A Devilish Slumber
Page 27
Phillip lifted the child and swung her around. “Are you happy for me?”
“Yes! If you must marry someone other than me, Lady Rose is suitable.” She sent both of them a nod of approval.
Phillip released Hope and took Rose’s hand. “Time for us to have a talk.”
PHILLIP LED ROSE to the entryway, away from her friends. He offered her a seat on the staircase with a teasing smile.
She chose the third to last step and he sat beside her. “Tell me about Ben.”
She clasped her hands and unconsciously twirled her thumbs and his heart skipped a beat in bittersweet delight. It was as if Ben was sitting beside him. He was going to miss that young lad.
“I had lost so many people, Phillip, and had resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my life. But when Helen was murdered, I could not let it go.”
“Her death was not your fault.” Phillip took both her cold hands in his.
She squeezed his fingers tight, her nails digging into her palms. “Phillip, I was furious. I wanted retribution, not just for Helen but for all of my other losses. And Ben became my vehicle for achieving that end.”
“I am glad he was.” He gently kissed the back of her hands. “Because he gave me reentry into your life.”
He glanced around the empty foyer. Ben, it seemed, had also given Rose back her wish to live again. For that, Phillip would be forever grateful. Bit by bit, as she had opened herself to the world as Ben, she had also transformed her home from a dark, cold and lifeless tomb into this sparkling place brightened by colorful rugs on the polished patterned floor and cheerful seascapes brightening the walls. He expected the place to be filled with the sounds of not only her friends, but also the barks and meows of pets soon. And he owed it all to Ben.
Only one question continued to puzzle him. “Rose, why did you not confide in me about Ben, about everything, the night we made love?”
“I wanted to, Phillip. But the secret of shifting was not mine alone. To reveal it, I needed Mrs. Weatheringham’s permission. She discouraged me. Then I discovered my sister’s role in Helen’s death and Eve found out about the alliance and everything spun out of control.”
He turned her hands over and pressed a kiss on each of her palms. “I see it all so clearly now. Ben’s shyness about undressing in front of Monsieur Tessyier and myself.” Then he groaned. “I took you to White’s! If any of the gentlemen there ever discover that a woman walked among them, they would call me out for dishonoring the place. And no wonder Ben was so offended when I said I wished to seduce you.”
“That was not amusing,” she said in a stern voice, taking back her hands. “You do not understand how much that set me back, particularly as I had begun to like you again.”
Her words burrowed deep inside Phillip. He wanted her to like him, to still be his friend, to be the one who berated him when he did something foolish, and who stood by him despite his faults. He stood and retreated to the ormolu clock by the doorway, listening to it tick-tick inside its wooden frame.
He inserted a false lightness into his words. “Have I shattered your affection for me, Rose, by my despicable behavior? After all, I did not believe in you when you said you were innocent.” His laugh sounded harsh even to him. “I doubt Ben would want my friendship any longer. He was a most astute fellow.”
He shook his head and looked at his boots, unable to meet her gaze in case there was disappointment there. He had shown Ben the worst side of himself. His male side.
Rose stood and approached.
“I know that you love me, Rose,” he whispered, tilting her chin up with his thumb. “But do you like me?”
“Phillip,” she said, with a tender smile, “if you were to ask me what I liked best about you, this would be my answer. I adore your questing nature.” She kissed his palm cupping her chin. “Your talent for details and your persistence in uncovering the truth.” She nipped at his chin, making the hairs on his neck quiver. “As for your coming to my rescue, that showed me that your trust in me extends far beyond my appearance. You, Sir Phillip Jones, know who I am in my heart, and that is a gift I shall cherish all my life.” Her lips finally claimed his and all his doubts evaporated.
“I should have known, I suppose,” he said softly, “that Ben was not a man.”
“What do you mean?” she asked. “I made a perfectly credible young man.”
“He was too good at listening to a man’s troubles, and he had a terrible sense of fashion.”
“I beg your pardon?” Rose pulled out of his hold.
He tugged her back in. “I prefer you in female form,” he whispered against her lips before delving in for a deeper taste.
With a delighted sigh, she wrapped her arms about his neck and returned his kiss with equal passion.
While she was thus distracted, he slid a hand over her bottom.
Rose drew back with a gasp. “Phillip!”
“No enhancements could improve what Mother Nature has already generously endowed you with, my love,” he said with a cheeky grin. “Now, I have a rather delicate question to pose. But I am confident that after you so gallantly faced up to Eve, you will have no trouble facing this next challenge.”
“What is that Phillip?” Rose asked.
“Are you up to meeting my mother for dinner? She hates tardiness as much as I do, and we are now at least two and a half hours late.”
Rose chuckled. “I would be delighted to meet your mother. After all, I owe her thanks for giving you to me.”
The End
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About the Author
Once upon a time, Shereen read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love and mystery elements woven in for good measure. She’s a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily-ever-after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.