The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(35)

“Come.” Sebastian held out his arm for Emma to take, but she was frozen in place. Painful emotions whirled across her beautiful features. “Emma, are you all right?”

“Fine.” She cleared her throat and pasted a strained smile on her face. “Do you think it’s time for refreshments?” With that, she walked ahead of him.

Something was wrong. And how in creation did she know where she was going in this large house? It was impressive to say the least, boasting of centuries of money. Maybe Rawlings wasn’t so deep in debt after all.

Sebastian, still perplexed, was taken up to his bedchambers to freshen up before dinner. Most of the guests were arriving the following day, leaving Rawlings alone with the guests who had materialized that afternoon. Among the few were Sir Belverd and his wife, and finally Lord Richards and his daughters.

All in all it would not be a lively night. Rumor had it Belverd’s wife was increasing—the only reason Sebastian could think of for Belverd to attend was as a favor to Nicholas, who couldn’t pull himself away from his responsibilities long enough to aid in Sebastian’s hunt.

That left Lord Richards and his two daughters. Never had Sebastian met debutantes more unfit for a Season in London than those girls. While both heartbreakingly beautiful, they were so shy it was more interesting to talk to oneself than endeavoring to engage them in conversation.

Sebastian gave it one more Season before Lord Richards started adding more blunt to their dowries.

Donning his dinner jacket, he left his room and bounded down the stairs taking them two at a time. He hadn’t seen Emma since her odd behavior earlier. It wouldn’t surprise him if she were resting in her room. The girl had been too busy talking to herself in the carriage to sleep. The memory brought a smile to his lips.

He walked slowly down the hall. A room at the end was still lit, possibly another guest getting ready to come to dinner. And then he heard Emma’s voice.

“Lord Rawlings, please…”

“You never used to call me Lord Rawlings. I remember a time when you used to say my name. How I wish I could hear it now from your lips. Say it, Emma, say my name. Has it truly been so long ago?”

Emma’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Yes, it was another lifetime, my lord.”

“But we are so different now. I have my father’s title. Everything that happened was lost when he died. Can we not start anew? You can’t imagine my surprise at seeing you in London…or the absolute shock that you’d attach yourself to one such as Tempest. You don’t actually believe you can win him, do you? My bet says the poor man doesn’t even know.”

“It is not your concern, my lord.” Her voice rose. Sebastian wanted to cheer as he neared closer to the door and listened.

Rawlings laughed. “Easy, we wouldn’t want you getting overheated before dinner. You have not answered my question. Does he know, Emma? I would hate to see such a beneficial match turn out so…badly, wouldn’t you?”

“Don’t,” Emma choked.

“Ah, my sweet, I would never do that to you. Haven’t I kept my silence all these years? I loved you—I still do.”

As he listened, Sebastian imagined all the worst possible things the two could be discussing. She knew Rawlings intimately, that had to be it. Had he—had he ruined her somehow? Had she formed an attachment at a young age?

Sebastian’s mind was reeling. It would do him no good to sit and listen to them continue to talk. But he would ask Emma later. She owed him that much.

****

Emma looked at Lord Rawlings’ face one last time before she felt a single tear fall down her cheek. “You are wrong, my lord. It will never be the same again.”

“Why?”

He was standing so close to her it was hard to breathe. She had once loved this man. Though her love had only extended to friendship, she had wanted to give everything she was to him. And he had let her down more than anyone and still held all the cards. One word from him and Sebastian would hate her, society would turn her out on her ear, and she would have no one.

Suddenly angry again she looked up into his crystal blue eyes. “Because you made your choice long ago, Rawlings, and that choice did not include me.”

His nostrils flared with a mixture of anger and irritation. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her into a ferocious kiss, then forcefully released her, nearly sending her flying backward. She was too shocked to say or do anything. Was he insane? The way the candles flickered across his face made him darkly handsome. Too bad he was in league with the devil. Just what had he hoped to accomplish?

Emma stepped around him and fled the room. It was her only choice. After being kissed by Rawlings, what else was she to do? He merely stood there and stared at her as if his kiss would make her remember what they had shared. He hadn’t kissed her when they were courting, except once on the cheek. He had been different then, less scarred, less ruined by the darkness of the world.

Now he appeared desperate. But what did that have to do with her? The only thing that came to mind was that he was using her as a way to get to Sebastian. Maybe he needed money? Naturally she would be a good bargaining chip if she was actually to marry Sebastian, but she wasn’t. Sebastian wouldn’t pay to keep her reputation safe. Once they broke off the farce of an engagement, they would go their separate ways.

Emma groaned as she made her way down the poorly lit hallway. A sudden headache began throbbing at her temples. Mind still reeling, she walked around the corner and bumped into something.