The Skilled Seduction (6 page)

“Thank you, my Lord,” Tori tipped her head. “I dare say my fate couldn’t be in better hands.”

Bixby offered her a toothy smile. “Mark my words, a man could accomplish anything with such a wife.”

In spite of his mind’s objections, Tristan’s heart was assured of it.

* * *

Dinner at the Duke and Duchess of Davenport’s London townhome was spectacular. It never ceased to amaze Tristan the opulence in which his sister now lived.
 

Their London home was a three-story townhouse decorated with lavish bronze statues, Louis IV furnishings, Aubusson carpets, marble floors and vivid artwork.

Tristan was glad his niece and nephew were present throughout dinner. It made it easier for him to appear interested, as talk centered around their upcoming birthday party for the most part. Since the debacle of his engagement to Eve, Gwen had a tendency to discuss his personal life, so concerned was she about the hermit she believed he had become.

Gwen knew not the depths to which it was presumed her twin had sunk. In truth, he didn’t want her to know. Tristan feared that his sister would never understand the man the
ton
believed him to be or why he allowed his reputation to be ruined. There was a portion of his public persona that was genuine, of course. A convincing lie is always easier when it stems from a modicum of truth.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Gwen smiled, kissing her brother on the cheek. “We have missed you terribly. Will you stay while I put the twins to bed?”

“Indeed he will. Sebastian and I are in dire need for a third at cards.” Victoria winked at Tristan as she rose from her seat before adding, “Be forewarned, my brother cheats.”

“I do not!” Sebastian said from behind her. “You misplace one ace and you’re branded a cheat.”

Tori tilted her head to the side, “Why must I always remind you that the ace was up your sleeve?”

Sebastian messed her hair as he passed, “A technicality, sweet sister, a mere technicality.”

Tori followed closely behind him, “Don’t you dare deal without me being present.”

“Their banter never changes, does it?” Tristan mused.

Gwen shook her head with a smile.
 
“Victoria is outsmarting Sebastian more often. He admires that, though he would never dare admit it to her.”

After escorting Gwen upstairs, Tristan kissed his niece and nephew goodnight then joined Sebastian and Victoria in the study. It was a warm, inviting room. The fire roaring in the grate illuminated the room in a comforting amber glow, further accentuated by the many flickering wall sconces. Rich rosewood paneling and a burgundy leather sofa and matching chaises added a masculine flair.

Tristan sat at the card table, across from Victoria, who was schooling Sebastian in the art of winning.

“That, brother dear, is how you win piquet,” she placed her victorious suit of cards on the table with a flourish of her hand. “You owe me my winnings.”

“Whist with my wife is far less expensive,” Sebastian teased.

Turning to her brother, Victoria tilted her head to the side. “That is because Gwen allows you to win.”

Her brother considered Victoria’s statement for a moment. “Is that why cards with you are so very costly? Well, then. I’m out,” Sebastian stifled an exaggerated yawn.

“Coward,” Victoria leaned over the table as she retrieved the scattered cards. “I may purchase a new gown with my winnings.”

Tristan tried his best not to examine the way her current violet gown hugged her curves, certain that he would like the new one just as much.
 

Sebastian rose before kissing his sister on the cheek. “Good night, Tori.” He then turned toward Tristan, “Be forewarned, my sister is wicked when it comes to cards and she will want a pair of shoes or a bonnet to match her new gown.”

Tristan steeled his shoulders. “You have met your match, Lady Victoria.”

“We shall see,” she leaned forward, pushing the stack of cards towards him, allowing him to catch a glimpse of the creamy flesh above her bodice.

Though a quick glimpse, it still caused his muscles to stiffen in response. He must stop this madness! Tristan averted his gaze in an attempt to calm his erratic pulse.

“Tori,” Gwen said from the entryway. “Do you mind if Tristan and I share some time alone?”

Just in time
, Tristan thought, grateful for his sister’s unintentional rescue. He turned to Tori, surprised to find her staring at him.
 

Had she been studying him this whole time?

“We shall continue this at a later date,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she stood. Victoria then bid goodnight to them both.

Tristan concentrated on her faint footfalls as she proceeded down the hall, a sense of disappointment surging within him.

“I apologize for interrupting your game,” Gwen walked to the sideboard table and reached for a crystal decanter. “I feared you would leave before we had gotten a chance to speak.”

Guilt washed over Tristan for he had considered doing that very thing. “Our last conversation was rather disappointing,” he said, the memory still fresh in his mind as he studied the stack of cards.

“For whom?” Gwen asked, placing a glass of amber liquid on the table in front of him.

Tristan reached for it, taking a hefty swig and allowing the alcohol to burn a path down his throat before responding, “I disappointed you, I'm afraid.”

“I want you to be happy, Tristan,” she said, reaching for his hand. “It is as simple as that.”

“It isn’t as simple as you believe. You can’t snap your fingers and see it done, Gwen. Besides, this isn’t your battle. It is mine.” He downed the contents of his glass before setting it back atop the table.

His sister’s insistence was exasperating. She must have understood, for she squeezed his hand. “We return to the country tomorrow. We shall see you at Kellington Manor for the twins’ party, yes?”

He nodded, unable to trust his own voice.

“I love you,” she whispered, hugging him. “I will never stop trying to reach you. No matter how long it may take, I will not give up on you.”

Tristan sighed, releasing a ragged breath before muttering, “I know, which is why I will undoubtedly continue to disappoint you.”

“I think not,” Gwen’s tone was steadfast as she walked to the door, pausing briefly to say, “I shall see you at the twins’ party.”

He sat frozen for several minutes, concentrating on the faint ticking of the gilded clock upon the mantel.
 

Time
.

So much had changed over such a relatively short duration. His relationship with Gwen was just one of the many aspects of his life that were now tattered beyond repair.

Tristan knew his sister would keep attempting to rescue him from himself. He was also aware that she was too late, for he couldn’t turn back, not any longer.
 

He had made his choices and was beyond redemption.
 
It was a matter of time before his sister learned just what type of man he had allowed himself to become and would despise him for it.

Almost as much as he detested himself.

Chapter 3

Tristan’s lacquered coach swayed to a stop in front of his brother-in-law’s estate known as Kellington Manor. Reaching into his vest, he checked the time on his filigreed pocket watch. He was late for his niece and nephew’s birthday party. It was a deliberate act since the thought of seeing Colin and Eve again, being reminded of the life he could have once obtained was almost too much for him to endure.

Eve’s betrayal had altered the direction of his life in countless ways. How would Tristan’s life be different if Eve had been honest with him from the start? If she told him she was secretly betrothed to his brother? Tristan would have made different choices, of that he was certain, for at that point in his life he was open to the prospect of a family of his own.
 

One fateful night changed Tristan’s future.
 

It changed him.
 

Once Tristan caught sight of Eve kissing Colin, his heart lay slashed and tattered. It was nothing but scar tissue now, closed off to the mere prospect of love and marriage. He no longer trusted anyone because trust leads to misery.
 

Tristan’s life was proof of that.
 

He had once trusted his father and no one knew what the monstrous man had put him through or what Tristan suffered to protect his sister. What happened with Eve was just another in a lifelong list of reasons he would never have a family of his own.

Tristan was forced to remind himself that his life after Eve was the sum of
his
choices. Blaming Eve was easy but it wasn’t fair. Tristan had chosen this path and there was no turning back.
 

Or was there?

His kisses with Victoria left him confused, doubting all he held true.

Sighing heavily, he exited the safe confines of his carriage, prepared to face the wolves that comprised his family. Kind and loving, they were still a pack of predators, each pushing him to revert to the person he would never be again.
 

The man he refused to be for it, too, had become a choice. Tristan had chosen darkness. It was his only option since protecting what was left of his scarred heart and wounded pride had become a matter of self-preservation.

As he marched up the steps leading to the massive front door, Tristan mentally prepared himself for the barrage of questions that awaited him. Before he could knock, it opened for him, the duke’s stoic butler greeting him.

“Good day, sir. Your sister has been expecting you,” Winston, ever conscientious, bowed stiffly before motioning to the French doors that led to the terrace. “She is outside.”

“Thank you, Winston.” Tristan handed the waiting footman his hat and gloves then ventured out to see his sister, all the while reminding himself to feign happiness.

You are happy.
 

Yours is a charmed life.

Although he wasn’t convinced, Tristan hoped his sister would be, especially after their last few unpleasant conversations.

Upon reaching the terrace, he found the party was indeed over. His sister sat at the table, now cleared of the usual food and decorations.

“Don’t tell me I missed the entire party,” he walked over to Gwen, kissing her cheek. “I am sorry I’m late, Gwen.”

She turned towards him, her familiar visage wan. “No, you’re not.”

Tristan studied his sister, her deep topaz eyes beseeching him for a denial, one that he couldn’t give her. He would pretend to be happy. That was his mission, as if he were an actor playing a role. But to lie to her – to deceive his sister about this – when she obviously comprehended the truth? No, he would not do that to the one constant in his life.

“Oh, Tristan,” she sighed, disappointment etched in deep lines around her eyes. “Why do you refuse to confide in me? I can help you, if you would allow me to.”

She stared at him, her intense scrutiny searing through to the depths of his very soul. Tristan felt exposed, positive that his sister would see the vacant man he had become.

“I am sorry, Gwen,” was all he could offer.

It wasn’t enough.

His sister shrugged. “We saved you a piece of cake,” she said, her tone gentle.
 

Gwen hadn’t chastised him. To the contrary, she took great pains to sound neutral. She was the one playing a role now, he realized. Pretending not to be disheartened was her part.
 

His sister had become proficient at it.

Tristan’s conscience flooded with guilt because he had reduced her to pretending.

“The twins are near the lake with Tori if you would like to wish them a happy birthday,” she said, rising from the table.

As he watched his sister walk towards the house, his conscience silently berated him for his selfishness.
 

“I am sorry, Gwen,” he repeated.
 

His twin leaned against the French doors that led into the vestibule. He studied her, waiting to see if she’d turn towards him and offer one of her sweet smiles.

She did neither.

“We shall speak tomorrow,” Gwen said over her shoulder. “You are staying here, are you not?”

Bridging the distance between them in three swift strides, Tristan hugged her from behind. “There is no place I’d rather be.”

Gwen turned to face him. Though she grinned, her eyes remained devoid of emotion. “Winston will instruct your valet to bring your things to your suite,” she said, leaning into him. “The twins have missed you. We all have.”

He swallowed hard against the lump that formed in his throat.

I have failed her.
 

The knowledge made him want to crawl under the nearest rock. His sister was the one person he could always count on and the last person Tristan ever wanted to disillusion.

“Oh,” she added as an afterthought. “Your gift for Nicholas arrived and is waiting for you in the stables. I thought you should present it to him.”