Page 49 of A Duke's Lustful Portrait
“She is a consummate professional,” he said. “We can always rely on Arabella to produce something great.”
“She is quite the talent,” Sebastian agreed. “You have raised her well, Edward. No doubt she would not be the lady she is today without your input.”
Or, more accurately, she is the lady she is today despite your input.Sebastian allowed his mind to wander to Arabella, to how kind-hearted and sweet she was. Her behaviour at his home had been bold and forward, yes, but she was still a moral, decent woman.
She had not fallen into the traps of debauchery and rule-breaking as her father had, and Sebastian knew with absolute certainty that she had never killed anyone—unlike Sinclair.
He was getting closer to his revenge now. He could sense it building. He had some small evidence and knew he could punish Sinclair with it. But he wanted more. His desire for justice had driven Sebastian since he was six years old, and now he wanted to ensure that Sinclair would suffer for the rest of his days.
The more evidence Sebastian could gather, the more of a certainty that would become. And besides, he was rather enjoying winning Sinclair over. It would hurt him all the more when he finally realized he was betrayed by a man he had considered a friend—a son, even—and one he actually knew very little about.
“A friendly reminder, though, Sebastian,” Edward said, looking at Sebastian from under his brows. “My daughter is off limits. She isnotpart of the Lord’s Society and is not in the market for a husband or lover.”
Sebastian chuckled, allowing his alter-ego to take over. “With all due respect, Edward, I like my women a little less. .. innocent, shall we say? Your daughter, as sweet as she is, holds no sway for me. Appreciating her talent as an artist is as far as it goes.”
“Good. I’m glad we understand one another.” Edward sipped his brandy and nodded. “I must admit, I’ve never been concerned about you in that respect. Some of the others, yes. They are uncouth brutes, but you have a level of respect and dignity that is so rarely seen in those of noble birth. Perhaps it’s because your start in life is so very different from the others.”
“Perhaps,” Sebastian replied. He smiled into his brandy, delighted that he had completely fooled Edward. But things had become twisted and confusing, and the single-mindedness that had served him so well for so long was now failing him.
Arabella was the only thorn in his scheme. He had not planned on any distractions, and he certainly hadn’t planned on falling in love. It had bothered him since he had first laid eyes on her, but now it was so much worse. He couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her, but such fears could damage his plan; it could prevent the thing he had longed for all these years.
Part of him believed that Arabella would be pleased to be away from her father. She had told him as much, about her dreams of moving to France. But he was still her father, and there was a big difference between moving away and watching your father being punished for the rest of his life.
Sebastian knocked back the brandy in a single gulp, then sat in the chair by the fire and looked up at Sinclair. He wanted to demonstrate his confidence and comfort around the man, and it seemed to work, for Sinclair took his glass, refilled it, and then joined him in sitting.
“Needed that, did you?” Edward asked with an amused expression.
“Just a bit. I tell you, London life is quite a shock after so many years in the country!”
“I don’t doubt it. You’re enjoying it here, though, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Sebastian enthused, taking a smaller sip of his drink. “I just didn’t realize there was quite so much to see and do.”
“If ever you need a guide, I know plenty of people willing to show you around,” Edward said.
“That’s most kind of you, but I rather like losing myself in the city. That’s where you find the true London. Now, you called me here for a reason. I don’t mean to rush you, Sinclair, but I do have another appointment this evening.”
Edward raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Sebastian supposed he was not used to being put on the back foot in such a way. But Sebastian didn’t want to spend a minute longer than necessary in his company and certainly had no desire for friendly chit-chat.
“You’re not worried I’ve dug out another skeleton from your closet?” Edward asked.
“Thereareno more skeletons,” Sebastian replied, perhaps a note too quickly. “There is nothing else to discover, I assure you.”
Edward looked at him with amusement and doubt, but Sebastian could see that he had no evidence or even suspicion about the other lies he had told. That, at least, was a relief.
“Very well,” Edward said after a long pause. “As a new member of the Lord’s Society, you were informed that you would have to perform a series of tests to prove your loyalty and to cement your place with us.”
“Indeed. And I have already completed a number of them, haven’t I? Delivering messages, providing business contacts, wooing your potential investment partners.”
“Small fish,” Edward replied, waving a dismissive hand in the air.
Sebastian gritted his teeth. All the little tasks he had been set may well have beensmall fish,as Edward called them, but they had been tiresome and frustrating all the same. He wondered what would come next and where it would end. A large financial donation? A ball in honour of the society? He decided it was time to stroke Edward’s ego.
“You know, I had heard of the Lord’s Society before I received my invitation. As you know, the late Duke of Ravenswood spoke about it a lot in his later years, especially as his mind began to fail him. It has been a great honour to become a member, especially under the wing of one so important to the society. I shall do whatever is required of me to maintain that membership—and your good favour.”
Edward leaned forward and slapped Sebastian’s knee. “I always knew you were the right candidate, Sebastian. If we carry on like this, I’ll make sure you are my predecessor when the worst finally happens to me. I’d like my post to be taken over by a man I can trust, and I believe that man is you.”
Sebastian felt a bolt of pride before realizing his error. He had no desire to be Sinclair’s predecessor. Indeed, he hoped to bring the entire operation down when he subjected the man to his punishment.
