The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(24)

“Fine,” he said aloud. After all, it would be better for him to hunt for a potential wife in the country where society’s rules weren’t so rigid. He was a duke, for crying out loud. His search for a wife would be easy. Much like sitting ducks at a pond, each potential bride waiting to be picked off by a pistol.

He grinned.

“That look makes me uncomfortable,” Sara whispered to Nicholas who elbowed her.

“What look?” Sebastian asked, meeting their gazes.

“The sly one that indicates you have something up your sleeve. The same look you had on your face when you tried to put bull frogs in Rawlings’ room at Eton.”

“That was one time, and you took a blood oath!” Sebastian roared.

Nicholas rolled his eyes. “It’s not as if you got caught, but now that I think on it, you’ve never been an admirer of Rawlings. Any particular reason for that, old friend?”

Oh, let me think. His stupidity. Lack of intelligence. His heinous tendency to bed all the women he meets. “No, no reason,” he said automatically turning his attention to Emma, who had gone quiet during the exchange.

Sara rang for tea and sat next to Emma, most likely making plans for the trip. They would depart after their “special ball.” The plan was to announce their engagement at the ball they had promised then go on to the house party and do some spying to see whom they would like to match with. That would give Sebastian enough time to set his trap. Anyone worth knowing would be aware of his and Emma’s relationship before the house party commenced. It would work perfectly.





Chapter Nine


Emma watched them exchange ideas for the upcoming announcement at the ball as well as the house party. She was grateful Sara had taken it upon herself to iron out the details of the next few days. If everything went as planned, they would go to the ball in two days and announce the impending engagement, running off as many would-be suitors as possible, all the while hunting for the type of person she and Sebastian would like to marry.

Why was it that any talk of marriage left Emma with visions of Sebastian’s smiling face? It wasn’t fair. In fact, it was entirely unfair that she would form such a friendship with a man she could never have. It wasn’t just that he was a duke. It was that he was so good.

His reputation alone was spotless. The fact she was spending time with him made her nervous that somehow her disgrace would rub off on him, as if she was some sort of disease.

Her parents’ behavior toward her only encouraged her foreboding thoughts. When was the last time she had actually been accepted anywhere on their large country estate? Everywhere she walked people whispered, as if they would somehow catch her sin. It didn’t matter that she was innocent.

The damage had been done.

And she had to live with it the rest of her life.

Sara nudged her in the side, shaking her from the silent contemplation. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

“What’s wrong?” Sara asked. “You aren’t acting like yourself?”

Sebastian walked over. “You mean she isn’t acting overly confident and aggravating?”

“Sebastian St. James!” Sara snapped. “Go irritate someone else. We are making plans for the week. If you’re just going to eavesdrop and hurl insults while you drink whiskey, then you are free to leave.”

Sebastian looked to Nicholas, who merely shrugged. “My wife has spoken.”

“Fine, I’ll go in search of young Samuel. Perhaps he will talk with me.”

****

Sebastian stormed out of the room, though he was careful to maintain a passive composure as he walked by Emma. She lifted an eyebrow in response then turned away. Once he reached the outer hall, he felt somewhat lost. What in the blazes had he been thinking? Storming out of there in search of a small child? Nicholas probably thought he’d completely lost it. The truth of the matter was Sebastian couldn’t control his feelings when he was around Emma. Never had a woman frightened him as much as she did. It was impossible to know what she was actually thinking. The little minx had even challenged his challenge. As if he weren’t a duke at all but…Normal.

Frowning, he ascended the stairs. Is that what he thought of himself? That he was above others, not normal? Certainly not, and he hadn’t in his life ever wanted to be recognized for being above others. It was his life’s purpose to show kindness to everyone, so why was it so important to him that Emma see him as more? Why did his title only matter now?

Because then you could force her to desire you as much as you desire her.

The thought made his head snap to attention. No, that couldn’t be it. He wouldn’t let it. He steadied himself on the railing of the stairs. Imagine marrying that girl? She would drive him to drink more than he already did. There would be no sane moments! His life would be…

Unpredictable.

It would be perfect.

He groaned as his heavy footsteps carried him down the hall to Samuel's room. “Anyone in there?” he called.

Samuel’s nurse came to the door and curtseyed. “Your grace, Samuel is just over on the floor drawing pictures.”

“With paint?” Sebastian stepped around her, ready to reprimand Samuel for getting paint all over creation. What he saw surprised him. He turned to the nurse but she had already left. Samuel was sitting quietly in the corner bent over a painting with his little tongue sticking out between his lips.