Sinful Seduction

by Jun, Kristi

  “You will pardon me if I don’t agree with you.”

  The duke’s tone was condescending and entitled. And despite her own biased opinion of Johnathan, she felt compelled to defend him. After all, he was as close as she had to a family. “If I may add, Mr. Hawk is misunderstood by many, I fear.”

  “Misunderstood?”

  “His upbringing isn’t unlike Lady Wentworth’s.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  “Then I will speak the language you can understand. He may lack a title, but his family has a long pedigree, one that goes all the way back to the days when the Danes ruled your land. Plenty of wealth too, and while he may not possess a title, many of his descendants did. He will without hesitation give his life to save the one he loves, as I am sure you would.”

  “You love him?” he said curiously.

  “I do, but as a brother, the family I never had,” she added. “Mr. Hawk pulled me off the street and took me in. He gave me a chance to have a family.”

  “You were blessed to have such a benefactor.”

  “I believe any woman Mr. Hawk chooses to marry is very lucky.”

  “I can appreciate your defense, but again, this is for the best.”

  “I will speak with her. I am sure this is hard for her, as I can tell it is for you. I am truly sorry to hear of your condition, Your Grace.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “She has a very forgiving heart; one which I lack, I’m afraid.”

  “That is where you are wrong. While we may not agree on certain aspects of life, I do think you have a kind soul. You love your sister, truly. That makes you a good human being.”

  With that, she stood and left the study, closing the door behind her. Tears welled in her eyes for her friend. This was tragic news, and she wasn’t sure if there was anything she could really do to help her friend.

  Chapter 18

  Emily’s eyes were puffy from the tears.

  She sat on the settee by the fire in her private parlor adjacent to her bedchamber, attempting to work on her needlework. Recalling the conversation she had with Johnathan that day and how he kissed her finger when she pricked herself with the needle made her heart swell with missing him.

  She wanted to stay by her brother’s side, but he insisted he be left alone to rest. The pain he was going through was evident, and she wished so much to ease that pain for him. Other than the medicine the doctor had prescribed, there was nothing else anyone could do for him. This made her feel helpless, restless, and angry at the world.

  So when her brother called on her, she went directly. When he asked her to leave him, she obliged and returned to her needlework and tried not to cry too much. There was a faint knock at the door.

  “Come in.” The door squeaked open and she saw Kate peek in through the cracked door.

  They greeted each other. In truth, she needed some distraction, and this was a welcomed visit.

  “You’ve been crying?”

  Emily nodded. When Kate opened her arms, she embraced her with a deep sob. Her shoulders shook and her cheeks were wet, but she didn’t care.

  “Kate,” she said, finally parting and wiping her eyes. “This is a lovely surprise.”

  “Are you sure?” Kate gave her a sympathetic smile.

  “I cannot fathom how I am going to go on this way,” she said. “My brother is . . . is dying.”

  “I am so sorry about your brother,” Kate said as they sat next to each other on the settee of her private parlor. “His grace asked me here to call on you and told me what happened too.”

  “I can’t figure out what he needs, and he’s often too fatigued and wants to be left alone.”

  “Just be there for him when he asks,” Kate said softly.

  Emily nodded. “What will I do when he is gone? Am I selfish for thinking that I want him here with me? I’ve lost my parents; I can’t lose him too.”

  “Of course it’s not selfish of you to think so.”

  Emily’s shoulders slumped, and she wiped the tears away. “The truth is, I have been so selfish and consumed in my own affairs that I failed to noticed my brother was ill.” Like when she was so engrossed in her fascination and feelings for Johnathan. How could she be so selfish?

  “You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. You are a kind-hearted soul and you care very deeply for your brother’s well-being,” Kate assured her.

  Emily eyes watered again. “Oh, Kate . . .” Kate embraced her again. Emily confessed as much as she could about Mr. Harris’s threat, the cottage, their trip to Mary’s Inn, and the footman, without revealing the night they made love. But she surmised Kate could guess about that too. “I never meant for this to happen.”

  “I know,” Kate said gently.

  The expression on Kate’s face was one of sympathy, and she was relieved that Kate didn’t chide her for the fact that she had warned her of him. “How is Johnathan?”

  “I’d like to say he is well, but that would be lying,” Kate admitted. “Mr. Roberts mentioned he was in an altercation a few days ago at a tavern. He had to break up the fight and take Johnathan back to his hotel.”

  Emily recalled the altercation in the inn and how brutal it was. “Will he be alright?”

  “The doctor had to set a bone in his finger, but he will be fine.”

  This was all her fault. Perhaps she should have written a letter? But what would she say? That she begged for his forgiveness? My brother is dying? I can’t live without you? None of which she could really say to a man who’d been humiliated the way he was.

  “Do you love him?” Kate asked.

  “I . . . I don’t know,” she lied. She loved him desperately.

  “Did he say he loved you?”

  Emily shook her head and sobbed again. “These tears are never going to stop. I don’t ever expect him to want to see me again after how my brother treated him.”

  “I am sure he just needs some time to think.”

  “Do you really think so?” Emily said. “I’m so confused.” Tears fell again.

  “What will you do?” Kate asked.

  “I know what my heart tells me,” she said. “But how can I go against my brother’s wishes now? All he wants in this life is for me to be protected, to marry well as he promised our parents before . . .” She could not finish the sentence. “How can I ask him to forego his duty now? He has done so much for me.”

  “It is a difficult decision to make,” Kate said quietly.

  She shook her head. “The decision has been made, Kate. Despite my feelings, I must do as he asks. It is the right thing to do. I cannot live with myself otherwise after he is gone.” She watched Kate’s expression and wondered what she must be thinking. She wouldn’t blame her if Kate was disappointed. After all, Kate wished her and Johnathan to be together.

  “It is the right things to do,” she said again, as if this sealed her fate.

  “I shouldn’t say this, because I know it won’t solve anything for you, but I feel it is appropriate in this situation. Believe me when I tell you that he would not have gone this far to secure your safety if he did not have strong feelings for you. He may have made arrangements, but he would not have made a point to remain by your side.”

  She looked at her friend and smiled at her for confirming what she felt inside. “He cares deeply for me, I know. And I care for him. I thank you for telling me this, but it won’t change my mind. I will treasure it, and I am eternally grateful for everything he has done for me.”

  Kate understood all too well how Emily felt. It was the same feeling when she knew she had been backed into a corner with only one option. The Duke of Kemp asked for Emily, so Kate promised she would return the next day.

  Closing the heavy door behind her, she saw Johnathan dismount from his horse. Oh, God what is he doing here? Kate panicked. The Duke of Kemp was in n
o condition for a confrontation with Johnathan.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” Kate quickly said, approaching him.

  “Why the hell not?” Johnathan said.

  “If you care for her in the least, let her go.”

  Johnathan watched her intently for several seconds. “What did she tell you?”

  “Enough.” She paused and glared at him. “It was a bad decision on your part, Johnathan.”

  “You don’t know what you are talking about,” he said. “I would not be here if I didn’t think I can take care of her.”

  “I know you are capable,” she said. “But she is not for you.”

  “Did she tell you this?” he said.

  She could lie, but she didn’t have the heart. “No.”

  “I deserve an answer from her.”

  “Don’t you have any pride?”

  “At this moment, I don’t give a damn,” he said. “I will not be treated as if I were no better than a servant by that pompous, self-righteous man,” he said, pointing to Kemp Manor behind Kate.

  “Shh,” Kate hissed. She promised the duke she would not disclose the conversation about his health and what was discussed confidentially, and she would not, but the engagement wasn’t a secret, and Johnathan needed to know the truth. “She will be engaged to Lord Foley. She will be a married woman. Let her go.”

  “Engaged?” he said confused. “Why the hell did she not tell me this?”

  “Fear, I suppose?” Kate said. “Desperation? I don’t know.”

  Running his hand through his hair, he paced, thinking. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes,” she said. “She isn’t someone you can rescue off the streets,” she said softly. “She’s the sister of the Duke of Kemp. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? Marrying for affection isn’t a choice for her, not for someone of her station.” She paused, looking at him. “Let her go.”

  “You sound just like them,” he said again, pointing to the house.

  Instead of getting on his horse, Johnathan walked right past her and straight to the door and knocked on it. When the butler opened it to inform him that the duke wasn’t taking callers, Johnathan ignored that too and entered the house.

  Kate panicked. When Johnathan was determined, it was hard to deter him. “God forbid, please do not make a scene, Johnathan,” she said, running after him as they both entered the estate.

  Chapter 19

  This was fucking humiliating.

  Johnathan was forced to wait in the foyer for nearly thirty minutes. At one point, he wanted to satisfy himself and drag the duke out here to listen to what he had to say. He knew very well this was the duke’s way of humiliating him, demonstrating that the wasn’t worthy enough for his attention and presence. But he would not be ignored, not if he had anything to say about it.

  When he went to confront Emily after she left the cottage with her brother, his initial reaction was anger. Then that anger morphed into humiliation. Then, when he had sufficient time to calm himself, he knew he could not let her go without a fight. Was he in love? Did he believe in such things? Certainly, he cared for her in a way he hadn’t care for anyone, but love?

  It was impossible for him to walk away now because he had crossed that line at the cottage and knew he had no choice but to do what was right. Pacing back and forth, he had enough of this waiting. Walking deeper into the foyer, he saw the butler approach with a frown as he hadn’t been given permission to leave the foyer. “His grace isn’t taking callers today.”

  “The hell he isn’t.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Just then, another impeccably dressed man approached them from down the hall. “I will take care of this,” he said to the butler.

  “His grace has agreed to grant you an audience for five minutes. Please come with me.”

  The man didn’t waste time as he escorted him to the study down the hall toward the back of the house. The study was warm and a fire blazed in the hearth. The duke was sitting in a leather chair and looked rather frail and small framed from what he remembered.

  “Haven’t you done enough damage?” the Duke of Kemp said in French as he entered the study.

  Bastard. “If you had done your job, I wouldn’t be here,” he replied in perfect French. The duke’s surprised expression was apparent. Just for spite, he switched to Latin, saying, “Or do you prefer Latin?”

  “Aww . . . the American is indeed educated,” he said. “How unfortunate.”

  “I don’t care to be here anymore than you wish to speak with me,” Johnathan said. “So I will get right to the point.”

  “Please do.”

  “I will marry your sister,” he said. “I will take full responsibility for her.”

  “The American marshal wishes to wed a lady?” he said. “Although I must admire your persistence, you don’t have enough breeding for me to consider your proposal. She will soon be engaged to Lord Foley, an earl of impeccable breeding.”

  Johnathan reminded himself to remain calm. He would accomplish nothing today if he allowed the insult to take hold of him. “You are a dying breed and, believe it or not, it is not up to you to make the decision as to whom she will marry.”

  The duke’s jaw twitched at his remark. “She is expected to do no less than the offer she received and has accepted. She is a daughter of a duke, a relation of the Royal Crown of England.”

  “You should be aware that her life is in danger,” Johnathan said.

  “My sister has informed me of the intruder,” the duke said. “I have men scouring the property.” He leaned back further in his chair as if to find comfort. “May I remind you it is you who brought this misfortune and jeopardized her safety in the process? Trouble follows you, Mr. Hawk, and even if I were to consider your proposal, your choice of occupation can’t afford her the life she is bred for and rightly deserves.”

  Why was he putting himself in this humiliating situation? Because, in all truth, he knew she gave him a glimmer of hope—that perhaps his wretched life was worth living.

  All of a sudden, the duke’s breath became labored and his face became flushed, and before Hawk could respond, Emily entered the study. Their eyes met for a brief second. Had she been crying? He stood and waited for her to say something. Anything. But she didn’t. He didn’t expect this, and he was unsure for the first time what to do about it.

  “Adam, what is the matter?” she said, standing by her brother. “Here let me help you.” She assisted her brother to the sofa and settled him down.

  It looked as though she was resigned to the fact that she would abide by her brother’s wishes. This again was humiliating, and he was not going to put himself through it any longer. He walked out of the study and down the long hall, his heart growing cold. Just as he was about to open the door and leave, he felt her hand on his arm.

  “Wait,” she said. “Please.”

  He turned to face her. “What?”

  Her lips quivered. “How are you?”

  “You really want to know?”

  “I am sorry for my brother,” she said. “For treating you the way he did. He simply wants what is best for me,” she said.

  “You’ve listened to our conversation?”

  “Some,” she confessed and lowered her gaze. “I am honored that you have come all this way to make an offer for me to my brother, but . . . but it isn’t necessary, not any longer.”

  Her eyes teared up as she said this, and he wanted to take her into his arms, but he didn’t. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, his tone curt in his ears. “I only came to clear my conscience, so don’t take it to heart. I am sure you will be very happy with your kind.”

  “You’ve learned of Lord Foley . . . our impending engagement.”

  “You should have told me.”

  “What would you have done if I did inform you
that I was going to be engaged?” He frowned, anger in his eyes. “Please,” she said, “I am utterly sorry for how my brother treated you at the cottage, and . . . despite everything”—she paused and swallowed hard—“we both know that a future for us is an impossibility. I hope you understand.”

  He shook his head in utter disbelief. At least he thought she would be sensible enough to see what was in front of her. “You all deserve each other.”

  She took in a deep breath. “Don’t do this.”

  “Want a last fuck before I leave England?”

  Tears formed in the eyes, as if she were hurt. “Johnathan, please . . .”

  “You will never see me again,” he said.

  She nodded. “I know.”

  With a clear conscience and a broken heart, he walked away without looking back to see her wiping the hot tears from her cheek.

  Chapter 20

  Oh, darling . . . please don’t go. Please, please, stay with me.

  Emily closed the door, slid down the front door, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed. She allowed herself this moment to grieve the loss because she knew she would never be allowed to show emotions for Johnathan again once she was wed to Lord Foley. Oh, how she would cherish their time in the cottage deep in her heart for the rest of her life.

  She knew she must be strong, but in truth, she was tired of being strong too. Her heart ached to be understood, to tell him the truth—that she loved him desperately. But how could she when her brother was dying and his last wish was to see her protected?

  Would he understand if she unveiled the truth to him? Would he know that she could not go against her brother’s last wish, knowing he was dying? She could not live with the knowledge she caused him so much pain.