Dance with Deception: Scandalous Secrets, Book 1 - Exclusive Edition (Scandalous Secrets - Exclusive Edition)

by Tracy Goodwin

  “No, however I am saddened that you ran away from your brother tonight.” Gwen paused before continuing. “Did you not think Sebastian would be distraught?”

  Tori grimaced. “I hoped he would be.”

  “But why?” Gwen sat beside the young woman, her hand resting on Victoria’s knee. “Your brother has been nothing but good to you. What’s happening between me and Sebastian has nothing to do with you, Victoria.”

  Victoria’s voice was shaky. “If you leave, it does.”

  “What makes you think I’m going anywhere?” Gwen brushed Victoria’s hair from her eyes.

  “You left this morning without a word to either of us.” Victoria rubbed her swollen eyes.

  Guilt consumed Gwen. She had felt close to Victoria from her first visit the day following the Stocktons’ ball. Since then, they had become sisters, just as close to one another as if they were related by blood.

  She loved Victoria and was sickened to know she had inadvertently hurt the young woman. Clasping Victoria’s hand, Gwen attempted to infuse strength. “I’m sorry you overheard our argument, Tori. You weren’t meant to. You and I will always be close, regardless of what happens between your brother and me.”

  Victoria’s gaze searched Gwen’s. “What is happening?”

  “Never mind that,” Gwen patted Victoria on the leg. “Sebastian and I are working through it.”

  “Do you love him?” Victoria persisted.

  “Yes, I do.” Gwen’s words were rich with emotion. “I love him very much.”

  “Why did he lie to you?”

  Gwen considered Victoria’s question for a moment before responding. “Your brother lied to my father to gain his approval for our marriage. He felt that he was doing what was best for all of us. I was angry because he kept the truth from me.”

  “Is that why your father visited yesterday?”

  “Yes.”

  Another tear trailed down Victoria’s cheek. “I may have been too hard on my brother.”

  “You were,” Gwen wiped her sister-in-law’s check, “and you owe him an apology.”

  The young woman nodded.

  “You can’t turn against your brother, Victoria. Not for me or anyone else.”

  Another tear fell down Victoria’s cheek. “I promise to apologize to him. Would it help my cause if I admitted that I thought my running away would bring you both closer together?

  “Lady Victoria Montgomery!” Gwen teased, gently hitting her sister-in-law square in the chest with a fluffy pillow, “shame on you.”

  “I successfully played matchmaker between you and my brother once. Tonight was another attempt.” Victoria traced the pillow’s embroidery with her forefinger. “I’ll be the first to admit that it wasn’t one of my finest moments but it seemed like my only course of action at the time.”

  “I believe you learned several lessons today,” Gwen’s tone was brimming with understanding, devoid of judgment. “You must always treat people based on how they treat you, your brother included.”

  Victoria stared into her teacup.

  “And,” Gwen tipped her chin up, “never run away again, do you hear me?”

  Arching her brow, Tori studied Gwen. “The next time our family threatens to combust, I will instead sit idly by while it implodes – from a safe distance, of course.”

  Gwen grinned at the young woman’s sarcasm. “I am not your responsibility and neither is your brother.” She took the teacup from her sister-in-law and placed it upon the bedside table.

  “Dare I ask how we can return to Kellington Manor and act like nothing has happened while the two of you continue to avoid each other?” The young woman was back to her usual form, voice steady and confident.

  Gwen’s reply was gentle as she stroked her sister-in-law’s hand. “No one is asking you to pretend nothing happened. Your brother and I may have much to work out but we won’t avoid each other.”

  “Will things ever go back to the way they were?”

  “I don’t know.” Gwen could have humored Tori. Instead, she chose honesty. “Perhaps they aren’t supposed to. Who knows, perhaps they will be better than before when all is said and done.”

  Tori rolled her eyes. It was a small gesture but one that told Gwen they were indeed family now. Gwen couldn’t help but smile as she added, “your brother loves you very much.”

  “You’re certain you still love him?” Tori’s hope shone in her bright eyes.

  “Yes, and I always will.”

  Victoria smiled, pulling Gwen into a tight hug.

  “You must understand,” Gwen cautioned, “things may never be the same. Please don’t get your hopes up. Regardless, it must not affect your relationship with your brother. Promise me you’ll judge him based only upon how he treats you.”

  “What about how he treats you?” Victoria asked.

  “I don’t need you to be my protector. In spite of our fears to the contrary, you and I are both stronger than we think.”

  Victoria wrinkled her brow. “How can you be so certain?”

  “We each were born to strong women. We have no choice but to inherit their strength.” Gwen grew pensive. Regardless of her mother’s lies, the woman had been resilient. The intricacy of her lies and the resolve with which she found someone to replace the father of her child would never have come easily for a timid woman.

  “I never thought of it like that,” Victoria’s brow furrowed, as if seized by an unpleasant memory.

  “You will from now on.” Gwen stood then tucked Victoria in. “Get some sleep. We’ll return home first thing in the morning and have breakfast there.”

  As Gwen exited the bedchamber, Molly bounded up the stairs with a faint bark. She waited for the dog to enter Victoria’s room then closed the door just as the canine was jumping on the bed, snuggling beside her mistress.

  Carrying her lantern downstairs, Gwen noted each shadow that danced along the walls. When she reached the salon, she leaned against the doorway.

  It had been her favorite room growing up because of its cheerful veneer, but tonight it appeared different. The sage and cream interior no longer exuded warmth and appeal but instead felt cold and impersonal. The plants that thrived during the day looked blackened, dead.

  She crossed the room and sat on the cushioned window seat before searching for the moon. A large cloud hovered in front of the once silver orb. Her attention was then drawn to the lawns. They looked gloomy with no sign of life renewing.

  Gwen wondered if she would ever again see the beauty in nature as she had days before her world was forever altered.

  Sebastian thrust the front door of his manor open with such force that it made an imprint on the wall behind it.

  “Where in bloody hell is she?” His irate tone reverberated through the grand hall.

  “Your Grace!” Winston ran toward him, breathless. “Thank the Lord you’re home. We’ve been searching for you.”

  Sebastian marched toward the main staircase. “The stable hand told me my sister is safe. Is she in her rooms?”

  “No, Your Grace, I’m afraid not.”

  Sebastian halted, already halfway up the grand staircase. He then turned toward his butler, enunciating each word with care as a deep fury simmered within his veins. “Where is my sister?”

  The butler took two steps back.

  “Winston,” Sebastian growled as he descended the staircase, “tell me where Victoria is.”

  “With your wife,” the butler gulped, as if fortifying himself for the onslaught of rage yet to come, “at her family’s estate.”

  “At her family’s estate?” Sebastian repeated with disdain.

  The stoic servant steeled his shoulders and ventured several steps forward, holding a missive in his outstretched hand. “Her Grace sent this by messenger.”

  Sebastian grabbed the folded paper with more force than he intended, ripping the seal then reading his wife’s note with mixed emotions. While he was relieved that his sister was safe, he remaine
d angry as hell at her for running away. To add insult to injury, Victoria had now taken his wife with her.

  This will not stand.

  Sebastian’s footsteps thundered through the great hall as he exited his residence. He then mounted his stallion with one purpose.

  He was bringing his family home.

  Sebastian kicked the flanks of his stallion in an attempt to urge him to move faster, taking his aggression out on the poor animal. What made Victoria think she could run away, especially on this unseasonably cold night? She’s lucky she didn’t hurt herself, or worse.

  The memory of why his sister felt the need to flee stabbed him like thorns piercing his side, his rage turning against himself for doing something so despicable that his sister felt she had no choice but to run away from him. Had he known what havoc that one lie would wreak upon his family, he would have taken his wife to Gretna Green and eloped. At least then his family would be intact and his wife would still be in his bed.

  His wife …

  Again thrusting his heels against his stallion’s flanks, Sebastian considered Gwen’s role in adding to the evening’s chaos. She should have brought Victoria back home immediately instead of spending the night in her … her what? It wasn’t a home but more like an ancestral asylum. Her father was deranged and her mother was—

  Sebastian tightened his grip on the reigns, forcing his thoughts from going any further. At last the thick, dark clouds that sheltered the moon for most of his ride freed the glowing white orb as he arrived at Ainsley.

  Having urged his stallion to arrive posthaste Sebastian was now at an impasse. He didn’t know if he even wanted to enter the horrid house.

  If he did, what would he say to his sister? I’m sorry I used any means necessary to marry my wife. Sebastian knew he wouldn’t utter those words for one simple reason: he wasn’t sorry about it, although he did regret that his bride’s father told her the truth before he himself had confessed.

  After tying his stallion to the post, Sebastian sat on the bottom of the cold stone steps that led to the massive front door, rubbing his tired eyes. His body ached from the tension he’d endured over the past several hours.

  Stretching, he turned his attention to the tight muscles at the back of his neck as he contemplated waiting upon this very spot for morning to come. Maybe he’d have more energy to face his sister then.

  Sebastian heard the creaking of the door hinges before his weary mind could process the sound.

  He looked over his shoulder to see his wife descending the cold steps, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. “I saw you from the window of the salon. Are you all right?”

  He nodded. “I didn’t see any light. I thought everyone was down for the night.”

  “Everyone else is.” She sat next to him, hugging her arms over her chest as if to stay warm. “I didn’t want to sleep.”

  “This evening’s exciting events weren’t enough to tire you?” Having made no effort to hide his sarcasm as he scratched the stubble on his chin.

  “I am exhausted; I just didn’t want to sleep in there.” She pointed to the brick dwelling behind them.

  Sebastian glanced over his shoulder. “It does look haunting under this light doesn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  Choosing to ignore her hollow response, Sebastian chose to feed his anger by issuing what was meant to be a stinging retort. “I’m sure your butler would have happily dispensed a bedtime story if you asked him. He delivered your note to me, didn’t he?”

  “He delivered both of my notes to you, this last one in the dead of night. I think the poor man has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Besides,” her expression hardened, “my father left me with a rather grim fairy tale before he left. I’ve since decided I don’t like stories very much.”

  Silence enveloped them as Gwen studied his rugged profile, longing to touch his tanned face. She yearned to be close to him again and the thought petrified her. She loved him, yes, but didn’t trust that he wouldn’t hurt her again. It was for that reason she refused to give all of herself to him.

  As if he could feel the heat of her gaze, Sebastian broke the silence, “How is Victoria?”

  “Safe and tucked in, with Molly at her bedside.” Wishing she’d put her shoes on before coming outside, Gwen buried her cold bare feet beneath her skirts.

  She interpreted Sebastian’s heavy sigh as concern over what he would say to his sister when he next saw her. “Victoria is sorry for the way she behaved towards you tonight. She knows it was wrong and plans to apologize to you in the morning.”

  “How did you manage that?” Sebastian turned and faced his wife for the first time since she joined him on the stoop.

  Gwen shivered. “Do you mind if I answer that inside? I wasn’t prepared to sit out here.” She lifted her skirts an inch above the ground, revealing her bare toes.

  “You are almost as reckless as Victoria.” His eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to do, catch pneumonia?”

  She didn’t answer him, choosing instead to lead him into the salon where she walked to the window seat and bent down to pick up her shoes.

  “There isn’t a fire in here.” He pointed to the dark fireplace grate.

  Gwen glanced in the direction her husband was pointing to, twisting her mouth into a mischievous grin. “How very observant of you. I can see your mind is sharp as a blade.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “Hmmm,” she studied him for a moment, “the rolling of the eyes must be hereditary.”

  Sebastian placed his hands on his hips. “How long were you sitting in this cold room with no fire and no socks?”

  “I’m not certain since my clock is somewhere in my rooms at Kellington Manor, probably with my socks.”

  “Why didn’t you instruct the servants to light a fire?”

  Gwen was becoming exasperated with his barrage of questions. “What possible difference does it make?”

  “It makes a great deal of difference if my wife dies of influenza because her room wasn’t heated. It reflects poorly on me.”

  “Um-hum,” she studied him through narrowed eyes.

  Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her.

  “Your Grace,” Gwen steeled her shoulders, “you are trying far too hard to intimidate me.”

  He arched his brow. “Is it working?”

  “No, I can’t that say it is.” She brushed past him as she exited the salon, her dim lantern casting shadows upon the walls. “I’m going upstairs where there is a fire waiting. Would you like to join me?” she called over her shoulder.

  He mumbled something under his breath, precisely what she wasn’t certain.

  His footsteps on the marble behind her told her he was following close behind. Gwen climbed the stairs then proceeded past the family’s bedchambers to the guest wing. As she opened the door, she explained, “I didn’t want to be in my father’s rooms, or even in the family wing for that matter.”

  Sebastian followed her into the sage colored room then glanced down the hallway through which they just traveled. “Are you certain that Victoria won’t try to flee again?”

  “I am quite certain. I made it clear that running away wasn’t the answer and she agreed, after admitting that she fled for the sole purpose of bringing us closer together.”

  “Of course she did,” he released a jagged sigh, clearly exasperated by his sister’s methods then arched a black brow. “Are you sure she’s going to follow your instructions? This is my sister, after all.”

  Gwen shook her head at his insistence. “You are hopeless. Would you like to camp outside her door? I’d be happy to show you where it is once my feet thaw.”

  She pushed the overstuffed chaise closer to the grate ablaze with warm orange flames. “Feel free to move the ottoman if you’re not doing anything but gawking at me.”

  Her husband snapped to attention. “Yes, ma’am.”

  After settling into the comfortable chair, Gwen rubbed her hand
s together in a desperate attempt to warm them.

  Sebastian sat atop the ottoman then lifted her bare feet before placing them on his lap.

  Gwen stiffened from his touch. “You don’t need to do that. I am fine now.”

  “Yes, I can see that from the lovely shade of blue your toes have become.” Sebastian began to massage her feet. “Relax, I wouldn’t be able to call myself a gentleman if I allowed my wife to freeze to death.”

  His massage was working. Her entire traitorous body, not just her feet, warmed from his touch and her heart raced at a frantic pace as she remembered the way those same strong hands explored her body.

  “You never answered my question downstairs. What did you say to my sister to make her want to apologize to me?” His voice was smooth as silk.

  Focus. Gwen had to remind herself to focus on his words for his touch was distracting her beyond all reason.

  “I reminded her that you have been a wonderful brother and that she should judge you based on that.”

  “And…” Sebastian’s hands weren’t the only things distracting Gwen. His eyes, now a smoky blue, were unnerving her.

  “I explained that she wasn’t meant to overhear our argument.”

  His grin widened, as if he knew she was not imparting the whole truth. “Anything else?”

  I told her I still loved you. Gwen thought the words, but refused to voice them choosing instead to conceal such thoughts behind a bright smile. “That about covers it.”

  She tried so hard not to concentrate on his dexterous hands but failed miserably.

  “I don’t believe you.” He studied her through his heated gaze. “I think there’s more to it than that.”

  Yes, there was more to it. She wanted him to kiss the pain away, to make love to her until her doubts and fears subsided.

  His words, his stare, flustered her as did the progression of her own thoughts. Gwen decided to change the subject. “Why were you sitting outside?”

  “The lights were out and I didn’t want to wake everyone.”

  It was her turn to smirk. “So were you going to remain there all night?”

  “I don’t know.”