The Duke and the Lady Read online

  There was only the light from a single candle cutting a swath through the darkness. Sebastian knew the boy couldn’t see him at the angle that separated them, so he stepped forward and picking up the candle, held it aloft. The moment the light struck his face the boy sucked in a breath, and Sebastian could have sworn he whimpered.

  “Do you know who I am?”

  “The Beastly Duke.”

  Had the room not been so still, Sebastian wouldn’t have heard the words muttered like an oath.

  “Then I believe you will not utter a word of what has happened here tonight as I’m sure you know what might happen to you if you do.”

  Even in the weak light, Sebastian saw the blood drain from the boy’s face.

  Devlin shook his head so hard spittle flew from his pudgy, wet lips. He said nothing else but suddenly scrambled to his feet, tripping his way to the door. He was out of the room, slamming the door behind him, before Sebastian drew his next breath.

  He still didn’t turn to face Louisa.

  There was a tightness in his chest he feared, and he needed a minute to let it dissipate.

  He held the candle aloft until he found the sconces on the wall. One by one he lit them until the room was no longer fraught with darkness. Only then would he allow himself to look at her.

  She hadn’t moved. She half leaned, half sat on the back of the sofa. In the light, he could see her dress hadn’t torn. The sash had merely come undone from Devlin’s assault on her person, but it could be fixed. He wasn’t so sure he could help with her hair, but perhaps he could get her to a retiring room and fetch one of her sisters to help her set herself to rights.

  He knew very well what might happen if any member of the ton suspected she was ruined this night, and he couldn’t let that happen. The thing about living in a society like theirs was to control what was said about you. It wasn’t an act of valor that had him thinking of how to prevent the fatal gossip. It was simply a matter of pragmatism. At least, that’s what he told himself.

  “Please tell me you didn’t follow him out of some misplaced notion of love.” He struggled to speak that last word, and even then, he swallowed hard against it.

  She blinked, and her lips flattened.

  In their shared history, he had learned she didn’t balk from his succinct way of speaking. Others told him he was rude or more, crass, but not Louisa. Louisa had had the audacity to compare him to her sister Eliza. It was rather an awkward thing of which to accuse the Beastly Duke.

  “Lady Louisa,” he prompted when she didn’t speak.

  She closed her eyes and spoke a single word. “Puppies.”

  “I beg your pardon.”

  The rage that simmered just beneath the surface roiled again, and he wondered at its appearance. It wasn’t usually a female over whom he would grow upset, but he wasn’t surprised it was Louisa.

  She opened her eyes. “He told me Lumberton’s Ridgeback had had a litter of puppies.”

  “You went off alone with that tosser because he told you there was a litter of puppies?” He didn’t raise his voice. Raising one’s voice was only an admission of weakness, and it did nothing to further one’s attempt to handle a situation, so what was the point in employing such a tactic?

  “Yes.” She didn’t cower at the profession. She held his gaze, and he thought she almost dared him to question her.

  “Puppies.” He said the word again as though he hadn’t ascertained its meaning.

  “Yes.” Louisa straightened so suddenly he took a step back, but she advanced. “Yes, I followed him because I wanted to see puppies.” She pointed at herself. “I should be able to see puppies without thinking that some bastard might—”

  Two things happened then.

  Louisa dissolved into a fit of sobs, her words lost to tears. Judging by the redness in her face, he thought it was rage more than fear that drove her to crying. It was something he could understand all too easily.

  But then for some odd reason, upon seeing her distress, he pulled her unexpectedly into his arms. He cradled her head against his chest, wrapping his other arm around her shaking body, and just held her like that.

  Her sobs stopped nearly immediately, but they stayed that way, entwined in the sudden quiet and stillness. The last thing he should be doing was holding her, and yet, he couldn’t seem to let go. His steely self-control had suddenly evaporated.

  He worried he might have crushed her, and lack of air was the reason for the sudden cessation of her crying, but he could feel the rise and fall of her chest matching his. It was a hypnotic thing, and he found himself trying to match her breath for breath.

  He’d never been so close to a woman, not like this. He’d had his fair share of mistresses, but there had never been intimacy. Intimacy was far too dangerous.

  However, just then, he wouldn’t have stepped away for anything. That was, until Louisa spoke.

  “You’re not used to doing this, are you?” Her tone was nasally, and he realized just how firmly he pressed her head against his chest.

  He relaxed his grip. “No, I am not. Is it obvious?”

  “Terribly so.”

  “Then I must apologize.” He didn’t let go, though.

  “Oh, please, no apology is necessary. Thank you for…well, everything.”

  He did step back now, but it was only so he could see her face.

  “You needn’t thank me. If I had my choice, I would have carried that weasel out of here by his balls and presented him to his father in the middle of the ballroom as the rat he is.”

  Her splotched face softened into a watery smile. “I should have liked to see that.”

  Neither of them spoke then, and he found himself in the precise situation he had avoided at Christmas. Now he could do nothing but stare at her beautiful face, her soft brown eyes and golden hair. She was an utter mess, more so now that he’d squashed her in his arms, but he didn’t care. He’d never seen anything so beautiful.

  Such beauty was dangerous.

  He started to step back when he heard footsteps in the corridor.

  Louisa turned to stone in his arms, and he could feel her heartbeat where she still pressed against him. It was an ethereal feeling, and one so intense it made him study the space between them, or rather, lack thereof.

  “Someone’s coming,” she whispered.

  Her eyes darted madly about the room, and he knew she was taking into account the same thing he had noticed upon entering.

  There was absolutely nowhere to hide in this room. Even the windows were bereft of substantial drapery, and the only furniture to speak of were the sofa and two chairs, fit for nothing more than a Pomeranian.

  They were going to be discovered, and Louisa’s life would be ruined.

  He couldn’t let it happen.

  In not more than a breath, his entire world shifted.

  Sebastian and the things he expected of his life no longer mattered. The careful plans he had laid to ensure he’d never get entangled in anything as damning as love or marriage vanished. Studying Louisa’s deep brown eyes and the utter terror that lurked there banished all thoughts of his own well-being.

  He had to save her.

  Again.

  So he kissed her.

  She gave a startled, indecipherable sound when he pressed his lips to hers, but then even more startling, she wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss with far greater vigor than he’d anticipated.

  He may have been inexperienced with comforting a woman, but he had ample practice when it came to kissing one, and he applied it now. Kissing Louisa was as blissful as he had imagined. Her lips were full and soft, and she tasted of lemonade and salt. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, trying to get more from her, as simply kissing her was not enough.

  It should have scared him, and it would prevent him from shutting his eyes once he reached his bed so many hours later, but right then, he wanted more. He wanted all of it. All of her.

  He very nearly missed the door open
ing, and the sound of footsteps halting suddenly just inside the room. He didn’t miss the exaggerated gasp nor the cry of a protective sister.

  “Louisa!”

  Sebastian thanked every god he knew that he had the power to pull away from Louisa’s tantalizing mouth as he turned to face the intruders.

  The Marchioness of Lumberton he had expected. The Duchess of Margate, Louisa’s eldest sister, he had not. Not that it mattered. She would discover them soon enough.

  “She’s just agreed to marry me,” he spoke the words clearly so as not to be misunderstood, but their faces only showed bewilderment. He followed their gazes to Louisa, still perched under his arm. He was surprised to find she no longer looked assaulted but now she looked rather…well, loved. He swallowed. “See,” he said. “She’s overwhelmed…with happiness.”

  It was a struggle for him to find that last word, but it needn’t matter.

  The duchess and the marchioness did not appear to believe him in the slightest.

  Chapter 2

  Andrew Darby, the seventh Duke of Ravenwood and Louisa’s older brother, shut the door in her face, which only meant Louisa had to open it before she charged into his study where Sebastian stood before the duke’s desk as if awaiting the guillotine.

  “I insist on being a part of this conversation. It’s my future you’re discussing.”

  Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. “You should have thought of that before you allowed yourself to be compromised at a musicale.”

  “Your Grace, I accept full responsibility for the events of the evening. As I told your sister, we were overwhelmed by emotion on the occasion.”

  Sebastian gestured to her sister Viv as she sat on the sofa to the side of Andrew’s desk, her color still rather piqued, probably because she hadn’t expected to find her younger sister being thoroughly kissed by the Beastly Duke.

  Poor Viv.

  Louisa couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t as if Sebastian was known for affectionate qualities. She eyed him now, wondering how far he planned to take this charade.

  It was one thing for them to be discovered, and he had saved her honor by claiming an impending marriage. But it was another to pledge his life to her.

  The Beastly Duke did not seem like the pledging type.

  Sebastian continued. “I do hope you’ll accept my apology for not speaking with you before I proposed to Louisa. I respected Louisa’s input, and I did not wish to put her in an awkward position should she not wish to proceed with marriage.”

  Lud, even Louisa was beginning to believe him.

  “Andrew, I must insist—”

  “Louisa, there really is no part for you in this conversation. The terms of your dowry were set by Father before he passed. You know that. The only thing left to discuss is whether or not Waverly agrees to the terms of your dowry.”

  “No dowry is needed.”

  The words were spoken so coolly they were very nearly missed in the heat of the room. Viv pushed to her feet at the same time Andrew straightened from his desk, but Louisa could only stare.

  Was he truly negotiating their…marriage?

  And in that vein, was he refusing her dowry?

  “You don’t wish to wed her for her dowry?”

  Louisa wished Viv’s tone weren’t so incredulous. Louisa liked to think she was a reasonable catch on the marriage mart this year. She wasn’t particularly stunning, but she came from a respectable family with considerable wealth. Her demeanor was rather charming and her looks passable. Her sister need not be so disbelieving.

  “No.” Again, Sebastian spoke the word coolly and succinctly. “Her dowry is of no interest to me. I should only wish to have her hand in marriage.”

  She was sure her jaw would have fallen to the floor had it not been attached. She’d known Sebastian for nearly a year now, and romance was not a word used in his vicinity, and yet, had anyone come into the study just then, they would have declared him an utter romantic.

  Andrew’s brow furrowed. “You simply wish to marry Louisa?”

  Sebastian gave a curt nod. “Yes, that is all.”

  Andrew’s gaze turned to her and only just in time did she clear her own confused expression. She was, after all, supposed to be overwhelmed by Sebastian’s desire to marry.

  “Louisa, do you truly wish to marry Waverly?”

  She couldn’t help the frown that sprouted on her lips. “I thought I wasn’t to be a part of this conversation.”

  She wasn’t normally so sharp, but she was suddenly tired of the men about her dictating what happened to her. First the sniveling Devlin and now this. She was exhausted and quickly losing patience.

  Andrew crossed his arms over his chest. “You don’t need to be.”

  She straightened at his steely tone and leveled her glare at him. “I’m growing rather irritated with all of the male influence in my life at the moment.”

  “Well, then marriage should suit you perfectly.” Andrew’s tone was sardonic.

  She took a step forward. It was time to tell the truth. Once they knew what had really happened and how Sebastian had saved her, they could discuss how to best resolve the supposed engagement to allow Sebastian to keep his dignity. This was all just nonsense, and if her siblings knew the truth, they would agree.

  But her thoughts of rational discussion fled when Viv spoke.

  “Louisa, I’m surprised at you. Do you have any idea what this could have done?”

  “What what could have done?”

  Viv stepped forward, her hands pressed together. “Any scandal now would have ruined not only your chances for a match but Johanna’s as well.”

  The breath froze in Louisa’s lungs, and her lips parted without sound emerging.

  Viv was right.

  Louisa should have seen that. It didn’t matter what happened to her, but it did matter what happened to Johanna, her little sister.

  She’d almost done it again.

  She’d almost ruined her sister’s life. Again. Wasn’t it enough that Louisa was responsible for their mother’s death? Johanna had grown up not knowing their mother at all. God, was there no end to Louisa’s destruction?

  Louisa licked her lips, but she couldn’t draw forth any words, stricken mute in disbelief at her selfishness.

  Viv continued. “We must keep this under control or Johanna’s prospects will dry up.” She turned to Andrew. “I suggest we move forward as quickly as possible.”

  Andrew eyed Sebastian. “Is that agreeable to you?”

  It took Louisa a moment to realize Sebastian watched her and not her brother. She blinked and focused again to meet his gaze. Something troubled him. She could sense it, and with a sudden clarity, she realized.

  This was going to happen.

  She was going to marry the Beastly Duke.

  All because of that sniveling weasel Devlin who thought he had the right to dominate her.

  Her stomach clenched at the still-fresh memory, and she pushed her hands against her torso.

  This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t that she dreaded marrying Sebastian. Quite the opposite truly. He was a fine man, if a little coarse around the edges and rather rude at times. Some might call him beastly, true, but…

  All right, the word beastly was well applied in his case, but surely, that was hardly much to endure after what she’d done. Resignation fell over her like the sudden darkness that swallows a setting sun.

  “I would like a moment alone to speak with Louisa.”

  While she had been watching him, she hadn’t really seen Sebastian until he spoke those words.

  She blinked, and it was like a fog was lifted. Sebastian stood before her much as he’d appeared earlier in the Lumbertons’ drawing room. He wore all black, and his hair was cut too short and styled in an unrelenting sweep away from his forehead, accentuating his severe features.

  But there was something about his eyes that didn’t match the rest of him. His eyes were deep and dark, and for a moment, she thought they m
ight hold all of his secrets. It was a ridiculous thought. The Beastly Duke didn’t have any secrets. He was just…well, beastly.

  “Haven’t you already had enough time alone with her?” Viv’s voice dripped acid.

  Sebastian didn’t seem bothered by it, but Louisa didn’t suspect he would be.

  “I should like to discuss the swiftness of this marriage as it affects her as well.”

  Andrew nodded. “I think that’s reasonable. Viv, let us give them some privacy.”

  Viv didn’t move. “I’m not leaving her alone with him again. Not until they’re wed.”

  Andrew merely took his sister’s arm and ushered her from the room.

  Louisa said nothing until the door clicked behind them.

  “It’s my fault.” She hadn’t meant to whisper it, but she suddenly couldn’t fathom the strength to speak properly.

  Sebastian swallowed, and she could only imagine how he was feeling. He probably didn’t want a wife. He likely saw her as a burden. She deserved nothing less. If she hadn’t lived with the shadow of her mother’s death, her stupidity in allowing herself to be deceived by Jonathan Devlin would have been enough.

  This was her fate. This was what she deserved for being so foolish, for being so selfish.

  She would marry the Beastly Duke and ruin his life as well, and that would be it. That would complete her swath of destruction in this life, for surely, it would be enough. Surely, her mistakes would leave her be.

  But she couldn’t help but wonder.

  When would it be enough?

  Never.

  The word whispered its way across her mind as the only memory of her mother floated up, unbidden as it always did. Louisa sat on the floor, pressed up against her mother’s knees as the rain pelted down around them. They were in the nursery in this very house, and her mother sang a song about butterflies and flowers that Louisa couldn’t remember. She could only remember the tune of it. Her mother braided Louisa’s hair as she sang, and Louisa closed her eyes against the memory.

  When she opened them again, Sebastian had stepped closer, his hand reaching out as if in concern.

  “It’s all right,” she said reflexively. “What’s done is done. It’s only…well, I must apologize. I shouldn’t have brought you into this.”