It both bothered and intrigued him how easily he had fallen to her little challenge. But it wasn’t a crime to want to spend more time with her. Surely all the marriage talk wasn’t affecting his normally sound mind when it came to passing the hours with women? And even he was self-assured enough to know he wasn’t falling for a woman he barely knew merely because she challenged him at every step. The female race as a whole was provoking. It was their curse and a man’s burden.
He stole another glance to where Miss Gates had disappeared; would she be such a burden? His mind treacherously replayed images of her smile, her almost violet eyes, and beautifully adorned hair. The odd color seemed almost unreal—long velvet locks with shots of read framed her face.
Swallowing the lust that was building inside, he tried to think of anything but the way her mouth curved mischievously when she was verbally sparring with him, or how she bit her plump bottom lip when she seemed to be thinking of an intelligent answer to a question. Groaning he briefly contemplated canceling the trip, considering his body was already responding to the thoughts of her lips and the way she would look beneath—
Cursing, he didn’t finish the thought.
One thing he was sure of, Miss Emma Gates was trouble.
Plain and simple.
Where did Nicholas keep his whiskey again?
“Are the horses ready?” came a chipper voice behind him.
Turning he braced himself for what he knew would be a devastating blow to his already frayed wits. He held out his arm to escort her to the waiting horses.
“Ah, Miss Gates, I was beginning to wonder if you had backed out of our little jaunt to the park.”
Taking his arm, she rolled her eyes. “Sir, I never back down from a challenge.”
“Oddly, I don’t find that hard to believe. Shall we?”
She inclined her head. Waltzing—or what looked like waltzing—in the direction of her horse, she let out another shot of laughter, making Sebastian all the more uncomfortable with her brilliant idea. Why was it that every movement she made gave him the impression she was dancing? Or gliding? It appeared her grace was more than natural. Every action, even that of getting onto her horse, spoke of a deep-rooted sensuality and grace.
Two characteristics many women of his acquaintance lacked.
What did she possess that set her so far beyond those he knew?
He shrugged off the wandering thought and mounted his horse. Naturally the people of the ton were going to go mad with delight when they saw him with a woman in the park. They would surely wonder who this comely creature was. He could only hope they didn’t take imagination too far and assume her to be another one of his mistresses. The poor girl didn’t need that type of reputation, if she was to be launched into society this year.
“Your grace!” Belverd exclaimed, as they entered the park on horseback. Turning, he acknowledged the man who had shouted and looked to his right where Miss Gates had been waiting. Her eyes taunted and twinkled—
And then, she was gone.
Giving a curt nod to Belverd, who was busy watching with a horror-stricken look as Miss Gates’ horse disappeared over the hill, Sebastian took off at a gallop to chase down the obviously suicidal woman.
Was she insane?
At the speed she was traveling, all her horse needed to do was trip and she would be dead. He cursed loudly as his horse neighed an outburst of displeasure at him.
“Just a little further…” he said to himself.
She reached the water and stopped, turning to face him, her face red with exhilaration.
Sebastian struggled to keep his voice even. “Do you have any idea how dangerous your little ride was?”
Her face brightened with laughter.
“You weren’t concerned were you, your grace?”
“Of all the stupid little…”
This was probably the first time he had scowled in years. His anger seeming to increase with each word he spoke.
“Young ladies do not gallop through the park on horseback, Miss Gates. I assure you no husband will want someone so…so…damaged.”
Her face registered immediate anger and shock.
“Damaged?” she repeated, fists clenched. The light in her eyes had dissipated, and in it’s place was darkness and pain.
Sebastian’s patience had already gone out the window. “Yes, Miss Gates, damaged. Your husband hunting abilities will take quite a hit if you fall off your horse racing in the park!”
Swallowing, she nodded her head thoughtfully. “Thank you for your suggestion, your grace. I can see the ride is over.”
With that she turned back toward Renwick House, inclining her head briefly in his direction, before digging her heels into the horse and trotting away.
What just happened? He watched her tense frame get smaller and smaller as she made her way back to the house.
“She looks angry,” a tiny voice said.
What in the?
Nobody was standing next to him.
Perfect. Madness had finally caught up to him. How fortunate.
“Maybe you should draw her a picture.”
Sebastian felt a tug on his pants and looked down.
Samuel, now jelly free thanks to a bath, was standing next to him with his arms crossed, revealing wisdom beyond his years of living.
“What, may I ask, are you doing here, Samuel?”
“Walk.” He smiled.
“Walk,” Sebastian repeated, knowing Nicholas would surely have his son’s hide…again.
“There you are, Master Samuel!” The nanny was running quite wildly toward them.
“I’ll cover you if you want to make a run for it,” Sebastian teased.
Samuel let out a huff of air and rolled his eyes. “I told her we were playing tag. She’s just too slow.”
“Right.” Sebastian had to agree as he watched the nanny awkwardly fumble toward them as if she hadn’t run a day in her life. It might be wise to notify Nicholas that a younger nanny would better suit.
Chapter Four
Sebastian brooded about Miss Gates’ odd reaction the entire way to his townhome. He was utterly exhausted and had only moments to make sure things were prepared for his sister’s arrival before returning to Renwick House. The last thing he needed was three green girls and their shrill-like laughter reverberating through the halls while he tried to calm himself after his confrontation with Miss Gates.
To make matters worse, upon returning, Nicholas had scolded him in front of Samuel as if it was his fault the boy had lost his nanny.
In an effort to protect the small boy from more punishment, Sebastian had taken the blame on himself and was next properly “grounded” from taking rides in the park. Later Nicholas said it was all for show so Samuel would see that even dukes had consequences for their actions.
It was in that moment Sebastian fully took Samuel’s side.
It was not a pretty sight. At the end of the conversation, Samuel and Nicholas had gotten into their second argument in one day over parenting. Obviously Sebastian hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, but considering he was already at his wits end because of Miss Gates, he couldn’t control his raging emotions. Suffice to say, it was why when he left he slammed the door behind him, cursing the entire way home.
The normally joyful Duke of Tempest was obviously on holiday. Replaced with the raging and angry Duke of Tempest who managed to scowl and yell at his best friend over something that wasn’t his business to be discussing.
To make matters worse, as punishment, Nicholas told—not asked, told—Sebastian he was to pick Miss Gates up promptly at eight for her first ball.
It didn’t help matters that in his mind he had already seduced her repeatedly.
By nightfall he had raised his voice at his valet, accidently tripped over a stray dog, and bruised his right knee after slamming his large frame into the carriage door.
Thoughts of Miss Gates ran rampant through his mind. A long night full of shrieking young misses and advantageous mamas was ahead of him. And the worst of it all was the very idea he had to escort Miss Gates and pretend not to be staring at her bee-stung lips. Donning black and white evening attire, he took one last look at himself and gathered his gloves.
Earlier in the day, to his utter dismay given the circumstances, he had brought most of his clothes and belongings to Renwick House. Staying under the same roof of Miss Gates guaranteed him one of the longest seasons of his existence. His only prayer was either she beat him to the altar or Nicholas miraculously find him a proper wife, and find her soon.
He glanced at the clock and swore; it was a minute past eight. He had tried his best to stay in his room until the time came for him to escort the girl. He steeled himself against the lust and anger shooting through his body and reached for his hat. Surely she couldn’t be any lovelier than early today.
Since returning to Renwick House, it seemed the only thing he could think about was Miss Gates and the location of her bedroom. As he walked down the hall, he began preparing himself for her appearance.
He waited at the bottom of the stairs, restlessly twirling his hat in his fingers. A door slammed in the distance and moments later Miss Gates descended the marble staircase. Delicate hands smoothly traced the cherry wood railing. Gaining enough curiosity, he looked at the rest of her and accidently cursed out loud.
Dresses should be outlawed. In fact, it would please him greatly if any woman of at least above average beauty revolted against modern fashion and decided to wear giant loose fitting dresses. Dresses that covered more than hugged. Noticing the sway of her h*ps as the material seemed to cling and then dance next to her thighs, his eyes swept upward, his only saving grace was that the thick shawl seemed to cover the more appealing parts of her body. He mouthed a prayer of thanks and smiled as she took his outstretched hand and dipped in a low curtsy.
“Why, Miss Gates, you look positively ravishing.” Teeth clenched, he managed to only get out one sentence before gaping again at the cut of her gown. His height gave him the advantage as his eyes scanned beneath the opening of her shawl.
“It’s not for your benefit, so stop staring,” she retorted with a smirk. “I’m supposed to be husband hunting, remember?”
Brazen hoyden! Did it matter that he was staring when every other man in attendance would be doing the same? What prim and proper girl said such things? And to a duke no less! Nicholas needed to keep a closer watch on this girl, if he desired for her to last more than a week without being led out into Vauxhill gardens by the first rake who took a liking to her charms.
Blind fury took over as he clenched her outstretched hand. It irritated him that such a tiny flippant comment would even upset him. Pasting the coolness on his face years of breeding had taught him, he whispered into her ear, “How could I so easily forget my place? Apologies.”
Emma’s eyes squinted at him before she turned and waited for the door to be opened. The ducal carriage was waiting just outside to take them to the ball. Sebastian watched in fascination, it seemed everything she did was graceful. He found himself watching every move as if trying to decipher why the woman had so much fluidity in her motions.
Sebastian heard Nicholas and Sara approach, both of them giving final instructions to the nanny before they left, as well as consequences for Duncan if he again tried to sneak out.