“No wonder you’re enamored with Cressmouth,” Benjamin said.
“It has many, many charms,” Nicholas assured him. “I see why so many come here for distraction.”
“I don’t think ‘Christmas spirit’ means seducing pretty maidens,” Benjamin said dryly.
“I have never seduced a maiden,” Nicholas said, his expression hurt. “I allow myself to be seduced by those who aren’t maidenly in the least. They know exactly what they’re getting. That’s why they want me.”
Benjamin raised a brow. “One night to slake their lust?”
“Mutual slaking,” Nicholas agreed. “A rakish gentleman simply provides requested entertainment. A pleasurable evening for both parties without any promises or strings. Everybody wins.”
“Perhaps that’s true if no strings and no promises are indeed what both parties are after,” Benjamin agreed. “I should expect it gets complicated when one party wants more than the other.”
Nicholas shook his head. “That is the easiest situation to resolve. Stay away from those who want more than your body or more than one night.”
“Easy,” Benjamin echoed. He had spent a lifetime doing just that. “But doesn’t it get… lonely?”
A dark shadow flickered across the blue of Nicholas’s eyes, and just as quickly it was gone. “It’s impossible to be lonely when there’s always someone new to meet.”
Benjamin stared at his cousin as if seeing a ghost. He had always considered Saint Nicholas his opposite in all things. It was disconcerting to have to revise that opinion.
Although the two lived unquestionably different lifestyles, the result was the same. Each morning, they woke up alone. There was no one there who had shared dreams and hurts, who had been by one’s side for months or years or decades. No one who could answeryestoremember the time when?No one whose touch was familiar, whose kiss felt like coming home.
Although Nicholas had chosen a different route, Benjamin now suspected they were both on the path to a very lonely future. If something didn’t change, his future Christmases would be as empty as all the rest. He frowned.
Wasn’t that what he wanted? He couldn’t get hurt if he didn’t open himself up to love.
Nick clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m off to my chamber. Where are you heading?”
“Menagerie,” Benjamin answered. “I want to visit a goat.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m coming with you,” Nicholas said immediately. “I had no idea there was a goat.”
When they entered the menagerie, a footman was keeping an eye over the invalid.
Benjamin hurried closer. “How’s Tiny Tim?”
“Tiny Tim?” Nicholas asked.
Benjamin gestured. “Pygmy goat.”
Nicholas nodded. “Right.”
“Much improved, Your Grace,” the footman said with obvious relief. “We are ever so grateful.”
“Grateful to Silkridge?” Nicholas asked. “Did you bring the castle a pygmy goat as some sort of Christmas gift?”
“I did not,” Benjamin replied. “I have made a personal resolution to deliver fewer goats as holiday gifts this season.”
“His Grace’s knowledge about the beast’s constitution brought Tiny Tim back from the brink of death,” the footman said proudly. “It was nothing short of a miracle.”
“Silkridge performed a Christmas miracle,” Nicholas repeated, his expression baffled. “You?”
“I may have relayed a few suggestions based on my research into caprine physiology due to the livestock present on my own properties,” Benjamin said humbly.
“And His Grace summoned his personal physician all the way from London,” the footman continued with pride.
Nicholas blinked slowly. “You summoned your personal physician for a goat?”
