Sins of a Duke (12 page)

“You will be escorted to the side entrance so you are not seen. Be careful not to speak with anyone,” he murmured, expression shuttered.

“Until I see you again, Lucan.” She walked away, refusing to look back. He could not deny his passion for her, and she would wait for him to come to her. Certainly not forever, but she would give him enough time to realize the feelings he had for her would not simply vanish.

“Constance.” Her name was just a whisper of sound but she heard it. She spun toward the door, and probed for Lucan in the soft shadows of the library.

“Marissa Alicia Wynwood.”

Marissa.
Constance hesitated, unsure if she should thank him for trusting her with this much. She knew it was his sister’s name. But Constance did not know if she should feel glad that he shared a little more of himself, or fear that him revealing her name was part of some plan. Without speaking, she swept from the hall with hurried steps, very aware of the tender ache between her legs. Charlotte waited at the end of the hall looking a bit flushed and rumpled with Marcus Stone by her side, and Constance smiled in reassurance at Charlotte’s worried frown. The hope in Constance’s heart was heavy for she knew Lucan yearned for her with a similar intensity.

Now she only needed him to realize the love burgeoning between them was more worthy than vengeance.

Chapter Thirteen

The scandal that swept through town was the most exciting and satisfying society had ever heard, or at least it seemed that way to Constance. The Beautiful Bastard had been seen kissing the Lord of Sin, and at the club
Decadence
itself. It had been two days since the rumor, or better, the truth exploded. But a very strange truth for she knew no one could have possibly seen them enclosed in Lucan’s office. Everyone in society was curious, for the Duke of Mondvale had not responded to the rumors, and there was certainly no news of an engagement published.

She had been puzzled when Charlotte handed over the paper she had been reading, her face white. Constance had scanned it quickly and right underneath the arts section in
The Spectator
, was a tattle on
her
. She had almost fainted. She could easily imagine the glee the hypocrites of the
haute monde
had expressed, sitting over their breakfast and reading of her latest sinful escapade. Constance could hardly credit it that someone had seen them. She had been in a mask and a wig and
all
kisses had been in private.

She had ridden out with her mother the morning after Charlotte had shared the scandal sheet. Constance had then understood the depth of her foolishness and what complete ruination meant. Several ladies that normally waved to her mother had given them both the cut direct. She had then been forced to reveal to her mother what had been published for all of London to see. Lady Radcliffe had swayed. Her mother had demanded to read the damming article herself.

Mrs. X has it on the highest authority that The Beautiful Bastard, Lady Constance, was seen kissing the Lord of Sin, Duke of Mondvale, at his club, Decadence. Most alarming to be sure, but not so unexpected. Mrs. X confirms that the Duke Mondvale has been seen with Lady Constance at Covent Garden and Hyde Park and wondered if a courtship had been going on.

Her mother had gone white.

“Is this true, Connie?” had been the only question her mother had asked, and Constance’s silence had been telling.

Her mother had walked away and the disappointment in her posture had pierced Constance. She had waited in dread and hope for Lucan to make an appearance at their town house, but his absence was very revealing. He really had no intention of calling on her despite the fact they had been seen.

Had he really decided his vengeance was more important? Tears burned behind her lids. How she wished he’d confided in her. She had spent the past couple of nights restless, wondering what had happened between his sister and Sebastian. How had she been driven to her death? Whatever occurred had been tragic enough where Lucan had planned to compromise Constance deliberately to hurt her brother. Though now it seems Lucan may be granted his wish, whether he had changed his mind or not. For if before she had been accorded any civility by the
haute monde
it would all be gone now. She was soiled, a wanton harlot the mammas would be protecting their daughters and sons from.

She laid her violin down on its stand as she heard the commotion from the hallway. She took a few calming breaths shoring up her courage. Her family had arrived. Sebastian and Jocelyn, Anthony and Phillipa. Her mother had summoned them to town and Constance had waited with a sick sense of fright for them to arrive.

She heard her parents’ soft greeting and strained to hear her brothers’ reply. Constance heard nothing. The door was swung open and Jocelyn barreled in, dressed in a dark yellow carriage dress, with her dark hair coiffed in an elegant chignon. She moved with energy despite her pregnant state and rushed over to Constance.

“Oh, Connie, I traveled up as soon as I heard. That wretched man,” Jocelyn burst out, hugging her. Constance returned her embrace, her eyes prickling with tears. She looked over Jocelyn’s head at the closed expression of both her brothers’ faces. Phillipa was attired very casually in a purple walking dress with a hat perched jauntily on her head. She gave Constance an encouraging smile and walked over to her.

“Forgive me for being a watering pot.” Jocelyn released her with a sniff. “I fear I have become somewhat emotional since the baby.”

Constance hugged Phillipa briefly and everyone sat gathered in the parlor while her mother rang for tea. Mild pleasantries were exchanged but the air itself was fraught with tension. Constance did not fail to notice that her brothers had yet to say anything. She could feel their anger, even though they did nothing overt to show it. Their wives led the entire conversation and it was all about the mundane, though both Phillipa and Jocelyn wore the look of happily married women—certainly a rarity among the
haute monde.

Mrs. Pritchard announced luncheon a few minutes later. With great reluctance, Constance entered the dining room. Her mother dismissed the footmen after they had been served. Constance waited with her stomach in knots. She knew they only gathered for one thing—to discuss the implications of her actions.

Her father wasted no time. “You know why we are all here, Connie. It is unpleasant business, but it must be dealt with. Your mother and I spoke at length and the decision we have made is that you must marry right away. Lord Litchfield will be calling on you tomorrow. I trust you will know what to do with his offer.”

Constance took a few sips of her wine, her mind churning for a solution. It was as she feared. She shot Sebastian and Anthony a pleading look. She knew Sebastian would not fight with her father over his decision, but he was her guardian by law, not her mother’s husband.

“The man who compromised her will be doing the marrying, Radcliffe,” Sebastian interposed softly, but she could hear the implacable steel in his voice.

“I am marrying no one.” The words slipped from Constance’s lips before she even knew she would speak. “I was not compromised.”

Cobalt blue eyes met hers, and she forced herself not to shrink away from Sebastian’s ruthless will. She saw Jocelyn fleetingly touched his arm. He relaxed slightly as he laced his hands with hers beneath the table.

“Tell us what happened, pumpkin.” Anthony invited with a smile, though his eyes remained cool and cautious. “I got mother’s letter, but it was filled with ranting of how ruined we are. Why don’t we hear from you what transpired? I know what the paper said, but we all know how notoriously unreliable they can be.”

Constance opened her mouth, and the words still would not come.

“What happened, Constance?” Sebastian demanded at her continued silence.

She looked everywhere but at him. She couldn’t bear to see his disappointment. Seconds flew by; then she shored up her courage and met his eyes. She flinched from his cold distant look. It was one he had never turned on her before. Her throat tightened as tears burned. “I visited
Decadence
for a private audience with the Duke of Mondvale.”

Sebastian exhaled a slow breath, and she gathered how worried he must be. He nodded in encouragement. “Why?”

She fought to keep her face blank and buried the memories. It would not do for her to blush at all. “He called on me a few times, but at Lady Beaumont’s ball he decided to terminate our friendship without any explanation. I thought it fair to demand answers.”

Her mother’s shocked inhalation had painful heat scorching Constance’s skin.

“Were you seen kissing?” Sebastian demanded softly.

“No.”

“Does it matter if she was seen?” her mother asked weakly. “The very fact that she visited that man in his club is enough. She is compromised. This is a terrible scandal. I doubt Connie will ever be able to recover from it.”

Sebastian’s anger seemed to pour over her in waves. “Did he touch you, Connie?”

She sucked in a harsh breath.

“We understand you are embarrassed,” her father interjected, “but we must understand all that happened if we are to face it as a family.”

She forced herself to look at everyone fully. It was not condemnation she saw but anger on her behalf and pity. It was the pity that gutted her and caused her hands to tremble. She clenched them tightly in her lap under the table. “He kissed me a few times.”

“And?” the icy anger had not receded from Sebastian’s voice.

She looked to Anthony for support and encountered a similarly cool gaze.

Anthony spoke at her hesitation. “It has been two days since this scandal, Connie, and Mondvale has not presented himself to ask for your hand. His reputation is…” He grimaced. “We need to know all that he did. Are you still a virgin, Connie?”

Her mother’s fork clattered onto the table. “Anthony! This is not something we discuss so openly.” Her face was florid.

“We need to understand what we are combating, Mother. Connie should have thought more of her sensibilities before she acted so impetuously,” Sebastian snarled.

By a great effort of will, one Constance had never imagined she possessed, she tried to show an unreadable expression. “Yes, I…I …believe so,” she said before they could discuss the matter of her chastity anymore.

“You
believe
so?” Anthony asked with such lethal softness he unsettled her. “I must assume he went farther than kisses?”

Her face burned, and she wanted to sink underneath the table. She was not sure if there was more to the act than what they had done. Lucan had touched and kissed her in a place she didn’t even know she could be touched. But there must be more, because Lucan had still seemed so tensed and unfulfilled. Not that she would ever admit to such a thing! Resolutely she thrust Lucan and her improper behavior from mind. She looked to Phillipa for help. The anger burning in her gaze as she looked at Anthony comforted Constance.

“I would think if Connie is in doubt my lords,
nothing
happened,” Jocelyn growled. “You will both cease embarrassing her further.”

Constance could feel the relief that traveled through her brothers and even her father, and her shame burned brighter. For if not for Lucan’s restraint, as he told her before, he would have gone further. She had failed them all with her behavior.

“Then why are you crying?” Anthony demanded.

She raised a hand to her cheek, and swiped away the wetness she found. “My nerves must be more unsettled than I realized.”

He nodded, accepting her inane explanation, but his face had softened.

“What are we to do, Sebastian? Lady Blade saw us both today, and as I walked over to greet her, she turned away.” The mortification in her mother’s voice was rife.

The memory had Constance’s head pounding, and she reached for her glass of water.
I was so foolish.

“You can plan for a June wedding, madam,” Sebastian said calmly. Too calmly.

Horror burned in Constance’s veins.

“Why do you look so surprised, Connie? You think I would allow someone to compromise you and not marry you?”

She straightened in her chair. “I do not wish to marry Mondvale under such circumstances, Sebastian, and I am certain he will not marry me. I cannot imagine what happened, for I am certain I was not seen, I swear to you, and he did not compromise me.”

“The fact that he kissed you,
touched
you was enough,” Sebastian’s voice was implacable.

She shifted her glance to Anthony and espied the same resolve. Sudden fear filled her. She knew with a deep bone certainty that Lucan would never bend to their will. She could not imagine her brothers giving up either. Constance did not want to marry Lucan like this. “I do not want to marry him,” she said hoarsely.
Liar
, her heart taunted. She yearned for Lucan, but if he came to her this way they would never have a happy marriage. She was sure of it, but she was not sure if she had any choice either.

“If you do not wish to wed Mondvale I will not force you. But you will accept Litchfield’s offer. Either way you will be married by June.”

She searched Sebastian’s face. There was no hint of humor.

“The option is to marry, or live your life as a recluse in disgrace in the country,” her mother said quietly.

“We must rally as if nothing happened,” Phillipa interjected, her golden eyes flashing with anger. “From what I have seen of society, if you flee to the country it is an admission of guilt. I am sure that is not the right way.” Phillipa said glancing at Anthony.

“But why has Mondvale not presented himself here? He must have known the risk when he allowed Constance entrance into his club?” Jocelyn demanded.

“Mayhap he thought Connie was trying to compromise him?” Phillipa ventured. “More than one mamma has tried it this past season and has been met with a similar response.”

Her mother sniffed delicately. “He is a reprobate, that is why. Uncaring and cruel. I knew he was not good enough for Connie, but I foolishly allowed him to call on her without declaring his intentions.”

Lucan was not uncaring and cruel, more stubborn and foolish. Constance had seen the naked need on his face for her. She had also seen how he tried to push her away. She took some comfort in thinking it meant he had hated hurting her. Though it was hollow comfort, indeed.

He was trying to close his heart to her because he believed implicitly in her brother’s guilt. To shatter Lucan’s reserve she needed to understand what had happened. If he would not confide her in, mayhap Sebastian would. “Marissa Alicia Wynwood,” she said.

The blood drained from Jocelyn’s face and the arctic blast from Sebastian’s closed face chilled Constance.
What is it?
The depth of fear that filled her, made her head swam. The torment and rage behind Lucan’s eyes as he had uttered the words now seemed more real and not a figment of her imagination.

“Who is she?” Constance questioned into the fraught silence.

“Where did you hear her name?” Sebastian questioned.

A part of her wanted to hold it back. For she suddenly knew this was Lucan’s intention. He knew the name would galvanize Sebastian.

“Constance?”

“How do you know her, Sebastian?” She could see that they all knew. Even her father.

“Until you inform me how it is you came to mention her name, I will not divulge who Marissa was.”