The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(10)

And then, she was gone.

Giving a curt nod to Belverd, who was busy watching with a horror-stricken look as Miss Gates’ horse disappeared over the hill, Sebastian took off at a gallop to chase down the obviously suicidal woman.

Was she insane?

At the speed she was traveling, all her horse needed to do was trip and she would be dead. He cursed loudly as his horse neighed an outburst of displeasure at him.

“Just a little further…” he said to himself.

She reached the water and stopped, turning to face him, her face red with exhilaration.

Sebastian struggled to keep his voice even. “Do you have any idea how dangerous your little ride was?”

Her face brightened with laughter.

“You weren’t concerned were you, your grace?”

“Of all the stupid little…”

This was probably the first time he had scowled in years. His anger seeming to increase with each word he spoke.

“Young ladies do not gallop through the park on horseback, Miss Gates. I assure you no husband will want someone so…so…damaged.”

Her face registered immediate anger and shock.

“Damaged?” she repeated, fists clenched. The light in her eyes had dissipated, and in it’s place was darkness and pain.

Sebastian’s patience had already gone out the window. “Yes, Miss Gates, damaged. Your husband hunting abilities will take quite a hit if you fall off your horse racing in the park!”

Swallowing, she nodded her head thoughtfully. “Thank you for your suggestion, your grace. I can see the ride is over.”

With that she turned back toward Renwick House, inclining her head briefly in his direction, before digging her heels into the horse and trotting away.

What just happened? He watched her tense frame get smaller and smaller as she made her way back to the house.

“She looks angry,” a tiny voice said.

What in the?

Nobody was standing next to him.

Perfect. Madness had finally caught up to him. How fortunate.

“Maybe you should draw her a picture.”

Sebastian felt a tug on his pants and looked down.

Samuel, now jelly free thanks to a bath, was standing next to him with his arms crossed, revealing wisdom beyond his years of living.

“What, may I ask, are you doing here, Samuel?”

“Walk.” He smiled.

“Walk,” Sebastian repeated, knowing Nicholas would surely have his son’s hide…again.

“There you are, Master Samuel!” The nanny was running quite wildly toward them.

“I’ll cover you if you want to make a run for it,” Sebastian teased.

Samuel let out a huff of air and rolled his eyes. “I told her we were playing tag. She’s just too slow.”

“Right.” Sebastian had to agree as he watched the nanny awkwardly fumble toward them as if she hadn’t run a day in her life. It might be wise to notify Nicholas that a younger nanny would better suit.





Chapter Four


Sebastian brooded about Miss Gates’ odd reaction the entire way to his townhome. He was utterly exhausted and had only moments to make sure things were prepared for his sister’s arrival before returning to Renwick House. The last thing he needed was three green girls and their shrill-like laughter reverberating through the halls while he tried to calm himself after his confrontation with Miss Gates.

To make matters worse, upon returning, Nicholas had scolded him in front of Samuel as if it was his fault the boy had lost his nanny.

In an effort to protect the small boy from more punishment, Sebastian had taken the blame on himself and was next properly “grounded” from taking rides in the park. Later Nicholas said it was all for show so Samuel would see that even dukes had consequences for their actions.

It was in that moment Sebastian fully took Samuel’s side.

It was not a pretty sight. At the end of the conversation, Samuel and Nicholas had gotten into their second argument in one day over parenting. Obviously Sebastian hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, but considering he was already at his wits end because of Miss Gates, he couldn’t control his raging emotions. Suffice to say, it was why when he left he slammed the door behind him, cursing the entire way home.

The normally joyful Duke of Tempest was obviously on holiday. Replaced with the raging and angry Duke of Tempest who managed to scowl and yell at his best friend over something that wasn’t his business to be discussing.

To make matters worse, as punishment, Nicholas told—not asked, told—Sebastian he was to pick Miss Gates up promptly at eight for her first ball.

It didn’t help matters that in his mind he had already seduced her repeatedly.

By nightfall he had raised his voice at his valet, accidently tripped over a stray dog, and bruised his right knee after slamming his large frame into the carriage door.

Thoughts of Miss Gates ran rampant through his mind. A long night full of shrieking young misses and advantageous mamas was ahead of him. And the worst of it all was the very idea he had to escort Miss Gates and pretend not to be staring at her bee-stung lips. Donning black and white evening attire, he took one last look at himself and gathered his gloves.

Earlier in the day, to his utter dismay given the circumstances, he had brought most of his clothes and belongings to Renwick House. Staying under the same roof of Miss Gates guaranteed him one of the longest seasons of his existence. His only prayer was either she beat him to the altar or Nicholas miraculously find him a proper wife, and find her soon.