The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(40)

“Do you remember when we used to go hunting through the wood over yonder?” Rawlings was standing next to her, looking toward her father’s land.

“Yes.”

“You hated being told to stay behind, always wanting to play with the boys, to race, to hunt…I wonder where that Emma has gone off to? I fervently hope one of these days she will return and start taking chances again.”

Rawlings picked up a smooth stone and threw it in her direction. “My lady,” he said, bowing. Then he mounted his horse and took off in a gallop, leaving Emma more confused than before.

Was he merely being polite or trying to conjure up images of her jaded past in order to gain her allegiance?

It was most likely a question that would not be answered by skipping stones.





Chapter Eighteen


Sebastian waited in vain for an hour, hoping to at least catch a glimpse of Emma returning from her dangerous gallop. In that time he came to the decision to finally do right by her and attempt to choose a suitor from among the arriving guests, someone who would be good enough.

Each one seemed to have something wrong with him.

Lord Rayne had a gambling problem.

Viscount Richards was missing several of his teeth.

And each of Lord Ambry’s wives had somehow met their demise while married to him.

It seemed his only hope was the last two men to join. Both were good friends of Rawlings and entirely out of the question, if Sebastian had anything to do with it. But they were the only two left, so he waited patiently for the last two guests to arrive all the while wondering if Rawlings had caught up to Emma in the woods.

Hope came in a tall figure clad with blond hair and brown eyes. Sebastian turned his head in disgust. He was a mere child!

“Lord Smythe, delighted to see you!” Belverd took the man’s hand within his own, shaking it wildly before patting him on the back and turning him toward a curious Sebastian.

“Ah, the Duke of Tempest,” Smythe said.

Stating the obvious was a trifle irritating to someone of Sebastian’s stature. He momentarily thought about punching the poor fellow on principle alone but realized the only reason would be to knock out his remaining good teeth rendering him too unfit for Emma.

Anything was better than the obvious.

Lord Smythe was the only likely candidate. The feeling didn’t settle well with Sebastian one bit, his fingers itched inside his gloves.

“A pleasure,” Sebastian finally said.

Smythe seemed to be amused. “Tell me, good man, is it the spinning of tales that you will be marrying soon? I would be delighted to meet the future duchess’s acquaintance?”

“Right then,” Sebastian said. “I’m terribly sorry, but I believe she’s gone out for a ride, not sure when she’ll be returning.”

“Ah well, later then.” Smythe smiled gaily and accepted a sniffer of brandy from Belverd.

The room fell into an awkward silence that Sebastian lacked the desire to fill. After all, it would benefit him to see how Smythe reacted in such situations. It was impossible for Sebastian to wrap his head around the idea that Emma would soon be married to someone else. Nobody seemed good enough, not even he.

Stunning that he would think of her in that way. Slowly, he took another drink. Did he value her happiness above his own? When had she turned from something akin to horseflesh into a woman he wanted nothing more than to make happy?

Unfortunately, the object of his affection chose that moment to enter the room. All traces of her ride gone, now dressed in a simple white walking gown and pink pelisse. She looked delectable.

“Your grace.” She walked in and stood next to him, taking her place on his arm. His arm, not Smythe’s, or any other man’s for that matter. It was where she belonged, where he finally realized he wanted her.

“How was your ride, Emma?” he asked calmly.

“I only wish you would have joined me, your grace. We have much to discuss with our upcoming nuptials, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Agreed,” he said, noticing a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

“Shall we take a walk in the gardens?” he asked, trying to keep the excitement and rush of arousal out of his voice.

“We shall. If you’ll just excuse us, gentlemen.” She curtsied and looked to Sebastian to lead them out of the room. He wanted nothing more than to growl at Smythe as his eyes greedily scanned the expanse of Emma’s chest. A possessiveness he’d never experienced before threatened to explode.

Containing his emotions behind a cool mask of indifference, he led Emma out of the room and prayed to God she wouldn’t tempt him beyond what he could handle.





Chapter Nineteen


Sebastian stole several glances at Emma as they walked arm in arm to the garden on the far side of the estate.

Just as he was about to say something, Emma interjected.

“I do believe I’ve found someone for you, Sebastian.”

“As in, a person who was once lost but now found?” He played dumb, while his chest heaved with each step.

“No.” She stopped and flashed him a brilliant grin. “A woman I think you will take an instant liking to. I was introduced to her on the way in.”

“You were?” His voice was hoarse.

“Oh yes, and she was delightful! And beautiful. I do believe her reputation is outstanding. It would be a brilliant match.”