And then he had pulled back, a look of absolute horror on his face as he began to sputter nonsense about buying a new house.
He was wealthy. Everyone knew how wealthy. Even though he gambled as if he truly desired to lose his entire fortune, he never lost.
So it could not be lack of funds.
She bit her lip and looked at him again. Benedict had kissed her and then told her to sleep.
As if she could sleep after his hands had been halfway up her thigh.
Ridiculous!
Perhaps, she thought as she closed her eyes and tried to relax, he was embarrassed about the state of his house? After all, bachelors were known to be careless in their décor as well as their upkeep. The poor man probably didn't even pay a full staff.
What his house needed was a woman's touch! There was no need for him to spend money for her sake.
A smile curved her lips. That was it! She would surprise him. Tomorrow after he dropped her off, she would quickly change, and then arrive at his house and offer her help. After all, the way things were going, they were planning on gaining a special license as soon as possible. It wasn't as if she were not already ruined.
With a grin, she finally relaxed enough to try to sleep, all the while thinking of ways she could surprise Benedict.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Not All Surprises Are Welcome
By the time the carriage dropped Katherine off at her home, it was some ungodly time of the night. At least two or three a.m.
The footman had taken another hour to trudge back to the cabin with different transportation. The snowstorm had let up enough for them to continue on at last.
Though… there was a part of Benedict that wished he and Katherine could have stayed in that cabin forever, away from his past, away from his uncertain future.
Stupidity seemed to be the only way to describe his actions. How had he not remembered Maria?
Or the six before her?
Exhausted, his legs felt as if he had poured sand into his boots. Slowly, he made his way into his house and heading straight up the stairs, not bothering to deal with the situation as of yet. He would need energy and sustenance to do what he had to do.
He pushed open the door to his room and cursed.
"I've been waiting for you," a lush feminine voice said in the darkness.
He wanted to hit something. How the devil did she know he would be arriving at such a time?
"You must be exhausted," the throaty voice continued. "Let me relieve some of that tension, your grace."
"No." His response was cold, angry.
"No?" Maria laughed as Benedict lit the candle nearest the bed.
The woman was draped with nothing but a sheet, her hair tumbling around her waist, a coquettish pout on her lips. "Spirited tonight, hmm?"
Benedict pinched his nose and prayed for patience. "Listen to me."
She leaned forward giving him a view that made him ill with disgust.
"If you do not leave within the next five seconds, I'm going to remove you myself, and I guarantee you there will be nothing sensual or erotic about it. Now, get out of my bed chambers."
Maria's smile fell, her eyes narrowed. "Is this a new game?"
"No!" he yelled. "Get out!"
Slowly, because Maria was provocative about everything, she pulled back the blankets of the bed, exposing herself to him. With languid movements, she reached for the nearest robe, wrapped it around her naked body and, with a seething glare, slammed the door.
"That went well." Benedict cursed again, then tumbled into bed. It was too late, and he was too irritated and upset with himself to deal with the woman tonight. In the morning… he would fix everything in the morning.
And hire a new housekeeper as soon as possible.
His eighth in the past two years.
Meaning, he had been going through at least four mistresses a year, hiring each of them as his housekeeper in order to keep things…
Convenient.
Their jobs were simple: be available to pleasure him at all hours of the day and night, and he would not only pay them a salary, but on their parting terms give them a special bonus.
He laughed bitterly.
A bonus?
For what?
Sex?
Convenience?
Utterly sickened, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Tomorrow would be the day the Devil came to terms with his demons.
Katherine woke earlier than usual and quickly dressed in a simple white muslin. If she was to be decorating and surprising Benedict, she didn't need to wear anything more lavish.
Besides, she would not be making any morning or afternoon calls. At least not today.
Excited for her idea, she quickly went to Bond Street and made several appointments for the house redecorating. Giddy with excitement, she made her way to Benedict's home.
It was located in Mayfair, much like hers. But it was big, so much bigger than she imagined it would be.
Nervous, she bit her lip and knocked.
A crisp-looking butler opened the door and peered down at her through spectacles.
"His grace has enough servants."