The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (25 page)

All eyes were on him. Swelling with pride yet again, he reached out and pulled Emma into his arms. “I think it’s one of the best ideas I’ve heard from you yet.”

Sara snorted. “Ah yes, quite an accomplishment on Nicholas’s part.”

“I’ll ignore that,” Nicholas said, smiling.

Emma cleared her throat. “Does everyone know?”

The room stayed silent; nobody dared make eye contact with her.

Sara was the first to speak. “Know what?”

“Has the
ton
caught wind of the scandal at Rawlings country estate?”

Nicholas’s and Sara’s faces were answer enough.

“And what of my previous scandal?”

“Rawlings will take it to his grave, as will the rest of us.” Sebastian stepped forward and rested a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “It is best we face everyone as soon as possible, Emma. Trust me, I do have a plan.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

“Gowns, we need gowns,” Sara said as they entered the shop. “I do hope she can make you something extravagant, given only three days.”

“Sebastian’s money and his title should be enough, don’t you think?” Emma asked, closely following Sara.

Sara nudged Emma in the ribs. “I do think it’s rather sporting that the men would come along with us.”

Emma held in her laughter as she watched Nicholas and Sebastian push through the doorway as if they were crossing to the gallows. Every step made was calculated as to not touch any of the fabric or, God forbid, they might turn into women.

“Yes,” Emma agreed. “Rather sporting.” Her husband of a few days was now squinting at fabrics as if trying to make out how they could possibly form it into a dress. Maybe having them tag along was a bad idea. After all, men didn’t belong at a modiste’s shop. Then again, Sebastian felt she might need the extra pull that only a duke, and an arrogant one at that, could bring. Relenting, she’d told him he could come if he was quick about his decisions and then left with Nicholas to go to Whites.

He had agreed, but the way he was staring at the fabric made Emma again wonder if he had any idea what type of dress he wanted his future duchess wearing at their first ball.

“Seb?”

His eyes snapped up. “Hmm?”

“This isn’t necessary…”

Just then, the owner of the shop walked up, only she pushed past Sara and ignored Emma, recognizing immediately the Angel Duke of Tempest, naturally.

“Your grace.” She curtsied. “It’s been reported you have a new duchess, I’ve been expecting your visit. I assume you are in need of a wardrobe fit for a duchess. When would you like to have her stop by? Naturally, I would be more than happy to make a house call, if his grace is so inclined.”

Emma tried not to be put off as the lady continued to ignore her and Sara, but it was aggravating to say the least.

Smiling, Sebastian reached out and grasped the lady’s hand and lifted it to his lips in a feather-light kiss. “Ah, you do me great honor, but why don’t you help these ladies first?” He pointed to Sara and Emma. “I shall wait, of course.”

Appalled, the lady made a clicking noise with her tongue and shook her head. “Your grace, they are nothing, merely shopping. I will help my important guests first.”

“Truly?” he asked.

“Yes.” Her head snapped in affirmation.

“Well then, I’m sorry to be a bother.” He turned his attention fully to Emma. “It appears we will have to find another shop, my dear.”

The owner blanched then looked between the two, trying to do an awkward curtsy before nearly tripping on her own feet as she ran to grab a measuring tape. “My sincere apologies; I did not know. Your graces, I will do my utmost to dress the future duchess in such a way nobody would dare ignore her.”

Sebastian grinned, locking his eyes with Emma. “Good, now get on with it.”

As the owner scurried away to ready a room, Emma poked Sebastian in the chest. “You did that on purpose!”

Nicholas laughed in the background, apparently enjoying the entertainment.

Sebastian didn’t deny it. “Of course I did. I wanted her full attention, and now she will try even harder to please you.”

Emma wanted to be cross with him, but he was being sweet, and it did seem to be working as all four of them watched the dress shop owner scurry around in a frenzy trying to get materials ready for her own personal viewing.

“Have fun,” Sebastian whispered in her ear. And he and Nicholas were out the door.

****

The day of the ball arrived. Emma would be lying if she said she was anything but dizzy with nerves. The dress had been delivered only that morning and with it a personalized note from the owner of the shop.

“Shine,” it said.

One word.

Emma felt ill. Lifting her eyes to the mirror, she gasped at her reflection. Needing to be alone, she had excused all the maids from her room, yet the whole time they were readying her she hadn’t the nerve to look at herself in the mirror. What if it wasn’t what she thought? What if the dress was a disappointment? Or a disaster? She wanted more than anything to make Sebastian proud this night. And yes, a small part of her wanted her parents to be proud and envious of the man at her side.

Steadying herself, she took a few deep breaths then heard a knock on the door. “Come in.”

Sebastian stood at the door, his eyes trained on her face, then ever so slowly they caressed the rest of her body paying special attention to her bosom. Feeling naked she almost wrapped her arms around herself. Never had a man looked at her so openly or sensually.

“Are you entirely sure you want to go to the ball?” he asked once he reached her side. “This dress…”

“Is it terrible?”

“Yes.” Sebastian nipped her neck with his teeth. “Remove it immediately, before I rip it away from your body.

Laughing, she pushed him away. “Sebastian! Stop.”

He was pawing at the back, trying to remove the dress as he kissed her neck and nipped with his teeth. Insufferable man.

“Husband! Angel duke?” At this she lifted her eyebrow. “We will be late! Now tell me the words I need to hear so I can have courage tonight.”

“Beautiful, stunning, perfect, and most of all, mine.”

Emma had to look away to swallow the lump in her throat.

“And, Emma? It will be fine, I promise you.”

Nodding her head she allowed a single tear to escape, then promptly followed him out, glancing one last time at the mirror.

****

Sebastian hadn’t been joking. His desire for his wife was so powerful he wanted nothing more than to rip the dress she was currently wearing until scraps of it were scattered about the floor before sufficiently rendering her boneless and whetting his own appetite, tasting and exploring every inch of her until she begged him to stop.

Thinking about it was doing nothing to make his mood any lighter. The idea of going to a ball just to please the
ton
all at once seemed admirable. It felt more of a nuisance, especially given the dress currently hanging on her body.

Blue satin wrapped around her curves and gathered at the back where the material scooped scandalously low, he found himself more than once stealing a glance at the amount of skin exposed on her backside. It might be wise for him to walk behind her, given a man’s tendency to stare, and he had no problem being the only one with a view. He only prayed he wouldn’t have to kill any idiotic gentleman who had an itch to prolong his stare.

Emma flashed him a devastating smile before entering the carriage. It was entirely possible that it would be a long night for the angel duke. One spent guarding his wife from young puppies and rakes.

But even before protecting her, what he wanted most was to dance.

****

They arrived at the ball late, which was exactly how Sebastian had planned it. Not wanting the majority of the
ton
to be distracted when they made their entrance, he gave their names and smiled when they were announced.

Emma, however, was not pleased. “Why didn’t they introduce us as married?”

Sebastian had known it would cause some momentary pain, but the plan he had was for Emma to truly see how much he cherished the woman she was. Not only was he proud of her, he would cause more scandal in order to have her.

“Trust me.”

As they walked by, people whispered her name. He felt Emma tense underneath his touch.

“I’ll just be a minute, Emma,” he said, leaving her alone.

He walked over to his grandmother, though he kept an eye on Emma as people gave her the obvious cut direct. Being with him had only de-clawed some of the
ton
, but the majority of them were now ignoring her completely. Emma kept her head high. He wanted to applaud her as she continued to try to be polite even when others shunned her.

The dowager duchess seemed to be waiting for him, an odd smile on her lips. “I see she was successful, then?”

“Grandmother?”

“In seducing you. Don’t think my eyes are too weak to notice the way you were stealing glances at her just now. So when is the wedding?”

“A few days…ago.”

The dowager laughed, gaining the attention of many, though no one seemed at all bothered. “So why have you not introduced her as your new duchess?”

“To prove myself to her.”

“And how exactly is not introducing her proving yourself, my boy?”

“You’ll see.”

With that he took his leave and approached Emma. Her face was strained. “Sebastian, I can’t do this. I can’t be married to you, not with everyone watching and judging. I can’t hurt your reputation. It’s not fair.”

“Emma, look at me.”

She raised her eyes.

“I love you, just a few minutes more, and you will see what I have in store for you.”

Nodding, she pasted another smile on her face. Suddenly her eyes bugged as if she was surely seeing a ghost. The crowd parted, revealing an older man and woman staring intently at Emma.

“My parents,” she said under her breath. He tightened his hold on her arm and led her straight to them. “Are you sure?”

“Quite,” he said, feeling more agitated than he thought he would. Her father seemed dignified enough with graying hair and a young-looking face, though Sebastian could tell he had an appetite for spirits and fine food, considering his overall girth.

Her mother, on the other hand, looked exactly like Emma. Reaching out, he grabbed her outstretched glove and kissed the air above it. “I’ve been waiting for quite a while to meet the parents of Lady Gates.”

“Yes, well,” her father said, still avoiding eye contact with Emma, making Sebastian want to throw a punch.

Her mother grasped at Emma’s hands. “Have you been well, dear? We heard about the little game you played, faking an engagement.”

Genuine sadness behind her mother’s eyes forced Sebastian’s anger to soften, but only slightly. Emma nodded and pulled her mom in for a hug.

“Well then,” Sebastian said. “I was just going to ask Emma to dance. You wouldn’t mind would you, Lord Gates?”

The man looked between the two, anger behind his eyes. “Are you trying to cause more scandal, Emma? Have you not shamed our family enough?”

Perfect
, Sebastian thought. “Lord Gates, if you would be so kind in the future to keep your insults about my wife to yourself, it would be greatly appreciated.”

The man’s face fell and he began to stutter, “Your grace, I—“

“Allow me to introduce to you the new Duchess of Tempest.” At that, Emma must have found herself, for she gave a low curtsy.

“Shall we be off, my love? You did promise me a dance, did you not?” he announced loud enough for both parents to hear. “What do you say? Dance with your husband? I know the dowager duchess would be pleased.”

Although Emma’s eyes held some concern and pain, he knew it was just the beginning, for he hoped with this one dance he would change it all.

All things considering, hadn’t it started with one dance?

Slowly, her head nodded. It was all he needed, and he led her on the floor. As the music began to play, the people around him faded into the background. His eyes only on Emma, his beautiful wife. He realized again, just what his parents had. It wasn’t about reputations. Love. Love was the reason men made complete fools of themselves, the reason women became ruined.

Although he couldn’t bring his parents back, he could honor their memory by honoring what they’d shared.

Emma twirled around him, setting his blood on fire. The way her hips swayed led his thoughts astray. Just how would she look doing the dance of the gypsies? Ever since she had spoken of her downfall, he’d been curious. Just what did gypsies do with their hips that held men in such a trance?

So, in a moment of brashness, he whispered the question in her ear, nearly sending her to stumble.

Laughing, she leaned in ever so scandalously and whispered, “Shall we go find out?”