Seduce Me Please (7 page)

“
When has your sister ever had occasion to lay eyes on a rat?” Graydon questioned rather incredulously and then chuckled, lowering himself into one of the chairs provided by the club. “Has Rosebriar gone to the dogs since last I visited?”

“
Her version of a rat, I suppose.” Parker snickered. “She probably viewed a sketch in one of the countless volumes that she loses herself in. She is a voracious reader.” He poured them both a generous tumbler of brandy after settling into another of the deep leather chairs that were arranged against the wall. “I believe you have similar tastes.” He eyed his friend with interest. “I’ve already turned down four proposals of marriage this season alone,” he bragged.

“
Four?” Graydon queried casually, taking a large swallow of his drink. “The season has barely begun.” He swirled his drink slowly, seemingly occupied with the task. “Why did you refuse them? Were all of the gentlemen unsuitable?” Assuming an innocent expression.

“
Not at all.” Parker grinned. “Perfectly suitable—every last one of them. Good breeding, good family, and apparently not a fortune hunter in the bunch. One or two may be a little young, one or two may be a little old, but…” He shrugged.

“
Then why?” Graydon swallowed the rest of his drink. He couldn’t stop the scowl. She really wasn’t his concern. He had no business even
sniffing
around her himself. She was precisely the type of woman he sought to avoid—the marrying kind.

“
God knows, I shouldn’t encourage the chit to be so damned independent, but I find I cannot force her to marry a man she finds only tolerable.” Parker sat back in his chair with his ankles crossed loosely in front of him. “I wouldn’t want to be forced into a boring match or God forbid, a match with a she-devil. So, I cannot in good conscience force Piper to choose from one of the pack of fools that have drooled over her the past three years.”

“
I suppose you’re right.” Graydon nodded his head in agreement. “Have you tried to find out who this Fulton truly is?” He grabbed one of the freshly laundered white towels and wiped the sweat still beaded on his face.

“
I’ve sent out feelers, no response yet.” He shrugged. “Will you be at the Crenshaw’s ball tomorrow?” Parker smiled faintly as he steered the conversation in a different direction.

“
Of course.” Graydon frowned, running his fingers through his golden curls, mussing them even more than their exercise. “My just reward for my sins from the previous year is to be on my best behavior this year and to be the official escort to my mother for all Society functions that she deems necessary to attend this season.” He spoke as if the response were memorized. Sure that Parker could hear the grinding of his teeth from where he sat and the profuse sarcasm.

Parker hooted with laughter. “What a good son you are. I’ll make sure you’re one of the first to know when or if I find any skeletons in Fulton’s closet.”

“
Good.” Graydon nodded. “My concern is merely to insure your sister is safe and happy and avoids any sort of
mésalliance
.”

“
You want to make sure my sister is safe and happy?” Parker’s brows rose high on his forehead. “To what do I or my sister owe this unexpected altruistic attitude of yours?” He gazed shrewdly, lounging indolently in the large leather chair.

“
She’s your sister, that’s all,” Graydon replied uneasily. “I would hope you would extend the same courtesy to my sisters.” He boldly met Parker’s eyes praying he didn’t give himself away.

Parker studied Graydon for a minute before he spoke, “Speaking of sisters, are yours coming to Town this year?”

“
Naturally.” Graydon rolled his eyes. “My mother is doing her best to persuade the
ton
that my wicked reputation is merely a ruse. I will be escorting them as usual to the
Sotherland’s garden party
.”

“
My heart absolutely bleeds for you.” Parker shook his head solemnly. “Wait until they are of marriageable age, then come and talk to me.” His voice flat and unsympathetic.

“
Don’t be such an ass, Ash.” Graydon drained the rest of his brandy and stood. “I’m meeting Seymour at Marlins tonight. Care to tag along?”

“
Might as well.” Parker shrugged.

CHAPTER FIVE

Why must women of good breeding always deny themselves of anything that actually stirs their blood?

Piper’s journal

14 June

FULTON IT SEEMED HAD PLENTY OF MONEY AT HIS DISPOSAL and he was more than willing to part with it at all the best and even some of the worst gambling hells in Town. Particularly if the end result was the one he had waited to achieve for what seemed like a lifetime.

Upon entering the room, he drifted from table to table searching out the most advantageous of opponents. He stopped in front of the loudest table in the room, sure that if the gentlemen were deep in their cups, he would be able to sufficiently fleece them. This observation was met by the crashing of yet another glass tumbling from the table leaving a dark trail over the floor.

Mr. Dexter laughed gregariously as he proceeded to topple over yet another glass of wine. “The plays high, Fulton,” he added, “are you sure you can keep up?”

“
I’ll pass.”

The room was deep, enveloped in unrelieved gloom. The only light was from the glow of two wall lamps that barely illuminated the space of a couple of feet, making it difficult to search for worthy prey. Fulton cast his eyes over the players, rejecting every last one until his eyes landed on the table where Rockwell sprawled. Heading their way as the scraping of chairs signaled the end of a game as the four men tossed their cards on the table.

“
You finished already?” Graydon directed his question at Conley with a smirk. Conley was a good sort of man. Paid his debts—never gambled more blunt than he had—respected his father, which was a complete enigma compared to most of the young, titled gentlemen of the
ton
. Graydon knew that first hand.

“
Oh, no you don’t Rock.” Conley hurriedly stuffed what little money remained in his pockets. “The only thing of value I have left is my Arabian and I ain’t just going to give him to you!” He chuckled. “Devilish luck you’re having tonight.”

“
You have put up a valiant fight.” Gathering up the discarded cards, Graydon started shuffling loudly. “We could wager for something else.” His eyes took on a predatory gleam. “Say that pretty little hunting box you have in Scotland?”

“
No-no-no!” Exploded Conley with a laugh. “The earl would have my hide. Fancies himself a hunter even if he only attempts it once a year and he would surely notice if he were required to seek
your
permission for the use of his own hunting box on that
particular
occasion.”

Graydon chuckled.

“
I’ve never known your father to be an ogre, Conley,” Seymour chimed in.

“
And I fancy my hide too much to find out,” Conley threw back.

Conley’s rejoinder caused Graydon to laugh uproariously, making heads to turn his way in the gloomy room.

“
How disappointing, that would have been a nice acquisition, Rock,” Seymour replied.

“
Pity,” Graydon drawled. “I had high hopes for the evening. Very well, Conley. Would hate to upset your father and put you on the outs.”

“
You are a cold-hearted fellow,” Conley retorted good-naturedly. “Perhaps we will meet again when the earl has replenished my capital.” Graydon watched as Conley turned on his heel and made his way out of the darkened hell, his few coins jingling in his pockets.

Noticing the new comer out of the corner of his eye, Graydon turned around. “Ah, Fulton.” Gesturing towards the now empty seat. “Perhaps you would care to join us?” Perfect. Now he could find out what kind of a man Fulton truly was. Find out if he was truly a reprobate. All manner of rumors swirled around about the man. Deep pockets. Unknown origins. Duels. Who was to say what the truth was? He watched as Fulton’s pale eyes brightened when he swiveled to face him. Piper’s description was spot on. Beady rat eyes.

“
Well?” Seymour crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you game to play?”

“
I was just searching for the right challenge.” Fulton’s lips curved in a mocking smile. “I would be honored to test my skills against yours. I’ve heard you’re a dab hand with the cards, Seymour.”

“
How about a rubber of whist, gentlemen?” Seymour’s lips curved in a taunting smile. “Rumors abound that you’ve plenty of money to spare. I’d be more than happy to relieve you of a sizeable portion of your blunt.” He took the cards from Graydon and shuffled some more.

Fulton leaned forward and said in a jovial tone, “A rubber of whist, you say?” Lips quirking, he glanced around the table. “I believe I could be a tolerable opponent for you esteemed gentlemen.”

Parker leaned back in his chair watching Fulton through narrowed eyes. “Tsk, tsk,” he clucked, his brow rose. “Flattery will not win you a trick.”

Too bad for them, he wasn’t after a trick.

“
Rock, you are never happy if you are not winning.” Declan commented.

“
And you are never happy unless you are plaguing someone incessantly.” Graydon nearly chuckled aloud because he knew the truth.

“
Can you boys leave off your pissing contest so that we can play some cards,” Seymour drawled, making as if to stand. “If not, I believe I will retire to my club.”

“
Sit down, Seymour.” Parker snorted.

Seymour laid out the deck for Graydon to cut.

“
He’s just going to cheat,” Graydon quipped, before handing the cards back to be dealt.

“
I beg your pardon, I never cheat at cards.” Seymour grinned. “At least not when we are playing for real money.” He dealt out the first hand. “Prepare yourself, Fulton, and I recommend watching your cards.”

Fulton sputtered.

“
You can shut your mouth now, Fulton. He’s only joking.” Parker said pityingly.

Not glancing up from his cards, Fulton mentioned, “I understand you’ve recently escaped a scandal.”

Seymour guffawed loudly.

Fulton looked around with a puzzled brow.

Graydon smirked. “I hadn’t realized how far the rumors of my salacious escapades had spread.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“
I meant no disrespect, my lord.” Fulton groveled.

“
No harm done.” Graydon’s golden eyes gleamed brightly in the low light. Leaning forward he looked Fulton straight in the eyes. “Just promise me you will not see that the rumor makes the round again this year, Fulton.”

Alarm flared in his features. “Of course, my lord.” Fulton picked up his cards, clearing his throat. “Are we playing gentlemen?”

……………………………………

“
He is going to die,” the shadowy figure replied, the barest undertone of malice detectable. He tossed down his brandy in three gulps. The liquor worked wonders on fanning the flames of his anger and the dark and smoky atmosphere of this particular establishment suited his mood to perfection.

“
You’ve lost your mind? Why you so set to see ‘im meet ‘is maker?” His companion asked, he sat fidgeting across from him at a far corner table in the questionable tavern in a seedier part of town. His nervousness a tell-tell sign of the danger that lurked right in front of him.

“
Unfortunately for him, the son must pay for the sins of the father.” His mouth tightened, and his pale eyes glittered icily.

“
Sins…”

He shushed him with an impatient gesture. “I’m not paying you to know, I’m paying you to do as you’re told.”

CHAPTER SIX

Why does Rockwell have to be such an attractive man? It seems to override my ability to separate him from his rakish deeds and forces me to attribute every romantic notion I’ve read about to his mysteriously striking person.

18 June

A SWIFT KNOCK BROKE THE PLEASANT QUIET OF GRAYDON’S LIBRARY. Removing his spectacles, he rubbed the bridge of his nose before bidding the intruder entrance.

His intention this afternoon was to read, to relax, to clear his mind, but that obviously was not in the cards.

“
Pardon me, my lord,” Rockwell’s butler, Wells, an older man with nondescript eyes and silver hair, apologized. “This arrived by messenger.”

Graydon propped the book he was reading on the arm of his leather wingback chair and stood to retrieve the message.

Unfolding the note, he frowned at what was written.

Did you think this would remain a family secret forever?

“
Did you read this, Wells?” A deep frown remained on his lips.