Once Upon an Accident 02 - Lessons in Seduction (15 page)

Her mind was still whirling with the implications of his arrival so she did not think before she asked, “Why would Ethingham want to meet with Anna?”

Chuckling, Betsy hurried over to Cicely’s side. “Last night definitely addled your senses. Not Lady Anna. Lord Penwyth. Showed up here, dressed to the nines, he did, requesting to see him.” She paused.

“Demanded. He demanded an audience. The lord came immediately and they have been in the study for about ten minutes along with the Earl of Bridgerton.”

Worry had Cicely frowning. Why would Douglas want to speak with Sebastian? Her thoughts earlier about the duel and seconds had her jumping out of the chair.

“I want to wear the new blue morning dress.”

For once holding her tongue, Betsy smiled and did Cicely’s bidding.

Cicely calmed her breathing, hoping to avert disaster. If Douglas asked Sebastian to be his second that would end all chances of her talking him out of it. That Bridgerton was here did not bode well for her plans. She’d known he would approach Sebastian, but she’d had no idea he would make it here so early.

She did not care what she needed to do, but one way or another, she would make sure Douglas did not make that dawn appointment.

Douglas studied his cousin’s husband, who was taking in everything he had told him and Bridgerton of Cicely’s encounter with Cummings the night before.

“And you say he frightened her?” The nasty edge to Penwyth’s voice caused Douglas to relax. He did not doubt Sebastian cared for Cicely, but many men would wonder if she’d led Cummings on.

“I heard more of the conversation than Lady Cicely believes. I saw her face.” He shook his head. “He planned on going past frightening her. I believe if I had not found them and interrupted, he might have succeeded in doing more than just compromising her.”

“The man has no morals,” Bridgerton remarked. “I have heard he is a regular visitor to the House of Rod. Seems sadist tendencies do not skip a generation in that family, as his father was a customer also.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened at that. “Who would have thought that of the little bastard?” His tone dripped with disgust. “I have a feeling I know what particular vice he goes there to fill.”

“What do you need from us?” Bridgerton asked.

“Seconds,” Douglas said.

A muscle flexed in Penwyth’s cheek, and his gaze drifted to the fire.

“You challenged him?”

Douglas shrugged. “I had no choice.”

Without moving his attention from the blaze, Sebastian nodded. “I knew I should have attended last night, but with going out to the Merryweather Ball tonight, well, Colleen and I hate to be gone two nights in a row.” He glanced at Bridgerton, then settled his gaze on Douglas. His piercing blue eyes sharpened with irritation. “Have you heard from his seconds?”

“No. I believe today that we will find the knocker removed from the door and a notice that he has left for the country. Or better yet, the continent.”

The earl sighed. “I find myself in your debt again.”

Penwyth appeared older. Having four women in the house was bound to do that to a man. All of the responsibility. That on top of his duties to title and estate and those of being a new father.

Douglas smiled, remembering how the earl had hated the fact he had been the one to find Colleen when she had been pushed down the stairs.

At the time, no one but Douglas knew of his familial connection to Colleen.

“Well, old man, how about my pick of that prime horseflesh you have on the estate?”

He snorted. “I think not. Besides, Anna is in charge of the stables.

For all her girlish ways, she is still horse mad. With the children, the estate, not to mention my wife, I welcome the help.”

A grunt sounded from Bridgerton, who was now the one gazing broodingly at the fire. “Fat chance there. That chit would not part with one of her stable.”

“You would know,” Penwyth remarked.

With a dark glance in his friend’s direction, Bridgerton said, “You can depend on us for anything in that regard. I cannot stand Cummings, could not before this.”

All humor fled Sebastian’s face. “You can count on it, Your Grace.

The one thing we need to ensure is that my wife, mother and sister do not find out about this. Colleen would have a fit.”

Douglas chuckled to cover the envy piercing his heart. He begrudged his friend nothing, especially knowing that Penwyth had almost lost Colleen. Still, witnessing their happy life stung. Jealousy of a married couple was a new and uncomfortable feeling for Douglas. Up until last night, he thought never to marry. His parents’ marriage had left him wary of the institution.

The argument had been made by distant and not-so-distant cousins that he should marry and produce heirs. He’d felt no rush since he had a few cousins who had a multitude of offspring. Of course, that changed the night Cicely had kissed him. After that kiss, there was no going back, no switching course. She would be his…that was not a doubt. Knowing her own revulsion to the institution of marriage, Douglas decided the only way to change her mind would be through those lessons.

“Nothing sadder than a henpecked husband.” Bridgerton’s amused voice brought Douglas out of his dismal plans.

The smile returned to Sebastian’s face. “Ah, you should be so lucky, Daniel. Find yourself a good woman. Settle down. That is the true way to happiness.” Voices sounded outside the room. “And happiness is about to intrude.”

Douglas nodded and stood as Sebastian and Daniel rose from his chair. With an explosion of both sound and force, the door burst inward.

Anna led the pack. Behind her came Colleen carrying Charles.

“I see that my family has decided to afford me privacy as usual,”

Penwyth said but there was only warmth in his voice.

“Oh, pooh, Sebastian.” This came from Anna, who smiled at Douglas and Bridgerton as she hurried around the desk to give her brother a quick peck on the cheek. “Fitzgerald said Douglas was here and he said his name in front of old Charlie here.”

Sebastian’s sigh was long and dramatic. “Anna, I have asked you not to call your nephew Charlie.”

“As I said before, pooh.”

“Anna, quit trying to start a fight with Sebastian,” Colleen admonished. “Douglas. Daniel. It is so nice to see you both this morning.”

Leaning forward, she brushed her lips against Douglas’ cheek. Even after two years, the action took him by surprise. Open displays of love were a new and different experience for him. The Wares seemed to not think twice about showing affection, something that had been disdained in his own household. Douglas had grown up in such a sterile environment. No one touched anything, least of all each other. It was unheard of.

When Colleen pulled away, Charles leaned toward Douglas and he had no choice but to take the toddler from his mother. It was that or watch the pleasantly plump little boy plummet to the ground.

“You just saw Douglas last night.” This came from her husband.

Colleen gave him a glare then moved onto Daniel, affording him the same attention she had given Douglas. “I am going to have to quote Anna here and say, pooh.”

Douglas barely noticed the byplay between the couple as Charles stared up at him. The deep blue Ware eyes studied him as if Douglas had the secrets of life and with an expectation that Douglas would share those secrets. The thought of having his own children, children both he and Cicely would share, tugged at his heart. Thinking he would not be a good role model for children, Douglas had not contemplated fatherhood.

He’d had not one good example of how a loving father should act, at least while growing up. But now, now he wanted those children and he wanted them with Cicely.

The object of his thoughts rushed into the room. She came to an abrupt halt just inside the door, her eyes widening almost comically at the crowd gathered there. Embarrassment flushed her face. She was breathing heavily, as if she had exerted a great amount of work to get to the study.

Sighing, he shifted his weight, trying to ease the heaviness in his loins. Young Charles was good cover for his distress. The woman had him weaving between so many opposing emotions, Douglas was amazed he could think straight.

“I can explain everything, Sebastian.”

Utter silence greeted that announcement. No one seemed to know what to say to that. Even Charles stopped his chatter.

Douglas froze.

Her cousin shook free of his surprise more quickly than the rest of the group and broke the silence.

With a smile, Sebastian asked, “Why don’t you explain all of it to us?”

In which Lady Cicely must clarify.

Cicely swallowed her nerves and faced her cousin. Not many people would take in a poor relation, especially one with a mother who had plotted to kill you and your wife. But Sebastian had done that and more.

He had given her a family, somewhere to belong. She did not want to disappoint him. She shot a glare in Douglas’ direction—who stared at her expectantly—and then moved her attention back to Sebastian.

“Do you want to explain what you are talking about, Cicely?”

Sebastian smiled at her, a kind light in his blue eyes that made her feel even worse.

She glanced at Douglas and realized with a start that he was holding Charles. Unfortunately the image of Douglas holding a young toddler was entirely too enticing. It reminded her faintly of her earlier dreams. She did not think she had dreamt of having the duke’s heir, but the process of acquiring one… Flustered, she turned in the direction of her cousin once again.

When she found Sebastian studying her and then flashing a concerned frown at Douglas, her worry increased tenfold.

“Colleen, could you take my meddlesome sister”—to which said sister huffed and mumbled something that sounded remarkably like pooh— “and our son and let me have a word with Douglas, Daniel and Cicely alone?”

Although Anna complained loudly, Colleen ushered her out. On her way she stopped in front of Douglas and recaptured her small son, who protested even more loudly than Anna. His wails echoed a retreat out in the marble hallway. A smartly liveried footman closed the heavy doors, leaving Sebastian, Cicely, Daniel and Douglas sequestered in a beat of uncomfortable silence.

“Do have a seat, everyone.”

Cicely and Douglas settled into the matching boxwood and ebony George III chairs that faced Sebastian’s desk as Daniel sat on the settee.

“Cicely, first you must understand that this situation calls for some sort of action. I know that is a concept both offending and foreign to you, however, it is one you simply must accept given the circumstance.”

She frowned, her thoughts turning decidedly ominous. Damn Douglas and his blasted honor. She licked her lips. The idea he would risk his life…

Cicely said, “I do not see why my opinion could not at the very least be considered. It does involve me.”

Sebastian looked at Douglas as if waiting for him to intervene and when he realized he would have no help from that quarter, said, “These…situations are best handled by men. It would not do for you to be…” He seemed to hesitate as he searched for the word he wanted.

“Sullied.”

“
Sullied
?” Is that how Douglas saw her? Is that why he agreed to her lessons? Anger had her jumping out of her chair. “And just why is it, Cousin, that men get to decide? This directly affects me and I want to know why I do not get a voice in the matter.”

“Cicely,” Sebastian sighed.

“You have accepted me here, most graciously—”

“Cicely—”

“But I do not think that you need to concern yourself with this nonsense at all.”

“Cicely!” Sebastian barked.

She snapped her mouth shut.

Using two fingers at each temple, he rubbed in slow, small circles. He had dark crescents under his eyes, making her wonder if it was recreation, her nephew, niece or some business trouble that had kept Sebastian from a full night’s sleep. Guilt held her tongue.

“You are just as stubborn as my wife. This is a matter of not only your honor, but the duke’s as well. Douglas had to challenge Cummings and that is the end of it.”

“It’s good to know I have so many looking out for
my
honor.”

“Had I been in Douglas’ shoes, I, too, would have challenged the bas—rake,” Bridgerton said.

She shot him a look of irritation, which was met with a smile. “There really is no need for this. Cummings is afraid of what His Grace will do to him, and as Douglas said last night, there is a good chance the bounder is gone.”

“Cicely, there is no guarantee that he has left,” Sebastian insisted.

“He did what had to be done and I am forever in his debt for being there for you.”

While she appreciated his support and protection, she could not stand for this. “It was my fault for being alone and not being aware of my surroundings. And while it was not the most pleasant experience, I daresay I will survive. There is no need for His Grace to risk his life.”

“I told you, Lady Cicely, it was not your fault.” Just the sound of Douglas’ gentle tone had heat curling in her tummy. She chanced a glance in his direction and found herself melting under his regard. His thick hair fell a bit haphazardly onto his forehead. It only increased his charm. His lips, lips that had only last night conveyed warmth and tenderness, twitched with amusement. “Men like Cummings are not fit for company and the sooner he leaves, whether by carriage or by bullet, the better for everyone.”

She offered Douglas a tentative smile and the air between them thickened as detailed memories of the night before flashed through her mind. Heat flushed her face as she realized from his look that he was remembering the same thing.

Sebastian cleared his throat, breaking the spell. When she could tear her gaze away from Douglas, she faced her cousin and had to fight a grimace at his dark expression.

She decided to press her point. “I do not approve of the duel.”

“I do not care.”

The thread of irritation was evident in Sebastian’s voice. For all she loved about her cousin, when he made up his mind, there was little one could do to change it. Knowing that, and understanding that arguing with him would get her nowhere, Cicely thought it best to retreat and regroup before confronting either man again.