A Taste of Seduction

by Bronwen Evans

  Hadley was worried. “He wouldn’t have been stupid enough to try to capture her on his own, would he?” At Christian’s smirk, he rolled his eyes. “Silly me. Of course he would. Damn him. I should not have gone to Lathero.”

  “Arend doesn’t need you protecting him every hour of the day. He should have had patience and waited for us.”

  True.

  Christian held the study door open for Hadley. “Go home. Sleep. And come back tomorrow prepared to leave London at a moment’s notice. I have Runners looking into his disappearance. So far nothing, but tomorrow is another day.”

  As Hadley mounted his horse for the ride home, he thought about calling at Evangeline’s. She should be arriving soon. However, he didn’t want to draw any attention to their liaison until the situation with Claire was sorted.

  So it was a surprise to arrive home to find a note from Beatrice informing him that Evangeline had gone to Hardstone.

  He should be angry with her, but he wasn’t. It meant everything to him that Evangeline wanted to try to help him. He wondered what Augustus would do. Would he tell her the truth? If so, would she understand why he had to help his brother? Perhaps she’d be appalled. Somehow he doubted that. She had a big heart and would feel his brother’s pain at having to hide who he really was. Hadley knew he could be overprotective when it came to his brother, but from an early age he had always hated how their father picked on Augustus.

  Had their father seen the type of man Augustus would be? Was that why he’d picked on Augustus mercilessly? Perhaps their father had thought to beat the predilection out of him. If so, it hadn’t worked. But then, Hadley had taken most of the beatings on his brother’s behalf.

  And now it seemed as if Hadley would have to agree to marry Claire to help save his brother’s life. He tried to picture how his life would be. He would be running his brother’s estates as he did now, only he’d have a wife whom he felt absolutely nothing for. He’d have nothing but duty to keep him company. His heart would always belong to Evangeline.

  As he slipped between cold sheets he prayed not only that they would find Victoria but also that they would find a solution to Augustus’s problem.

  —

  Evangeline left Lathero shortly after Hadley and arrived in Kent late at night to find that they were expecting her. She’d never visited Hardstone before and she couldn’t see much of the estate in the dark, but if the vast grounds outside matched the inside of the grand house, then she was sure it was beautiful beyond words.

  It was too late to grill Augustus tonight or to meet Hadley’s sisters and mother. What would they think of her visit? Did they know of her past relationship with Hadley and that he had wanted to marry her? She retired to her room with those questions swirling in her mind.

  Too weary and restless to sleep, Evangeline lay in bed remembering how she’d felt last night in Hadley’s arms. She’d been scared that it would not be like it was before. That all she’d suffered in Dougal’s bed might have changed how she thought about and enjoyed sex. Her face heated. She’d enjoyed it even more than she could have imagined. Hadley was a wonderful lover. Patient, thorough, giving, and more. She understood that making love was infinitely different from having sex or being forced to have sex. What she felt for Hadley when he was in her, loving her, was indescribably beautiful.

  She rolled onto her side and stared into the darkened room. Augustus’s problem must be very serious for Hadley to give up on the idea of a life with her. No one would persuade her that Hadley didn’t love her, not after last night and what they’d shared. With those thoughts warming her, she finally drifted off to sleep, vowing to help Hadley’s brother and free Hadley from any obligation.

  —

  The next morning she found her nerves stretched taut as she prepared to meet Hadley’s family. What must his mother think of her unscheduled arrival?

  She’d been invited to join the family for breakfast, and as she made her way down the sweeping staircase she heard friendly voices and laughter coming from the breakfast room. She hesitated at the door, swept a hand over her hair and down her dress, took a deep breath, and then entered.

  The conversation died instantly as four pairs of eyes swept over her.

  Finally Hadley’s mother said, “Good morning, my dear. Please take a seat. Clive, would you dish some breakfast up for our guest and a fresh cup of tea?”

  “Tea would be lovely, thank you,” Evangeline said as she took the seat indicated, next to one of Hadley’s sisters, the younger girl—Lady Cynthia, if she recalled correctly.

  She felt a smidgen of relief that the girls were present; that meant the questions could not be of a personal nature.

  “I do apologize for dropping in on you uninvited, but I was visiting nearby, and as I was close, I thought I’d take the opportunity to seek advice from His Grace.”

  Augustus didn’t look surprised at her arrival, but Her Grace appeared perplexed.

  “How odd—I cannot imagine what His Grace could help you with. But it’s delightful to finally meet you,” she said with a warm smile. “My younger son mentioned you often many years ago, and Augustus tells me that you are recently widowed and have returned to London. Have you seen my son Hadley?”

  “Indeed, Your Grace. I saw Lord Fullerton at Lady Beaumont’s ball.”

  “Was he pleased to see you?”

  Hadley’s sisters were watching her closely.

  “Mother, I’m sure that’s an inappropriate question for our guest,” Augustus said. “Lady Evangeline, I would be happy to indulge you as soon as you have finished breakfast. I’m sure you would like to return to London as soon as possible.”

  Was that a polite question or a request that she leave? She decided to play dumb. “Thank you, Your Grace. I won’t take up much of your time, and yes, I’d like to return to London as soon as possible.”

  “To your son, I assume. What is his name?”

  At Her Grace’s question her heart stilled. Hadley’s mother was better informed than she’d thought, though Evangeline was sure Her Grace had no idea she was a grandmother. The guilt settled heavy on her heart. Sealey should know his grandmother. “His name is Sealey, and he’s a good little boy.” And he looks exactly like your son.

  “Your firstborn was a boy? Your late husband must have been pleased.”

  She could not bring herself to reply, so she took a sip of tea.

  Polite conversation flowed as she ate breakfast. The girls wanted to know about the latest fashions and whether she had met the Prince Regent at any of the balls. She envied them their comradeship. She would have loved a sibling close in age. Perhaps a sister would have helped her all those years ago.

  Soon she could delay her conversation with Augustus no longer. At his raised eyebrow, she nodded, and he rose and helped her with her chair.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you,” she told Hadley’s mother. “I am just sorry it is such a rushed visit.”

  Her Grace exclaimed, “You must come again, and bring your son. The house could do with little children running round.” With those words she looked pointedly at Augustus. “Both my boys appear to be slow in producing my grandchildren. I hope one of them will marry, and soon.” Her smile widened. “Give my love to Hadley when you see him.”

  Evangeline blushed furiously and stammered an affirmative reply before following Augustus from the room. They walked in silence until they reached his office. She noticed Augustus fiddling with his cuffs.

  As they entered his study, a young man was gathering up papers from a second desk. He looked close to her in age, perhaps twenty-five years old, and he was dressed all in black with a white shirt. His face lit up when he saw Augustus, but the smile vanished when he saw Evangeline.

  “That’s all, Mr. Vickers. We shall continue my correspondence once Lady Evangeline departs.”

  After the other man left, Augustus gestured to a chair. “Please, take a seat. What can I do for you?”

  She drew in a deep breath, lean
ed forward in her chair, and said, “It’s not what you can do for me but what you can do for Hadley. You know he does not wish to marry Lady Claire, and I know you understand why he will go through with it. I assume he is protecting this family, as he always has.”

  Augustus had the grace to look ashamed. “He has not told you, then?”

  “I know he is not marrying Lady Claire because he wants to. He is doing it because he has to. His words, not mine. If you loved your brother, you’d want to see him happy.”

  “Life seems so simple to you.”

  “I can’t believe you just said that to me.” Her voice rose. “I was kidnapped, torn from the man I loved, and sold into virtual slavery. I of all people know life is not simple. Life can be hard, painful, and unfair.”

  “I’m sorry, I spoke without thinking. I know my brother loves you, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m as trapped as you were.”

  She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I’m probably the only one who can understand what that feels like, and I would give anything to help you. Why don’t you tell me what is going on? I’m sure we can think of a way to free both you and Hadley.”

  “I know my brother once loved you and that you broke his heart. I also know it was because your mother sold you. That does not mean I can trust you with personal, private family matters. We are strangers, are we not?”

  “I am hoping that if I can help you, I’ll eventually be your sister-in-law. If I share a secret with you, perhaps you’ll trust me.”

  When Augustus said nothing, she braced herself. Either this was going to work or it would make the situation much worse. “My son, Sealey Hadley Masters, Viscount Stuart, is not Lord Stuart’s son.” She waited, but still Augustus did not speak. “He is Hadley’s son, and if you don’t believe me, you will as soon as you meet him. He looks exactly like Hadley.”

  “Does Hadley know?”

  She shook her head. “How could I tell him? He would be torn between this family secret and his son. Instead, I’ve come to try to help us all.”

  He spoke quietly. “If I reveal the truth to you, I’m putting my life in your hands.”

  So it was Augustus Hadley was protecting. She held out her hands. “These may be small hands, but when given in assistance they will not betray you. I know what betrayal tastes like.”

  He assessed her intently before finally nodding. “I’m being blackmailed by the Marquis of Corby.” He then proceeded to tell her his sad story.

  Her heart began to pound in her chest. Now she understood why this was a matter of life and death. Augustus’s behavior put not only himself in danger but the family too.

  She wasn’t sure how she felt about His Grace and what people would call his “perversions.” She studied him. All she saw was a man, a man who for some reason found other men attractive. With a sentence of death hanging over his head, she supposed it was not a perversion he would choose lightly. What would she do if her son developed into such a man? Would she love him any less? Of course not. Just as Hadley still loved his brother.

  It was not for her to judge. She would help them escape this situation.

  “Surely they would not take a maid’s word over a duke’s?”

  He gave a bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m sure he will produce a string of servants and God knows who else to say they saw me with a man.” Augustus stood and began to pace before the fireplace. “He has wanted our families aligned for years. He was pestering me to marry one of my sisters to him, but I refused to sign any such agreement. I wanted her to have a choice in her husband. I didn’t understand how ruthless he would be.”

  “But why Hadley? Why not force you to marry Claire?”

  “Tainted blood. The plan is for me to remain unmarried and the title to pass to Hadley, or Hadley’s son.”

  Her hands curled in her lap. Hadley would make a fabulous duke, but he’d not want his brother to suffer. “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “Don’t be. I’ve never particularly wanted children. I like my life as it is.”

  How could he? He had to hide who he really was. The risks he took…His life and his family were all in danger. “I would have thought taking a wife would protect you from innuendo and rumor.”

  His eyes flickered to the office area next to his study, where young Mr. Vickers had gone. At that moment she realized he’d found his heart’s desire.

  She cleared his throat. “So we need to discredit the witnesses.” She bit her lip and looked at the rug beneath her feet, willing an idea to come forward.

  “At least they don’t know the name of the man I was with. I don’t even know his name.”

  Her head snapped up at Augustus’s words. “That’s it.” She gave a smile. “You weren’t with a man—you were with me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I met you dressed as a man because we were having a torrid affair and I’d snuck away from my husband in disguise, not wishing to be recognized. The witnesses merely saw me still in my disguise. Then it is my word, and yours, against that of a few servants. My husband’s dead; there is no way anyone would know I’ve been exclusively in the wilds of Scotland these past five years.”

  Augustus looked shocked. “But that could ruin you. If you marry Hadley, they will think I’m handing him my seconds.” When she shrugged, he asked, “You’d do that for me?”

  She shook her head, excitement making her breathy. “No. I’d do it for Hadley and myself. To have a life with Hadley. The fact that it helps you is a bonus.” She rose and leaned forward, her hands on the desk. “I won’t let anyone steal my happiness from me again. Shall we pay a visit to the Marquis of Corby?”

  Augustus smiled back. “Excellent idea, my dear. I believe he’s in London presently. Care for some company as you head back to town?”

  She stood up, joy almost making her dizzy, and said, “I’d be delighted.”

  —

  The meeting in Christian’s drawing room was as cheerful as a wake. There was still no word from the Runners regarding Arend’s location, or Victoria’s. The ladies had visited Isobel to see if she knew her stepmother’s whereabouts, but she didn’t. Isobel had been distressed to learn that Victoria was probably the villainess. The women still did not believe that Isobel was in league with her stepmother, but the men had refused to allow her to attend this meeting.

  “Lord Stuart was very thorough. The journals clearly detail Victoria’s history, but only beginning with her time in Paris. He hadn’t dug further into her past. She arrived in Paris almost nine years ago, not long after the incident at Serena’s father’s house.”

  “She made a name for herself as an exceptional madam. Her house, the Fleur de Lily, was the most powerful in Paris, and the most sought-after. The establishment catered to every carnal taste.”

  “Arend would know more,” Grayson put in. “He told me Angelo worked in that establishment before he opened the Top Hat.” Until Victoria had killed him in order to prevent him from revealing her identity and providing evidence against her, Angelo had run the Top Hat, the most exclusive molly house in London.

  Hadley spoke up. “I can’t understand why Lord Stuart gathered this information. What was he hoping to achieve?”

  “He believed Victoria killed her husband.”

  Silence descended over the group at Marisa’s words.

  “He was gathering evidence against her. He’d had men investigating Northumberland’s death. Did you know he died in a fire at his mistress’s cottage on his estate? They both perished in the fire. A burned body is a great way to conceal foul play.”

  Hadley couldn’t help but wonder about Lord Stuart’s death as well. Accounts had it that he’d been shot by highwaymen. He wondered if that was also a bit too convenient. If Victoria had learned of Lord Stuart’s investigation, she would not have hesitated to kill the man.

  Next they discussed the information they found in Lord Stuart’s journal. Victoria had used her ill-gotten gains to build herself a small army, men who owed
her in one way or another. Men like Angelo, who had kept Victoria’s secrets right up until she killed him. The men she currently had in her employ were loyal, well paid, and ruthless.

  “I have no idea where to start to look for Arend. I know he’s been spending time with Isobel, but I’m not sure we can trust her,” said Christian.

  The woman all looked at one another. At last Portia spoke. “It’s true I haven’t known Isobel for long, but she came out at the same time as I did. I don’t believe she was old enough to be involved in planning the Libertine Scholars’ downfall. I’m sure she wasn’t even in London when Christian was set up for the rape of that young woman and then shanghaied to Canada.”

  Grayson threw up his hands. “I feel so bloody impotent. There is nothing we can do to find Arend until he either escapes, is able to send us a message, or the Runners find a clue to his whereabouts.”

  His wife, Portia, patted his hand. “We can continue to go through the journals to see if we can find where Lord Stuart might have documented evidence of Victoria’s crimes. Although I suspect he didn’t have any solid proof, given that he never confronted her or reported her to the magistrates.”

  “I think we’re past the point of needing evidence. We simply have to stop her before she hurts anyone else. If we could get her to confess in front of someone reputable, we would not need further proof. Besides, if she has caught Arend, she must have some plan for him…if he’s not dead already.”

  Hadley nodded at Christian’s words. “If we could catch Victoria in the act, then we would have our proof.”

  Sebastian voiced their frustration. “Right now, we’ll just have to wait for some lead as to Arend’s whereabouts. Hopefully the Runners will pick up his trail. If I know Arend, he won’t stay silent for long.”

  Hadley sat contemplating the situation. He knew there was no point racing off around the country, for they had no idea which direction Victoria had gone, or whether she even had Arend with her. Instead, his thoughts turned to Augustus and the problem of the Marquis of Corby.

  Having had one night with Evangeline, he knew one thing for certain: he had to find a way to save Augustus without marrying Lady Claire.