A Seductive Lady Rescued From Flames (Historical Regency Romance)

by Emily Honeyfield

  For all her sins, Tempest was a very reliable person. She would go out of her way to help anyone in need. She could be quite demanding, but she had a heart and took care of others; sometimes finding time to have fun with them like taking a walk, a ride to the park, or having tea. Whatever she lacked in stature, she made up for it with her wit.

  Tempest was a force of nature when someone stepped out of line. Valerie was ready to use her cousin’s hatred for marriage to her advantage. Since she could cry at the drop of a hat, she dredged up tears in her eyes.

  “Oh, Tempest, you just reminded me why I indeed have to worry.” Valerie broke down in tears as she flounced herself beside her cousin on the sofa.

  ***

  Although she didn’t appreciate theatrics, Tempest had to give her cousin onus for always engaging in it. If she weren’t already used to Valerie’s mood swings, she would have batted her eyelids in shock at the change. One minute, she was all serious, looking down at her with disdain at what she termed crazy ideas, now she was all teary-eyed. Maybe she ought to tell Aunt Beth to find a place for Valerie with a theatrical group since the former used to be an opera singer. Tempest had no doubt that her cousin would fit right in.

  Tempest sipped her tea, waiting for the weeping girl to get a hold of her floundering emotions and tell her what had got her so distraught. Perhaps she just found out that she wasn’t really in love with her betrothed. Or maybe he didn’t love her.

  She stifled a giggle that almost burst from her throat. She didn’t mean to be cruel; such obvious heartache was what she tried to avoid at all cost. Not only was the person affected, but everyone around her as well.

  Exhaling softly, Tempest decided not to say anything. She would wait until the young woman was good and ready to share what had her so upset. The older woman, however, grew alarmed when her cousin continued to weep for minutes on end.

  Tempest placed her teacup on the small stool and turned to study Valerie, who was dabbing her wet eyes with her flowery handkerchief.

  “Valerie! Whatever is the problem?” Tempest couldn’t help the alarm that rang in her voice. She did so loathe seeing someone so distressed, even if it was over something silly.

  Gulping as her chest heaved, Valerie curved her body to fix her wet eyes on her cousin.

  “Tempest,” she called, her cheeks flushed, “I fear I have made a bad match.”

  “A bad match? What are you talking about?”

  How could Valerie possibly make a bad match when all she had ever dreamed of was getting married to a man worthy of her? The young chit had been very selective during her first season. Had desperation caused her to choose anyone, and now she realised her mistake? Tempest wouldn’t be surprised.

  When Valerie continued weeping, compassion flowed from Tempest. Even if she was averse to what the girl held dear, she didn’t like seeing her like this. So, she drew closer and put an arm around the girl’s quivering shoulders.

  “There, there, Valerie. Pull yourself together and tell me what’s going on,” she comforted in a soothing voice.

  Accepting solace from her cousin, Valerie hiccupped and said, “He approached Father for my hand. I wasn’t even informed before Father accepted. Now, I must marry him!”

  Tempest sighed, still cuddling her cousin in her arms. Her father’s brother was a very strict man, consequently she wasn’t in the least surprised at the turn of events. The man must have had it with Valerie’s fickle ways and decided to take matters into his own hands.

  Unlike her, Valerie wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. She was afraid of even her father’s shadow and would dare not challenge him, which was a pity. Now she would end up marrying a man she was ill-suited for after her years of dreaming of a perfect man.

  Tempest fought for words to tell her cousin. What could she say? Defy your father? The girl would probably have a fit at hearing that. Tempest knew it would be a fruitless exercise going to have a word with Valerie’s father. To put it kindly, the man was as stubborn as a mule.

  As things were, Valerie just had to brace herself and marry whoever the man was. Tempest didn’t see what she could do in the matter although she would have loved to help. It seemed so unfair that her cousin wouldn’t get her heart’s desire.

  Tempest was enjoying her own life because she chose to live it that way. It was only fair for Valerie to enjoy hers with the man she chose to marry, not some man foisted on her by her father.

  A thought crossed her mind just then. What if it wasn’t actually a bad match? Valerie sometimes behaved like a silly child. Perhaps it’s something as trivial as the man’s looks. Maybe he wasn’t as tall as she wished or an elegant dresser.

  “Valerie,” she began softly, “please stop crying and tell me why you think you’ve made a bad match.” Pushing back the laughter in her chest, she lightly added, “Isn’t he handsome enough?”

  Valerie jerked from her embrace and sniffed. Shaking her head, which loosened some strands from her chignon, she replied, “He’s handsome. Very. You won’t find any fault in his appearance at all.”

  Tempest’s interest was more than piqued by now. A very handsome man hadn’t caught Valerie’s approval? How strange!

  “Who is this man if I may ask?”

  Sniffing, Valerie reached for her reticule and brought out what looked like a crumpled picture. She thrust it at her cousin.

  “He gave this to me.”

  All the colour drained from Tempest’s face when she recognised the man in the picture.

  Hudson Danvers!

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