His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 61

Cedric shuddered as he recalled his discussion with Lucien in the billiard room the day before. Lucien had spoken of his changed feelings towards Horatia and foolishly Cedric had assumed his friend viewed her merely as a sister once again.

"What proof do you have of his feelings towards her?" Cedric asked.

"I'm not supposed to say..."

"Audrey," Cedric growled.

"Lucien bought her a gown for Christmas. It arrived yesterday from London."

"What sort of gown?"

"A lovely evening one to replace the one that was ruined. I helped him order it, since I have the best fashion sense in London."

"Naturally." Cedric's sarcasm was lost on his sister.

"But you mustn't be angry, Cedric. Nothing will come of it but...wouldn't it be wonderful if Lucien and Horatia were married?" Audrey smiled and clasped her hands.

The mere thought of Lucien in bed with his sister made a veil of red descend over Cedric's vision.

"Wonderful? Dash it all, Audrey! You're too bloody innocent. Lucien's not the kind to marry. None of us are, but especially not him." She didn't understand. Lucien would toss Horatia aside when the fires of passion burned down to embers. He'd seen it many times before, though always with women who found such terms agreeable. Horatia was no such woman.

"Is that any way to speak of your friend?" Audrey's eyes widened as though startled by his dark prediction.

"He's a friend, but he's also a devil. As am I. I know him only too well, and I know he won't marry her."

"You're wrong. Godric married Emily and he is much the same as the rest of you."

"Emily was different... She was a perfect match for Godric."

"And who's to say that Horatia is not Lucien's perfect match?" Audrey asked.

"If she is I dread to think what that says about our sister," Cedric muttered.

"You think that would mean she's a wicked, wanton woman, like Evangeline Mirabeau?" Audrey giggled at Cedric's horrified expression.

"Something like that. Certainly others would think that of her."

"Oh nonsense, Cedric. No one would think that of Horatia. She's far too sensible to do anything rash or romantic. She's Horatia," Audrey said as if that explained it all, as though there was no reason to worry.

"If Lucien is determined to have her, he won't let her be sensible. That's the entire point behind seduction. Men use passion to rob gentle bred ladies of their good sense. Just like Charles could have when he pretended to compromise you. He could have taken advantage of you, kitten."

"Firstly, brother dearest, I kissed him." The words caught Cedric unprepared. "And I had to do a great deal of chasing to achieve even that. Secondly, he knew you'd be angry. I had to beg him to help me no matter the cost. And thirdly, I was not nearly so swayed from rationality by kissing him as I was by kissing Jonathan."

Cedric froze in his pacing. "Jonathan? You mean to tell me that you've kissed him already? Is there anyone in Mayfair you haven't kissed?" he growled. His sisters were running amok like Whitechapel harlots. How long had they been doing this to him? Didn't they know it was his job to protect them, even if it meant protecting them from themselves?