Page 18 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“Youare,” James said, paying no heed to Luke’s mood. “And I don’t blame you, either. She is a beautiful lady, sure enough. You should enjoy her before she is married off.”
“Enjoy her?” Luke turned back to James, fully this time, and looked at him aghast.
“Don’t think you’ll get anything else,” James said, shrugging. “She is too good for you, a mere groom, my boy. But you could enjoy her body awhile, since she is so keen to be yourfriend.”
“Go away,” Luke snapped. “I don’t wish to hear your coarse words.”
“Oh, dear,” James said, showing a false concern. “Have I upset you? But why, when you feel nothing for her?”
“Go,” he growled.
As James staggered to his feet, laughing wildly, Luke looked pointedly forward, ignoring his friend. He and James had always been close, but he had a tendency to let his mouth run away with his crude thoughts when he had taken a few too many ales.
Luke huffed, his jaw clenched. He couldn’t bear the thought of Lady Alison being spoken of like that. She was not that sort of lady, nor was she there for his physical gratification. If anything like that were ever to happen, it would be a celebration of their love, not a quick fumble that meant nothing and would only lead them both down a dangerous path.
His eyes searched her out again, looking for the bright-red gown. When he found her, she was talking to an older gentleman. He seemed to leer at her, an unpleasant sneer on his face, and Luke’s heart began to pound. They stood far too close together, and Luke couldn’t stop the spark of jealousy, red and furious within him.
“Louisa,” he called over his shoulder, and she crouched down behind him.
“What is it, Luke?” she asked.
“That gentleman there,” he said, pointing down the hill. “Do you know who he is?”
“The one talking to Lady Alison, you mean?” she asked, and he nodded. “If I remember rightly, that’s the Earl of Belmont. None of the girls much like him—he’s got wandering hands and he don’t smell so great, neither.”
“Thank you,” he said. He anxiously chewed on his lip, and she patted him on the shoulder.
“You’re better off looking elsewhere if you ask me,” she said, then got to her feet and wandered back to the dancing and singing.
He sighed. She was probably right. He knew his chances of marrying a lady such as Alison were slim, but that didn’t stop the way he felt. He loved her, he craved being with her, no matter what risk that posed to his position.
He climbed to his feet and waved to the group, disheartened. They didn’t seem to notice, and he didn’t care to make his departure known, so he stormed off in the direction of the stables.
At least the horses will not mock me.
As soon as he closed the stable door behind him, he felt flooded with relief. It was where he found his peace. He picked up a brush and began brushing down the horses, then prepping them for their journeys home. The stable was warm, the smell musty, but it was quiet, far enough away from the party. If it were not for the extra horses, it would be easy enough to pretend there was nothing special going on at all.
Luke couldn’t remove the image of Lady Alison and the Earl of Belmont from his mind. She had smiled at him, but Luke couldn’t work the smile out—was it a welcoming smile? An awkward one? He shook his head, irritated at himself for even thinking of it.
He has known all along that she would have to marry someone titled, and he couldn’t bear the thought of ruining their friendship on a whim of passion that could not be requited. But his heart ached for her. He wanted nothing more than to love and protect her.
Before he could wallow any further, the footman arrived.
“Lord Denninson and family are ready to leave,” Jeffries said. “Please hitch up their carriage.”
Luke nodded his understanding and jumped immediately to work, leading the horses from the stable to the coach house, clucking at them softly. He was glad of the work, hoping it would take his mind from his woes.
But as he caught a glimpse of Lord Denninson waiting at the entrance to the house, he felt a darkness fall over him. He had never had any desire to be a lord, but he knew things with Lady Alison would be easier if he were.
