His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 61

Cedric shuddered as he recalled his discussion with Lucien in the billiard room the day before. Lucien had spoken of his changed feelings towards Horatia and foolishly Cedric had assumed his friend viewed her merely as a sister once again.

"What proof do you have of his feelings towards her?" Cedric asked.

"I'm not supposed to say..."

"Audrey," Cedric growled.

"Lucien bought her a gown for Christmas. It arrived yesterday from London."

"What sort of gown?"

"A lovely evening one to replace the one that was ruined. I helped him order it, since I have the best fashion sense in London."

"Naturally." Cedric's sarcasm was lost on his sister.

"But you mustn't be angry, Cedric. Nothing will come of it but...wouldn't it be wonderful if Lucien and Horatia were married?" Audrey smiled and clasped her hands.

The mere thought of Lucien in bed with his sister made a veil of red descend over Cedric's vision.

"Wonderful? Dash it all, Audrey! You're too bloody innocent. Lucien's not the kind to marry. None of us are, but especially not him." She didn't understand. Lucien would toss Horatia aside when the fires of passion burned down to embers. He'd seen it many times before, though always with women who found such terms agreeable. Horatia was no such woman.

"Is that any way to speak of your friend?" Audrey's eyes widened as though startled by his dark prediction.

"He's a friend, but he's also a devil. As am I. I know him only too well, and I know he won't marry her."

"You're wrong. Godric married Emily and he is much the same as the rest of you."

"Emily was different... She was a perfect match for Godric."

"And who's to say that Horatia is not Lucien's perfect match?" Audrey asked.

"If she is I dread to think what that says about our sister," Cedric muttered.

"You think that would mean she's a wicked, wanton woman, like Evangeline Mirabeau?" Audrey giggled at Cedric's horrified expression.

"Something like that. Certainly others would think that of her."

"Oh nonsense, Cedric. No one would think that of Horatia. She's far too sensible to do anything rash or romantic. She's Horatia," Audrey said as if that explained it all, as though there was no reason to worry.

"If Lucien is determined to have her, he won't let her be sensible. That's the entire point behind seduction. Men use passion to rob gentle bred ladies of their good sense. Just like Charles could have when he pretended to compromise you. He could have taken advantage of you, kitten."

"Firstly, brother dearest, I kissed him." The words caught Cedric unprepared. "And I had to do a great deal of chasing to achieve even that. Secondly, he knew you'd be angry. I had to beg him to help me no matter the cost. And thirdly, I was not nearly so swayed from rationality by kissing him as I was by kissing Jonathan."

Cedric froze in his pacing. "Jonathan? You mean to tell me that you've kissed him already? Is there anyone in Mayfair you haven't kissed?" he growled. His sisters were running amok like Whitechapel harlots. How long had they been doing this to him? Didn't they know it was his job to protect them, even if it meant protecting them from themselves?

"Oh God, you've been reading those dreadful gothic novels again."

"I have not!"

But the look in her eyes was so puzzling to him. It was as though she saw something he could not, a place that filled her with wonder and dreams. "I want to know him," she said. "I want to learn everything about him. But I cannot do that if you do not give me the chance. Will you consider him if I can convince him to court me?"

"If he needs convincing to pursue you, then he does not deserve you. But I will speak to him, and mention your interest. If he agrees, we shall arrange for you to see more of each other. Perhaps you might land a husband after all." He wouldn't have trusted any of his other friends with his sister. But Jonathan was new to their circle and didn't seem to be remotely as cavalier with his affections as his brother Godric had been at his age. There was something serious in the young man that Cedric found calming, far from the wilder valet he'd once been. It was as though Jonathan's new position in life had matured him rather than giving him airs.

"Oh thank you, Cedric!" Audrey slipped out from her covers and ran to him, wrapping her arms about his neck and hugging him.

"I will warn you that not all people in this world have the sweet and loving heart you do. If you believe you can withstand the gossip, then you may proceed."

She grinned impishly. "I think I can handle society and its gossip."

As always, he was completely at a loss as to how to say no to her. The troublesome little sprite was his world, just as Horatia was.

"You're welcome, my dear. Just promise me no more rash behavior. I need to handle this matter with Horatia and I can only survive one sisterly catastrophe at a time."

Audrey stifled a giggle as she released him. "I promise to behave."

"Why don't I believe you?" Cedric said with a theatrical sigh. "Why don't you get dressed and I shall return to take you down to breakfast." Cedric took his leave to give Audrey ample time to change while he went to his own chamber to freshen up. After that he had to find Horatia and see just how deeply her affections ran for Lucien, and whether the trouble was as bad as he feared.