Sinful Seduction

by Jun, Kristi

“Out with it.”

  She frowned. “Must you be so abrupt, Mr. Hawk?”

  “I don’t have all day.” His tone was sharp, annoyed, and even extreme to his ears. Why was he so irked? She’d done nothing wrong. Except that every time he was in her presence, he found himself alert and his senses heightened.

  “Perhaps it was a mistake to ask you here,” she noted.

  He sighed, frustrated. Looking for Harris had been a nightmare, and the fact that he was here didn’t help the situation either. “No, it wasn’t a mistake,” he said, calming his tone. “My apologies. Please, go on. What else did he tell you?”

  “My safety and life will depend on you adhering to his wishes,” she said. “I told him that was not going to deter you from your goal, but he wouldn’t listen.”

  Damnation, the man was observant. Was he that obvious that everyone knew about his feelings for Lady Wentworth? What were his feelings for her? He didn’t desire to contemplate that at this moment. All he knew was that she irked him a great deal when she shouldn’t. Why did she get under his skin?

  “I don’t understand why he thinks threatening me will somehow prevent you from pursuing him, but he seems to think so.” She paused and watched him.

  His gaze lowered to her bosom and his eyes went dark, his heart pumping like some wild beast. His fingers itched to survey the curves of her delicate body, but he fisted his hands instead. No, he could not afford to lust after this woman. Not her.

  “He seems to think—”

  “I get the meaning, Lady Wentworth,” he said, his tone curt and short.

  “Perhaps this was a mistake,” she said.

  “Did you speak to the duke regarding this?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  “He isn’t here.”

  “He left you alone in this house?”

  “I am not alone,” she said. “My maid is here with me. Besides, there hasn’t been any concern with my brother leaving Kemp Manor for business in the past. I always had my staff and servants to rely on.”

  “They won’t be of much help if Harris returns and plans on harming you.”

  “There are footmen who can assist me.”

  “With what?” he said. “Their silvers?”

  She frowned. “I didn’t ask you to come here so you could undermine my staff.”

  “What kind of man leaves his family defenseless?”

  “Until today, there hasn’t been any concern. I assure you my brother did not leave me defenseless,” she fired back. “If you insist on insulting my family and my staff, you may leave.”

  He forked his fingers through his hair and paced the carpet. For several seconds he said nothing, and she took this time to calm herself. What was it about this man that made her emotions erupt? Her life since the elopement had been fairly quiet, but as of late, it was the complete opposite.

  “My task has been accomplished. I delivered the message, and since you seem most displeased, not to mention unnecessarily angry, I release you from the burden. I do not know why this man thinks hurting me will stop you from the justice you surely deserve, but rest assured, I can take care of myself.”

  If she could somehow understand it wasn’t her that troubled him, not entirely. “It isn’t a burden, not in the way you think.” He walked up to her and looked into her eyes. “He is a dangerous man, and I am very concerned about your safety.”

  “Thank you, but as I have been trying to inform you, I can take care of myself. It’s late, and I’d appreciate it if you can depart before the servants take notice.”

  “Hold on a minute,” he said. “When will the duke return?”

  “Not for a week.”

  He didn’t care how much she defended the duke. If she were his woman, she would never be left to fend for herself. But he soberly reminded himself she wasn’t his, not now or ever. Still, he could not leave without making sure Harris was no longer here and lurking about. The man might be hiding in this vast estate, and the house was large enough to hold a small village. He’d have to scour the property and check the house before he could even consider leaving her here. But what if Harris came back? What if next time he attempted to kidnap her?

  “It’s settled,” he said. “I will have to remain here with you.” He couldn’t afford to split his time and focus looking for Harris and keeping Lady Wentworth safe. He’d have to prioritize her safety first, and once that was accomplished, he could move forward.

  “What?” she snapped. “That is not possible.”

  “Until your brother returns, you are my responsibility.”

  “This isn’t necessary. You simply can’t stay here. The servants will discover your presence and that will not do.”

  “Who the hell cares about gossip when your life is at risk?”

  “I care, Mr. Hawk.”

  “Then why did you send the footman to me with the message? By now, the entire staff must be speaking of this.”

  “I have known James since he was five, and I trust him.” The last time she chose to disregard her propriety, she was ruined and had disappointed her brother, including herself. “Besides, I’ve been given orders to remain here while my brother is away.”

  Orders? Hell. The only possibly solution was for him to stay here. He could not, would not, risk her safety under any circumstance. “You aren’t a servant to be ordered about.”

  “I didn’t say I was,” she said with a sigh. “This isn’t America, this is London, and my brother is my protector and I must do as he asks.”

  “A protector doesn’t leave his family defenseless.”

  “My brother did not leave me defenseless,” she said with a frustrated sigh. “We are speaking in circles, Mr. Hawk. Can we move forward?”

  Blast. “I will remind you again, this man murdered my brother, he shot his own son, granted by mistake, and he threatened your life. There is no telling what he will do next. So Lady Wentworth, I have no choice here, as I will not have another death on my hands.”

  “Must you be so dire, Mr. Hawk? Not everything has to be.”

  “Not in my profession. Death comes with what I do, so you see, you are my responsibility now,” he firmly said. “At least until your brother returns.”

  She sighed heavily and sat down on a chair in resignation. She folded her hands on her lap and lowered her gaze. “Invite Kate and the countess,” he said, “if you must avoid scandal. I will remain here as a guest along with them. That way I can keep an eye on you until your brother returns. I doubt Harris will try to break into a house full of guests where he will be recognized.”

  Her eyes rose and met his. “I suppose that will be all right,” she said. “Just until my brother returns.”

  “I will scour the property tonight before I leave. I will be back tomorrow. Remain in your room and keep the door locked.”

  He escorted Emily to her large, grand bedchamber and entered it. Somehow, he imagined it to be a little more feminine than this. When he first saw Lady Wentworth, she reminded him of soft-pink peonies, but he sensed a subtle strength there veiled by her beauty.

  As he entered, he noticed piles of leather-bound books on top of her desk; in fact there were piles everywhere. The fire blazed in the hearth and above it hung a large painting of a couple in their thirties. Handsome couple, he thought. He had a sudden urge to look around, to find out what she’d been reading, what she enjoyed, what made her smile.

  “My parents,” she said as she followed him into her room.

  There was a hint of sadness when she mentioned them. Don’t get personal. Instead of responding, he quickly checked the two tall sash windows to make certain they were locked, then checked under her bed and the joining room that looked to be a small, private parlor.

  “Lock the door behind me. I am going to check the house.” With that, he closed the door be
hind him and left her room.

  Blast, this was not what Johnathan needed in his life right now.

  Why couldn’t the damn bastard come after him? It would have been so much simpler. The last thing he wanted was to get Lady Wentworth involved in all this. Why the innocent? But then again, Ethan had been innocent too, wasn’t he? Innocent and deserving of life, just as his wife and baby deserved life, and now, they were all dead.

  It took nearly two hours just to check the interior of the vast house. Many of the guestrooms and the study were locked as they were unoccupied. He checked the private parlors, the library, morning room, breakfast room, dining room, the ballroom, the vast gallery, and the downstairs where the servants worked. Everything was locked as it should be, but he discovered the orangery glass entryway from the rose garden in the back was shattered. This must be where Harris entered. It was far enough away from where the servants worked and the main house for anyone to have heard the break-in. This house was so vast, if Harris had decided to hide somewhere in it, he could get away with it without much trouble. In fact, the muddy footprints made it clear that someone had broken in.

  He’d have to inform Lady Wentworth so she could get the glass door replaced. For now, he doubted Harris would return anytime soon. When he continued to the rose garden, he saw the footprints that led to the horses.

  His thoughts turned to Lady Wentworth again. He could have easily called on a Bow Street runner to see to her safety. No doubt Roberts would have found a suitable runner for the task. But he knew if anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself, and the only way he was going to be satisfied with the results was if he were the one safeguarding her. And Harris was not stupid enough to come for him, knowing he would take him back to Boston.

  This left him one problem: the Duke of Kemp, who clearly thought him no better than his servants. This was made clear by Kate, and he didn’t have a problem with it, other than the fact that he would have to address his decision to take charge of this dangerous situation, which he clearly knew he wasn’t going to enjoy. He knew the duke’s kind: entitled, spoiled, and difficult to please. No different from the Bostonians in his father’s circle, except the English had several centuries of practice to fine-tune their behavior.

  How could such delicate beauty spawn from the same parents as the duke? Either way, it was no matter to him. Lady Wentworth was his responsibility now; that is, until her brother returned home and took charge of his sister and her safety was entirely his.

  Instead of going back to Grillon’s, he decided to walk. Walking around London at this hour wasn’t prudent as he was inviting trouble, but he needed to clear his head, and he couldn’t do it in the confines of his rented room or any establishment in London. He needed air, and walking outdoors always helped clear his head.

  When he was living with the Mandan tribe near the Missouri River, he often took strolls on the plains, and it had given him such pleasure. He slowed his pace and took in several deep breaths. The quiet of the street was so welcoming—only the occasional clip-clop of the horses’ hooves and the dog barking in the distance.

  He ran his hands through the thick of his hair with a sigh, and the cool breeze felt good on his warm face. He continued walking along the closed shops and empty streets into the night.

  Chapter 7

  “Have the guests arrived?” Johnathan asked as he entered the dim drawing room at Kemp Manor at nearly six in the evening the next day.

  The warm flickering fire in the hearth was welcoming after the long ride from his hotel, during which the weather turned nasty. His gaze lifted and he saw Lady Wentworth, the glowing light from the fire casting a soft shadow about her.

  Her gaze locked with his and for a single moment, he thought he saw something there. Her creased forehead indicated she wasn’t well. Heartache? Maybe she was unhappy? Had something happened since he’d been away?

  His eyes lowered to the soft pink blossoms of her lips, barely parted. That damn flower she had placed on her loose bun made her look ethereal, and he felt a sudden impulse to lean in and kiss her.

  “No,” she said, standing. “You are soaked again, Mr. Hawk.” Putting her needlework down on the chair she’d been sitting on, she walked up to meet him by the door. “Come in and warm yourself by the fire.”

  He’d been riding on horseback when it started to drizzle. He had deliberately left late, hoping that Kate or the Countess Blackthorn would have arrived at Kemp Manor before him. And yet here he was alone with her, which was the last thing he wanted.

  He pulled off his coat and hung it on the chair to dry, then walked to the hearth and stood there to warm himself. The fire felt good against his wet breeches as they clung to his skin. He’d rather take them off, but clearly that was not an option.

  “Did you not rent a carriage, Mr. Hawk?”

  “I don’t like to be confined,” he confessed. “Besides, I like the fresh air.” She looked unsettled, and he wondered why. Had Harris returned?

  “Well, now you are quite soaked. I hope you don’t catch your death.” She walked back to where she had been sitting and picked up the needlework, sat down, and placed it on her lap.

  “Does it ever stop raining here?”

  “Some days are quite sunny and beautiful, but I am afraid it does rain most days.” She placed the needlework on the circular side table next to her where a priceless china cup sat, half empty.

  The door had been kept ajar, and the butler entered with a tray of hot tea and two pieces of chocolate cake. He settled them on the table next to her and promptly left the parlor. Lady Wentworth picked up the matching cup and saucer and handed it to him. Taking a large drink of the hot tea, he nearly finished in one gulp.

  “Would you like another?” she said, gesturing to the tall silver carafe.

  “No,” he said. “Have your friends arrived?”

  “I wrote to Lady Blackthorn after we spoke last night, and they are more than happy to visit as guests until my brother returns. However, there are difficulties. Olivia, Georgette, and Charlotte are very ill.” She looked out the tall sash window at the rain beating against the windows.

  “The girls Lady Blackthorn adopted?” He had briefly heard about them from Kate. The girls were fortunate indeed, as they would easily have ended up in the streets if not for the generosity of the earl and the countess.

  She nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Lady Blackthorn is a godsend, adopting the girls after their mother passed from fever.”

  “Indeed.” He had only met the countess a few times, but Lady Wentworth was right about them. It would take great courage to adopt all six girls and protect them.

  “Kate is on her way to meet Mr. Roberts’s mother. She is to be released from Newgate tomorrow.” Loud thunder cracked above them, and both looked at the windows as the silence followed.

  “So, you are telling me that I am the only one here?” he said. “Forgive me, but shouldn’t your maid be with you now?” The idea of her being alone made him uneasy because he couldn’t trust himself around her.

  “She was here with me just a few minutes ago,” she started. “But I don’t need her to sit idly by watching me work on my needlework. Besides, I enjoy the quiet sometimes.”

  He looked at the needlework and fought a frown.

  “I am hopeless at it,” she said, looking at him. “I enjoy baking . . . pound cake.” She glanced at the cakes the butler brought. “But that’s not something my brother approves of.”

  “Did you bake those?” She seemed reluctant to share the truth. “I am not going to tell anyone.”

  “I’ve known the cook since I was old enough to walk,” she confessed. “She indulges me and allows me in her kitchen to help her make delicious morsels.”

  “Then you should enjoy what you love to do.”

  “I cannot,” she said. “I only go downstairs late in the evening when the coo
k allows me.”

  “It baffles my mind the limitations you put on yourselves based on what the privileged few dictate and deem appropriate.”

  “We must seem a very odd species to you, Mr. Hawk.”

  Odd? No. You intrigue me. “Maybe interesting is a better word.”

  The silence between them gave him the opportunity to watch her. The pale green dress looked exquisite on her; in fact, he doubted anything on her would look displeasing to him. His eyes lowered to the skirt of the dress . . . down to the hem . . . and he imagined lifting her skirt and tasting her between her legs and satisfying the urge, this unrelenting need he’d been fighting since the first day he saw her.

  “Mr. Hawk?”

  What the hell was he thinking? “Yes?”

  “What is the plan?”

  The plan? Oh, that. What the hell was his plan? “Oh, yes.” Blasted fool. Focus.

  She continued, “I don’t think Mr. Harris will be returning here any time soon, and I am perfectly fine here at my estate with my staff and servants.”

  He frowned. “I don’t like repeating myself, Lady Wentworth. You know very well, as I do, how dangerous he is.”

  “What do you propose then, Mr. Hawk?”

  “That is the problem, isn’t it, now that the guests aren’t arriving?”

  “Well, you certainly can’t travel in this rain on horseback. It will be dangerous to travel in this condition at night.”

  “Are you inviting me to stay here with you?”

  Her mouth parted, and she gulped.

  “Yes?” This dalliance was dangerous.

  She blinked, eyes wide. Her gaze lowered to his crotch. He saw it, alright. She was interested. Her gazed lifted and met his and her cheeks went bright red.

  As she picked up her needlework, she said, “You know very well I cannot.” Pulling the needle through the fabric, she pricked herself. “Damn,” she blurted out.

  He instantly went to her and knelt next to her. “Let me see.” He carefully took her hand and looked at her index finger. Her hand was warm and soft. Hell, he had an instant urge to kiss her delicate fingers, and instead of pulling out a handkerchief, he leaned in, took her finger in his mouth, and sucked on it. The sensation sent an unexpected excitement pumping through his veins. He licked it again, then kissed it. Pulling out a hanky, he wiped away the tiny drop of blood that started to form again and wrapped her finger in it.