Page 10 of The Mistress, the Monster and the Marquess

Benedict didn’t know if Lina wanted to keep him or just use him to feed on, but he wanted to take the risk and find out. The hardest thing was in admitting the truth to himself. I don’t really care what she intends. Mere moments in her arms were better than years of pomp and society in the real world.

Chapter Six.

Antony was enjoying his usual prowl around London when he smelled something so spectacular as to be close to divinity. No one had ever smelled so good to him—not even Malcolm. His heart sank at the memory of his past lover. Clenching his jaw, he pushed the pain far, far down.

He would have this juicy prey and taste the blood that throbbed in those delicious veins, no matter the cost.

Picking up his pace, Antony walked faster while trying not to draw attention to himself. The man who smelled so very delicious was almost at Lina’s brothel now. How predictably boring. It seemed his prey was going to be easily caught this evening.

Chapter Seven.

Benedict stepped back into Lina’s brothel—alone this time. Fourteen days almost to the minute since he had walked into the whorehouse for the first time. The muscles in his legs trembling with excitement, he mounted the door stoop and pushed open the heavy door.

Lina’s dungeon provided an escape for him from the crazy world which was his life. When he was with her, he forgot his money stresses and his parents’ expectations. He had endured the worst yet, this past week. His family was in insurmountable debt, and everyone in the ton knew it. Yet his parents continued to expect the same standard of living they had always enjoyed. They were in so much financial trouble that it was depressing and overwhelming to dwell on.

Benedict knew beyond any doubt that his parents wanted him to marry an heiress, a woman with enough wealth to pull his family out of their dire situation, but he just couldn’t sacrifice what was left of his freedom. Not yet.

He stepped inside the warm, well-lit main room and scanned it for his vampire. The last time they were together he had provided her with the blood she needed, and she had given him moments of pure bliss. He couldn’t wait to make the same exchange again.

Disappointment hit him punch to the gut when he realized she wasn’t there. Benedict walked over to her male guard and house butler. “Excuse me, but where’s Lina?”

The man looked him up and down with an arrogance unbecoming of a servant. “Unavailable, sir. Would you like one of the other girls?”

Benedict clenched his teeth, his jaw aching as he waited for the anger to recede. He had gone weeks without her, without any other woman and she was going to deny him now? He couldn’t possibly bear it! “She asked me to return in two weeks,” he said, trailing his fingers down his neck, hoping the butler would understand the underhanded gesture and make the connection.

The man’s eyes bulged as he watched Benedict’s hand linger near where bite marks should be.

Yes. He understood.

“My apologies,” he said quickly. “I will find out if that includes you, sir.”

Benedict nodded.

The butler bowed and hurried from the room.

Turning, he stood as the ill-mannered had, watching the men with Lina’s women. She protected them, he knew she did. And he really liked that about her. No one of his social standing would think twice about the serving class, and even less about the women forced into this sort of situation to make ends meet. But Lina cared. That made her exceptional.

“Benedict.” Lina’s voice curled into his ear.

He turned, expecting to find a welcoming smile on her face.

Instead, she looked like a sour faced madam, her full lips tilted down.

He frowned as the excited butterflies in his belly were crushed by the weight of his disappointment. He had counted every minute of the last two weeks and had thought she would feel the same way.

“What’s wrong, Lina?” he ventured.

Lina grabbed his hand, her skin cool against his, and pulled him toward the entrance to her dungeon.

His heart rate sped up. She didn’t look like she wanted him here but perhaps she still did?

“You must go, Benedict. Come back tomorrow.”

Hurt filled his chest. She couldn’t be serious, could she? “Sorry?”

A whoosh of air surrounded him as a male materialized in front of him.

“Who’s the human, Lina?” he asked, intrigued.

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