Page 57 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
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Nicholas was about to go to bed. He had said goodnight to the other guests, wishing he had remained upstairs with Amelia, and retreating to the library before he could be accosted by Constance and interrogated as to his prolonged absence. He felt no guilt in the memory of what he and Amelia had shared. If anything, he wanted more.
“A brandy, then bed,”he told himself, pouring out a glass from the decanter and sitting down by the hearth.
He pondered the events of the day, still trying to make sense of what had been revealed with the words of Sir Samuel to his wife. And the connection between his aunt and Amelia’s mother was still a mystery. None of it made sense, and Nicholas was not even sure any of it referred to his mother, either.
He took a sip of brandy, swilling the liquid in the glass, his brow furrowed. It was then, a knock came at the door. For a moment, he thought it might have been Harry, even as he hoped it would be Amelia. As the door opened without invitation, his heart sank.
“I thought you’d still be up,” Constance said, closing the door behind her.
“I was just going to bed,” Nicholas replied, rising to his feet and hastily finishing his glass of brandy.
“So soon? But we need to talk, Nicholas. We’ve got an important day ahead of us,” she said, crossing over to him and tapping his chest.
She looked up at him and smiled.
“Really?” Nicholas replied, feeling uncomfortable at her proximity.
“The betrothal, Nicholas. The announcement,” she said, and Nicholas sighed.
“I told you, Constance. There isn’t going to be an announcement until I know the truth about my mother,” he replied, but Constance only smiled and shook her head.
“No, Nicholas. That’s not acceptable. I want you to announce the betrothal tomorrow, on Christmas Day. I want everyone to know we’re getting married,” she said, resting her hand on his chest.
She said it with such certainty in her voice it took Nicholas by surprise. There seemed to be no question of his agreeing to her demands, even though they were utterly outrageous. Nicholas had no intention of marrying her, and now it seemed the moment had come to tell her the truth. He had promised Amelia. Even if it meant not knowing the truth about his mother he was tired of playing her games.
“Look, Constance. This is nonsense. I won’t hear of it. I won’t marry you, not now, not ever,” he said, but to his surprise, Constance still did not look perturbed.
“No, Nicholas, you will, and if you don’t, you’ll find yourself exposed to a scandal you never knew possible,” she said, smiling at him, her gaze fixed defiantly.
Nicholas’ eyes grew wide with astonishment.
“What do you mean?” he stammered, and Constance smiled.
“Letters, Nicholas, between your father and mine. Letters telling a very uncomfortable set of truths. For you. Now, it’s getting late, and I don’t want to keep you from your bed. We don’t need to say anything more about it just promise me you’ll announce the betrothal tomorrow to everyone,” she said.
Nicholas couldn’t tell if she was lying. It could all be an elaborate fabrication, and yet the threat was very real. If Constancedidhave letters between his father and hers they may hold the key to the mystery. The two men had certainly been close. Now that Nicholas was so close to discovering the truth, he might not want it revealed.
“Do you realize what you’re doing?” he snarled.
Constance smiled.
“I do, yes. You’ll realize I’m right, Nicholas. Soon enough, you’ll realize,” she said.
“I won’t marry you,” he said, but Constance shook her head.
“You will or I’ll ruin you. Now, it’s time for bed. But first, kiss me,” she said.
Nicholas was repulsed by the idea. She intended to blackmail him, and now she wanted to satisfy her own desires on demand. What would come next?
“I won’t,” he stammered.
“Kiss me, or I’ll tell everyone what I know at breakfast. I might even wake them up now. I doubt any of them will want to remain a moment longer at your little gathering once they know the truth,” she said.
Nicholas clenched his teeth, recoiling at the thought of what she was asking him to do even though he knew he had little choice but to obey. She slipped her arms around him, raising herself up on her tiptoes and giggling childishly. He leaned forward, his hands around her waist, bringing his lips to hers. She clung to him, pulling him closer, and as their lips parted, she let out a deep sigh of satisfaction.
“There. You’ve got what you wanted,” Nicholas said, and Constance smiled.
