His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 46

Dinner at Rochester Hall was always a grand affair, which was just the way Jane liked it. There was something wonderful about having her children and friends gathered around her table, eating, drinking and talking. The table in the formal dining room sat thirty people when all the leaves were inserted, but tonight it was perfect for accommodating the more intimate party of thirteen.

The doctor had come and gone, assuring Jane her son was well enough to dine with them if he wished and that he'd only suffered a minor concussion. With instructions to rest for the next few days, he'd exhibited the stubbornness he'd inherited from his father and come down for dinner. Jane snuck a glance at him, still concerned about the pallor of his complexion.

She had arranged the seating so that the younger children were all paired together. Cedric and Horatia sat across from each other by the head of the table on either side of Lucien. Lucinda and Linus were next, and on down the line were Avery, Lawrence, Audrey, Gregory, Lysandra and finally John, Marie and herself.

She'd noticed a great many things throughout the evening and wasn't sure whether she ought to worry about how the close quarters of the three families over the holidays would affect everyone. Linus kept sneaking glances at Lucinda across the table. For her part, Lucinda politely attempted to include him in her conversation with Cedric, but Linus would only spit out a quick reply and look away, anything to make it look as though he had no real interest in the girl.

Jane wasn't fooled, but she was worried. Although he was one and twenty, Linus was still young enough to act rashly. His interest in Lucinda Cavendish, if acted upon, could force both of them to the altar, and for Linus she feared that would be too soon. As much as she desired at least one of her brood to marry, he was not ready, and no one desired a marriage due to scandal. He was still immature, and it would drive his wife positively mad if he married now.

It wasn't surprising to see Linus intrigued by a woman. He was a Russell after all, and had her passionate blood in him. However, the most interesting development of the evening was Lysandra. Jane's only daughter had always seemed like a miraculous anomaly after so many troublesome boys, yet Lysandra managed to be just as vexing as her siblings. The girl had no interest in fashion and spent far too much time in the library. Not that books weren't a healthy pursuit for a woman. It was important to be intelligent. She saw it as a woman's duty to be smarter than most men, but a woman could not marry books, nor could books give Jane the grandchildren she longed for.

There was nothing so important at a particular point in a person's life than seeing their children grow, marry and bear their own children. Grandchildren were a special treat, and Jane was envious of her friends who had them. She longed to hold a sleeping baby in her arms once again, and breathe in the clean sweet scent of its skin and whisper sweet lullabies. She would see all of her children married and producing children if it was the last thing on earth she ever accomplished.

As dinner progressed, Jane saw something new in her daughter. There was a flush in her cheeks, a brightness to her eyes and a startled look as though Lysandra had woken from a dream of pale pastels to see the world in its true vibrancy at last. Only the desire of the heart could form that new sight. And the way Gregory Cavendish threw back his wine with reckless abandon told Jane everything she needed to know. Lysandra was officially a Russell if she was wreaking such havoc on the dashing young man with mere glances. He would be an excellent match for her daughter.

Jane resisted the urge to preen at the knowledge that she and her friend Marie would soon be family after their children had married. It was only a matter of time.

However, whatever had happened between the pair-and something had, she sensed-it had not gone as planned. One could never take back a kiss that was given, or perhaps stolen as the case might be. Jane only prayed that her daughter's hot-blooded actions had not been too bold. It would be most unacceptable to have to marry her daughter for reasons that would be obvious in a few months time. For her sons to marry under such circumstances was almost expected of them. Not one of them had even a smidgeon of self-control, but Lysandra ought to be stronger. She was a woman after all.

As an array of desserts was brought out, Jane turned her attention to Lucien and Horatia. They were speaking amongst themselves and Jane hated that she couldn't hear a single word.

It was so obvious that Horatia loved him. What would it take for Lucien to realize the same? No other woman could hold such a depth of emotion, nor handle his tempers the way Horatia did. The woman ought to be awarded sainthood for her bravery in loving such a man.

I must not interfere...well, not too much.

Tonight there would be dancing and playing on the pianoforte, and Jane would rally allies for her mission of pushing Horatia into Lucien's arms.

Once dinner had ended, she stood and addressed her guests.

"I thought we might all move to the ballroom for the remainder of the evening and have a bit of music and dancing." This suggestion was met with approval and the group moved together towards the ballroom. Jane intercepted her three younger sons, trapping them in the dining room alone with her once the others had gone.

"Mama, what are you on about?" Linus asked, forgetting that she still owed him a tongue lashing for his mischief earlier that day.

"Sit down, all of you." She'd spent twenty years perfecting that tone of voice and Avery, Lawrence and Linus all but dove for the nearest chairs. Once seated she began to pace back and forth, knowing full well she was behaving like a commander of His Majesty's armed forces.

"I have decided that tonight you three must seduce Horatia," she announced.