Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero Read Free Page A

Lord Dawkins and Mr. Graham?”
    “I’ve already figured out Warren’s pairing; it’s Marcus I am drawing a blank on.”
    Gillian’s eyes widened with annoyance. “You have already chosen a wife for Lord Dawkins without consulting with me first?”
    “Don’t look so offended, my love. I didn’t precisely choose his bride. I simply owed someone a favor. My hands are tied.”
    “What are you speaking of?” she asked, perplexed.
    Benedict sighed. “I enlisted the help of Miss Graham, Marcus’s younger sister, in my attempts to woo you. She agreed to help me make you jealous, in exchange for my help in securing Warren’s affections. ‘Twould seem that she’s had a tendre for the fool for some time now. So you see.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It would seem that I must make good on my word.”
    Gillian was silent for a moment, thinking over what he had just revealed. Finally she spoke, “So Miss Graham was in on your little scheme to make me jealous? Hmmm…I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
    “It was just a means to an end, my love. And, it was highly effective.”
    “Perhaps, if not a bit underhanded.”
    “I was not above doing whatever it took to secure your affections.”
    “So you could win that blasted bet,” she stated irritably.
    Benedict reached for her hand. “No, so I could win your heart. I had already lost mine to you completely and wished only to have you return my feelings. Now, wipe that scowl off of your pretty face and let’s get back to the task at hand.”
    “Very well,” she said with a slight huff, before focusing once more on the paper sitting on the desk before them. “But Mr. Graham will be furious,” she stated simply but surely.
    “Yes, I presume he will be. I’m hoping to hold off on that announcement for a while longer. It will be best if I broach that pairing with sensitivity and understanding. I’m not exactly sure Warren will be pleased either.”
    “Oh, I do not wish to see either one of them miserable. Maybe you should reconsider your word to Miss Graham.”
    Benedict shook his head. “I cannot do that after she was so helpful to me. It wouldn’t be right; my word is my honor. We will just have to hope for the best. Besides, a little misery would do Warren some good after what he put me through.”
    “You are far from miserable now, my husband,” she said with a sultry wink, bringing his mind back to their recent lovemaking.
    “Far, far from miserable,” he readily agreed. “But though I do not wish for any of them to remain in misery for the rest of their lives, a little pain in the process would do them all some good. This is my chance for revenge, remember?”
    Gillian nodded and watched as he wrote Lady Adel next to Griffin’s name and Miss Graham next to Warren’s. “Very well, I will just have to trust you. What about Mr. Graham? Have you any lady in mind for him?”
    “Not a one. You?”
    “Not exactly but I haven’t thought much on it until now.”
    Benedict folded the piece of paper, tucking it into the pocket of his jacket. “This will do for now.” Then, rising from his desk he said, “I think I will pay a visit to Griffin and inform him of the glorious news. I would hate for him to loose anymore sleep over it.”
    “Best of luck,” Gillian called out to him as she watched his broad shoulders retreat from the study.
    ***
    Griffin groaned as he pulled Lady Adel’s lush body flush with his. The sleeve of her silk gown slid seductively down her arm, exposing one pearly shoulder. Griffin’s mouth went dry as he collapsed down on the edge of his bed, never breaking eye contact with the alluring minx before him. She stood before him looking passionate and willing, and he wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass him by. He searched her eyes once more, and when he saw no hesitation in them, he quickly leaned forward and placed his warm lips to the cool, exposed skin.
    Looking up at her through thick lashes, his lips still pressed