Page 3 of The Lord's Icy Temptress
“The game is afoot, my friend.” Michael leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper yet brimming with excitement. “Have you heard of Lady Seraphina Hawthorne? The ‘Unattainable Rose’ of the ton?” he asked, a hint of challenge in his tone.
Tristan’s interest was piqued. Lady Seraphina Hawthorne was known for her icy demeanour, a challenge that few men dared to take on. He raised his glass in a silent toast. “Ah, the infamous Lady Seraphina,” he replied, a note of intrigue in his voice. “What audacious plan have you devised this time?”
A mischievous smile played on Michael’s lips as he leaned in closer. “My dear friend, I propose a bet,” he whispered, his eyes glinting with excitement. “I bet you cannot seduce Lady Seraphina and thaw her icy heart.”
Tristan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Seduce Lady Seraphina? The notion was both thrilling and daunting. Lady Seraphina had built a reputation for being unapproachable, a challenge that had enticed many but remained unconquered. Tristan’s mind raced with possibilities, his curiosity piqued by the daring proposition.
“And what do I gain if I succeed?” Tristan asked, his voice laced with amusement.
Michael leaned back, a sly smile on his lips. “If you manage to capture the heart of the unattainable Lady Seraphina, I shall concede defeat and forever refer to you as the ‘Master of Seduction.’”
Tristan chuckled, the challenge igniting a fire within him. He had always been drawn to the thrill of conquest, but the idea of breaking down Lady Seraphina’s defences intrigued him like no other. Tristan leaned back against the plush velvet upholstery of the booth, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he exchanged a knowing glance with Michael. The flicker of excitement danced in his eyes as he spoke, his voice laced with a mischievous tone.
Perhaps this was exactly the sort of distraction that he so desperately needed.
“Michael, my dear friend, we are embarking on a venture that will require equal parts finesse and charm,” Tristan began, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “Lady Seraphina Hawthorne, the elusive beauty known as the ‘Unattainable Rose,’ has proven to be a formidable challenge.”
Michael chuckled, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Indeed, Tristan. But fear not, for we possess the audacity and wit to overcome this challenge. We must ensnare her heart and captivate her mind.”
Tristan nodded, his gaze fixed on a distant point. “Aye, Michael. Lady Seraphina is no ordinary woman. She possesses intellect and discernment that surpasses the majority of the ton. The trick will be doing so in a way that she does not see coming before we have even begun. I have heard a great many tales of men with wounded pride and their tails tucked firmly between their legs after an evening with her.”
Michael leaned forward, his voice low and conspiratorial. “But let us not forget the power of passion, my friend. Lady Seraphina may be aloof and reserved, but I believe a flame within her is waiting to be ignited. We must kindle that fire.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Michael’s suggestion. “Passion, you say? How do we go about stoking those embers?”
Michael smirked, his eyes glinting. “Through subtle gestures, heartfelt compliments, and unwavering attention. Of course. How else would we do it? She is still a woman, just like any other. We must make her feel desired and adored, Tristan. Show her that we see beyond the ’Unattainable Rose’ facade and appreciate the woman within. Allow her to be vulnerable.”
Tristan’s lips curved into a confident smile. “Very well, Michael. Let the games begin. We shall woo Lady Seraphina with our intellect, charm, and undeniable allure. And when the time is right, we shall unleash the full force of our passion upon her, leaving her no choice but to surrender.”
“I knew you were the right man for this particular job. A challenge to top all others! A bet to end all bets!” Michael gloated as he lifted his nearly empty glass. His words started to slur together, but he was no less charismatic because of it.
Tristan leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, as his eyes flickered with curiosity and apprehension. He took a sip before finally posing the question lingering in his mind. “And if I lose this bet of yours, Michael? What then?”
Michael’s smile widened as he considered the possibility. “Ah, my dear friend, if you should find yourself on the losing end, the consequences will be quite entertaining, I assure you.” He leaned forward, his voice laced with playful taunting. “You shall have to don the mantle of a hopeless romantic, writing the most eloquent of love letters and serenading Lady Seraphina beneath her window in the moonlight for all to see.”
Tristan scoffed, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Serenading? Surely you jest.”
But Michael’s expression turned serious as he continued, his tone filled with genuine conviction. “No, my friend, I speak only the truth. You shall have to express your deepest emotions and lay bare your heart, risking rejection and exposing the vulnerable side of your nature. It will be a test of your mettle, a challenge to overcome your fear of emotional vulnerability.”
Tristan’s lips curved into a wry smile, a hint of determination gleaming in his eyes. “Very well, if it comes to that, I shall embrace the role of the hopeless romantic. But mark my words, Michael, I intend to win this bet and prove that I am more than capable of capturing Lady Seraphina’s heart.”
The two friends clinked their glasses together, sealing their pact to conquer the heart of the enigmatic Lady Seraphina Hawthorne. Their plan was set in motion, and they were determined to succeed where others had faltered.
Chapter 3
Two days later, the Hawthorne family made their grand appearance at the Windermeres’ soirée. The sprawling estate was adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant flowers, creating an enchanting ambiance. Seraphina’s heart raced with excitement and apprehension as the carriage pulled up to the entrance. The entire ride over, Mother made sure to explain exactly how the evening was supposed to go.
She seemed to believe that if she did not tell Seraphina how to stand and what angles were the most flattering for her, she would somehow forget. Never mind that she explained the same things before every social event they attended.
The moment the carriage door swung open, Seraphina emerged; her blue eyes widened in awe at the grandeur of the estate. She stepped onto the cobblestone path, her satin gown gently rustling against her slender frame with each graceful movement, an off-white, nearly pearl colour with moss green accents that matched the adornments in her raven black hair. Per her mother’s request, she was certain to be in the height of fashion for the event. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her delicate features, accentuating her radiant beauty.
Taking a deep breath, Seraphina entered the grand hall, her entrance accompanied by a hushed whisper that spread through the room. Heads turned, gazes fixed on her as she glided through the crowd with an air of regality. Seraphina’s heart pounded within her chest, her fingers tingling with nervous anticipation. It did not matter how many times it happened, she was always caught off guard. She knew that she had been relegated to ‘rose’ for numerous reasons, and not all of them favourable, but the title ensured that eyes were always on her.
Seraphina knew that she ought not to complain, but after three years, it was more than a little exhausting to have to be ‘on’ all the time.
She exchanged polite nods and smiles with the familiar faces of London’s elite, her eyes darting around the room in search of her close friend Elizabeth. The lively chatter and elegant music filled the air, but Seraphina’s thoughts were consumed by the weight of her secret as if somehow she was going to move wrong or say something that would betray the fact that she did not belong here.
It mattered not that she had been raised her whole life as Lillian’s daughter; somehow, she no longer felt she belonged here. Most days, Seraphina wished that she had never overheard that horrible conversation. That day two and a half years ago had been the worst thing to ever happen to her.
