Apparently, he needs to grow a pair… Benjamin
CHAPTER 16
“Are you interesting in courting the young woman, Benjamin?” his mother’s eyes twinkled with delight, as he knew that they would, when he had asked her to help him single out Eden Norfolk for Randall.
“Mother,” the exasperation clear in his voice, “for the last time, this is for Randall. I have no designs on this woman whatsoever. I am merely doing Randall a favor.”
His mother smiled shrewdly, “I find it hard to believe that the great Phillip Randall needs any assistance whatsoever wooing a young lady.”
“Well, apparently, he needs to grow a pair tonight, because he has lost them somewhere along the way,” Benjamin muttered under his breath.
“I beg your pardon?” his mother smacking her fan against his well-muscled arm. “Do leave your filthy comments to yourself. The young woman in question is right around the corner.”
His mother was all the sudden merriment and cordiality, it was almost comical.
“Your Grace,” her curtsey was everything it should be, “How lovely to see you and your beautiful daughter, Lady Eden. I do believe that you become lovelier every time we meet.”
The duchess’ eyes narrowed, but she allowed the compliment. They visited for a few moments before Benjamin’s mother suggested that the viscount and Eden take a turn before the Opera began in earnest. The Duchess approved of the scheme, admonishing them to be back within a quarter of an hour.
As they drifted away, Eden looked up at Benjamin shyly. He was not a member of the ton that she knew very well other than he was a good friend of Lord Randall’s. He was a large man, with dark curling hair and a quick smile. He looked at her and grinned. She couldn’t help but smile back before flushing.
“Whatever game you are playing at, Lord Shore, I must inform you that I am flattered greatly, but I do not wish to play.”
He stopped in his tracks, turning Eden to face him. And for the first time really looking at the girl in front of him as a woman and not just the piece of fluff that Randall was infatuated with.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Eden bit her lip nervously.
Lord Shore moved into her, making Eden a trifle more nervous. Inadvertently, she thrust out her bosom. His eyes widened.
He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “What kind of game do you think that I wish to play?”
Eden licked her lips, and he groaned a bit. So, she answered honestly, “What most rakes want from ladies, some kind of love-making.”
He choked, “I’m here for Lord Randall.”
Eden was mortified, “Oh… well, lead on.”
Lord Shore had to adjust his stance a bit before leading her to their destination. But before he opened the door to supply room that held Lord Randall, he turned to Eden, barring the door.
“You have surprised me, Lady Eden. I had not anticipated such fire from you. If Randall manages to mangle things up, as he invariably will, perhaps you will be more willing to play with me? Please, call me Benjamin, and let me know if that situation arises.”
Eden looked up at him in surprise, noticing his handsome face that was so focused on hers, his firm grasp, and his smiling eyes.
She smiled at him, flushing at his words, “Perhaps.”
Lord Shore rapped on the door twice, and Phillip yanked it open. He didn’t hesitate to pull Eden directly into his arms, his lips descending onto hers, ravaging from the moment they connected. Benjamin tried to clear his throat to gain the couple's attention, and when that didn’t work, he thunked his friend’s head.
“What the bloody hell was that for?” Phillip growled as he pulled away from Eden.
“You have less than a quarter of an hour,” Benjamin informed him.
Phillip shrugged and went to pull her into his arms again, but Benjamin stopped him short.
“Also, just a note that her mother and mine think she is in my company. If she is late returning, it would be me ruining her reputation.”
Phillip scowled, “You don’t have to worry about marrying her.”
Benjamin smiled, “Oh, I am not so sure I would mind that.”
Eden blushed profusely, waving him away, “Go on with you!”
Phillip rounded on Eden, “What is he talking about?”
Eden ducked her head, “It is nothing.”
“Why are you flushed? Did something happen between you and Shore?”
Eden blushed harder, “No, absolutely not.”
Phillip scowled, “You are certain?”
“Of course, I am certain. We are wasting time speaking about Benjamin.”
“You call him Benjamin?” Phillip blurted out.
Eden rolled her eyes, “That is his name. And he asked me to.”
“When did all of this happen?” Phillip hated the jealousy that was roiling around inside his midsection.
“On the way here, he just said that if you ever decided that it wasn’t working out to let him know.” Eden wasn’t sure why Phillip was acting so strangely. She just wanted to get back to the kissing.
“I will bloody kill him,” Phillip looked livid.
“I do not understand,” Eden was so confused at the change in Phillip.
Phillip took her face in his hands, “You are not to have anything to do with Benjamin Shore: you are mine and mine alone. Do you understand?”
Eden nodded hesitantly, “I think so.”
Then he slammed his lips into hers, making damn sure that she knew his kiss, his lips, his body against hers, the feel of him. There was no doubt in his mind that she belonged to him, and the thought that someone else might have her was driving him completely insane. He kissed her harder, and she moaned against his mouth, things slipping out of control quickly. This was not a kiss for the opera: this was a kiss for darkened hallways and ripping bodices.
There was another rapping at the door before it opened once again.
“Randall,” Shore was urgent, “I have to get her back.”
Phillip did not want to let her go. He knew that he was playing a dangerous game. He broke away, and they both were panting. Her eyes were huge and luminous in the lamplight.
“You are mine,” he grasped her shoulders firmly while kissing her forehead, but his lips were tender, loving even.
“I am yours,” she closed her eyes while repeating softly.
“We are in one hell of a fix,” Benjamin whispered to himself wondering how he was going to explain away the state of Eden now.