Page 65 of Ravishing His Wicked Lady (The Shadows 4)

William took a deep breath and looked around before expelling it. “I needed to speak with you on a serious matter.”

Sebastian chuckled. Right now was not the time for serious matters. But he was curious what William had to say. “Yes?”

“It’s about Victoria.”

Sebastian stilled. “What about her?”

“I know you said she is off-limits.”

Sebastian took a menacing step, and William retreated. “What did you do to her?”

“I didn’t do anything.” William raised his hands in the air in self-defense. “I swear. But I wanted to ask your permission to court her.”

“Out of the question.”

“Bastian—”

“Are you out of your mind?” Sebastian cried. “I told you I would never let her be courted by a bastard!”

“A duke’s bastard.”

“Devil take you, even if you were a king’s bastard! No. She is a duke’s daughter, damn it! A princess! She wants to go back to Russia and help her sister rule. She’ll be a Tsarevna. With a bastard, she is doomed. Anywhere.”

William swallowed. A vein ticked at the side of his neck, and his fingers curled into fists. He was angry. Good. Sebastian could use a worthy opponent in a fight.

“She took a liking to me.”

Sebastian took another step, his own fists forming by his sides. “Did you touch her?”

“She is an innocent. But don’t you think she needs to have a say in who she wants to court her?”

Sebastian’s rage died slowly. William was right. Sebastian looked at him for a moment before asking softly, “Did you tell her who you are?”

William didn’t answer. He stood still. The only indication that he’d heard Sebastian was his accelerated breathing.

“Did you tell her you are a bastard or did you lie to her?”

“I am a duke’s son.”

Sebastian sniffed. “She will never have you. Even if I gave my blessing, which I won’t… But that girl, my golden-hearted niece… She has an iron will. She will. Never. Have you.”

William breathed deeply, calming himself, then turned on his heel, mounted the horse, and galloped away.

Sebastian was still following the tiny figure of his old friend as he disappeared behind the bend when something heavy landed on his head. He turned around, his vision blurry, and noticed two figures standing before him. One of them raised his hands and the next moment everything went dark.

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