Chasing Benedict (The Gentleman Courtesans Book 5) by Victoria Vale

Author:Victoria Vale [Vale, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Victoria Vale
Published: 2020-12-20T18:30:00+00:00

Alex breathed a sigh of relief as his carriage entered the gates leading into his estate. The slow, two-day journey from London had worn him thin, with tense silence between Alex and Ben punctuating the long hours. Alex’s attempts at small talk had been met with half-hearted responses, in a clear attempt at discouraging him from making conversation. When Ben wasn’t reading or sleeping, he was staring out the window, outright refusing to meet Alex’s gaze. No attempts at seduction were forthcoming, and it felt as if their night at Mother Morton’s had become nothing more than a distant memory—one as cloudy and far away as their past encounters.

But he was home now. Despite the longing, perpetual ache he’d suffered, his years at Vautrey Park with Katherine had also offered solace. His childhood home, the place that had always kept him safe from the world, opened its arms and accepted Alex into its warm embrace. That Ben seemed determined to hang over their time like a dark storm cloud didn’t ruin Alex’s happiness at being here. With distance between them and other distractions, there was nothing to do but face one another. Ben would resist, but Alex was more determined now than ever.

Ben had perked up the moment they’d reached Vautrey lands, gaze sharp as he took in the scenery. The weather was pleasant, fluffy clouds and a beaming sun illuminating the splendor of the ancestral seat. The weight of being responsible for so much land and the people depending on it for their livelihood never eased. Alex had been made aware of what his inheritance meant from the time he was old enough to understand. Once he’d come to recognize his preference for men over women, Alex had shunned the expectation of marriage and children. He’d never wished to subject a lady to life with a man who couldn’t truly love or appreciate her as she deserved.

Alex had been content to be as good an earl as he could, managing his holdings so that his uncle or cousin would come into a prosperous inheritance. Having a legacy to pass down to a son hadn’t been important to him. Even taking his place as the rightful earl had paled in comparison to his true aspirations.

Glancing to the other side of the carriage, Alex was startled to find Ben looking at him for what felt like the first time this entire trip.

“It’s beautiful,” Ben said. “And enormous. I can see why it was so important to you.”

Alex winced at the unspoken taunt threaded through Ben’s words. It was important enough for you to give me up. Alex glimpsed the house as the carriage rounded the circular drive—perfect and secure, his haven in a world that forced him to make impossible choices.

“It wasn’t important to me,” he whispered, pangs of regret making his chest echo with a pulsing ache. “The house, the title, the money … I was prepared to give it all up for you.”

“But you didn’t,” Ben reminded him tersely.

The

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