It had been a trying day. Eliot hadn't left Miranda's side for a moment since leaving the dining hall. During the tour of the castle, estate, and the evening activities in the parlor, Benjamin had to witness Elliot's blatant seduction. Any call for potential contact, his cousin had made the most of by holding her hand, taking her arm for a stroll, and leaving his palm on her back for longer than necessary. Frankly, Benjamin was disgusted. He had never been a fan of Eliot, as the older boy had often teased and tormented him growing up, but the past paled in comparison to this new level of manipulation. And Miranda was caught up in it all.

Despairing of quieting these frustrations, as well as finding sleep, he stared up at the ceiling. Hearing what sounded like a muffled scream, followed by scraping, he shot up in bed. A figure in white emerged from the hidden passage and rushed to his bed. Miranda climbed on top and knelt before him.

"What happened? Are you alright?" he asked hurriedly.

"Oh Benjamin, don't think less of me, but there was a cockroach in my room and it was terrifying. I was laying down and just spotted him out of the corner of my eye. There was no way I could stay in there with that…thing crawling around!" she breathlessly replied.

Relief filled him. It was then that he realized she wasn't wearing the nightgown he had seen the night before, but a only bathrobe that barely concealed anything. It too was white and sheer, with the middle of the robe only loosely tied. Showing a large V-shape of smooth skin right down the middle of her chest, Benjamin could see the edges of her breasts and the trail all the way down to her waist. Even the few places there was material, since it was almost transparent it did nothing to conceal her hardened nipples. Below the belt wasn't much better. Since her legs were curled up under her, his eyes followed the way from her exposed ankle to thick thigh, to the darkness where the robe eventually converged under the tie.

Shaking himself, lest he get caught up in what lay beyond the shadow at the top of her legs, he questioned, "Miranda, what on earth are you wearing?"

Blushing, the response came, "Those books. Ever since I started reading them, I became more curious, about myself too. I started to sleep with no clothes…and it felt liberating, and a little naughty," she said with a mischievous look. "The first night here, I was unsure whether to expect a servant in the morning, so I wore my nightgown in case. None came, so tonight I wished to sleep naturally, but when that horrible bug came, I only had time to grab for this robe. You will go kill him for me, won't you?" she finished by pleading.

Dragging his eyes away from her body and up to her eyes, he sighed and nodded. Leaving her on his bed he headed into her room. Life places the most irresistible woman, scantily clad, on his bed with no chaperones, and he has to leave. Granted this same woman doesn't desire him in the least, except in the capacity of bug exterminator.

Shortly after, he returned to his room with a beaten look. "I'm very sorry Miranda, but once I found the cockroach, the little devil retreated into a hole in the wall before I could kill him. I don't think you have to worry, though. He'll leave you alone tonight after that chase, and he's harmless anyway."

"Oh no, I'm not returning when he's still free."

"Stay here, I'll sleep in your room," he offered.

"No Benjamin. Even in here, I'll still think about him finding me…he could crawl all over me as I sleep. I'm not squeamish about most things, but insects… they're just awful. There's only one way I'll sleep tonight," she explained.

"What, exactly, do you propose?"

Looking down, she whispered, "You stay with me. In here. That way, I'll feel safe."

"We can't do that, even these nightly meetings are bordering on indecency, I don't want to mess your reputation up" came his shocked reply.

"I trust you and we're both adults. My door is locked. If you lock yours, there's nothing to fear, no one will ever know," she said confidently. Looking into his eyes, her final, "Please," was his undoing.

A defeated sigh escaped him, "Fine, but you need to wear your nightgown. I'll go get it, where should I look?"

Smiling victoriously she answered, "It's hanging on the back of the dressing screen."

When he returned, he passed her the gown without meeting her eyes. Their fingers touched as she accepted it and a thrill shot through him before he squashed it down. While she undressed, he turned in the opposite direction, even though she was behind his dressing screen. Temptation to see her supple form filled him. And he wasn't too sure she wouldn't try some trick to entice him. As she climbed onto the bed moments later, he saw the gown covered little more than the robe, but at least it wouldn't come open in the middle of the night.

A full moon cast everything in a soft glow after Benjamin blew out the candle. "Goodnight," he said softly turning to Miranda.

She sidled up next to him in bed, her body stretched out touching the front of his. "Thank you Benjamin. Goodnight," she whispered and then softly pressed her lips to his in a light kiss. It caught him off guard, as did the fact that she didn't let go and seemed fully prepared to sleep in a cuddling embrace.

"Miranda, this isn't right, we shouldn't be this close."

Nuzzling his neck, she murmured, "I need to distract myself from the cockroach so I can sleep. Besides, this feels alright to me. Do you not like it?"

"I never said that, I just don't think this is wise. You must protect your reputation."

"You're a true gentleman. Touching is harmless. Perhaps I should distract you from your conscience." She then proceeded to rain down several kisses, each one with more urgency until it deepened and her tongue began to explore his lips, then his mouth. He finally let go of his restraint and matched her probing tongue with his own explorations.

She began to untie his dress shirt and run her hands across his smooth chest, causing him to moan. Her fingers then began to fiddle with the knot at the top of his pants. A moment of clarity hit him and he broke off the kiss. "What are you doing? No, stop!"

Miranda turned her big chocolate brown eyes on him, "There's only one thing we can't do, Benjamin, but you and I both know there are so many other things we can. People do them and more all the time behind closed doors, and ours are locked. When will we ever get another chance like this to…play?"

"Just because we can doesn't mean we should. I respect you too much to risk your virtue," he countered.

"I remember your views on our judgmental society all too well, Benjamin Warren. You always preach of other cultures and countries where people weren't ruled by popular thought and yet here you are, becoming caught up in it. Very well, I'll simply make it my mission to remind you of your liberal convictions," she challenged.

"Goodnight Miranda," he said, pulling away as dozens of sensuous scenes flitted through his mind, trying to imagine how Miranda would prove her point.

Feeling well rested, Miranda opened her eyes to see Benjamin's neck in front of her. During the night, she had managed to snuggle back against his body and his arms had automatically embraced her in his sleepy state. After their brief moment of passion followed by the disagreement, he had neglected to put his shirt back on. So Miranda let her eyes take in his well-defined muscles and Brown skin. She wouldn't have expected her very friend to have such an extraordinary chest, but it proved more than pleasing to the eye.

Taking advantage of his unconsciousness, she glanced up towards his face. He had a strong jaw and large full lips, which did remarkable things, as she already knew. A fine straight nose and large kind eyes all added up to what is a very fine face, but somehow just combined into an ordinary visage. Still, knowing him as she did, Miranda often sought out his very dear form and equally often, found entire conversations passing between their eyes despite distance and distractions.

Benjamin had proved to be the best of friends, knowing her even more intimately than Francesca, but she still couldn't explain why she felt drawn to discover carnal delights with him. Was it simply pent up desires erupting in the presence of a safe man? Why did she feel the need to disregard his concerns?

And then there was Eliot. Eliot seemed to be everything Benjamin was not. How would his lips feel against hers? Even with the introduction of Eliot: the seemingly ideal gentleman, Miranda still had the urge to do inappropriate things to Benjamin. And he certainly didn't seem to mind, well his body didn't, at any rate. Perhaps she was still unsure of her own prowess and was taking every opportunity to achieve perfection. Yes, that must be why she couldn't leave him be.

Deciding to listen to the most current craving, she lowered her mouth to his nipple and began to suck, trying to emulate her readings. Groaning, Benjamin began to awaken, looking down at the top of Miranda's head. Trying a few other tricks with her tongue, she smiled when she heard more moans and then felt a hardness poking against her. Intrigued, she wanted to investigate, but decided proceeding with caution was best, lest she upset him.

Instead, she finished her ministrations with a quick kiss and smiled up into Benjamin's passion glazed eyes. "I want you to do that to me tonight," she said with a hungry look.

When he responded with, "You are a very, very naughty girl, Miss Bailey," a thrill shot through Miranda as she grinned wickedly.