Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

BENEDICT

I watch the purposeful sway of her arse as she strides ahead of me. Easy to deal with, indeed. Granted, she's not as bad as I've heard from others who have females to contend with during the Season, but she's still taking my attention in a way that I'd rather not spend it. Walking behind her, I make sure she feels my presence in case she wishes to make some sort of detour.

Glancing back and forth, I watch for members of staff as we make the journey through the hallways. Oddly, they seem missing. Though it's certainly untoward to have this woman in the study with me by herself, what I have planned is for her ears and hers alone. If the others catch wind of what happened today, she'll be just as ruined as if I defiled her in the study.

Irritation flows down my spine as I clench and release my fingers. The fact that she put herself into so much danger and doesn't even seem to realize it. Is she really that na?ve? Shaking my head, I curse Lord Hardon for being away at this time. He'd be able to deal with this with far more grace and diplomacy than I can right now.

As it is, all I can think about is if it were my sister found in such a position. Or worse, my wife. For a moment, I stop as she continues on ahead. I certainly shouldn't be thinking of her in those terms. I want fearless and not reckless. Once she passes through the door, her demeanor changes.

It's as if she's a completely different person. Gone is the fierce woman and in its place is a penitent girl. Her shoulders slump forward as she gazes down at the floor. An air of despondency circles her, as if she's already constrained herself to the worst fate possible. And yet, nothing can be worse than the wrong person taking advantage of her and forcing her down the aisle.

She simply doesn't understand. Though it is not my expressed occupation to make her see reason, I'm the only one here up for the task. Motioning to an oversized chair, I force my cock to flag at the sight of her long, delicate limbs draping across a seat made for contrition. Like all my friends, we commissioned exact chairs, completely alike save color and pattern.

They're the perfect size to haul a recalcitrant maiden over the lap to give them a sound thrashing. Granted, she's sitting like a proper lady and not like one of my whores begging to feel the lash on their upturned bottom. It still doesn't help to know I want nothing more than to tear into her backside until her repentant tears flow down her flushed cheeks.

"Please," she cries out, leaning forward.

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "Save your pleas for after I'm done. I wish to impress upon you the danger of your actions. Whatever were you thinking?"

"I- I got separated-"

"Yes," I snarl, glaring down into her dark navy eyes, momentarily entranced by the specks of lighter blue shining out, wet with unshed tears. "You said that. But it does not explain how you managed to be so close to danger. Do you have any regard for your life? Do you know just how close to going up into flames you were?"

Honestly, I have half a mind to take her down to see Birchleigh when he returns from the country. He could certainly give her a taste of fire without actually injuring her. I would do it myself, but that's not where my erotic tastes lie. I wish to frighten the girl, not harm her. Besides, there's no one else I trust as much as my friends with the discretion needed for such an endeavor.

"I was unaware-"

"Clearly."

Her gaze snaps back up to mine, all traces of repentance gone. "What would you have me do? Innocent women were losing their homes, their livelihoods. I couldn't just stand by and watch!"

"And what, pray tell, do you know of the livelihoods of those residing in Covent Garden?" My heart squeezes painfully in my chest as I look upon my best friend's sister, all manner of fears swirling through my brain.

Could it be that she's already spoilt? Unable to secure a good match? This would devastate Lord Hardon. Hopefully we can still find a way to arrange something so she can keep what little honor she has left.

However, her cheeks pinken, giving me a glimpse of the innocence lurking beneath. "I cannot say. None of the words shouted out made any sense to me. I tried to understand. Individually, they make sense, but together as a whole, I find myself only more confused. All I know is the anger swirling about, as thick as the smoke, makes my heart shatter for the poor women. I had to do something."

I let out a breath, grateful to not have to deal with a higher level of crisis while her brother is away. Crossing my arms, I perch myself atop the desk. "You always were a bit tender while growing up. I did my best not to tease you since you'd take it to heart. That does not dismiss your actions. Nor does it absolve your maid of her carelessness. Did your brother teach you nothing? Your mother even?"

Her gaze hardens as she shifts in the seat. "If you will be so kind as to keep my mother out of this, I will be forever grateful. As it is, yes, she imparted on me the wisdom of staying inside, of working on my needlepoint and song. But-" She stops suddenly and shuts her mouth before looking away.

"But what? It is your duty to be graceful, delicate, a woman of knowledge and stature. Not a woman to run about putting their life in danger."

"And what of men?"

"Pardon?" I squint as I try to make sense of her words. "What about men?"

"You can carry on willy-nilly as you see fit, disparaging women only trying to feed themselves and their families. Let me ask you, what did those women do to any one of those men out there? What sort of occupation makes those of your gender so angry?"

I refuse to speak. "It is not my place to educate you on such matters."

"Then whose is it? To whom shall I go to understand? Whose feet shall I sit at so I can lap at the knowledge so freely given?"

Resisting the urge to groan, I stand and turn, adjusting my wayward erection where she cannot see. The chit wouldn't understand my reactions. Granted, I barely understand them myself.

"That is a discussion for your husband. Not me."

"Then marry me," she cries out, rising from the chair in a rustle of fabric.

The woman must be mad. Turning, I look her up and down, seeking out the lark, but stop short when I find none. "Are you quite daft? I cannot marry you."

"Why not? I am a friend. I am a female whose fortune is not unfortunate. There are no shameful secrets hidden for you to ferret out." For a moment, her gaze shifts, giving me pause.

Could it be that she's hiding something? No doubt it's merely anxiety over today's actions making her behave this way. In all the years I've known her, today is the biggest indiscretion she's committed. There certainly can't be anything worse lurking in that muddled brain of hers.

"A nice list, to be sure," I murmur, unsure of what to say. For the first time since I can remember, a woman has rendered me speechless.

"You already love our family," she continues. "And by proxy, me. What more do you need?" Lady Hunt blinks at me, her expression guileless.

The girl has absolutely no idea what she's even asking. She can't. The things I want, the things I need, are not fitting for her innocent ears. With a sigh, I force myself to sit back down on the edge of the desk.

"I feel a kinship to your family. An affection, to be sure. But such matches are not made thusly."

Her hands reach out and clasp mine, bringing them to heart. My cock stirs as the back of my hand brushes against the soft expanse of skin.

"They could be. I know ours would not be a love match like those of legend, but it could be amiable. In time, our marriage can turn to love."

I pull away and give her an indulgent pat on the head. "Such pretty words from a pretty little sister." Though the look of hurt is obvious in her expression, I have no other choice. There is no way on God's green earth I can allow her to carry such fanciful notions. "I appreciate your words, but it cannot be. Best to put those thoughts out of your head."

With a slight pout, she sits back down in the chair. "Fine. If you will not accept my proposal nor educate me, then I suppose I'll have to contend myself with hearth and home. Think nothing more about it."

"Such a sensible statement."

"On one condition."

This time, it's my turn to blink at her. "You seriously think you're in a position to negotiate?"

"I don't want you to go to the butler. It's not my maid's fault."

With a sigh, I steeple my fingers and rest my chin against the tips. "You seem to be under the misapprehension that I'll obey your request simply because you make it. That will not happen. You could have been injured or killed on her watch. She is at least partially to blame and must be held accountable. I tire of this discussion."

As I turn to leave, she grabs my arm and slides down to her knees. Such a pretty picture she makes as she looks up at me, longing and pleading in her gaze. If it were a different woman, I'd love nothing more than to indulge. Unfortunately, as it is, she's the least accessible to my desires.

"A Lady never kneels," I growl, helping her to her feet.

The lie hangs heavy in the air and wooden on my tongue. How I wish I could make it a truth. How I wish the girl in front of me was a suitable match and not the sister of my best friend. Lord Hardon would meet me at dawn with pistols if I even dared glance at her in a desirous way, much less marry her.

"Could there possibly be another way?"

"I see none."

She drops her hands in front of her and clasps them, her fingers twitching as she thinks. "What if I take her punishment in her stead? I feel simply wretched if she suffers for my misdeeds."

"You're in earnest?" I can't be hearing her correctly. There's no possible way she'd want to do this. It must be a trap of some sort. "And what punishment do you think there is?"

She shrugs, a sense of helplessness surrounding her. "I've never been privy to what the butler does with the maids and manservants. But I trust it can't be too pleasant. Perhaps a rap on the knuckles with some sort of implement?"

I cannot help the grin crossing my lips as I drink in her innocence. "You think he chastises them as a nursemaid might a child? Surely you cannot be that na?ve."

With a huff, she plants her hands on her hips. "Shall I enquire as to what sort of punishment, then?"

Before I can answer, she whirls around and heads for the door. I don't quite manage to stifle my shocked chuckle as I wrap my arm about her waist and haul her backward, out of reach.

"There'll be none of that. I know how a butler disciplines their charges. I merely aimed to keep you from such a fate."

She stills, her squirming stopping. "Is it quite horrid then?"

"Do you care to find out?"

The urge to trail my lips around the shell of her ear beats at me as I hold her close, allowing her warmth to seep into me. I'm playing with fire, and sooner or later, we will both be burned.