He still was and filled with desire for a woman he could never have.
A desire that had only grown since he stood facing her at Westbrook House and became painful when he brought her to his chamber and realized that she was only wearing a nightrail beneath her wrapper. A thin one that allowed him to view the outline of her perfectly shaped body because of the bright flames to the front of her.
He would like nothing better than to take her to his bed and make Victoria his. If only he were in a position to keep her forever, but he was not.
Sadness filled her eyes. “You were a charming rake and I knew that I was likely nothing more than another conquest, but I did not care. I knew that I was taking a chance with my heart, but for that sennight it was worth the risk. I just hadn’t anticipated how badly it would hurt when the rejection came.”
“I did not reject you!” he yelled.
She smiled sadly. “Yet, you did.”
Given his immediate reaction, Benedick had to admit that he had, even if it had not been his intention. Still, it was for the best.
“I have my answer. Good night, Benedick.”
He watched her leave, closing the door behind her.
His heart ached even more than it had last summer.
His love had not died, even though he had hoped that it had all been an illusion. But what they had shared had stayed with him all these months. It had been real. And, it had been for her too.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to go after her.
Except where would she go?
There were only two chambers that were furnished. He knew that because he had toured the entire house to make note of any entry, window or door, that could be easily entered without anyone knowing. He also knew that she and her sister had been the only ones to live here and as they had not anticipated ever having guests, they hadn’t bothered to furnish the remaining three rooms.
They had purchased this home for a place to live independently and not in the house her brother, the Earl of Norbright, kept in Mayfair. A place for them to sleep, not entertain.
He strode forward and yanked open the door and went in search of Victoria.
Six
Maybe she would have been better off not knowing the truth—that Benedick was nothing more than a rogue, who had found his enjoyment then discarded her.
She had thought him better than the duplicity she had just discovered.
Victoria wiped a tear from her cheek as she pulled a blanket from a cabinet and carried it to the library where she worked when not at Westbrook House. The settee was larger in here and even though she doubted that she would get any sleep, Victoria knew that she needed to try. Tomorrow she would return to Westbrook House and put Benedick Valentine behind her.
She would also request someone else to protect her, or nobody at all.
“I will not slumber in a bed while you are sleeping on a settee.”
“You are my guest,” she said without rising from her place and bunched the pillow a little more to get comfortable.
“You are a lady and I am man.”
“I am well aware of that fact,” she answered. “Go back to bed.”
For a moment there was silence and Victoria assumed that he had gone. Just as she closed her eyes and hoped for sleep, Benedick’s arms slipped under her body and she was lifted from the settee.
“Why do you have to be so blasted stubborn,” he grumbled and marched for the door.
“What of you? I told you to go away.”
“I will not allow you to sleep on the settee, and I am certainly not going to allow you to sleep on the ground floor where windows could be broken and the assailant enter.”
“You placed guards,” Victoria argued.
