His Mistress By Christmas (9 page)

He chuckled. “Then I shall hurry.”

“One more thing, Sir Sebastian.” She studied him intently.

“The heart of even the strongest woman can be exceptionally fragile. Veronica is the daughter I never had.” A warning sounded in her voice. “And I have a very long memory, as Sir Hugo will attest.”

“I don’t doubt it for a moment.”

“And, dear boy.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “Do try not to be quite so obsequious. While I appreciate the effort, it’s not at all attractive.” Her gaze flicked over him. “And you are most attractive.”

“. . . and he returned to the box moments before the intermission ended, with Aunt Lotte right on his heels.” Veronica tapped her fingers impatiently on the table in the ladies’ reading room of Fenwick and Sons, Booksellers. “As I had already seen the play—”

“And who hasn’t?” Portia said. “It’s a very old play.”

“And yet always enjoyable.” Julia nodded. “I never fail to be amused by it.”

“It depends on who is playing the role of Lady Sneerwell, I think.” Portia nodded. “As she is the villainess of the—”

“Would you two stop discussing the theatrical merits of a silly play and turn your attention to my dilemma?” Veronica glared at her friends.

“We’re not entirely sure what your dilemma is, dear.” Julia sipped her tea.

“Aside from the fact that you wish to become Sebastian’s mistress and he does not appear to be cooperating.” Portia smiled in an altogether too smug manner. “I know I, for one, am shocked.”

“His cooperation has yet to be determined.” Veronica’s tone was sharper than she’d intended, and she drew a calming breath.

“You expected him to leap into your bed or immediately sweep you away to his,” Portia said.

“He does have that reputation.”

Julia nodded. “Which is why you selected him.”

“Not entirely. I also selected him because I enjoy his books. There’s something quite compelling about his writing, even, dare I say, seductive.”

Portia snorted. “I’ve read his books. I didn’t find them the least bit seductive. The very idea,” she added under her breath.

“Then, when I met him . . .” Veronica blew a long breath. “I suppose I should confess all now.” She paused to pull her thoughts together. “The entire idea of becoming a mistress was only a vague sort of tickle in the back of my mind. I knew I didn’t want marriage and I am tired of being alone and I also knew only the right man would do. It wasn’t until I actually met Sebastian that I decided on this course. And on him.”

“Right there?” Portia’s eyes widened. “You decided to become his mistress right there in the lecture hall? In the Explorers Club lecture hall?”

“It’s not as if it’s sacred ground, Portia,” Julia said.

“No doubt this sort of thing is why they don’t allow women to be members,” Portia muttered.

Veronica ignored her. “It sounds odd, but I knew, I just knew, he was the right man for me. I was most taken with him. He’s undeniably handsome, and that little scar on his forehead makes him seem mysterious.”

“The scar is—”

“Yes, Portia, I know, but it doesn’t matter. The way he held the crowd in his hands and how very gracious and kind he was to all his admirers, and then he was even pleasant to Aunt Lotte, well . . .”

And she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Even in her sleep, he was there with his wicked smile and his endless blue eyes and his laugh. She could still feel the heat of his body beside her when they’d walked in the park. And when she’d kissed him . . . something inside her had fluttered and ached. She’d felt something similar long ago, when she’d fallen in love with Charles. But this was lust, nothing more. Nor would she allow it to be more.

Julia studied her. “Well?”

She drew a deep breath. “I found him most remarkable.”

“And?” Julia said.

“And desirable.”

“And?” Portia prompted.

“And, I want the man.” Veronica’s gaze slid from one friend to the next. “There you have it. I want him. He’s the perfect Christmas gift to myself. And I am determined to have him.”

“I still don’t understand your dilemma,” Julia said calmly.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” Veronica’s voice rose.

“My, that is a dilemma,” Julia murmured.

“I knew it.” Portia blew a relieved breath. “I knew you’d come to your senses.”

“I haven’t come to my senses,” Veronica snapped. “I haven’t lost my senses. I simply don’t know how to go about this.”

“About . . .” Confusion sounded in Julia’s voice. “About what?”

“Seduction!”

The heads of the ladies at the next table swiveled toward them. Veronica winced. This was perhaps not the best place to have this discussion. The ladies’ reading room was always full and had been since Veronica had encouraged Fenwick to offer refreshments. Or perhaps
bribe
was a better word, as her encouragement had carried with it financial incentive. Veronica was now a silent partner in Fenwick and Sons. Usually it was most gratifying to see the establishment busy, but today she would have preferred a few less patrons.

She lowered her voice and leaned closer to her friends. “I don’t know how to go about seducing a man.”

“You did kiss him,” Julia pointed out.

Veronica waved away her comment. “A stolen moment and scarcely significant.”

Portia’s brow furrowed. “I wouldn’t have thought this would be a problem with Sebastian.”

“Nor did I, given his reputation.” Veronica sighed. “But the man is being a proper gentleman. For the most part.” Certainly there was his list of what he wished to know about her, which wasn’t the least bit proper, but that discussion had been brief and interrupted entirely too soon. “And I don’t know what to do to encourage him to be less of a gentleman. I don’t want him to think—”

“That you’re a tart?” Portia said sweetly.

“Yes. I suppose.” Veronica huffed. “I don’t want him to think that I do this sort of thing all the time. I’ve never seduced a man before, and I’ve only ever been seduced once.”

Julia nodded. “By your husband.”

“Yes, of course.”

Portia stared. “Only by your husband?”

“Yes.” Veronica narrowed her gaze. “Did you think otherwise ?”

“Not at all,” Julia said quickly.

“I did,” Portia said. “I most certainly did.”

“How could you think such a thing?” Veronica glared.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean—”

“How could I not?” Portia snapped. “You’re so freethinking and independent and full of confidence and assurance. You go on and on about how women should vote and be members of men’s clubs and handle their own finances and how we are every bit as competent as men to run our own lives. And how you’d rather be a mistress than a wife. You’ve always gotten everything you wanted because you never hesitated to take it. I assumed that, in this particular area, you would have been quite as . . . as
accomplished
as any man!”

Veronica stared in disbelief. She wasn’t sure if she should be furious or . . . “Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome!” Portia sniffed. “And furthermore I have always admired that about you. You do precisely as you please, regardless of what other people think. I don’t agree with you about anything, but I think you’re extremely courageous. And, of the two of us, I would rather be you than me!”

“Good Lord,” Julia murmured.

“I do hope I haven’t disappointed you,” Veronica said slowly.

“Because you’re not a tart?” Portia waved in an offhand gesture. “One learns to live with disappointment.”

Julia snorted.

“I shall try to do better in the future.” Veronica bit back a grin. “Or worse, as it were.”

“See that you do,” Portia said in a prim manner.

Julia looked from one friend to another. “This is the most absurd conversation we have ever had.” She shook her head. “I can scarcely believe my ears. Always proper Portia is encouraging Veronica, who has never needed any encouragement whatsoever, to be improper.”

“It does sound absurd when you say it that way,” Portia muttered.

At once the answer struck her and Veronica stared at Portia. “But you’re right.” She turned toward Julia. “She’s absolutely right.”

Julia’s brows drew together. “She is?”

“I am?” Suspicion sounded in Portia’s voice.

“Completely. I have always followed my own path. I have never doubted myself. And I have never been the least bit flustered by anyone, let alone a mere man.”

Julia raised a brow. “
He
flusters
you?
”

Portia scoffed. “Surely not.”

“Darling, I am sorry if I am disappointing you again, but yes. The man makes me feel . . . well . . . somewhat confused and completely . . .” She thought for a moment. “Not at all myself. That’s it. I’ve become this tentative, hesitant creature who concerns herself with things like safety.”

“Oh, no, not that,” Julia said with barely concealed amusement.

Veronica ignored her. “Although I don’t think he’s noticed.”

“No one has,” Portia said under her breath.

“Why, I allowed him to do as he pleased in the park. I let him take the reins, so to speak. He wanted to walk and we walked.”

“In
your
shoes?” Portia asked. “I can’t imagine such a thing.”

“And then he invited Aunt Lotte to accompany us as a chaperone for the theater last night and again to a banquet at the Explorers Club. We all know I have never seen the necessity of chaperones, but I never even protested.”

“My, that is odd,” Julia said.

“A man with his reputation does not become a proper gentleman overnight. He’s up to something.” Veronica drummed her fingers on the table. “I don’t know what—apparently, it’s not overt seduction—but I intend to find out. No man is that perfect.”

“Veronica, dear.” Julia laid her hand over Veronica’s. “
You
are the one who is up to something. You really can’t—”

“No.” Portia shook her head. “She’s right. This doesn’t sound at all like the Sebastian I know. I would have expected him to appear unannounced on your doorstep when he could be confident you were alone and seduce you.”

Veronica huffed. “One would have thought.”

“Instead he’s biding his time.” Portia’s brows furrowed in thought. “If I didn’t know better . . .” Her eyes widened. “He’s courting you! That’s what he’s doing. As absurd as it sounds, my cousin’s intentions might be completely honorable.”

A heavy knot settled in Veronica’s stomach, and she shook her head. “That’s not at all what I have in mind.”

“Well then, there’s only one thing you can do.” Portia leaned close and met Veronica’s gaze firmly.

“Portia.” A warning sounded in Julia’s voice.

“Seduce him, Veronica.” Portia’s eyes were lit with the fire of the newly reformed. “Don’t allow him to be the one to seduce you.”

Julia gasped. “Portia.”

“Don’t give him time to plan or plot.” Determination rang in Portia’s voice. “Seduce him at once.”

“Yes, of course.” Why hadn’t Veronica thought of it herself? “Unfortunately, I don’t have a plan as to how I shall accomplish that now and never did. I just assumed all would fall into place.”

“Oh, you definitely need a plan.” Portia nodded. “I said right at the beginning that you had not given this due consideration.”

“And you were absolutely right. I should have listened to you.”

“Perhaps next time you will,” Portia said in a lofty manner.

Veronica drew her brows together and thought for a moment. “I don’t suppose either of you has a plan in mind?”

Julia and Portia traded glances.

“Veronica, dear,” Julia said slowly. “In spite of Portia’s moment of enthusiasm, do keep in mind that, while we might well condone this desire of yours to become Sir Sebastian’s mistress, we are in no way encouraging it.”

“No, indeed,” Portia said quickly. “I still think it’s morally reprehensible.”

“Seduction was your idea,” Veronica pointed out.

“Obviously, I am the one who has taken leave of her senses,” Portia said, as if she were confessing a great crime. “I can only say I was swept away by the desire to help one of my gender best the opposition. The very fact that I am thinking of men, specifically my own cousin, as an opposing enemy indicates how far I have sunk.” Portia heaved a heartfelt sigh. “Apparently, in spite of my best intentions and to my eternal horror, I have fallen under the influence of Veronica.”

“Goodness, Portia.” A wry note sounded in Julia’s voice. “It’s not as if she has taken you by the hand and led you astray.”

“Not thus far.” Veronica grinned at her friend. “But there is hope for you yet, darling.”

“Yes, yes, those least likely to bend . . .” Portia rolled her gaze toward the heavens. “I know.”

“A plan.” Veronica thought for a moment. “I shall have to think of something clever.”

Julia shrugged. “Or you could be completely honest and tell him that he is what you want for Christmas.”

“I could never . . .”
Why not?
Veronica stared at Julia. “That does sound like a plan.”

Portia groaned. “I am at least grateful I will not be here to see it.”

Julia frowned. “Where will you be?”

“Italy,” Portia said with a blithe wave of her hand. “My aunt and I have let a villa for several weeks. I have no desire to stay here and be forced to attend one event after another in which my family will offer up eligible gentlemen like Christmas sweets.”

Veronica’s brow rose. “So you’re running away?”

“I wouldn’t put it exactly in that manner, but yes.” Portia squared her shoulders. “Julia has recently married. You refuse to marry for no real reason that I can see. And, while I wish to marry again, I much prefer to find my own husband rather than have one served to me on a platter.”

“Like a goose served for Christmas?” Julia grinned.

“Why, Portia.” Veronica cast the other woman an affectionate smile. “How very courageous and independent of you.”

“This, too, is probably a direct result of your influence.” Portia shook her head in a mournful manner. “God help me.”

Julia’s gaze passed from one friend to the other. “I wouldn’t count on God, dear. He’s going to be very busy.”

Sinclair snapped the library doors closed behind him, then flattened his back against them as if he were barring the invasion of the barbarian hordes.