His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 9

When Lucien came down to breakfast late the next morning, he noticed both Horatia and Charles were missing.

"Where is Charles?" he asked, stopping himself short from asking about Horatia as well.

Cedric glanced up from his plate. "He's taken Horatia riding in Hyde Park to exercise my Arabians."

"Oh?" A stab of jealousy lanced through him like a hot poker. The idea of Horatia with someone else-especially Charles-made his vision turn crimson.

Audrey was quieter than usual. Her youthful gaiety, which so often amused him when he was over, seemed to be absent.

Cedric seemed to have noticed it as well. "I say, what's gotten into you, my dear? First Horatia is in a fit of the blue-devils, and now you are quite Friday-faced."

It was no secret that Cedric didn't like to see his sisters unhappy. It was something Lucien understood all too well. He had a sister of his own, and seeing her upset always set his teeth on edge.

"I wished to go shopping today, but Horatia went riding and you've business to attend to at Lloyd's, so I'm stranded here alone."

Audrey moped the way only a pretty young woman could, with her Cupid's bow lips plumped into a pout. When this reaction garnered no attention, she added a theatrical sniffle. Her eyes were glistening with diamond bright tears. It was always entertaining to watch Audrey try to work her magic on her elder brother when she wanted something.

Lucien immediately found a solution to dry her eyes. "With your brother's permission, I'd be happy to escort you. I have a few errands to run myself and would be delighted to have your expertise on the latest fashions."

All signs of tears vanished as Audrey looked expectantly at her brother. Cedric gave her a nod. "Very well, but take your maid with you."

Audrey dashed off to her room to retrieve her reticule, bonnet and cloak. When she returned she curled her arms about her brother's neck and kissed his cheek. Lucien stifled a laugh at the bemused look on Cedric's face.

"Anything to keep you in good spirits." He patted Audrey's back and gently pushed her away. She left the room like a puppy with boundless energy.

Ahh to be that young again, Lucien thought.

Once they were alone again Cedric asked, "You're sure you don't mind escorting her?"

Lucien grinned. "Not at all. I do need her advice on a few things. The child does know her fashion." She was a clever girl, but she filled that brain of hers with far too much fluff on the types of gowns and the styles of bonnets. Then again, he shouldn't be wishing her intelligence was put to use elsewhere. Lord knows the little chit might end up a brilliant political hostess or married to a member of the House of Lords. He wouldn't give her credit for anything less and the very idea of her having any influence over a man in politics was terrifying.

"Very well then, I shall see you both later." Cedric drained his coffee, set the cup down and reached for his cane resting against the table's edge. Cedric never let the cane out of his sight. A reminder of vigilance, perhaps. He paused at the door's edge. "Remember to be on your guard, my friend."

Once Audrey was ready to leave, Lucien ordered one of Cedric's carriages to take them to Bond Street. With Lucien as an escort, Audrey would be free of the ogling of the charming Bond Street Beaux. They knew better than to stare at any woman in Lucien's company. He viewed them with no small measure of condescension, like the harmless popinjays they were. The real danger for Audrey was being seen in public with someone like him. Rumors could spread like wildfire, and the press only fanned the flames.

Audrey flitted about on his arm, oohing and ahhing over every colorful window display they passed until she finally chose a fashionable modiste maker. Her lady's maid, Gillian, a quiet girl around Audrey's age dressed in a gray cotton gown, followed behind.

"Madame Ella is the best dressmaker in London," she said. "She made that lovely gown of Horatia's, the one that wretched driver destroyed."

It seemed fortune favored Lucien today. This was exactly the place he needed to be to buy Horatia a new gown.

He kept his tone soft to prevent being overheard. "Audrey, would you be interested in helping me with a special favor?"

She grinned at him. "Oh I suppose, but I shall demand a favor from you someday."

He had said nothing to give away his intent, yet she seemed to know she had him exactly where she wanted him. Were she a man, Audrey would have been a magnificent politician.

He tried to act casual. "As long as it is within the confines of the law and your brother won't challenge me to a duel, then you shall have it."

"Excellent. We have an agreement." Her brown eyes twinkled with devilry, and he knew he'd come to regret this day. "What is it you need help with?"

"I'd like to replace your sister's ruined gown, but I don't wish to buy the exact same one she had before. I want something better. Something red perhaps..." His voice trailed off as Audrey's lips parted in shock.

"You want to buy Horatia a gown?"

"Er...yes." He held his breath, waiting for Audrey to reveal her knowledge of his secrets. Thankfully, she didn't.

"And they say I'm wicked," Lucien said to himself.

If the image Audrey had created in his head was even close to reality, Horatia would be a Christmas present worth unwrapping. With that mistletoe nestled against her breasts, he would be tempted to kiss every inch of her bosom to honor the tradition properly.

"Would she wear such a gown?" Lucien asked Audrey. He wouldn't mind the cost of the garment, but if Horatia refused to wear it, it would be an unspeakable crime against the gown, its maker, and Lucien's very ungentlemanly thoughts at that moment.

"She would wear it, if you asked her to," Audrey replied, her attention now fixed on the gloves she'd taken from the box. She rubbed one of them against her cheek, gave a sigh of pleasure and set them back in the box.

"And what do you mean by that?" Lucien felt breathless as he awaited her response. Just what did she know?

Audrey shrugged. "She values your opinion. If you gave the gown to her and asked her to wear it then she would."

Her answer seemed so resolute that Lucien couldn't help but believe her.

"Then you have our order, Madame Ella. Just as Miss Audrey requested."

"It will be my pleasure, my lord. Miss Audrey has the finest taste."

Lucien patted Audrey's soft hand. "Indeed she does."

He instructed the modiste to send the bill for the gown and gloves to him. As they left the shop, he pulled Audrey aside, her maid staying discreetly a few feet away.

"You mustn't let Cedric know I bought the gown. Do you understand? Lie if you must, say you purchased it."

"Why should I-"

Lucien shushed her. "I can't buy a woman a gift such as that and not have the entire ton thinking she's my mistress, your brother included. Think of the consequences." When her eyes widened and she gave a curt little nod, he knew she understood. Her sister's reputation was paramount.