Page 11 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“Ah.” Byrd relaxed and stepped back as he gave Martin room to pull his shirt over his head.
“I think you can be a little intimidating, sir, but it is likely because you are used to dealing with businessmen who would cut your throat if you weren’t careful. Even your other female guests were used to you and your manners. But Miss Hartwell… Well, she’s a proper lady, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She is.” Byrd was right. Opera singers, socialites, and courtesans knew how to behave around men, but Lavinia was not part of that world. She had never been alone with a man, let alone been kissed. If he was going to get her in his bed, his seduction would have to be slow and careful.
Byrd spoke again. “Might I make a suggestion?”
Martin nodded.
“Well, ladies, no matter their station, like gifts. Flowers, jewels, sweets, gowns. And they like to be courted. Take her riding, take her to the opera or a play. Ladies like a bit of fun.”
Byrd was right, damn him. Lavinia was not her father, and the fact that she had made herself a sacrificial lamb for his debts didn’t mean she deserved to be treated harshly. It was not as though he’d ever intended to treat her badly, but he hadn’t given much thought to what he would do with her.
“Thank you, Byrd. That is good advice.” He offered his valet a smile. “I believe I can see to the rest this evening. You may go.”
Byrd collected Martin’s boots and left him alone. Martin stripped out of his trousers and removed his stockings before he climbed into bed. He blew out his candle and lay on his back, arms folded behind his head as he gazed up at the ceiling of his canopy bed.
Lavinia’s visage preyed on his mind. He would never forget the bravery she demonstrated in coming to her father’s aid.
She has captivated me. It was a dangerous thing to admit. But he would tire of her as he had all the rest and would send her home soon enough, he was sure. As sleep finally overtook him, he was plagued with dreams, or rather nightmares, ones that played over and over in his mind. Hartwell destroying his life, his mother collapsing, his father broken and defeated. And Martin, doing the same to Lavinia.
Am I no better than her father?But he couldn’t send her home. The die was cast. He had kissed her and had tasted her sweet passion like the petals of a rose in spring. Even if it made him a villain, he would have more.
You are mine, Lavinia. You simply don’t know it yet.
LIVVY SLEPT WITHOUT DREAMS,without worries. When dawn arrived, Mellie pulled back the window curtains, and Livvy remembered all the events of the night before.
“Did you sleep well, Livvy?” the maid asked as she bustled about the room and started selecting clothes for Livvy to wear.
“I… Yes.” She couldn’t believe it, but it was true. Here in this beautiful bed, she had slept without a care. How was that even possible?
“Do you wish to bathe this morning or this evening?”
“Er… This evening.” Livvy stretched and sighed before she pushed the covers back and slipped out of bed. The maid helped her change into a lilac muslin day gown and white slippers.
“What about your hair, miss? I know quite a few styles.” Mellie’s eyes twinkled in the reflection from the mirror on the vanity table.
“I would love something fashionable. How are the ladies wearing it?” She had only been to a few balls since her come out and had been so distracted by the dances she hadn’t had time to focus on the hairstyles of others.
“A few curls at the front on each side and an elaborate chignon in the back.” Mellie picked up the silver hairbrush from the nightstand and began to comb Livvy’s hair. When she was finished, she held the mirror out to Livvy who examined the results.
“Oh, it’s splendid! Thank you!” She carefully set the hand mirror back on the table.
“Breakfast should be ready now if you wish to eat,” said Mellie. “I’d be happy to show you to the dining room.”
Livvy followed her downstairs and was directed into an elegant dining room. The robin’s-egg blue walls and white wainscoting gave the room an airy feel that was accented by the large table set for breakfast.
Chafing dishes kept food hot on a nearby sideboard, including slices of ham, capers, and eggs. Toast and a pot of hot water for tea were also available. Livvy was so distracted by all this that she did not immediately notice Banks seated at the table.
She froze when she turned and saw him. An empty plate was on the table in front of him and a cup of tea close at hand as he perused the paper.
“Come in and eat.” It was a command, but his tone was gentle. When he didn’t immediately look at her, she relaxed and took a spare plate from the sideboard.
Once she was seated with her breakfast, she took a peek at what he was reading, the financial section of theMorning Post. He noticed she was watching him after a moment and laid down his paper to stare at her in return.
“You are engaged in business?” she asked softly.
“I am.” He angled his body her way, and his gaze made her feel unsettled, though not in an entirely unpleasant way.
