Benedict's Challenge - Carole Mortimer Page 0,28

playing of the piano.

Chapter Ten

“What the devil is going on in here?” Benedict demanded, having stepped into Beatrix’s sitting room to see it was Jimmy standing beside the piano as Beatrix played. A smile of pleasure lit up her face as she gazed at the young man standing beside her.

Jimmy stopped singing and Beatrix’s fingers stilled on the piano keys the instant Benedict spoke. Both of them turned to look at him. Beatrix appeared slightly guilty, while Jimmy raised his chin in challenge.

Benedict drew in a controlling breath and paused as he searched for the reason seeing Beatrix and Jimmy together made him feel so angry.

Jimmy had been told not to enter the east wing. A request Benedict had made on Beatrix’s behalf, for she did not react well to strangers.

Not only did Beatrix seem to accept Jimmy’s presence, she had also allowed him to persuade her into playing her beloved piano again.

Which, if Benedict was being completely honest with himself, now seemed to be at the root of his anger.

Was he jealous?

Because not only had Jimmy been accepted into Beatrix’s inner sanctum, he had also managed to charm her into playing her piano again and enjoying it. For the past nine years, Benedict’s own efforts of persuasion on the subject had been rebuffed. Gently so, but nevertheless, rebuffed.

However, Benedict’s feelings of jealousy were of absolutely no importance when placed alongside the pleasure and happiness he had seen reflected on Beatrix’s face before he interrupted them.

She now rose to her feet, her expression one of apology and appeal, the latter no doubt for his understanding. “I am so sorry—”

“You have done nothing wrong, Beatrix,” he instantly reassured. He held out his arms to her, waiting until she had crossed the room and slipped into his embrace before smiling at her warmly. “It is wonderful to hear you enjoying playing your piano again.”

“How could I resist when Mr. Brown has such a beautiful singing voice?” she enthused.

Benedict turned to look at the younger man. Jimmy was no longer dressed in the work clothes he had favored in the day since arriving her. The other man now wore the dark gray superfine given to him by Benedict, along with a cotton shirt, cravat, and waistcoat, and pale gray pantaloons. The black boots he wore, also old ones of Benedict’s, were slightly scuffed, but otherwise, Jimmy looked and behaved every inch the gentleman at this moment.

“Mr. Brown does indeed have a pleasant singing voice,” Benedict drawled. “I am merely surprised to find him here when he was explicitly advised against entering the east wing.”

Jimmy looked unabashed by the obvious reprimand. “I was drawn to investigate after seeing how lonely Lady Beatrix has looked whenever I have chanced to see her at the window these past few days.” The censor could be heard in his voice.

It didn’t surprise Benedict that Beatrix had remained curious about the young man now working in the stables. Any new diversion must be welcome to her, shut away as she was in this suite of rooms from morning till night.

But it was a curiosity on Beatrix’s behalf which did not explain or excuse Jimmy’s blatant disregard for Benedict’s instructions to him upon their arrival here.

Nor did Benedict care for the underlying criticism he could hear in the younger man’s tone. “I am sure, if asked, Beatrix would tell you it is by her own choice she remains in the east wing.”

“Oh, it is,” Beatrix instantly confirmed. “But it was pleasant,” she added shyly, “to be able to play once again and to hear singing.”

As Benedict’s own singing voice resembled that of a constipated frog, he accepted he could not have fulfilled that role for her. “I am pleased Mr. Brown has been so obliging.” There was an edge to his voice which warned that gentleman Benedict would have more to say on the subject once the two men were alone. “I hope you have not overtired yourself,” he added with a frown as Beatrix tried and failed to suppress a yawn.

“Perhaps a little nap would be beneficial before dinner,” she acknowledged ruefully.

Benedict nodded. “I will come back and see you after your nap.”

“That would be lovely.” She squeezed his arm, then smiled shyly at the other man. “Thank you for your company this afternoon, Mr. Brown.”

“You are more than welcome.” Jimmy’s expression was warm and open. “If you require my singing to accompany you on the piano again, please send word to me in the stables, and I will