Page 10 of The Duke of Desire
“Then whose is it?” He moved toward her again, using that slow, seductive gait that was far more threatening than if he’d bolted after her. “I also have a suspicion that you don’t smile nearly enough. Or at all. I’d love to see you smile.”
He was right about that. “It’s vulgar to smile.”
His lips spread into a wide grin. “I adore vulgarity.”
She snorted. “I am not surprised. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was your name.”
“My name is Sebastian, though my friends call me West.” He tipped his head to the side. “I should like it very much if you called me West.”
“That would be wholly inappropriate. Are youtryingto lead me into a scandal?”
He stopped just about a foot in front of her. “No, I’mtryingto lead you into temptation.”
“I’d rather be delivered from evil.” She wanted to walk past him and go into her chamber, but she couldn’t seem to make her feet move.
“I actually think you’d like to take a risk. You live a simple life, and a simple future stretches before you. Why not take some pleasure along the way? You deserve that much at least.”
She stared at him, unable to think of what to say. He took her silence as encouragement.
“We have a fortnight together. I can guarantee that no one will know—it may seem hard to believe, but I have had affairs that no one is aware of—and I guarantee that at the end of the party, your life will be forever changed.”
A fury she hadn’t felt in years propelled her forward until her face was inches from his. He had several inches on her, but she was taller than most women and stood on her toes for added height. She let a sneer curl her lip. “Your arrogance is astounding. Don’t think you know me at all, Your Grace. You’ve no idea what I’ve risked or what pleasures I’ve taken. I fell prey to someone just like you once, and my lifewasforever changed. You’ll have to forgive me if I have no interest in what you’re peddling.” She watched his eyes widen slightly and his nostrils flare. “On second thought, I don’t want your forgiveness. I don’t need it. Not from you and not from anyone. I’ve worked too long and too hard to claim my life and live it as I see fit. Take your assumptions and your pomposity and go directly to hell.”
Blood of the devil, she was furious. And damned gorgeous while she was at it. Her chest rose and fell with her angry breaths, and her cheeks had flushed pink. With her lips parted, she almost looked as though she’d just been pleasured. Until you reached her eyes. Those spat green, scalding fire.
She’d been ruined. Some scoundrel had wooed her and, seemingly, cast her aside. West wanted to find the blackguard and beat him to pulp.
“Of course, I had no idea,” he said quietly. “What happened?”
She backed up a small step. Her chest was still heaving, and she took a deep breath. “It’s none of your concern. In fact, do me a favor and forget I said anything.”
He would never, ever forget what he’d just witnessed, but he didn’t say that. “I’ll do whatever makes you happy.”
“That would be leaving me alone. As I asked you before.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “As you wish. However, if you should ever require my assistance, consider me at your disposal. I owe you recompense for my unintended insult.”
“Unintended?” She laughed, and it was a hollow sound that carved a piece from his chest. “You’re a profligate, a seducer, an utter reprobate. You insult respectable women with your very presence.”
He gave her a bow. “Your tongue has cut me to the quick. I beg your pardon.”
As he retreated from the sitting room, he resisted the urge to go back and apologize. Not because he didn’t want to but because she wanted him gone from her sight. So that was what he would do.
He went directly to his bedchamber on the opposite side of the house and wrote out a note of apology. Then he entrusted it to Seaver, his valet. “See that it’s delivered directly to Lady Dunn’s room, but it is for her companion.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
Seaver was cautious and completely trustworthy. He’d ensure the missive arrived in secrecy.
Frustrated, West made his way down to the gentlemen’s parlor for a brace of whiskey. Or two. He’d completely misread Miss Breckenridge. He’d never encountered a woman like her, and he was thoroughly intrigued.
Too bad she wanted nothing to do with him.
He longed to know what had happened to her and how her life had changed. He was certain she’d been ruined. What had she been before that? Had she always been a lady’s companion? Perhaps she’d been a governess. And how on earth had she managed to rise from the ashes?
As West made his way downstairs, he looked out over the hall below, where the gaming was taking place. Lively conversation filled the huge space. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler greeted him at the bottom of the staircase.
They exchanged anxious looks before Mr. Fowler cleared his throat. “Ahem, good evening, Your Grace. We’d like to speak with you about your…services.”
