The Seduction of Sebastian St. James(29)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

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 nak*d 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 h*ps 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 h*ps 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?”

He threw his head back and laughed, knowing full well that laughing out loud in the middle of a dance was considered quite vulgar and not at all proper, especially considering he was doing so with his wife. Then, as he felt the curious stares of those around him, he leaned in and kissed his bride, causing the most scandal anyone had seen from the angel duke in his entire lifetime.

The music stopped.

The kissing continued.

Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He hadn’t a care for the world, or that he was successfully ruining his own reputation in the process. Even though they were married, it simply wasn’t to be done.

Emma jerked away, cheeks blushing. “You’ve just ruined your reputation, you know.”

“Shall we continue to ruin it and shock everyone?”

It was her turn to laugh.

And then a loud voice that sounded strangely like his grandmother’s announced, “Please welcome into our family the Duchess of Tempest, formerly known as Miss Emma Gates.”

Amidst gasps, Sebastian lifted his head to see his grandmother, the now dowager duchess smiling brightly. And then she clapped. One by one, people followed until the entire room erupted into applause.

Including Emma’s shocked parents.

Yes, this would be a night to remember. The night the Duke of Tempest was successfully seduced by Lady Emma Gates.

Epilogue

“Ruined. I can’t believe it.” Emma continued to stare at the Morning Post, willing it to change what was so painfully obvious in black and white print. “Rawlings is ruined.”

“How?” Sebastian asked as he gently laid his hand on Emma’s.

“Too many debtors. Naturally it’s in the gossip column of Mrs. Peabody, but most of what she says is based on actual fact.”

Sebastian nodded sympathetically. “There is nothing we can do for him, love.”

“I know.”

Feeling worried and still a bit guilty that he had known of Rawlings’ trouble for over a month, Sebastian tried to reason with his conscience. There was nothing he could do to help him. Rawlings was too proud to accept money and their friendship was still too fragile.

He only hoped his old friend wouldn’t do anything rash or stupid. Rawlings, although pleased that Sebastian and Emma had found love, was still engaging in gambling. Most likely trying his luck at winning money so he wouldn’t go to debtor’s prison.

Though somewhat selfish, Sebastian realized he had more important things to worry about, like the announcement that his wife was with child.

“How’s the baby?”

“We can’t be sure for another few weeks! Stop jinxing me!” Emma swatted him. But he knew.

“I love you,” he whispered into her hair.

“And I you, now help me get ready for the ball.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” Sebastian mumbled under his breath. Impossible to deny his bride anything, lest she threaten to stop dancing her little gypsy dances for him at night. “Tell me again why we are having this ball?”

Ignoring his whining tone, Emma proceeded to check the decorations that had been set out. “Because as the Duke and Duchess of Tempest it is our duty to invite the ton to our annual party.”

“Even the ones who gave you the cut direct?” Sebastian asked, not surprised at all if his wife also extended the invitation to Rawlings.

“Yes.”