His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 48

Horatia perched in a chair against the wall, listening to Lady Rochester's performance on the pianoforte. Cedric attended her, turning the pages as he followed her progress on the sheet music. Audrey was dancing with Gregory Cavendish, the two of whom seemed to be making the most of the wide expanse of the ballroom. Avery and Lucinda were dancing near them and Lysandra was dancing with her youngest brother.

A smile tugged at Horatia's lips. It warmed her to see Audrey so happily engaged. Her first season had been quite a disappointment after word of Cedric's overbearing nature circulated among the young bucks of the ton. Audrey had wept for days when no flowers or cards had been delivered to her. There was nothing so cruel as to watch one's sibling suffer. Marriage was all the poor girl wanted, and with Cedric's watchful eyes she simply didn't stand a chance.

Horatia spied Lucien across the room with Lawrence and their guests. He seemed much recovered, although still pale. There was a haunted look to his eyes that tugged at her heart. Lucien ran a hand through his hair, mussing the sleek red waves as he spoke to John and Marie. Sir John laughed loudly, his voice carrying over the music.

Lucien had it in him to be a great, warm and loving man with a rare and irresistible charm. Horatia's eyes burned a little. She wanted to cry because he was hurt, and she wanted to weep with relief that he was healing from his injury.

She was so focused on Lucien she did not notice an entirely different Russell vying for her attention.

"Horatia?" Linus inquired, adding a polite cough.

He stood in front of her chair, peering down with an expression on his face that made her anxious. With him, schemes and pranks always followed that sort of look.

Horatia realized he seemed to be waiting for her to say something. "I beg your pardon?"

"I was asking you to dance. Would you like to?" Linus offered her his arm and a charming smile. It snapped Horatia out of her Lucien-watching daze.

"You wish to dance with me?" She hadn't meant to sound so incredulous, but Linus had never showed the least bit interest in dancing with her before. It made her wonder what exactly this prankster was up to.

"Of course! You are an accomplished dancer, and I've been known to dance a quadrille or two when the occasion arises."

He waggled his eyebrows, and she stifled a giggle. Linus was a devil, but a charming one.

"And a waltz?" Horatia asked as Lady Rochester's tune changed to a sweeping, light-hearted melody. "How do you fare with them?" At a formal ball in Almack's an unmarried lady would not be allowed to dance a waltz without the Patroness's permission. However, Lady Rochester didn't set such standards amongst friends. It was something she enjoyed about the Russell family and Rochester Hall. She was free from such plaguing social niceties.

"Waltzes are my specialty. You must let me prove it to you." Linus winked at her as though he was confessing a secret.

"By all means then. Let us take our places." Horatia took Linus's offered arm. She still suspected that he was up to something, but couldn't begin to guess what.

He ushered her onto the floor and spun her in a slow twirl before pulling her back into his arms. She shoved a palm against his chest, attempting to put some distance between their bodies.

"I don't believe we have to dance quite so close," she cautioned him.

"Nonsense. A man never backs down from an opportunity to hold a pretty lady close."

"Pretty lady?" she echoed. "Really Linus, you are quite odd tonight. What game are you playing?" Her tone, while soft, warned him she knew he wasn't sincere. There had never been a hint before now that he was interested in her romantically.

"Sometimes a man wakes up one day and realizes what he's had in front of him all along." His eyes strayed away from her for the briefest second, a betrayal of his true thoughts. She was not the woman he longed for, but for some strange reason, he was pretending she was.

"Horatia's looking quite well tonight."

Lucien fixed his brother with doubting eyes. "Quite well? She looks spectacular, as always."

Lawrence's expression became unreadable. "Of course, you're quite right. That reminds me, Linus would like a private word with you. He's in your study."

"A private word? What does he want?"

His brother shrugged. "I believe he wishes to ask you to court Horatia. He knows she had feelings for you in the past, but he wishes to make certain you have none in return, so that he may pursue her."

"Like hell he will," Lucien snarled and stomped off to find his brother. Horatia was still dancing with Avery and would be safe enough from his youngest brother for now.

"Avery?" Horatia stammered in surprise at the new dance partner holding her. The middle Russell grinned back at her.

"And how are you faring, lovely Horatia?" The devil dared to charm her. He alone looked the least like his siblings who all favored their mother. Avery favored his father in looks and therefore always seemed one step removed from the rest of the Russell brood.

"I am well enough, and you?" She tried to keep her focus on the conversation, but her mind was on other matters.

"Perfect now that I have you in my arms."