His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 20

She wanted not the marriage so much as the man. She hated hearing the other girls speak of their beaux. While other girls her age were ignorant of the ways of men and women, Audrey had paid close attention to Emily and Godric, and she wanted what they had. She wanted to be desired and loved. Cedric had given her all the love a brother could but it was not enough. Audrey had yearnings, both physical and emotional, which she no longer had the desire to resist. Marriage was the best solution, and Jonathan was the one man she wanted desperately. She would do anything to claim him.

Audrey had even sought advice from a source she trusted to be frank with her on such matters. Evangeline Mirabeau, the Duke of Essex's former mistress, was reputed to be one of the most desired ladies in London. She had agreed to meet Audrey for tea once a week over the last few months. She was an invaluable font of information and surprisingly, the two had become good friends. There was a fearlessness to her that Audrey admired and tried to emulate. Recently, Evangeline had tried to teach her the art of seduction so she might win over Jonathan. But first she needed to start with Charles.

Audrey needed to move this evening along to achieve her goal. Picturing in detail the tearing of her favorite gown, she managed to make herself cry. A lovely theatrical stream of tears ran down her cheeks.

"Don't you dare!" Charles barked. "Don't even think-"

Audrey blinked, causing more tears to flow.

"Bloody hell," Charles groaned. "Audrey love, you know I didn't mean to... That is to say..." Charles's words died on his lips.

"I just want to get married!" Audrey wailed and tugged free of his hands. She threw herself against the back of the loveseat and buried her face in the crook of her elbow, a scheme that had worked countless times on her brother.

Charles sat down next to her, patting her back awkwardly. "There, there, love. It will all work out. You'll see."

"You don't understand! Cedric frightens away all my suitors. No man wants to offer for me now. Even my dowry has ceased to draw the braver gentlemen to our door."

"And your solution was to compromise yourself? Audrey, that's not the most intelligent thing for you to do nor is it the healthiest for me. Why didn't you speak to Cedric about this?"

"And have him yell at me? Declare outright that no man is good enough? I'm desperate Charles. I have needs and urges..."

"Er...I don't believe you need enlighten me any further on those, and perhaps you ought to never tell your brother such a thing. Ever."

"Oh it is so much easier for men. You can run out and find a mistress and-"

Charles cut her off. "Yes, it is easier for us. I don't envy you your position in life."

He seemed to understand. He was a rake for a reason. He understood women better than most, and he had to know they desired pleasure just as much as men. It was undeniably unfair that they had less freedom, at least the unmarried ladies.

Audrey had never believed that women were lesser creatures or deserved to be restricted. Something deep in her soul cried out at the injustice enforced by the church, by the courts, even by the newspapers. Not that she could explain that to most men. They had countless reasons for why women weren't their equals and each made Audrey want to scream in outrage. Her single outlet into that world was one she had to keep a secret, even from Cedric. Even from Horatia. But it gave her a voice where before she had none.

Yet if she were married, she could do so much more. She could change herself, and no longer simply be a protected sibling. Perhaps she could work for changes for other women. Deep down, it was what mattered most to her. Having the right to do as she wished, and seeing such a right given to others.

"So what was your plan? Have me compromise you and then convince Cedric to marry you off quickly?"

"I know how he thinks. Besides, I had Emily speak to Ashton, and she said he promised to speak to Cedric about seeing to my marriage. He was supposed to recommend Jonathan as a suitable match. This night was simply meant to speed matters along."

Charles smiled. "I suspected you liked him."

"Oh I do, very much! But he doesn't notice me."

"He does, love, he does. I assure you."

"Really?"

"Actually," Charles snickered, "you frighten him quite out of his mind."

Audrey jabbed him in the ribs. "That's not making me feel any better."

"If you want Jonathan, we will have to go about this carefully. Where your brother is concerned that's always sound advice. As far as Jonathan goes, you ought to do to him what you did to me tonight. Men like aggressive women. Corner him, kiss him, make him know that you want him." There was perhaps a glint of mischief in Charles's eyes, but it did match with Evangeline's advice

"Does that mean you're going to help me?" She widened her eyes, giving him her best doe-eyed look, one that melted any man into a puddle at her feet.

"Of course. However, if this starts to turn bad, you must promise not to let that overprotective brother of yours shoot me. I rather enjoy being alive."