A Whisper of Seduction
Tiffany St.Claire
… the scent of roses, a precocious spy, a tiny hint of
scandal, and Marquess Evrington knows his fate is sealed!
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
About the Author
Get MORE Tiffany
This is a work of fiction.
None of it is real. All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.
A WHISPER OF SEDUCTION
Copyright © 2009
Brittany Adams and Tina Adams
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under “fair use,” without the express written permission of the author.
Chapter 1
Eris barely managed to stifle the huge yawn that was brought on by Lord Chandler's rather boring, monotonous drivel about his dogs and how he so loved a good, exciting hunt in the afternoon.
Just when she thought she'd do something horrible, like roll her eyes at the man, her mother, bless her soul, leaned close and whispered in her ear, “Eris, are you all right? Your expression indicates you've eaten something that didn't agree with you.”
Eris could have kicked herself. Here she'd spent half an hour trying to look interested in what Lord Chandler was saying, only to have her mother inform her her efforts were in vain.
She bared her teeth at her mother in what she hoped would pass for a smile and flipped open her fan to conceal her face as she leaned in and hissed, “When we return home, consider war declared!”
From the corner of her eye she saw her mother fumble to hide a grin behind her own hastily opened fan, and Eris snapped her fan shut, offering a smile to Lord Chandler as forced as the one she'd shown her mother and said, “Lord Chandler, please excuse me. I need a bit of fresh air.”
He started to protest as she turned away, but she didn't pause in her hasty retreat, certain her mother would smooth his ruffled feathers and then depart from his company herself.
She hurried through the throng until she reached the large French double doors that opened out to the patio and the gardens beyond. A warm rush of air caressed her exposed flesh and she expelled a sigh of thankfulness upon stepping out onto the patio.
Surprisingly, no one else was outside, but Eris didn't ponder this matter as she ventured from what she called 'safe ground' and into the slightly more dangerous territory that was made up of the paths and plants and hedges that filled the enormous gardens and provided hiding places for the illicit affairs of lovers and despoilers of innocents.
Not that Eris planned to get too far out of sight of the main ballroom. She just needed a moment or two alone and out of earshot of droning old men who seemed wont to speak of their day to day happenings by rote.
As she wandered along the gravel path, seemingly lost in her thoughts, a single rose bloom caught her eye and she bent to inhale its sweet fragrance. It was during this time that she overheard the low whispers of two people not wanting to be discovered.
Curious now, the bloom forgotten, she gingerly approached the bend of the path and peeked around the rose bush that marked it. Her lips spread in a grin at what she spied. One Caroline Finchley, daughter of the Duke of Maryleton (who was notorious for giving his darling daughter everything her innocent little heart desired), was in the midst of becoming quite thoroughly ravished - from what Eris could tell.
Not wanting to witness anything more lest it go beyond kisses and forbidden touches, Eris straightened and started to go back inside, then realized all movement and noise from the couple had stopped.
If there was one thing Eris had never managed to fully grasp, it was how curiosity was often the culprit of most of her rashly made decisions, which then led to a sense of misery, disappointment, and keen embarrassment.
Even so, she always gave in to it. Biting her lip now, she returned to her spying post and leaned around the corner a little further than before to better see what was going on.
However, a very tall, very formidable looking fellow blocked her view. Eris straightened so fast it caused her head to ache, and she winced before focusing on the tall one's face.
His blue eyes gleamed in the shadowy darkness.
She recognized him as the rogue who'd moments before held Caroline in a very compromising embrace. How had he moved so swiftly? So silently? Eris gulped and took a step back.
“Enjoying the show?”
* * *
Cian Deverell fought to keep his glare in place and not ruin it all by winking at the little chit who stood before him.
In a move he hadn't anticipated, the petite girl smiled brightly up at him and tilted her head a bit to the side.
“Truthfully, I found it lacking, sir.”
This time Cian slipped and ended up smirking at the cheeky thing.
“Truly?” he asked with one brow raised slightly.
She nodded.
Cian folded his arms across his chest. “In what area?”
She shrugged and clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh, I'd have to say all of them.”
Cian chuckled. “You have quite a mouth on you. Have you no shame for sneaking up and spying on me as you have?”
“I suppose I should, but I just can't manage to feel it,” she answered, her lips spread in a smile.
Cian managed to stifle his chuckle this time by sheer dint of will. And a good bit of tongue biting.
Tilting his head to the side just slightly, he studied her in the dim glow of the night.
He found it terribly endearing that her nose tilted just slightly upwards at the tip, bringing to mind mischievous pixies. Then there was her sweet Cupid's bow mouth that was a delightful rosy shade of pink that just begged to be taken in a kiss to deepen its color.
Sparkling gray eyes set beneath winged brows and fringed with dark, thick lashes gave the impression of innocence that Cian was certain helped the young girl in carrying out her mischievous exploits, for he was sure she had many.
She was rather beautiful, he couldn't help but think. Though she was tiny in stature, she more than made up for that by way of her smart mouth.
Cian relaxed a bit, a slow smile appearing.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
Cian shrugged. “You were the last thing I expected to experience when I came out here. You are quite an entertaining little bit of a thing.”
She seemed stunned by his remark and he found himself laughing outright. “I take it by your expression no one else has ever said such things to you?”
She shook her head. “No. I'm afraid everyone thinks I am quite annoying and too quick-tempered, and then there's the matter of my speaking the first thing that comes to mind as you've found out firsthand. My father is always telling me how those very things are not very becoming of a lady.”
“Have you ever tried to fix those shortcomings of yours?”
“Well of course not,” she said straightforwardly. “If I were to change them, I wouldn't be myself. Don't you agree?”
“Strangely enough, I do,” he murmured.
She flashed him another bright smile and this time Cian found himself wanting to take her in his arms and kiss her until she was breathless and wanting more.
Banishing the image from his mind, he took a step closer and reached out to grasp her hand in his. He bowed over her gloved hand and brushed a small kiss against her knuckles, taking delight in the way her eyes flashed as he did so.
&n
bsp; “It was a pleasure to have you spy on me this evening, but I daresay you've been out too long conversing with a stranger in the dark.”
“I suppose you're right,” she said with a tiny sigh and pulled her hand from his grasp. “I'll be going inside then.”
Cian dipped his chin in a nod and watched as she turned and walked away from him. He was just about to be on his way as well when she stopped and hurried back over to him.
“Yes?” he asked.
“I just wanted you to know that my evening was made infinitely better from my accidental spying on you, and I thank you for the opportunity as well as our lively chat. Goodbye.”
Cian waited until she was well and truly inside before he gave into the laughter that bubbled up inside him.
He was still laughing to himself over the delightful girl during his carriage ride home.
Chapter 2
“I suppose you're feeling awfully sprightly to be up so early in the morning?”
Cian looked up from his plate and pinned his friend Sebastian with an arch stare. “Don't you have anything better to do than irk me at this hour?”
Sebastian sauntered into the dining room and took the seat to Cian's right. He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms.
“That's a dumb question to ask since you already know I've made it my vocation to forever be a thorn in your side. Now stop avoiding my question and answer me already.”
Cian took a bite of his eggs, chewed and swallowed before asking, “What question?”
Sebastian snorted. “Oh don't be obtuse, Cian. And to think I've never kept a secret from you in all the years we've been friends, yet here you are keeping what happened between you and a certain young miss all locked up in that big head of yours.”
He clicked his tongue. “For shame, Cian. Friends shouldn't keep secrets from one another.”
Cian scowled. “I am not keeping anything from you, Sebastian. But even if I were, it wouldn't be any of your business what or why I was keeping it from you. Now stop expecting me to know what in the hell you're talking about and tell me what you are chomping at the bit to spill.”
Sebastian looked like a poor little lost puppy as he looked at Cian.
Cian struggled to keep a straight face, but failed and leaned back in his chair with a chuckle.
“Why are you always so mean to me, Cian?” Sebastian asked with a pout.
Chuckling still and shaking his head, Cian said, “If you don't want me to ban you from my house, do tell me what you came here for.”
“Oh, all right, fine,” Sebastian conceded with a roll of his eyes. “Word has spread that you were seen getting rather cozy with Lady Eris last night at the Countess of Stafford's ball. I just stopped by to ask you why in the world you would want to go and get yourself tangled up with an innocent like her.”
Cian sat forward and propped his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together. He arched his brow at Sebastian and said, “My name has been linked with just about every female on the marriage mart, Sebastian, and just as with those of my past, I can guarantee nothing happened between myself and this latest girl.”
Sebastian didn't look convinced. “I don't believe you. I've seen Lady Eris and have even danced with her once or twice. It wouldn't be beneath you to secret her away for a sweet rendezvous where you would whisper to her promises you don't intend to keep should you live to be one hundred. You would seduce her in an instant.”
Cian clenched his jaw. “Sebastian, you're trying my patience.”
“Well, you would!” Sebastian protested.
Cian leaned back in his chair with a great sigh and glared at his friend, though it was difficult to keep his expression stern.
Sometimes Sebastian reminded him of an old biddy trapped in the body of an Adonis, and his expressions were always deeply exaggerated. It was very difficult to keep from laughing at times, such as this one. Sebastian sat with his arms crossed, glaring at him like an angry toddler.
“I will tell you this once more, and I'm hoping it sinks into that thick head of yours this time because I won't say it again. Nothing happened between Lady Eris and myself.”
Sebastian snorted. “Truly?” he asked, still sounding skeptical.
“Yes, truly,” Cian repeated. “Especially since I haven't the faintest clue who you're talking about.”
Sebastian's eyes widened, his expression one of shocked surprise.
“Well no wonder you're oblivious to it all,” he muttered, then sighed and said, “So the rumors mean nothing, then?”
“Correct,” Cian replied, going back to eating.
Sebastian arched his brow and leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. “And you're going to leave the lady in question to the ravening wolves of the ton?”
Cian nodded slowly, lifting his brows for effect. “Yes, I do believe I will. She probably had one of her friend's start the rumor to begin with, hoping to be the one to strap the ol' ball and chain 'round my ankle. It wouldn't be the first time such an episode has occurred, and I can honestly say I don't feel even the slightest bit of pity for the girl.”
Sebastian grimaced. “You're cruel, Cian. I'm glad I decided against confessing my true feelings for you all those years ago. You would have shattered my tender heart in an instant.”
He ended his rant with a pout and batted his lashes.
Having had his fill of Sebastian's brand of humor, Cian filled his spoon with scrambled eggs and launched them across the space between him and his comrade.
When Sebastian glared through the spattered eggs on his face, Cian simply grinned.
* * *
Wrapped in the warm haze of half sleep, Eris didn't take kindly to being woken by the early morning sun pricking her eyes.
Mewling sleepily, she buried her head beneath her pillows only to have them jerked away and then she heard her mother's stern voice pierce the morning silence.
“Eris Luciana, now is not the time to laze the day away. We've important matters to discuss, and quickly.”
Eris frowned as she sat up.
“What could possibly be so important that you would have to wake me up?” she asked grumpily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“The fact that your name is on everyone's tongue this morning.”
Eris squinted, one brow lifted in question. “What?”
Her mother sat on the edge of her bed and crossed her arms. “Indeed. Apparently you had time enough to be ruined in every possible way by one Cian Deverell while you were out in the garden at last night's ball.”
Eris' eyes widened and her mouth formed a tiny 'o'.
Her mother arched her brow. “Then you were in the gardens with Lord Deverell?”
Eris lowered her gaze and plucked at a loose thread on the coverlet before answering.
“Not exactly,” she hedged.
Her mother's lips tightened. Eris sighed.
“I didn't know he was out there! The place was empty save for me when I ventured out. I wasn't aware of anyone else being there until I happened to bump into him.”
One of her mother's brows lifted.
“Honest!” Eris pressed.
“Eris.”
She rolled her eyes. “I'm telling the truth! When I left, it was to clear my head. Lord Chandler had bored me nearly to tears and I needed a bit of fresh air. I hadn't intended to go so far, and the next thing I knew, I was carrying on a conversation with him. Lord Deverell, I mean. Not Lord Chandler.”
Her mother didn't look convinced for all of five seconds, then she clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Your father is going to go through the roof when this gets to him, and believe me it will. Not that he hasn't been the cause of many a scandal himself when he was younger, but that's not the point. The point is you're his daughter and this could very well ruin you if not handled quickly.”
Eris bit her lip. “Then.... Does this mean I don't have to go to Lady Evanstone's musicale?”
“Eris! This is no joking matter! You wil
l be ostracized! No one will speak to you! You can't imagine how horrible it could be. Friends you've had for years will sever all ties with you. It's not something to laugh about.”
Eris ducked her head to hide the fact that she was rolling her eyes at her mother's tirade rather than out of shame.
She hadn't done anything wrong in speaking with Lord Deverell last night, and really, she didn't see how or why it was anyone else's business what she did or who she conversed with chaperoned or not, but being born into a life of privilege had pretty much made it so all eyes were on her at all times.
She sighed and propped her chin on her palm as her mother continued listing the horrible things that would be awaiting her.
She had a feeling it was going to be a very, very long day.
Chapter 3
Eris felt a peculiar burning sensation on the exposed portion of her neck and casually reached up to rub the sensitive spot. She looked over her shoulder and discovered the reason behind the prickling feeling.
Lady Caroline Finchley and a group of her bosom friends were staring daggers at her behind their tea cups. Lady Caroline was no doubt miffed that her little rendezvous with Lord Deverell didn't play out exactly as she had planned a few night's before.
Eris raised a brow and looked away, resuming her quest of picking out the sweetest looking pastries from the varied array of sweets laid out on the table before her.
Her mother had practically dragged her to Lady Ophelia's luncheon despite Eris' protests. Her mother insisted it would be best, in light of recent events, to appear as though nothing had happened, in an effort to prove that scandalous rumors involving her and Lord Deverell didn't mean a thing.
So here she was, eating sweets, drinking lemonade, and being pierced with malicious glares and having her ears burned with comments that should have had her in tears by now.
Eris bit off a piece of apple tart and looked around to find where her mother had wandered off to. She found her quickly enough talking with a group of friends and shook her head slightly. Apparently the rumors certainly hadn't affected her mother as much as she'd made out they did.
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