Page 58 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
“No, Luke, please,” Jenny urged, taking a step toward him, her hand held out as though to placate him. “It’s not like that, we’ve only been talking. I don’t know what you saw, but—”
“Stop, Jenny. Do not treat me like a fool. Why do you insist on ruining what little reputation we have managed to build?”
“Ruin? But Luke—”
“There is no need to get angry with her,” Sebastian said, his voice soft and calm. “Miss Jones has done nothing wrong. She has behaved like a perfect lady.”
Luke spun around, his shoulders high and his cheeks red, and he sneered at Sebastian. Sebastian held his ground, not taking a step back and looking completely calm.
“You’re right about that,” he said. “I am not angry ather. She is an innocent woman. It’s you I am furious with. You have tainted her!”
“No, Luke, please,” Jenny urged, stepping between her brother and Sebastian.
Sebastian said nothing, his jaw set firm and his lips closed. Jenny suspected he was buying time, trying to find a way to calm the situation.
“I’ll marry her,” Sebastian said. The words came out as though it was the simplest thing in the world, tumbling from him.
He’ll… marry…even Jenny’s thoughts stuttered, stumbling over what Sebastian had just said. Yes, they got along well and yes, she could imagine herself as his wife. But they barely knew one another!
Luke was equally shocked. His tense stance dropped and he stopped stock still, staring open mouthed at Sebastian. He blinked a few times, his jaw worked as if to say something but no words finding their way out.
“I will guard your sister’s honor with my life,” Sebastian said, passion in his eyes now, as though he could see their life mapped out in front of him. “I will marry her.”
“Do you even love her?” Luke asked, still and shocked. Sebastian turned to Jenny and looked at her with love and warmth, and her heart leaped. She smiled back.
“I…” Sebastian stammered and looked away, and Jenny watched in horrified fascination, “well, I don’t know… I mean, I certainly enjoy spending time with her and perhaps it’s a little too soon to declare love, but I can see quite clearly that love is possible.”
“Even after such a short time?” Luke said. Sebastian turned back to him, head tilted.
“That’s how love works, isn’t it?” he asked. “It starts with a spark and then develops, with time and effort.”
Luke let out a long sigh, shaking his head, and then he turned to Jenny.
“And you, this is what you want, is it?”
Jenny chewed on her lip for a second, worried about making things worse by saying the wrong thing. But then she caught sight of Sebastian from the corner of her eye.
“It is,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink. “I think… I think I could I love him, too. Given the chance, I mean.”
She looked away, embarrassed and uncertain, but with a flicker of something beginning to thrum in her chest.
Is it happiness? Fear? Excitement?
She pressed her lips together, wanting to laugh in both shock and amazement, but she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. This was by far the most peculiar thing to happen to her, but she couldn’t deny how wonderful it made her feel.
Luke put his hands to his face and groaned, the sound of it bringing Jenny back to the moment. He looked back up and spoke, resignation running through his words.
“I don’t suppose I have much choice then,” he said. “Especially given that she has already been sullied by your paws.”
“Luke, that’s—”
But Luke interrupted her, a finger held in the air. “Leave now,” he said to Sebastian. “And court her properly, as a gentleman should. I will be watching.”
Sebastian nodded, first to Luke with a strict propriety and then to Jenny with a kindness and a smile. And then he left without saying another word.
Jenny watched him walk away, her breath quickening, the sight of him still sending a thrill through her, making her insides quiver with want and need.
And he is to court me!
