The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(22)

Nicholas motioned for Sebastian to take a seat while he wiped his face with a napkin. His expression was glum as he lifted a curious eyebrow. “What has you in such a jolly mood this morning? Didn’t a certain young lady run away from you last night?”

All eyes shifted to Emma. The blush on her face was magnificent. “I didn’t do it on purpose, Sebastian. You have to believe me, I—“

“You two are on a first name basis now?” Nicholas looked shocked.

Sebastian loved it.

“Well, we uh…” Emma shot Sebastian a pleading look.

“Actually,” he said, saving her. “My little announcement has a lot to do with what happened last night.” Sebastian took a seat, then thought better of it and jumped up, causing Nicholas to spill his tea and curse.

“Get on with it.” Nicholas gritted his teeth as he poured himself another cup.

“I’m proposing marriage.”

At that Sara jumped up from her chair and clapped her hands. “Oh and so soon! Do tell us, who have you set your sights on?”

Emma piped in. “Yes, do tell us, your grace. What lucky girl has managed to turn your pretty little head?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm, making Sebastian even more elated.

“I thought it would have been apparent after last night.”

“Last night?” Nicholas repeated, looking to Sara for some sort of help.

“Last night,” Sebastian declared with his hand over his heart.

Emma shifted nervously on her feet, sending Nicholas a shrug of guilt. Sara did the same, causing an abrupt smile to erupt on Sebastian’s face.

“Well, I decided it should be done at once. I want to make my intentions clear that I, Sebastian, Duke of Tempest, wish to court and marry Miss Emma Gates.”

Nicholas threw his cup into the fire. Sara clapped her hands, and Emma’s eyes squinted into an obvious fury.

“Oh, brilliant! You’re going to give my husband an apoplexy!” Sara said, gathering a livid Nicholas in her arms.

“Doesn’t that only happen to women?” Emma said cheekily.

“I thought so,” Sebastian answered, shaking his head.

“He’s probably going to shoot you now,” said Emma.

“Where’s my pistol!” Nicholas confirmed, lunging for Sebastian. Sebastian knew his friend better than he knew himself and moved out of the way, causing Nicholas to fall on his face and curse yet again.

“I trust you have an explanation or plan for this, Sebastian,” Emma whispered on his right, her lips almost brushing his ear.

A jolt of awareness shot through him. Dampening his arousal, he turned toward her and winked. “Always, my dear, always.”

Sebastian knelt down next to Nicholas and handed him the handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing the pretend sweat that had furrowed at Nicholas’s brow. “Now listen here, old friend. I’m doing you a favor.”

“Tread carefully,” Sara murmured, taking her seat. Emma was close behind.

“And how are you doing me a favor?” Nicholas slapped Sebastian’s hand away and crossed his arms, mimicking Samuel perfectly.

“First of all, she won’t have dozens of dandy fools buzzing around the manor vying for her affection. Something you promoted at the ball last night, by the way. Not that I’m pointing fingers.” He pulled up his coattails and sat on the nearest chair. “Second—”

“Oh, just spit it out! Did you compromise her? Have you ruined her beyond repair? Must I have a chat with her parents about your inability to leave young virgins alone?”

Emma’s head snapped to attention.

Sebastian groaned as he watched all the color drain from her face. The poor thing was probably eternally mortified. Most young innocent girls would be when their innocence was openly questioned and discussed by men.

“Nicholas, that is quite enough!” Sara snapped, leaping from the chair.

Sebastian’s eyes widened in shock. He’d never seen Sara yell. Ever.

“She isn’t ruined, is she, your grace?” Her questioning gaze seemed to pierce through to his black soul. Had she known the types of thoughts that had occupied his mind all night and early this morning? Could she see through the ruse of this proposal?

Clearing his throat, he began to speak. “Before I was rudely interrupted, I was going to explain I believe it would be best for Emma and me to pretend to be betrothed. That way it will be easier for both of us to choose a proper mate. A mate who won’t be crawling and fawning all over us, as they will be today. In fact, I was hoping I would wake in time to greet the lot of them. My guess is they are all probably outside fixing their hats and flowers just waiting to knock at the acceptable hour. And please don’t even get me started about the condition at my house. Why just this morning I had a girl try to sneak in my window. She could have fallen. Or worse, been caught in my bedroom sealing my bachelor days for good. I just received the post this morning from my valet. I’m surprised he didn’t shoot anyone.”

“My heart bleeds.” Emma’s dry voice gave warning of her feelings about his brilliant plan.

He decided a different strategy was needed. “Think of it this way, Emma. We can help each other find possible mates all the while skipping the dancing.” He swaggered in her direction, stopping only inches from her face. Leaning down he whispered, “Wouldn’t you rather spend your evenings throwing grapes at the people walking by? Pretending to be madly in love, positively entranced by one another, yet having no commitment beyond the ruse we are creating? Why, it would be positively adventurous. Weren’t you just saying how you desired adventure? The wind in your face?” He twisted a piece of hair that had fallen across her cheek and placed it behind her ear.