His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 63

The dining room was uncomfortably quiet that morning. Horatia ate only because she did not know what else to do. And even this she prolonged by prodding her food from one side of her plate to the other. Lady Rochester tried to engage her in conversation but Horatia's heart was too bruised to answer Lady Rochester's polite inquiries with much enthusiasm.

Horatia's gaze was torn between her brother at the far end of the table and Lucien who sat two seats away. It should have been a wonderful, joyous morning. She was a woman now, had crossed that threshold from innocent maiden to sensual goddess in Lucien's arms last night, yet she felt robbed of her happiness. Cedric's decree that she must choose left an unsettling pit in her stomach.

She raised her eyes from her plate to find Lucien watching her every move. All of the pain of her brother's words seem to fade. She made her decision. She would give Lucien time, let him decide how he felt. If in the end he wanted her then she would be with him. She loved Cedric and Audrey but someday Audrey would marry. Perhaps even Cedric would marry. If she chose them, she'd end up alone. And denying Lucien was like denying her body from breathing.

Lady Rochester at last broke that uncomfortable silence. "As you all know, tonight is Christmas Eve. In order to lighten our spirits, I believe we ought to exchange gifts this evening after dinner. Is that agreeable?" There were murmurs of assent and refreshed smiles. Horatia caught Lucien's eye and he offered her a secretive smile that warmed her blood. Footmen came to collect the plates and everyone rose to go about their day.

Horatia lingered in the hallway watching the flurry of activity with amusement until a footman approached her.

"Pardon me, Miss Sheridan. His lordship bade me to deliver this note to you and to show you a secret way to reach him when you are ready." He slid a slip of paper into her hand discreetly.

"Thank you, Gordon." She took shelter in a nearby alcove to read the note in peace.

Come to our cottage, my little stargazer.

Horatia's body began to hum with the promise of that single line.

Gordon cleared his throat. "If need be, I've been instructed to show you a passageway that would get you outside without the rest of the house being aware of it."

"Yes, I would appreciate that." She retrieved her cloak and made her way to the passageway that led to the gardens. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure she was not being followed, then quickly made her way to the distant gardener's cottage. The chimney of the cottage already puffed with fresh smoke, an inviting place of refuge. She found the door unlocked and the sight inside made her pulse race. Crimson petals littered the entry way and down the hall to the bedroom. The scent of orchids and other flowers filled her senses.

"Lucien?" she called out nervously.

"In the bedroom, love. Come to me." His sensual voice spurred her onward. She found him waiting in a chair by the fire as she entered the room. The flowers she'd smelled coming inside covered every surface. Horatia felt guilty even stepping on the petals that surrounded her lover and the bed like a crimson moat.

"How did you manage all of this?" she asked in admiration. "How did you find the time?"

"After I escorted you back to the hall, I roped a few footmen into helping me raid my mother's hothouse for the best flowers and had them brought here. You deserve for it to be warm and sunny and full of flowers, but I'm afraid this is the best I can manage in the middle of an English winter." Lucien stood, but she sensed the nervousness in him, as though he feared she would not appreciate his efforts.

"Oh Lucien, it is so beautiful!" She gave a bright and honest smile as she dropped her cloak on the floor, causing petals to ripple outward. She tiptoed her way across to him, gently put a hand on his chest and shoved him back down into his chair. His breath quickened when she slid onto his lap and wrapped her arms about his neck. Lucien waited as she leaned into him, rewarding him with a kiss. He growled in soft pleasure as her lips met his, but he ended the kiss too quickly.

"I have a present for you." He gestured towards the bed. It was only then that Horatia spied the large box sitting in the center of it.