Page 36 of A Promising Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

Chapter Thirteen

It took Sebastian a while to get up the next morning. Although the sun was shining through the drapes, he was reluctant to rise and say goodbye to the night for fear that what had happened between him and Calliope was nothing more than a dream.

But when he closed his eyes and his brain could clearly recall the taste of her kiss and the scent of her skin, he knew that it had been all too real. He was eager to try to find a way to be alone with her again, which was an odd notion. While he used to visit his current mistress on occasion, he’d never had this yearning to want to see any particular woman—to merely content himself with the fact that she was alive.

But from the beginning, she had been different. It was true he had a certain penchant for red hair, as his experience had proven them to be particularly spirited in the bedchamber. Calliope certainly hadn’t disappointed him in that regard. With such limited experience, he had been hard pressed to hold himself back and let her take the lead.

However, if she decided to change the color to black or blond or cut it all off, he found that it wasn’t her hair that had enticed him from the beginning. Granted, it would be a shame if that happened. But while those luscious locks might have gained his notice initially, it was the lady herself that had captivated his attention. He enjoyed her wit and her intelligence. For some reason that he couldn’t yet discern, she had managed to change him. His entire thought process was altered. He no longer cared for the things that used to seem so important to him. He used to believe that he couldn’t live without Grey and the wild antics that they used to enjoy. Now, he could care less about returning to that stifling lifestyle.

He chuckled to himself. Much more of this and he might actually contemplate walking down the altar, when just the day before he hadn’t been able to stomach the idea.

Then again, that was before he’d spent a wondrous night in Calliope Bevelstroke’s arms.

It was the possibility of seeing her again that finally caused him to get up and dress for the day.

Once he was presentable, he walked out of his chamber to find his grandfather seated in a chair by the fireplace. He had a paper open and a frown on his face as he perused it.

“Anything exciting?” Sebastian asked dryly.

His grandfather made a sound of disgust and folded the print and set it on a nearby table. He lifted his gaze and glared at him. “I don’t know why you ask when I know you couldn’t care less.”

Sebastian shrugged. “True. I was just trying to be nice.”

“Hmph.” The marquess held his cane before him, but to Seb’s surprise, he didn’t hit it against the floor.

He frowned. “Is something bothering you today?”

The scowl deepened. “What makes you say that?”

“Your cane.” Sebastian pointed at the silver headed stick. “Normally when you’re cross with me, which is often, that thing makes a terrible racket.”

His grandfather’s mouth turned down grimly. “I suppose there’s no point in hiding the truth.”

Sebastian waited for him to continued, but when he didn’t, he laughed. “Odd’s fish! Are you going to say what’s on your mind, or do I have to guess?”

This time the cane came crashing down to the floor with a loud thud. “Such impertinence!” he snapped. “If you must pester me about the issue, I feel it’s important to tell you that I know you were out with that Bevelstroke gel last night.”

Sebastian abruptly stilled. “What gave you that idea?”

Those wizened eyes pinned him with a hard glare. “Don’t play the fool with me. I haven’t always been the age I am now. Truth be told, we are more alike than you might like to admit. In my day, I cut a swath through London.”

“I have no doubt of it,” Sebastian murmured, having heard this lecture more than once.

Although his grandfather looked at him as though he was expecting some sort of teasing expression, Sebastian kept his face carefully neutral. He continued, “I hope this means you’ve purged yourself of the chit.”

Sebastian didn’t really appreciate how that sounded. It was almost as if he considered Calliope to be unsavory. It didn’t settle well. “I didn’t realize it was your business. I’m not your heir, but my father’s.”

“Perhaps not,” he snapped in return. “But we are still family and anything that you do reflects on me as well. You should remember that.”

“Naturally, I do.” Sebastian stepped closer to him. For the first time in his life, his grandfather’s opinions did not align with his own. “However, you would do well to remember that I am not either of my parents. They created a scandal that would turn out to be their end, but I shall not make the same mistake.”

“You say that,” the marquess scoffed. “But women have a way of leading us around by our cocks. Be cautious that you don’t fall prey to the same weakness.”

Sebastian’s jaw hardened, although he straightened his jacket and said calmly. “Rest assured that Lady Calliope shall not be my Achilles’ heel. But neither will I have her character impugned. Is that clear?”

His grandfather turned his head away, but he fell silent, so Sebastian took that as acquiescence. Satisfied, he shut the door firmly upon his departure.

For some reason, when Calliope woke that morning, the sun appeared a bit brighter than the day before and the birds were singing merrily outside her window.

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