Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

A fter the Sinclair's had been led from the drawing room to be shown to their bedchambers, Benedict had found himself in somewhat of a quandary. He had watched Lady Sinclair with a careful eye, and like any other who knew the brothers, it was evident she had not been able to tell them apart. In fact, by her wide-eyed terror, he had imagined she was suffering with some panic at her discovery that the man she had kissed was a twin. The fact that it was the twin of the man she was to marry, she did not know. Yet.

At their introduction, he had purposefully given nothing away. Apart from the fact that he had been in as much shock as Lady Sinclair himself, it had neither been the time, nor the place. However, it would come out sooner or later, and there was not a chance Benedict would allow his brother to hear it from anyone other than himself. They did not keep secrets. Unfortunately, Audor was occupied, so he had asked Benedict to wait until after dinner when his brother had asked to talk to him in private.

Supper had been entertaining so far. He had enjoyed watching Lady Sinclair squirm when he had mentioned the Mackay wedding, but asking her about the library had obviously tipped her over the edge, and flustered and flushed, she had excused herself.

"Is she all right?" Audor asked, when he noticed Lady Sinclair leaving the great hall.

"I'll go and check on her," Benedict replied, pushing himself from the table and hurrying after her.

He followed from a distance at first, wondering where she might go. If she ended up in the library, he would not be able to hold back his amusement. Instead, she made her way outside. He continued his stealthy pursuit, until Lady Sinclair found the ornate gardens at the side of the castle. It was only then, that he showed himself.

"What a beautiful evening," he declared, making her jump with fright. But instead of the ordinary reply to such a statement, the beautiful lass scowled at him.

"Why are ye torturing me for a mistake I didnae even ken I was making?"

Benedict smiled widely. "It is fun tae see ye blush so delicately. Besides, I didnae want ye having tae wonder fer too long, which braither ye had actually kissed."

"Ye kissed me," she hissed.

"I dae nae recall hearing any complaints. And whether ye realize it or nae in yer inexperience of these things, ye kissed me back."

"Be that as it may," she continued, clearly ignoring his very valid point, "ye didnae need tae tell me in front o' everyone. I was so embarrassed. And what if me faither had discovered it?"

Benedict then felt a little guilty. As fun as it had been, he would not want her getting into trouble with her father. From what he had seen so far, Laird Sinclair was not a man that would have taken such a thing lightly.

"I apologize," he said, his hands raised, and truly meaning his words. "I suppose I didnae really think about that. It was just a little fun."

"Fer ye, maybe. Nae so much fer me."

"I am sorry. Truly. I promise tae mind me actions in the future."

His genuine apology seemed to calm her annoyance, but clearly agitated, she paced back and forth over the small lawn. "Ye dinnae ken what this is like fer me. Our time together in that library was the wildest thing I have ever done. It shouldnae have happened. I was as betrothed tae be married then, as I am now. But I dinnae ken," she said, "I just got caught up in the moment."

Benedict tried not to smile. He, too, had got caught up in the moment, and what a moment it was. He had recalled the soft tenderness of her lips many times in the last three weeks, and being so close to her again, he struggled not to advance. The thing was, he had no excuses this time. Before, he could at least claim ignorance of the lass's identity. If he kissed her now, even with the sweet scent of honeysuckle making the moment perfect, he would be betraying his brother's trust.

"I beg ye, please," she said, turning to face him with a pained expression. "Ye cannae tell yer braither. I fear it may put this alliance at risk, and after what our clan has suffered, I cannae begin tae imagine how I would live with meself fer causing such a disaster."

Lady Sinclair did not need to expand on her words. Benedict was well aware of the loss the Sinclair Clan had suffered, as well as the continuous attacks from Laird Keith. The man was relentless. Besides, he had to take some responsibility for what had happened between them as well.

What she didn't realize was, Audor would likely not care one way or another. It wasn't as though he were in love with this lass. The alliance would bring their clan more wealth and lands. And yet, Benedict was certain Audor's motivations were deeper than that. He suspected his brother felt sorry for the old man.

But clearly, Lady Sinclair was worried, and so, Benedict nodded. "All right. I willnae tell him. Yer secret, our secret, will remain between us."

Relief flooded her face, and a deep sigh left her body. "Thank ye. Ye dinnae ken what that means tae me."

He then gestured toward the castle. "Perhaps we ought tae return. We dinnae want tae give anyone any ideas."

"Aye, o' course."

The evening continued without any further disturbance. Mindful of his promise, Benedict refrained from any more teasing, and instead, tried to put Lady Sinclair at ease by telling funny stories of him and Audor growing up. The hour grew late, and the Sinclairs eventually retired, expressing their exhaustion after their long travel.

Benedict, himself, was tired, and after a night cap with Audor and Killian, he announced his retirement too. Audor walked him to the study door. "Ye still need tae talk tae me, braither?" he said quietly, so Killian could not hear.

Benedict swiped a dismissive hand. "It can wait."

Audor frowned. "Are ye sure?"

"I am. Good night, braither," Benedict said, turning away and walking down the corridor.

"Good night," Audor called after him.

She lay there, sprawled in his bed, completely naked in all her glory. His lips tenderly kissed the soft skin of her stomach, moving lower and lower. She gasped and moaned, writhing beneath him, but he took his time. He wanted her to feel every sensation; his hot breath on her body, his lips.

His chin brushed the tiny hairs at the apex of her thighs, and moving his body lower to reach her, he grabbed her soft buttocks. Moving his mouth even lower, his tongue flicked out, and suddenly ? —

Benedict was dragged awake by a loud disturbance in his room, and still shrouded with sleep, he blinked his eyes open to see Audor striding across his bedchamber.

"What the devil are ye doing?" Benedict groaned, his dry throat making his speech husky.

"I am sorry tae waken ye, braither, but I must leave," Audor said, standing at the side of the bed.

He pushed himself to a sitting position. "Now?" he cried. "But it's the middle o' the night."

"Aye. I ken. I have tae leave immediately. I have received word, and I must meet a scout who has information that is important fer me."

"Will ye nae let me come with ye, Audor? I dinnae ken what ye are doing, but this is madness," Benedict said.

"Nae," Audor said firmly. "I need ye here. This news has come at a most inopportune time, given the arrival of the Sinclairs. I need ye tae take me place. I was supposed tae be spending time with Evelyn over the next couple of days. Taking the time tae get tae ken her ‘afore the wedding."

"Then, surely it makes more sense fer me tae go and meet the scout, and fer ye tae stay here."

Audor shook his head firmly. "I have told ye, braither. Nae one else can ken what is going on. Nae yet. It's fer yer own safety. Trust me. I will be gone nae more than a week. Ye stay here and stand in fer me. Lady Sinclair willnae ken the difference. She doesnae ken us well enough."

"Nae one kens us well enough," Benedict confirmed. "Killian is the only one who can tell us apart."

"Which is why he is the only other who kens o' me leaving. Here, take this." Audor pulled the clan ring from his finger and gave it to Benedict.

"But what if ye need it tae prove who ye are?" Benedict said, hesitantly taking the ring from his brother's hand.

"I'll be fine. Put it on."

Benedict did as he was asked. It felt strange on his finger, although it was. Not the first time he had worn it, and immediately, he felt like a fraud.

"Promise me ye will spend some time with her, Benedict," Audor said firmly.

"I will. I will." Benedict nodded wearily.

"Good. I have arranged a horseback ride with her tomorrow. Dinnae go too far."

"Are ye me maither now?" Benedict drawled sarcastically, eyeing his brother with a slight smirk.

Audor gave a weak smile. "It's fer everyone's safety. Now, I must away."

And as quickly as he had entered, Audor left Benedict's bedchamber, his cloak flowing behind him. Benedict, now wide awake, sat thinking about their conversation. He wished Audor would confide in him. His brother was worried about his safety, but Benedict had a dark feeling that it was Audor who was in the most danger. He kept stating that his discretion was for the safety of the clan, and thus, whatever he was doing, had to be dangerous. But he refused to answer Benedict's question, and Benedict knew his brother well enough to know that he would tell him if he could.

His thoughts then moved to the promise he had made. He had to pretend to be his brother in Audor's absence. It was not the first time, but still he couldn't help but wonder if Audor would still have asked him if he had known what had already happened between Lady Sinclair and himself. He would do anything for his brother, but spending time with Lady Sinclair was going to be torture.

This lass had not left his mind for weeks, and now, there she was, under the very same roof. Only, he could not have her. Conflicting emotions arose. Indeed, it would be torture, but after the dream he had been having before Audor had woken him, another part of him could not help but feel just a little bit excited.