Benedict gave her a lazy smile before running his palm over her breast. The gesture sent a thrilling pleasure throughout her body. “Indulge me a little?"
Her breathing deepened as she turned her head towards him. “I wanted to tell you that if you want me to stay, even after my services are no longer needed, I will stay in whatever capacity I am needed. As long as you want me to.” Her heart raced a little as she looked into his gorgeous eyes. “As long as I can stay by your side.”
The look of passion that filled his eyes lifted her heart with soaring pleasure. “Your services will always be needed in this house, perhaps not as a governess, but I can assure you that they will always be needed in my bed.”
Livinia couldn’t help smiling as Benedict lowered his lips to her neck and kissed the tender flesh just below her ear.
“All I ask is that I never again awake alone in this bed. When you lay with me, I expect to find you in my arms when I awake.” His words travelled through her body, creating an intoxicatingly powerful sensation that forced her to respond.
She placed her arms around his neck and drew him closer as he nuzzled into her neck. Her skin was still on fire when he lifted her and made love to her all over again. She had lost count of how many times he’d filled her with bliss by the time they lay contentedly under the sheets.
She’d spend the rest of her life as his mistress if that’s what it took to stay by his side. In a perfect world, they would have been able to marry, spending the rest of their lives together as husband and wife. Yet the world they lived in was far from perfect. She would never dream of asking him to become a social pariah and give up his standing with the ton.
The gentleness of his breathing let Livinia know that he had peacefully drifted off to sleep. She turned on her side and pulled him closer, whispering in his ear as he slept.
“I love you, Benedict, more than you will ever know. I promise never to leave your side, no matter what may come our way. I will spend the rest of my life as your mistress, drinking in every morsel of affection and love you dare to throw my way.” She kissed his forehead before nestling against his body and drifting into a peaceful sleep.
The look of contentment she had seen on his face brought her a sense of joy and fulfillment that would stay with her for the rest of her days. Even if he never uttered a word in reciprocation, she would hold on tightly to moments like those.
Chapter 29
Livinia bit into her nail as Benedict secretively winked at her from across the room. Two men stood on either side of the door with their backs to the wall. She wasn’t sure how he had managed to pull it off, but Benedict had convinced the Duke of Gloucester to send two of his guards.
The matter of the late earl’s death, along with his wife, had long been a mystery that even those closest to the King had speculated about. The duke was only too happy to oblige when Benedict told him the culprit had been identified. At least Benedict had said that the man had been more than happy. She hadn’t been present when Benedict had paid him a visit.
It wouldn’t have been proper for a governess to be seen in the presence of such an important man. She had begrudged Benedict the pleasure at first after spending so many painstaking hours trying to solve the mystery, but she reminded herself that it was all for the love of him.
The guards exchanged looks as the front doors to the mansion opened in the distance. Thomas had gone to receive their guests while Livinia and Benedict waited with the stern-looking men in red coats.
The parlour seemed smaller than it had ever been, but Livinia reminded herself that she was just nervous; a lot was riding on the plan.
“Thomas, I knew you would come around sooner or later. It wasn’t possible that you had fallen out of love with me,” Eleanor’s voice drawled through the shut doors as Thomas led her closer.
“I just wanted to be sure that you loved me first,” Thomas answered stiffly, and Livinia hoped Eleanor would buy it. His acting skills weren’t the greatest of his talents.
The soft giggle set them more at ease as someone pushed against the door.
The guards, along with Benedict and Livinia readied themselves, but the door remained shut as Eleanor continued to speak.
“You know I’ve always loved you, Thomas; you didn’t have to wait for Benedict to leave on business before inviting me over.” The sounds of a passionate kiss came through the door, making Livinia more than just a little uncomfortable as she exchanged a look with Benedict.
The guards kept their faces expressionless as the rustling continued. Livinia wondered how they kept themselves from reacting when she wasn’t sure if she would burst into laughter or nervous giggles.
“You never reached out to me either after the incident.” Thomas spoke now in what seemed like a more honest response.
Livinia wondered if any of his old feelings were coming back or if he was still playing the part they had discussed.
Eleanor cackled mischievously, causing Livinia to shiver slightly. “You know I had to keep my distance once those old fools were gone. Things would have been far too suspicious if we were seen together.”
Livinia looked at Benedict and noted the way his hands were balled at his sides. The plan had been for Thomas to lure her into the parlour and allow Benedict to force her confession, but it seemed as if she would confess without any coercion.
“I still don’t think you needed to murder them like that; you could have got the inheritance when they passed at their natural time.” Thomas raised his voice a little so that every word he said would carry through the wood.
“Not that again; please don’t tell me that you still have sympathy for Benedict and that dreadful little sister of his. I had to talk you into the murders back then; I can easily do it again.” She sounded almost bored as she sighed.
One of the guards held up his hand and shook his head at Benedict when it seemed as if he were about to lunge at the door.
“Not yet.” The other guard mouthed the words in a silent warning.
The look of utter rage and betrayal on his face broke Livinia’s heart. She wanted to run to his arms and comfort him, but they needed Eleanor to keep talking, no matter how much pain it caused.
“Benedict’s mother was such a bore in any case. How his sister made such a good impression, I will never know; at least she will be out of the way soon enough.”
Benedict made a visible lunge towards the door this time, but the guards quickly stopped him, gritting their teeth as they shot him warning stares.
“You don’t suppose that Benedict is in love with that little piece of a governess? I was hoping she would amuse him while you and I carried out our affair. We could always contrive a tragic carriage accident for all three of them once I am pregnant,” Eleanor continued to drawl obliviously while the guards took in every word she had to say.
“Not we, Eleanor, dear. You have always been the mastermind behind all the plans.” Thomas’s voice was stiffer again as he pushed open the door.
Eleanor allowed herself to be stepped into the room with her back to the party while laughing her sadistic cackle. “You are right there; you’ve never been the one to orchestrate the plans. The late earl and countess would still be here if it hadn’t been for me …” Her words trailed off as she caught sight of the guards’ bright red uniforms.
The look of cold revenge and hatred that Livinia saw in Thomas’s eyes chilled her body to the core. He had loved her, loved her so much that he was willing to commit murder for her.
“Thomas, what is going on?” Eleanor gasped as she turned to see Benedict standing in the corner. The look of utter disgust on his face made her skin turn pale.
“Lad Eleanor Spencer?” One of the guards stepped forward as Thomas took a step back.
“Yes? There has to be some kind of mistake here.” Her voice was frantic now as she looked for an ally in the room.
