

Benedict’s frustrations were added to because, so far, he had not received word back in response to the letter he had sent Julius regarding Lord Gordon’s movements—which he considered to be the equivalent of no news is good news—or supplying any more information concerning the background of either of his guests.

But Benedict had every reason to trust that Julius would learn all there was to know and that he would not stop until he had done so. The other man had worked as a spy for England for many years during the war against Napoleon, and his contacts and associates were numerous, both abroad and in England.

Their friend Gabriel had traveled to and was now in France, primarily on his honeymoon, but also in search of news of the nineteen-year-old orphaned niece he had never met. He was doing the latter with the help of the informants Julius was able to direct him to.

Benedict had no doubt that Julius would come through with information for him too, eventually, in regard to Chloe and Jimmy.

In the meantime, Benedict’s work about the estate concluded for the day, and, feeling superfluous to both his guests’ needs—Chloe was once again out walking, and Jimmy had disappeared to goodness knows where—Benedict made his way up the stairs in the east wing to once again visit with Beatrix.

He came to a halt at the top of the stairs when he heard the sound of the piano being played.

Benedict had instigated moving a piano up here years ago, in the hope that Beatrix might one day play again. She had always found such joy in playing the piano, but the accident nine years ago had robbed them both of so much.

This was the first time Benedict had heard Beatrix play in all the years since she had shut herself away in the east wing.

A smile curved his lips and his heart lifted at the beautiful sound, allowing him to forget about his other worries as he strode down the hallway with fresh vigor.

Perhaps, with time, he might even be able to persuade Beatrix into stepping out into the world once again.

Perhaps.

The smile froze on Benedict’s lips and his steps faltered the moment he heard a rich baritone voice singing in harmony with the