“He propositioned Chloe to be his mistress.” Millie pointed at Ben as she looked at Dez. “He promised to help me secure a dowry for her so that she might wed. But he clearly lied to me and now he’s attempting to ruin her.”
Dez bared his teeth. “Is that why you sided with him yesterday? For Chloe?”
Millie’s hand dropped, pain lacing her features. “I thought I was seeing a good man.” Her chin notched up as she turned to Ben. “But he’s just as selfish as you said.”
Dez joined their group, his hand wrapping about Chloe’s upper arm. “I knew it. He isn’t fit to be with any of you.” And then Dez gave Chloe a good tug. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
Another hand wrapped about her other arm like a vice. With a quick glance back, she realized Ben was holding her in place. His jaw was clenched as his glittered with a cold furry. “Not as long as I breathe.”
“Death then?” Dez growled out. “My pleasure.”
Ben stared at his brother. If Dez thought himself man enough to kill Ben, he’d like to see the younger White try.
Sure, Dez was on a ship most times and sailors were a rough bunch, but Ben boxed regularly and rode daily, and he’d gotten into his fair share of scrapes.
The two men stared at each other over Chloe’s head. Dez tugged again but Ben held firm. The jealousies he’d felt welled up inside him. There was no circumstance in which he watched his brother leave with the woman Ben considered his.
“Ben,” Chloe squeaked between them. “You’re gripping my arm too tightly.”
He loosened his grip, using his other arm to wrap about her waist and pull her close to his body.
Which was a distraction he didn’t need. She melded to his front like she belonged there, her body fitting against his.
Dez stepped closer, his hand still wrapped about her arm. “Let Chloe go.”
“I won’t.” He pushed out through gritted teeth. “You let her go.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“I…” he let that word linger, “am her employer. And the White she prefers.”
“You’re the duke,” Dez spit. “So what you say goes.”
“Chloe is mine,” he growled out before he had a chance to think the words through. This had nothing to do with the dukedom and everything to do with being a man who wanted a woman for his own. “You’re not taking her away from me.”
Dez’s eyes flashed with uncertainty for a single second and then his spine straightened. “We let her go at the same time on the count of three.”
“My goodness,” Chloe huffed. “I’m not a toy you’re fighting over.”
Millie spoke from behind Dez. “They would never have been this civil with a toy. Even I can remember that.”
Chloe said a silent prayer of thanks that Millie had calmed her temper. At least one White seemed to be thinking again.
“When we let her go,” Ben said, ignoring the women. “You and I are going to have a long conversation.” He blew out a breath. “With our fists.”
Dez blew a breath out his nose like a bull. “About damn time.”
That actually made Ben smile. Granted it was more of the teeth-gritted, anger-driven grimace, but he was looking forward to kicking the shit out of Dez.
The man deserved it, and Ben realized he’d been far too sedentary these past few days. He needed an outlet for all his energy. “One,” he said, his teeth grinding.
“Two,” Dez followed up and Ben had a moment where he realized exactly how alike they were and how much they had in common. They understood what the other wanted in this situation, what the rules were without even asking.
“Ben?” Came Chloe’s cry, her hand coming over his as though she intended to stay in front of him and continue guarding his person.
The realization drained a great deal of his anger. His gaze flicked down to where she looked at him over her shoulder. “It’s all right, love.” The hand that been on her bicep wrapped about her shoulders. “Dez and I have some old grudges to work out. It will be good for both of us.”
Dez made a single grunt of agreement in the back of his throat. But his gaze had softened too. “Are you ready for three?”
“I’m ready.” He gave Chloe a final squeeze before spinning her out of the way. He only had a moment of air before Dez’s body slammed into his.
Wrapping his arms about his brother’s middle, he twisted on his way to the ground, making certain that it was Dez who hit the floor first, his body taking the impact of both the ground and Ben’s weight.
He heard the air whoosh from his brother’s lungs and had a moment of triumph. A grin spread across his face before a fist landed hard in his stomach, sending his own breath hurtling from his body as his stomach contracted in sickening pain.
Distantly he heard the women cry out, but he didn’t respond, as he pushed the sound away, channeling his energy into his fist, and landing his own blow to his brother’s stomach as they rolled about the floor.
Several more hits landed before Dez finally let him go, falling to the side. He lay on the floor, propped on one elbow, breathing heavy. “Have you had enough?”
“Have you?” Ben fired back, ignoring his own panting.
Millie dropped to Dez’s side, checking for wounds as Chloe’s gentle hands trailed over Ben’s arms and torso, easing the throbbing ache.
Her comforting touch made the fight all worth it. Though, to be fair, it might have been worth it anyway. Sore as he’d be tomorrow, he’d needed to fight out a few of his feelings.
And he suspected, Dez had needed the same. “Are you ready to talk now?” his brother asked.
“Yes,” Ben answered as he gingerly sat up. “I think I am.”
“Good.” Dez pulled himself up to standing, Ben doing the same. Then he reached down to help Chloe up from the floor, where she’d dropped to attend him.
He hated to let her go but he did, with a final squeeze to her fingers. “You’re sure you’re all right?” she asked those big blue eyes looking so large, he might just drown in their depths.
“I’ll be fine. We’ll talk later. I promise.” Then he stepped into his study where Dez followed, closing the door.
He sat behind the desk, rubbing his ribs. “You didn’t hit my face.”
“You didn’t hit mine either,” Dez answered, sinking into one of the mahogany chairs on the other side.
“It’s too pretty to break,” he answered, kicking back in his chair.
Dez gave a small chuckle. “So is yours.”
Ben rubbed his forehead, his eyes closing. He and Dez had been dancing around a conversation for the past two days. It was time to just charge in and say the words. “I hated him, you know. Always did. But before mother’s death, I loved you.”
Dez stared at him across the desk, silent for so long, Ben thought he might never respond. Finally, with a scowl, he uttered, “I loved you, too. Never tell anyone I said that.”
A ghost of smile touched his lips. “I left because I didn’t want to participate in his games anymore and because…” he grimaced then. “I thought if I was gone, he wouldn’t have a reason to manipulate the rest of you.”
Dez fiddled with a paperweight on the desk. “He manipulated because it was his nature, but I know he hit you hardest of all. I remember how he kept you apart from us.”
Ben gave a single nod. They didn’t need to say more; they both understood. “Esme is going to take Millie to London to find her a husband. The dukedom will finance her season.”
Dez looked up. “Good. That’s how it should be. And I’m sorry I implied you didn’t have her best interest at heart.”
Ben shook his head. “Why is this conversation suddenly so easy?”
“Because we’ve punched out the anger.”
He gave a lopsided grin. “We’ll have to do it again soon.” Had he really just said that? He was a man who was supposed to live alone. He didn’t need anyone, not even a regular sparring partner. But with Dez, it was so easy. There was
an unspoken bond between them. He understood Ben in ways no one else could.
Exactly like Chloe. She made everything easier. Here, with her, he was less angry, more grounded. He sucked in a breath. Christ. He was happier. The way he hadn’t been in a long time.
“I agree we should brawl again,” Dez answered. “How soon depends on the next topic of conversation.”
“Which is?”
“Chloe,” Dez said sitting up straighter. “She deserves more than the position of mistress. I won’t allow it.”
It was on the tip of Ben’s tongue to say that Dez had no right to dictate to him. But he stopped himself. That sort of blind pride did little to further the conversation, their brotherhood, or his hopes of gaining this house. “I’ve not had any relationship with anyone for the past decade. I don’t know how to give more.” His hands spread out in front of him. “Try to understand, that the offer was more permanent than any I’ve ever given.”
Dez frowned then, scrubbing his face. “I see.”
Ben looked down at the desk. “Millie asked me to provide a dowry so that Chloe might marry. But the idea of another man…” he tapered off, his hands balling on the desk.
“Marry her, Ben.”
“What?” His head snapped up.
“Marry her, you fucking idiot. She’s ridiculously good for you and you’re crazy about her. I’ve seen it twice. Her very voice calms you. She’d be good for you. Good for the dukedom, too.”
His mouth opened and then closed. Marry her.
Such a simple answer and, to his shock, his stomach didn’t clench with dread. Rather his shoulders relaxed, his heart slowing. Marry her. So simple.
The old fears were there, of course. Keep everyone away, don’t let anyone close and they won’t get hurt, and neither will you.
But he had to marry eventually and if he were going to do the deed, he couldn’t picture a better woman for the role. Would she accept? He was a duke but he’d also just asked her to be his mistress. It wasn’t the most auspicious start and it was entirely possible that he’d already ruined his chances.
Chapter Eleven
“I should leave,” Chloe whispered to Millie as they sat side by side on the settee. The men had been in Ben’s office for nearly an hour. And in that time, Millie had apologized for her loss of temper.
Chloe’d forgiven her, of course. Partially because she was terrible at keeping a grudge and partially because Millie had made several notable points. Much as Chloe cared about Ben, being his paramour was a dangerous endeavor.
But as she’d watched him fight, fear and worry had stolen the air from her chest.
“You can’t leave,” Millie replied. “You promised to stay with me no matter what.”
“I’ll meet you in London,” Chloe replied. “Perhaps Dez will allow me to stay with him?”
“Stay with Dez?” Millie scrunched her brow.
“Stay with Dez,” Ben rumbled from the door. “Why the hell would you do that?”
Chloe pushed up from her seat. “You finished your talk?”
“If you want to call it that.” His arms crossed over his chest. “Explain why you want to leave with Dez?”
She could hear the edge in his voice. Jealousy? Tension? She spread her hands on her gown front, pressing out invisible wrinkles. “I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” she said, shaking her head, “I can’t accept your offer. I…” Part of her hesitated. He was so tall and broad standing before her. Why not accept? Why not take her one chance to be with a man and perhaps even make enough money to support herself or finance a real match. She wanted him…
She’d been holding on to this fantasy of marriage and in her world, purity equaled matrimony. But then again, so did money.
“Is it because you want Dez?”
“What?” She looked at him then, her brows drawing together. His features were so hard, they looked carved out of granite.
Millie stood behind her. “Don’t be a fool,” she said stepping around Chloe. “She doesn’t want him. She never has. Where did you even get that notion?”
“She just mentioned living with him, why wouldn’t I have that notion?”
Chloe opened her mouth to explain but Millie spoke first. “She doesn’t want him; she’s scared of you.”
He took a half-step back, his gaze going wide. “Is that true?”
Her shoulders rose as she shrugged, looking at the floor. She loved Millie but the other woman was not making this conversation any easier. “Millie, would you give us a moment please?”
“Fine,” Millie said. “But I’ll be in the next room if you need me.”
Chloe gave Millie a nod. She still didn’t meet Ben’s eye as she continued to stare down at the floor. Every time she glanced his way, she was tempted beyond reason.
“Is Millie right?” he asked, moving closer. “Are you afraid of me?”
Chloe shook her head. “I need you to understand that Dez is my friend. Nothing more. But you…”
She shivered as he touched the back of her arm, his fingers lightly wrapping about her bicep.
He leaned close to her ear. “But me?”
“I…” she closed her eyes. “I can’t seem to think rationally when you’re around and—”
But she couldn’t finish as his lips captured hers. Rather than a gentle brush, his lips pressed to hers with a fire and need that left her breathless. And when he gathered her close, her body pressing to his, everything she should have said, left her thoughts until the only word left was…yes.
Yes, she wanted him.
Yes, she’d do anything to be his.
She wrapped her hands about his neck, pulling him closer as he slanted her mouth open with his. And when his tongue brushed along her lips and then against her own, she gasped at the sensation that erupted inside.
One of his hands cradled the base of her skull, his fingers splaying into her thick mass of hair as he continued to kiss her, robbing her of every last sense except for the feel of him.
“Ben,” she moaned against his lips.
She wanted…
“Chloe,” he said tightening his arm about her back. “You’re mine. You belong with me.”
“Yes,” she answered as he kissed her again.
“You can’t leave, love. You’re meant to be here with me.”
And because she couldn’t seem to say anything else, she murmured, “Yes.”
He cupped her cheek in his palm, his thumb lightly massaging the corner of her mouth as he pulled back. “Good,” he said, his dark gaze hypnotizing her as she gazed up at him. His mouth descended again, as the kiss lengthened, grew softer and yet more passionate, consumed her with its fire.
Minutes went by or hours. She couldn’t be certain.
And when he finally pulled his mouth from hers, he brought their foreheads together. “Which is why I’ve been thinking.”
“Thinking?” He’d been thinking? How had he managed that? All she could do was feel.
“Yes. And Dez and I discussed the matter.”
Matter? She blinked pulling back a bit to try and make her mind follow the threads of the conversation. “What did you and Dez discuss?”
His brow furrowed. “My future with you.”
“Oh,” she said, sliding her hands from his neck. He still held her face and she clasped both of his wrists. It both made her feel steadier and as though she could push him away. The thrust of the conversation had her feeling as uncertain as ever despite their intimate touch just moments before. “And what did you decide?”
“That we should wed.”
He said it so simply. So easily that she forgot to take a breath as she stared up at him.
His brows rose. “I just asked you to be my duchess.”
“You did?” she squeaked feeling the blood drain from her face. Two days ago she’d had no future at all. Yesterday, she’d been offered the position of mistress. Today…
Today she’d been
asked to be one of the most powerful women in the entire country.
“What’s your answer Chloe?” His thumb brushed her cheek.
What else was there to say? She’d give the same answer she’d given him since he’d walked into the music room. “Yes.”
But somehow, it seemed too good to be true.
Ben should have been elated. He stared down at Chloe, her eyes foggy with desire, her lips puffy from his kisses. He’d known that he come in like a thief in the night. He’d muddled her mind with the passion that they’d shared and the offer of security. Meanwhile, he’d not told her that he’d never committed to anyone in his life and that, emotionally, he was broken.
How did one say that to the woman he wished to marry? I’ll be your husband and your lover, but you’ll never have my heart. I don’t think I have one to give.
Another woman and he might not have cared, but Chloe was all heart and it hurt him to think that she’d go without so much.
He slid his hands over her jaw and down her neck to hold the back of her head again. “You know I don’t come from the best family…” It was the best reason he could give for his hesitation. The fears already curling in his stomach.
“You come from a wonderful family,” she replied. “Millie is one of my favorite people in all the world.”
A smile curled his lips. Chloe got Millie in this bargain, too. A sister. “That’s true.”
“I don’t know your other brothers but…”
He frowned. Neither did he. “That’s part of the problem, I suppose. It’s been so long since we have been together as a family. I wonder how difficult it will be.”
She smiled at him then, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “The sun is shining for the first time in days. What do you say we go for a walk? I’d love to see the grounds, and we can talk on the way.”
He nodded. It was a good idea. And while there was likely to be a breeze, he knew if they headed to the western part of the property, they’d be sheltered amongst the gardens. “Good idea.”
They made their way outside and Ben led her to the high-walled garden that had been his favorite as a child. It was just as beautiful as he remembered, though the plants were only beginning to bud. But the paths were in excellent shape and a grove of ornamental trees still flanked one corner.
Her Wicked White Page 9
