Читать книгу A Little Bit Sinful - Adrienne Basso - Страница 11

The crowds in Hyde Park were particularly large the following afternoon. Sebastian frowned as he gazed out at the sea of open carriages, horseback riders, and pedestrians clogging the footpath. The sunny day and pleasant temperatures had brought them out in droves and not a single person appeared to be in a hurry.

He cursed softly beneath his breath, knowing it might take hours to find Lady Bianca. If she was even in the park. His one consolation was that he had come on horseback, which allowed him to weave his way around the carriages, instead of walking among them.

Yet after twenty frustrating minutes of that, Sebastian remembered why he seldom went to the park at this fashionable hour. It was bedlam.

Life would be so much easier if he could simply call upon Bianca at home, but by doing so he would run the risk of encountering the earl. And that might very well put an end to the relationship before it even began, effectively thwarting Sebastian’s chance for revenge.

No, for the plan to have any chance of success, the courting needed to be conducted in a clever, calculating manner. He would meet the girl out in the open, in public places and at society events, never obviously stating his interest to anyone but her. This way, when the blow of her ruination was struck, the earl would be caught completely unawares.

“The sun must be blinding me, Dorothea,” a cheerful female voice declared. “I swear I see Lord Benton.”

“Benton? Impossible,” the beautiful woman beside her replied. “He never rides in the park.”

“Ladies.” Sebastian touched his whip to the brim of his hat in greeting and smiled at the trio of women walking directly in front of him. “‘Tis a rare treat to see all three Ellingham sisters together.”

The women gathered around his horse and gazed up at him, a variety of expressions on their lovely faces. Of the three, he knew the youngest of the sisters, Emma, the best. Dorothea, the middle sister, was the wife of his closest friend, the Marquess of Atwood, so he had often been in her company this past year. Gwendolyn, the eldest, was a more recent acquaintance. He found her to be a levelheaded female with good instincts and a sharp wit.

She was regarding him now with keen interest and he squirmed slightly under her scrutiny. Though she lacked the ravishing beauty of Dorothea and the fresh, animated demeanor that made Emma such a pretty girl, Gwendolyn was a handsome woman in her own right. And she clearly possessed other more salient characteristics since she was married to Jason Barrington. Sebastian had to admire a woman with the mettle to tame one of the most notorious rakes on the ton. Or rather, former rakes.

“Come now, Benton, you have not told us what you are doing here today,” Dorothea probed.

“I assume it would be obvious, Lady Dorothea. I am exercising my horse and taking the air.”

“Pish-posh, my lord, we are not so easily fooled. The crowds are so thick your horse can barely move along the path,” Gwendolyn said.

Emma clicked her tongue and gave him a saucy wink. “I agree, something must be afoot. Why else would Benton be here, immaculately attired, looking so handsome, so dashing, so virile?”

He looked down at Emma’s teasing expression and raised his eyebrows. “You wound me, Emma. As you very well know, that is my natural state.”

“Handsome, virile, and dashing?”

“Don’t forget immaculate,” Dorothea added.

“He is that too. Plus, sitting so tall and graceful in the saddle shows his well-muscled legs to the best advantage,” Emma commented, turning to her sisters. “Don’t you agree?”

They nodded and smiled.

“I might be sitting above you, ladies, but the sound of your dainty tones travels far. I can hear every word you are saying,” Sebastian said tartly.

The women laughed. Sebastian tried to hold a stern expression but failed. Their good-natured teasing was well-deserved, since he took every opportunity to return it in kind.

With a sigh of resignation, Sebastian swung off his horse. He shifted the reins into his left hand, then insinuated himself into the middle of the group. The women closed ranks around him and they began walking, Sebastian’s horse following sedately behind.

It was difficult traveling four abreast. A boisterous group of youngsters pushed their way forward, nearly knocking Lady Dorothea down. Sebastian’s arm shot out instinctively and he grabbed her around the waist to keep her from falling.

“Goodness! Dorothea, are you all right?” Gwendolyn exclaimed.

“I’m fine,” Dorothea replied, her voice breathless. “Thanks to Benton’s quick reflexes.”

“I am ever at the ready to take a stunning beauty into my arms,” Sebastian quipped as he steadied Lady Dorothea firmly back on her feet. “Though we need to find a path less crowded. Atwood will have my head if anything happens to you, especially in your delicate condition.”

A flush of red appeared on her cheeks. “You are not supposed to mention that in public.”

Sebastian smiled. “Why ever not? Your husband speaks constantly of his impending fatherhood to all his friends. ‘Tis as though he expects us to honor him with a round of applause or toss him a shilling as a reward for being such a clever fellow.”

“Carter is rather pleased at the news.” Dorothea lowered her head and blushed charmingly. Sebastian marveled at how her delicate blond features were enhanced by her pregnant condition. It seemed the old adage that a woman glowed while carrying a child was correct in Lady Dorothea’s case.

“Atwood is over the moon,” Sebastian clarified, linking his arm through hers. “Though I do believe his father is even more excited. I’ve never in all my life seen the duke so animated. I swear, he would do anything to please you, move heaven and earth if you merely hinted it would bring you happiness. My advice is expand your imagination and ask for something truly extraordinary. Like a private island. Or your own country. He can easily afford it.”

“Her own country?” Emma giggled.

Dorothea also laughed. “Such nonsense, my lord. I believe you are attempting to distract us and avoid answering our questions regarding your appearance in the park today. Indeed, I can think of no logical reason for it. Unless …” Her voice trailed off suggestively.

“Don’t tell me ‘tis a lady who has brought you out into the sunshine, my lord?” Gwendolyn asked, looking over at him with amazed eyes.

“Viscount Benton brought low by a mere female? I cannot believe it.” Emma pressed the back of her wrist to her forehead and sighed theatrically.

“I fear your normally keen minds have been affected by the sun,” he said with a grin, though inwardly he was worried at how close the women had come to the truth. He did not want his interest in the earl’s daughter to be known so quickly. Besides, it felt sordid to have these three women touched in any way by the scandal he intended to create.

Trying to elude their inquisitive gaze, Sebastian turned his head to the right, searching for a less crowded pathway. He found one that intersected ahead and led them all in that direction.

Majestic oak trees provided a bit of welcome shade and fewer people made the walking more pleasant, but it was the sight of two women coming their way that set Sebastian’s heart pounding in an irregular rhythm.

Though they were still some distance away, Sebastian recognized them. It was the Earl of Hetfield’s daughters. Lady Bianca, the shorter of the two, was twirling a lacy pink parasol above her head that matched her walking dress. He concluded her wardrobe must have arrived, for the ensemble was of the latest fashion.

Alas, Lady Eleanor’s clothes had not been made ready. She was wearing a heavy gown of russet brown more suited for a colder day and a country environment. It was such a sharp contrast to the light, spring dress her sister wore, one had to feel some sympathy for her. It must not be pleasant to always be cast in the shadow of a younger, far prettier sibling.

Though he would have preferred to be alone, this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, the reason he had come to the park in the first place. Sebastian lifted the hand holding his horse’s reins and waved. Lady Bianca returned the wave with an enthusiastic one of her own. He saw Lady Eleanor’s back stiffen at the gesture and she closed her eyes briefly. He had not realized he had made such a strong impression on the sister. A strong, negative impression, judging by the grim set of her lips.

Damn! Apparently tongues had started wagging and his reputation had preceded him. A fact he confirmed a few minutes later when they met on the pathway.

There was not even the faintest suggestion of a smile on Lady Eleanor’s lips when she greeted him, though she did relax her frown when he introduced her to the Ellingham sisters. Lady Bianca was all smiles and enthusiasm, while Lady Eleanor remained polite but not overly friendly. And she continued to look at him as if he were the last person on earth she wanted to see.

It was an odd feeling to be brought low by a plain-looking woman perilously close to becoming an old maid. Sebastian hastily reminded himself it didn’t matter. Bianca was his target.

“Will you stroll with me, Lady Bianca?” Sebastian asked, deliberately ignoring the startled looks of the Ellingham sisters and the severe disapproval of Lady Eleanor.

He offered his arm to her and with a shy smile she took it. They broke away from the pack and moved ahead, though Sebastian was careful to keep a respectable distance. He pulled his horse to the left so the animal walked on the grass, sparing the four women behind them the direct sight of the stallion’s hindquarters.

“Isn’t it a lovely day?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes, splendid. I was told it rains often in Town, but the weather has been quite nice since our arrival.”

“Are you finding the amusements of London to your liking?” he inquired.

“We have seen little of Town, but it has all been very grand.”

“And what of the activities? Was there a particular soiree or party that you will claim as your favorite?”

“They were all equally enjoyable.”

Sebastian waited, an encouraging smile on his face. Lady Bianca shyly returned the smile, yet offered nothing else. That was it? That was all she was going to say? God help him, it was like pulling teeth.

They walked for several minutes without saying anything, the topic of the weather and how she was enjoying Town life already exhausted. In Sebastian’s experience, prattling women were the norm—which he occasionally found amusing, yet more often an annoyance. It was, however, something he dealt with skillfully. Quiet was far more complicated.

“Do you enjoy riding?” he asked, casting about for a topic many country girls longed to extol upon.

“I do.” She looked at him inquiringly. “And you, my lord? Are you a keen rider?”

Finally. Sebastian launched into a story about learning to ride when he was a youngster, embellishing parts with a self-deprecating humor that women always found irresistible. In no time at all Lady Bianca was clutching his arm reflexively as she giggled.

The viscount was very pleased.

“Your dress is lovely,” he purred in a velvety soft tone. “That particular shade of pink adds a rosy hue to your complexion.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

He turned his head to look fully at her and discovered she was already gazing at him. She bit her bottom lip nervously as their eyes met and he could not miss the genuine admiration that washed over her face. A thrilling sense of victory shot through him.

This was almost too easy. A few honeyed words of flattery, a sultry glance, a seductive kiss and the girl would follow him anywhere. She would easily be led down the path to ruin, assuring Sebastian of his duel. And his revenge.

The conversation continued and before long Sebastian came to a realization that Lady Bianca was precisely as she appeared—a young woman barely past girlhood. At first impression one might think she was a tad frivolous and empty-headed, but he decided she was not a simpleton. She was a simple girl, unspoiled, sweet, and innocent to a fault. After their dance last night he had assumed she was a country lass merely in the need of some Town bronze, but he could now see that she was completely guileless.

A small breeze swirled through the air and he watched the way an amber-hued strand of hair teased her cheek. Yet instead of the familiar male stirring, Sebastian felt an odd sort of pang. She was so young. It somehow seemed wrong, almost depraved, to have any physical desire for her.

They stopped to greet an acquaintance of his. The rest of the women used the opportunity to join them and Sebastian made the introductions. Walter Brommer was a pleasant enough fellow, an urbane, witty sort that females took to immediately. He was also an outrageous flirt and soon had all the women smiling at his over-the-top compliments.

Sebastian glanced at the circle of females. Lady Bianca stood beside Emma and he could not help but compare the two. Lady Bianca was a year older than Emma, yet so much more unworldly.

He reasoned the difference might be attributed to the fact that Emma had older sisters. But Lady Bianca had an older sister. Or perhaps being raised in the country was the cause, yet Emma had also grown up in a rural village, raised with her sisters by an aunt and uncle after her parents had died.

It must be Emma’s artist’s eye that gave her a maturity beyond her years. That and her wicked sense of humor. Her clever tongue could keep any situation from becoming too dull.

Sebastian continued to study Lady Bianca. Her beauty was without question, but her overt innocence was a distraction. He had never understood the appeal of an untutored, inexperienced female. The idea of trying to coax a kiss from her rosy, plump lips made him feel like a lecher of the worst kind. Yet he would have to at least kiss her in order to create the scandal.

“Might I beg a moment of your time, my lord?”

Sebastian glanced down at the gloved hand resting on his forearm, then up into the face of Lady Eleanor. Her features were void of any specific emotion, yet Sebastian sensed an undercurrent of anxiety. It made him wary, yet it would have been impossibly rude to refuse. They set themselves off to the side, away from the boisterous group.

“Are you enjoying the afternoon, Lady Eleanor? Walking in the park, breathing in the fresh, crisp air? Or is it the society that interests you more than the grass and the trees?”

Her expression grew wooden. Lady Eleanor, it appeared, was not a woman who appreciated small talk.

“I am interested in you, my lord,” she said. “Or more specifically I am interested in discovering why a man of your years, reputation, and experience is being so attentive to my sister.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not to me.”

Sebastian frowned. “You do your sister a disservice with that remark,” he said, with a tad more fervor than he intended. “Lady Bianca is a unique, remarkable young woman. A man would be a blind fool if he wasted the chance to win her heart.”

She flashed him a cool look. “Do you mean to tell me that you have conceived a genuine affection for my sister after a single dance?”

He smiled charmingly, yet avoided her eyes. “You are forgetting the walk she and I just took. That makes it two meetings.”

“I’m sure there are many who find your sarcastic wit a great delight.” She lifted her chin, her manner, remarkably, even stiffer than before. “I, however, do not.”

Well, that certainly put him in his place. Sebastian considered her quietly. He knew deception was essential to his plan, but whenever possible he hoped to avoid a direct lie. “No one can prevent a man’s heart from going where it chooses.”

She went very still. “How can a heart choose something it does not know?”

Her steady gaze made him want to twist and squirm. There was no way to answer her question without sounding like a besotted young fool. “The mysteries of the heart have confounded people through the ages,” he said solemnly. “I fear I am at a loss to explain it.”

“Well, this is all very sudden, very unexpected.” She turned her face away abruptly, taking in a sharp breath. “I want only the best for Bianca. Her happiness is the most important thing to me and I will do all within my power to see her achieve it.”

Sebastian frowned. Lady Eleanor’s loyalty to her sister was commendable, yet her tenacity worrisome. This proper, virtuous chaperone could be a serious obstacle to his plan.

“Forgive me, Lady Eleanor, but how can you possibly know what will make your sister happy?”

“I know what will make her unhappy, Lord Benton.” She turned her face to his. “A known womanizer with no sense of propriety, faithfulness, or restraint.”

“And what does that have to do with me?” he asked softly.

She had the grace to blush, but she did not lower her gaze. “From what I have been hearing, that appears to be the essence of you, my lord.”

Her insulting remarks should have incited his anger, but he found himself unable to dispute her claim. And admiring her for having the courage to confront him.

“I’ll own that my reputation is not untarnished. I’ve hardly lived like a monk, but neither am I the villain you seem determined to make me,” Sebastian said. “‘Tis often said that a rake has no chance at redemption unless he has the love and guidance of a good woman to keep him from falling into infamy. Would you deny me that chance?”

“A man’s redemption seems a monumental task for any female and even more so for a young, impressionable lady,” she replied.

“Yet well worth the effort.”

“You will forgive me if I hold my judgment on that opinion.” She continued gazing at him, her expression unyielding. “After all, not every man can be saved.”

“True.” Sebastian felt his lips starting to curl into a smile. “Nor should they be.”

She tilted her head, a hint of suspicion forming in the depths of her eyes. “Are you mocking me, my lord?”

“Quite the contrary, Lady Eleanor. I applaud your honesty. A trait I despair is sorely lacking in most women.”

Though he suspected she was trying to prevent it, he saw the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. It scarcely made her beautiful, but the softening of her expression showed him that she was, surprisingly, an attractive woman. Not stunning like her sister, but a decent-looking female.

She was tall, possessing the womanly curves he preferred in a woman. Her features were plain, yet soft. Her hair was a rich shade of brown, her eyes a twinkling hazel, with long, dark, lush lashes.

She was the type of female who looked best in vibrant colors, deep shades in jewel tones that set off the richness of her complexion and the sparkle in her eyes. Unfortunately, she did not choose to wear the colors that would enhance her appearance, but instead elected to dress herself in dull grays and serviceable browns. He wondered why.

“If your intentions are serious, Lord Benton, then I expect you to call upon us like a proper suitor. And if they are not …”

Sebastian gave her a startled look. “Surely you are not questioning my intentions?”

“I do not know you, my lord, but I know my sister. She is a sweet and kindhearted young lady who has led a very sheltered life. Though possessing a keen intelligence, Bianca is incapable of realizing when a man is trying to take advantage of her.” Her prim voice grew even more forceful. “After all, ‘tis a well-known fact you have an aversion to marriage.”

He raised his brow.

“A fear of marriage?” she amended.

“Indeed?” Sebastian felt his muscles draw up tight. “My reputation isn’t all that impressive, based mostly on my wild-oat-sowing youth. I daresay it makes a gentleman a more dashing, attractive catch.”

“For whom? An impressionable young girl who doesn’t understand the importance of character?”

Ouch. That stung. ‘Twas bad enough to have his motives questioned, but her unerring quest for the truth was even more disconcerting. “Is that why you have never married?” Sebastian asked, hoping to divert her attention by changing the focus of the conversation. “Was true character lacking in your beaus?”

“No.” For the first time she flushed. “He was noble in character, though not in birth, and proved his mettle by understanding the difficult choice I had to make.”

Willpower alone kept the surprise from Sebastian’s face. He had made the remark to throw her off balance, never imagining there actually had been a serious relationship in her past. How very interesting. Perhaps there was a way to use this to his advantage?

“What happened?”

She sent him a sideways glare and he expected her to tell him it was none of his business. Instead she shrugged and said quietly, “The social and financial chasm between us was too vast to breach without taking drastic measures. Sadly, I was not free to make them.”

“Yet he was a man of good character? A man you admired?”

“Yes, very much.” For an instant Lady Eleanor’s eyes clouded with emotion. “And loved.”

“You do not think Lady Bianca could love me the same way?”

Lady Eleanor blinked her eyes rapidly, coming back to herself with admirable speed. “I do not know my sister’s heart, nor will I try to unduly influence it. But I will diligently seek to find a man for her who is eminently trustworthy and dependable. An honorable man who is steady and predictable.”

“Dull.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You left out dull.” Sebastian had to press his mouth firmly together to hold back his laughter. “Everything you said implies a dull fellow.”

“You are wrong. Stability and respectability are not dull traits.” Her brows furrowed for a moment. “Not always.”

He sighed. “I seem to be hearing a great deal about what you want in a man for Lady Bianca. What of her wishes? Are they to be taken into consideration also?”

Sebastian fixed her with a stare that others found intimidating, yet Lady Eleanor’s eyes never wavered from his.

“I have taken charge of my sister’s welfare since she was a young child. ‘Tis a natural, protective instinct, not easily dismissed.”

Sebastian pursed his lips. Lady Eleanor was proving herself to be a royal pain in his arse, though try as he might, he could not help but respect her. Even like her a bit. It was obvious that as the elder sister she had been the dependable, steady one. Possibly even a substitute parent.

“I don’t know what I can say to ease your mind,” he finally answered.

“That’s even more troubling,” she said grimly, before straightening her spine. “I acknowledge it is not my place to order Bianca’s life, but I feel the need to protect her.”

“Understandable. You are determined to protect her from disaster. Namely, me.”

She closed her eyes briefly. He wondered whether she was embarrassed or trying to maintain her patience.

“My sister has a rather modest dowry,” Lady Eleanor said. She opened her eyes and turned them fully upon him. “If your expectations were of a vast fortune, I am afraid you will be sorely disappointed.”

Ah, so now she thought him a fortune hunter, in addition to an unscrupulous rake. No wonder she was trying to scare him off. “My estates are amazingly sound. I say amazingly since I can claim no credit for their solvency beyond hiring an honest, competent steward. That’s not to say that I have piles of money to burn, but I am far from impoverished. Does that ease your mind at all, Lady Eleanor?”

Her mouth twisted, but before she could reply they were interrupted.

“Our carriage approaches,” Gwendolyn announced in a loud voice. “Time for afternoon calls.”

Sebastian set his fingers to his temples, grateful for the interruption. His conversation with Lady Eleanor had gone in so many directions his head was fairly spinning. Additionally, her interference had taken time away from his pursuit of Lady Bianca, but worse, he feared her continued diligence was going to make it difficult to manipulate young Bianca into a compromising position.

“May we give anyone a lift?” Dorothea asked. “Mr. Brommer? Ladies?”

Brommer declined the offer. So did Lady Eleanor, explaining their carriage was also in view. After a general farewell that encompassed everyone, she took up a position beside her sister, a protective expression on her face.

Ignoring the warning, Sebastian pushed himself forward. Singling Lady Bianca out, he boldly took her hand, delighted to see her color heighten.

“I had a most enjoyable afternoon,” he said. “I look forward to seeing you again very soon.”

“That is my hope also, my lord.” Lady Bianca’s smile was sweet and genuine.

A breeze fluttered across Sebastian’s neck, but the chill of the air was nothing compared to the skeptical scowl he received from Lady Eleanor. Hell, she was a suspicious sort.

With the earl’s daughters gone, Sebastian walked the Ellingham sisters to their waiting carriage. He braced himself for their merciless questions and teasing, but they were strangely silent. Deciding it was merely pure chance or dumb luck if he correctly predicted a woman’s mood, Sebastian took advantage of the quiet.

Bowing low, he kissed each sister’s hand before assisting them into the coach. He waved as the vehicle rumbled away. Mounting his horse, Sebastian began the slow trek out of the park, once again weaving his way through the crowds.

This time, the delay barely bothered him. He replayed the conversations he had with Hetfield’s daughters in his mind, concluding that caution was essential, especially where Lady Eleanor was concerned. Still, all in all, it had been a most enlightening and productive afternoon.