The Artistic Pursuit

Chapter 13 - Dreamscape

THE FEATHERINGTON HOME

Miss Penelope Featherington laid in bed, hoping that Benedict would receive a letter any day now. In truth, she had the smallest amount of doubt he would not be accepted. Only because of his fast departure. She hoped the Academy would forgive that.

Benedict needed this. He needed to get his dream, his passion back. She closed her eyes, imagining him opening up the letter and watching his eyes shine at her.

He stepped forward.

I got in Pen

"You did? that is wonderful. We need to celebrate"

"How about now"

Suddenly they were in a dimly lit room

"Ben?"

He smoothed his hand down her cheek. His eyes burned into her. They looked to her plump lips. He quickly moved to her. Pushing her against a book shelf. His hands were all over her. Her moans became gasps as his hand moved lower.

He fell to his knees picked her leg up over his shoulder, he pulled the other onto the opposite shoulder. Making her support her back on the shelf. His lips made their way to her entrance and his tongue to her wet centre.

She buckled up as she felt a rush of excitement run through her stomach. He gripped tightly to her legs. Squeezing any train of thought out of her. She screamed his name.

He did not stop. The tongue became his fingers too, pushing fast within her while his thumb tapped her soft skin above. Every time he tapped he could feel herself further and further near an edge. She didn't think she could take much more. Her hair had become wild. As he back pushed relentlessly into the shelf behind. A few books started to fall with the vibrations.

He stood, still carrying all her weight on his shoulders. He slowly moved one leg off at a time, to place her around his waist. He moaned loudly, feeling her wetness as he got her in position. Her fingers gripped his hair as he pulled her even closer. She felt something hard pushing near her entrance to her womanhood.

"Penelope. I love you"

With that he pushed himself inside, slowly at first until his passions took over and his hips quickened. "Oh Benedict"

"Oh Pen"

He kissed her hard. Impressed with himself that he could hold back this long.

"Ben, don't stop" his mouth teased her breasts.

She whispered "I love you"

A voice. It was not Ben's "Who do you love?"

"Wh. What?"

"I said who do you love, sister?"

Her eyes shot open. She sat up. Great. Prudence.

"What are you doing in my room?"

"Well we had come for a visit, but you were. yet to arise. Mother is waiting for you"

"Get out Prudence"

Prudence put her hands up defensively. Then left.

Pen sat up clutching her dress. She was soaking wet all over. Damn. It was just a dream. It does not mean anything. Ben is just my friend and I have to remember that.

BRIDGERTON HOUSE

"Good morning Lady Bridgerton"

Kat laughed "Benedict, you are awake, finally. I've been dreadfully board. Everyone appears to be out and Anthony is knee deep in paperwork. So I need much entertainment from you"

"I'm afraid that I am not a magician, sister, not a dog. So, fancy a turn of Grosvenor Square?"

"Is this not a ploy to see Penelope"

"What! I would never use you to get a girls attention"

She looked at him scornfully.

He pouted and crossed his arms "Fine. But you did not answer my question"

"I will help you with your pursuit of Miss Penelope, if you promise you will tell me why you desire to see her, so"

"Very Well"

She put her hand under his arm "Then escort me away"

They had stepped outside and it had been not even a minute before Benedict's eyes moved up to Penelope's window.

"So are you going to tell me, or do I need to beat it out of you"

They started to walk through the square slowly. "Before you and my brother became entangled, did you ever.." he took a deep breath, exhaling to complete his question "dream about him?"

"Are you dreaming of Pen?"

"Can you stop answering a question with a question. If that is at all possible"

She winced "Fair enough. Yes I did"

"Pen occupies my every thought, my dreams, I feel like have lost my mind"

"You already had"

"Thanks sister" he spoke sarcastically.

"What does it mean?"

"I believe dreams do not always mean what you think they mean. But I know for certain that you care for her dearly, perhaps, you are hoping for more"

"She deserves better, sister"

"Nonsense. She deserves the truth. What if she feels the same as you feel"

"It is not a possibility" he looked defeated.

"Why?"

"She loves Colin"

"Loved Colin. What I have seen, she always seems more happy and comfortable when she is around you. You think she is undeserving of your truths"

"She wishes to find a love match and get married and have you met me"

She frowned at that.

"I am not the marrying Kind. I cannot make her happy"

Kate felt the pure hurt in Benedict's words. To see such a confident man unable to find the words to explain his feeling was difficult to watch. Ben was a charming man.

As they made their way further in the direction Featherington home. The door flung open. Her family all shot out. Pens two rather amusing brothers and the distasteful expressions of her family. Pen already looked fed up.

Her eyes moved up the square and found Benedict's.

They both stopped. Looked at each other. Kate just stood there and watched. If Violet had been here, she would have loved to see it.

Pen and Ben walked toward each other and stopped two feet away.

"Good day, Pen"

"Good day, Ben"

"Are you heading out?"

"Unfortunately, yes"

"Penelope!!" Portia bellowed. Lady Featherington looked fierce. Too fierce for Ben to try and extract her from her family today.

"I have to go" she looked defeated.

"May I call on you later?" He rushed his words out.

Penelope's smile was the most beautiful one he had ever seen. Something about her today. She glowed. She blushed a little.

"I would like that"

She rushed away to join her family.

Benedict smiled to himself. He turned around. Almost forgetting Kate's presence.

"Don't!" He threatened

"I did not say anything" she put her hand up defensively before putting it back under his arm.