Her Wicked White

by Tammy Andresen

  “No.” He spread his hands out on his desk. The last thing he needed to do was stir up more memories.

  Millie crossed her arms as she stared at her brother. “I’ll talk to the lawyer isn’t much of a guarantee.”

  He drew in a deep breath. “I’ll make certain that Miss Fairly is settled into an advantageous situation. You’re right. She deserves that much.”

  Millie nodded. “Dez is in London. He’ll be back in a few days. He has a regular trade route that he travels often. But this trip is a bit longer than usual. I think he checks in on Justice and Satan sometimes to make certain they are still alive and reasonably well.”

  “Satan?” Ben grimaced. “He’s still using that nickname?”

  Millie shrugged. “I believe so. Dez doesn’t allow me to see them. Says they’re not fit for the company of ladies.”

  He stared in surprise. Not fit to see their sister? How bad were they?

  Millie took another large swallow. “Millie,” he said as he narrowed his gaze. “Do you usually drink?”

  She shrugged. “Not usually. But now seems as good a time as any to start.”

  He gave her a sideways glance. His sister was intoxicated. And the liquor had loosened her tongue. He didn’t mean to take advantage but there were things he needed to know and others he was curious about. How had his family fared in his absence? “And is Dez fit for a lady’s company?”

  Millie looked down at her glass, her gaze decidedly unfocused. “Mostly. He spends a great deal of time with sailors, so his language is deplorable. And he’s hard as any White but…” she let out a sigh. “He’s got a good heart.”

  Ben closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. Yes. It would seem so. Dez had become the caretaker of the family. Ben’s chest tightened, guilt making him look down at his hands.

  “And Chloe? Is he fit for her company?” His breath held. His brother Dez had been his biggest rival as a child and on more than one occasion, his father had taken something from Ben and given it to Dez to teach Ben a lesson on subverting his own desires. A puppy. His sister’s love. Somehow, if Dez also had Chloe…

  “Well, he is in her company obviously.” She waved a hand. “He has to be when he spends time with me.”

  “But the two of them…is there something between them?” His hands balled into fists under the desk.

  Millie’s face scrunched in thought. “Between them?” She tilted her chin up toward the ceiling. “I can’t actually picture Dez with any woman. At least not one of breeding.”

  That did not really answer his question. “You’re certain you don’t know more?”

  Millie tapped her chin. “They have spent a lot of time together.” Then Millie gasped. “Do you think that Dez should marry Chloe? If he’s got enough of an inheritance, that might be perfect.”

  Perfect? Over his dead body. He sat back in his chair. If he were dead then Dez would become the duke. Then he truly could have whatever woman he wanted, including Chloe.

  Millie tried to stand and slid back down in her chair with a loud hiccup. “Oh dear,” she murmured, holding onto the arms of her seat. “I think that second glass might have been a mistake.”

  With a sigh of resignation, he rose from his seat. It looked as though he’d be carrying a second woman up the stairs. What had happened to his perfectly ordered life of solitude?

  Chapter Eight

  Chloe sat at the pianoforte plucking at the keys as she watched the sky darken outside.

  Millie had spent a great deal of the day in bed, which had left Chloe mostly free. Chloe suspected her friend may have overindulged in the brandy the night before. Normally, she’d delight in a day to herself. But after the events of yesterday, she could have used a bit more distraction.

  It wasn’t every day a duke defended a lady’s honor and then carried her off to bed.

  Granted, it wasn’t as illicit as it sounded, but still. For Chloe, it had been the most romantic thing ever to happen to her, which left her feeling…confused.

  She’d been so sure how she felt about Ben. Yes, he’d caused something inside her to stir when he wasn’t a complete irritant. But after last night…he was far less irritating and far more compelling.

  Chloe had spent a great deal of the day puzzling over Millie’s ambiguous feelings for her brother. She wished she’d asked more questions last night. Her thoughts had just been too full and muddled. But now that she’d had the day to sort through her jumbled mind, she had so many questions. How had Millie’s father taught her to subvert herself to the title and, as a result, her brother? Had he turned the siblings against one another?

  But with Millie in bed, she’d not been able to ask. She struck a few more keys. She could ask Ben but the idea of searching him out after last night…

  The very idea caused her stomach to flutter.

  She started to play a light tune, allowing her fingers to dance over the keys.

  She’d not ask him either. His company was too risky as he’d stirred up all sorts of feelings. Playing always soothed her, provided clarity. Perhaps if she spent enough time at the keys, she’d sort out her jumbled feelings.

  But she’d only made it through the second song when a long shadow appeared in the open door.

  Her fingers only faltered for a second before she continued on, finishing the song.

  Once done, she stood. “Your Grace.”

  “Last night it was Ben.”

  That reminder made her pulse jump. No wonder she’d been avoiding him. “Not a habit I should develop. Don’t you think?”

  He shrugged as he entered the room. “I have every intention of continuing to call you Chloe. It’s a name I happen to like.”

  “As you please,” she said as she curtsied.

  He crossed the room then, coming to stand near her. Awareness sizzled through her at his nearness. “I do please. And I’d also like to hear you play something else.”

  With a nod, she returned to the bench, adjusting her skirts before her fingers perched over the keys.

  He slid on the bench next to her and she gave a jolt of surprise which made him chuckle. “I thought to turn the pages for you.”

  Her mouth had gone dry, so she simply nodded as he leaned close, his body brushing her shoulder.

  Gads, it was going to be difficult to play with him so close. But she closed her eyes and allowed her fingers to move over the keys, losing herself in the music.

  And when the song came to an end, she found she did have some clarity after all. She liked his nearness, his touch. No man had ever filled her with such breathless excitement, but her feelings went beyond that because even as he made her tingle with awareness, he also comforted her with a security she’d not known in years.

  Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him.

  He already stared at her, his head bent low, his body just touching hers. And when his arm wrapped about her waist, he softly said, “That was beautiful.”

  “My crowning achievement,” she answered, wishing to look away, to break the tension but unable to make her body follow her commands. “Near useless now.”

  “Not useless,” he said as he leaned closer. “I know you love playing; I can hear it. You must bring others, besides me, a great deal of joy to listen to you.”

  She sighed. “You’re right. It’s just…”

  “You were hoping the skill would help you to find a husband.” He dropped his head again, until his nose almost touched hers. “It may yet, Chloe. You never know what life has in store for you.”

  “What does life have in store for you?” she asked as the tip of his nose now brushed hers. “Are there any surprises for the Duke of Whitehaven?”

  “You were a surprise.” His voice was so soft, she barely heard it. Her breath caught and held as his chin tipped closer. And then his lips brushed her mouth.

  Since she’d met him, he’d been like granite, all rough edges and impenetrable stone. But this…this was tender, light and utterly divine. It might have been another
man except for when her eyes fluttered open, Ben still leaned close, his body curled around hers.

  And when he brushed his mouth against hers again, their breath mingling, she closed her eyes again. She wanted to feel, smell, taste him. She’d look later.

  He kissed her again, his lips applying just a bit more pressure so that as he pulled back, her mouth clung to his, wanting more.

  “Chloe,” he said into the quiet of the room. “Don’t give up.”

  “Why not?” she asked, her eyes still closed. She didn’t want this moment to end. Perhaps he’s kiss her again.

  But he leaned away. “Because I have to believe that good things come to people like you.”

  She shook her head. “We both know that isn’t how it works.”

  He nodded, standing. “True.”

  She missed his heat, the press of his muscular frame, the feel of his lips.

  “But if kindness doesn’t always get you what you want, will does. You have to will it into being.”

  She frowned then. “That is not my strength.”

  He smiled at her then. “It’s mine. I’ll help you.”

  That kiss had scrambled his brain. Yes, he’d promised Millie but somehow, making promises to Chloe felt far more…personal. He wasn’t just an objective observer pulling a few strings, he was an active participant in her life.

  He stood, putting physical distance between them. What was he doing? He stayed apart; he went his own way. Though his father had always intended to separate Ben from his siblings, Ben was supposed to have stayed by his father’s side, studying to be a duke in his father’s image.

  It had been Ben’s choice to leave the family, leave his father, forge his own path, never risk anyone hurting him again. Or him hurting them…

  So why was he choosing to get involved with Chloe now?

  “Your Grace,” the butler called from the doorway. “You have visitors.”

  Visitors? More people? “Who?”

  “The Duchess of Whitehaven and Lord Caleb.”

  He should have known that. He’d asked them to come. The entire family had to be assembled. He’d even sent for Mr. Veritas to join them. But here in the intimacy of the music room, the taste of Chloe fresh on his lips, sweet and delicious like summer berries, he didn’t want any interlopers.

  “See them in,” he said with a sigh of resignation. His life was being overrun with women. He crossed over to the settee, putting distance between himself and Chloe even as she stood from the bench.

  Esme followed the butler in a few minutes later, a boy in tow. His brother. The one he didn’t know at all.

  But Caleb hardly looked at him as he raced toward Chloe. “Miss Fairly,” he gushed tossing his arms about her waist.

  Esme cleared her throat. “Lord Caleb. How do we greet people?”

  Caleb dropped his arms and stepped back giving a short bow. “I’m pleased to see you again.”

  Chloe dropped down and chucked the boy’s chin. “And I you, Lord Caleb. It’s been too long.”

  “It has,” Esme said as she moved toward Chloe as well. “You look wonderful as always.”

  Ben stood, looking at Chloe. “I was under the impression that you did not spend much time with my father.”

  “I didn’t.” She embraced Esme without looking at him. “But Her Grace and Lord Caleb would come visit at least once a year.”

  His jaw clenched. The family had gone on without him. Forming bonds and relationships. With his stomach churning, he excused himself, retreating to his study once again, to apply himself to drinking.

  And working.

  At least he was attempting to work.

  Documents from the solicitor sat in front of him. The dukedom had a fleet of five ships that had been used for the transport of some unnamed good, but the trade had been abandoned. If Ben were a betting man, he’d guess illegal scotch. His father had had a taste for it in his younger days. And there was a great deal of money to be made when you bought from a distillery that didn’t bother to pay taxes.

  Perhaps the run of liquor had conflicted with his father growing religious tendencies? Whatever the reason, the solicitor now wanted to know what should be done with the ships. They cost money to keep in the harbor. Did they sell them or use them in some other fashion or…?

  Once again, a knock interrupted him.

  But this time it wasn’t Millie but Chloe who entered the private room and closed the door behind her. “Are you all right?”

  He took a swallow of his drink as he tried to decide how best to answer. A part of him appreciated her concern. He’d like to hold her close and confess his confusion of late. But another voice held him back. He’d stayed away from everyone for a reason and now was the time to remember those reasons. “I’m fine.”

  She nibbled at her lip which only served to accentuate her vulnerable beauty. He clamped his free hand against his thigh under the desk. Part of him wished to reach out and trace the curve of her mouth, free the flesh from her teeth. “You left the music room rather quickly.” She leaned forward and despite the desk separating them, he caught a whiff of her sweet clean scent. “I was worried that you…”

  “What?” he asked, noting the gruffness in his voice. While part of him loved her attention, another knew he needed to push her away.

  “Is it difficult to see your father’s widow?”

  He blinked. “Why would it be hard to see Esme?”

  She twisted her hands. “I don’t know. She replaced your mother.”

  Ben shook his head. “My father waited a long time to remarry. I was already gone by the time he did.” He drew in a breath.

  “Oh,” she said taking a step back. “Forgive me, then.” She took another step back. “I assumed when I shouldn’t have.”

  She was going to leave and though he knew he should let her, he found himself letting go of his thigh and reaching up his hand to stop her. “I don’t particularly care for large family gatherings.”

  Chloe stopped retreating, her head cocking to the side. “Neither does Millie.”

  He let out a short, humorless laugh. “I wonder if that’s an inherited trait or a learned one.”

  Chloe shook her head. “I couldn’t say.”

  He stood, coming around the desk. “Smart of you not to try.” He took another swallow of his drink. “Is Dez like me, Chloe? I’m sensing he’s the good son.”

  Her eyes widened as she titled her chin to look up at him. “I couldn’t speak to that either.”

  What was it about Dez and Chloe that fueled such jealousy? It rumbled through him now. “Can’t or won’t?”

  She narrowed her eyes and confusion flitted across her face. “You seem to be under the impression that your brother and I know each other. I’ve seen far more of Esme than I have of Dez.”

  “Well.” He moved closer until there were only inches between them. “You do call him Dez.”

  He watched a pale pink flood her cheeks. “You’re right. It’s very familiar of me. Millie uses the nickname so often that I suppose I’ve gotten overly comfortable—"

  “I don’t give a damn about social propriety.” What did he say? He was jealous of her imagined relationship with his brother? Even he understood how ridiculous that sounded. “I find that I regret how close Dez is to everyone when I am an outsider. I’ve been fine on my own for years but being back here…” He felt as though he’d missed out.

  Her features relaxed and she gave him a warm smile. The sort that melted his bones as her hand slipped into his. “I understand.”

  He quirked a brow as though to question her words or her gesture, but his fingers still tightened on hers. “You do?”

  “Yes.” She moved a touch closer. “I wish my life were different, too.”

  His mouth opened and then closed it again. First because he hadn’t actually said he wished his relationship with his family was different. Did he truly feel that way?

  That was a puzzle for later. “How do you wish for your life to be?”<
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  She looked to the side, then, presenting her profile. He wanted to trail his lips across her cheek and down her neck.

  “I won’t bore you again tonight.”

  Marriage. She’d hoped to make a good match.

  Their hands were still connected, and he found himself slowly drawing her closer until they almost touched. His head dropped down. Did he tell her about his promise to Millie? Kiss her? Both?

  But just as his lips were about to brush hers, she pulled away. “I’ve taken up enough of your time, Your Grace.” With those words, she fluttered to the door and then left without a backward glance.

  He stood in place for a long time, his fingers remembering the feel of hers.

  Chapter Nine

  Chloe woke to the sound of several voices filtering up the stairs. After ringing the bell cord for help, she quickly dressed and pinned her hair, then made her way down to the drawing room to see what all the fuss was about.

  Her question was quickly answered.

  Standing side by side were Ben and his brother Dez. Millie and Esme sat on opposing settees. A silence had fallen about the room as the two men glared at one another.

  “Good morning,” she murmured dropping into a curtsy as she looked to Millie, her brows raised in question.

  “Good morning,” her friend replied, her eyes rolling as she spread her skirts wider. “Would you please tell my brothers not to kill each other?”

  Chloe pursed her lips. Drawing in a long breath through her nose, she cleared her throat. “Millie, dear. I really feel like that advice would be better coming from you.”

  Esme smiled at her, shaking her head. “You’re right not to get between arguing Whites.”

  Millie sniffed. “I’ve already tried. They’re not listening to me.”

  “Cease discussing us as though we’re not in the room,” Ben growled.

  “I agree,” Dez said, glaring at his brother.

  “Finally,” Millie said, rising. “They agree on something. My wrongness, of course. But it’s something.”

  That made Chloe smile just as she understood that Millie hoped for someone to moderate the White reunion. Chloe shook her head a little. There wasn’t enough money in the world to make her get between the arguing brothers. “I’m sure they agree on a good many topics.”