Sebastian stared out the coach’s window in silence while the two women talked. Everything seemed to have calmed down since the attack the other day, but he had learned that was when it was most dangerous. He knew the man’s nature better than that to be lured into a false sense of security. There was no doubt that he was waiting in the shadows for his next chance to strike. Unfortunately for him, Sebastian was very comfortable maneuvering in darkness and wouldn’t rest until his family was safe. He chanced a glance over at the beauty sitting beside him and fought back a smile. Grace was breathtaking in the sapphire gown she wore, her hair swept back, exposing her slender neck for his explorations.
He shifted in his seat, forcing his mind away from his desirable wife and how resisting her temptation was growing increasingly harder since he sampled her flesh. His eye closed as he counted to calm down before they stepped out of the carriage and she saw just where his thoughts had been. It wasn’t just the memory of holding her in the throes of passion, but just holding her in his arms as she slept. He never imagined it would be just as satisfying to have her beside him. He opened his eye again when he felt the carriage slow, reaching up to make sure the leather covering his left eye had not shifted. It was another nervous habit he had when going before a crowd of strangers, something that had developed early in his life.
“Is it paining you?” A soft voice asked and he looked over at Grace as she stared at him in concern. That genuine concern was new to him and filled him with a strange warmth that pleased him greatly. He smiled reassuringly at her and shook his head.
“I was just adjusting it to a more comfortable spot my dear. This scar has not ached for years.” He said, but the worry in her eyes didn’t disappear and his gaze softened as he brushed the back of his fingers along her cheek, a trail of pink following behind them.
“But it pleases me to see you worry for me.” He whispered before removing his hand and exiting the coach first so as to offer them assistance down the steps. First came Annabelle, who had lost the hatred and venom in her stance towards him. He hoped she took to heart what he said and let him be there for her. She smiled up at him and moved out of the way so he could help Grace next. She placed her hand in his and he felt that familiar spark-even through their gloves-as his fingers curled around hers. He placed her hand inside the crook of his arm and with Annabelle walking on his other side-a step behind-they entered the large building housing tonight's gathering.
They waited in the receiving line, happy that it moved quickly despite the crowd in attendance. Their hosts tonight-Lord and Lady Trumball, were known for throwing the largest gathering during every Season. There were no disappointments tonight as the large home offered many pleasures for the patrons. A grand ballroom with a full orchestra lulled couples to the dancefloor as the dining hall gave off the most mouth-watering aromas. The large french windows were left open, allowing guests to walk out along the balcony and down to the gardens below if they sought some fresh air and a quiet moment.
“Moving looks like a challenge.” Annabelle commented when they were standing on the upper landing, looking down at the many socialites wandering the edges of the dance floor. Sebastian felt the familiar tension set in on him as he saw several eyes glance up at him and begin to whisper to their companions. His teeth clenched and he stood straighter, his gaze hardening in challenge. They moved into the crowd against his instincts and he watched as some greeted his wife and Annabelle.
The two responded appropriately and he admired their ability to blend in with the world around them. Although blend wasn’t exactly the right word for Grace. She still stood out amongst all the other women in attendance, her gorgeous looks no longer restrained by her duties as a chaperone. She was dressed just as elegantly as the others and outshone them all in his eyes. He felt a pinch of pride that she was on his arm and all other men had failed to capture her before his return. She was his and would remain so.
“I see Rebecca and the others.” Annabelle said and started to move off. His hand reached out, resting lightly on her head, but it stopped her as she looked back at him.
“Remember what we spoke about Annabelle. You may speak with Lord Charles, but you must remain within the ballroom and in sight.” He said and she pouted slightly while nodding. He had sent the invitation to the man and was to meet with him tomorrow morning, but didn’t trust the sneak not to try something underhanded. At least he would have help tonight. He glanced over at a man moving along the far side of the room. No one seemed to be paying him any mind as he was dressed plain enough to not draw attention, but still within fashion. It had been Aiden’s idea to send a few bodyguards with them and he had agreed, glad that he had chosen John as the man was good at blending in with any crowd.
While she moved off the two of them continued to walk the perimeter and greet those that were brave enough to draw close to him. He endured all of the scrutiny only because he had Grace beside him and she handled most of the social aspect. He realized that she was incredibly charming, drawing attention away from his dark aura and flooding the area with her own light. He found himself smiling freely as he admired her and was pleased at the answering heat he saw when her violet orbs locked with his. The first pull of the strings drew his attention and he looked out to see people taking the starting form of the waltz. Among them were Annabelle and Lord Charles.
“Would you like to dance?”
He jumped and swung back to his wife, unable to hide his surprise in time and she giggled softly. The sound shot straight through him and he resisted the urge to pull her against him in the crowded ballroom. She held out her hand to him, her eyes bright in invitation and it was such a change from how she had responded before that he felt his chest seize. He took her hand and gladly guided her onto the floor, quickly wrapping his hand around her waist and gliding between the other bodies. She felt just as soft and warm as he remembered from the last time they shared a dance. Only this time there was no mask as she smiled up at him. His grip tightened, pulling her closer than necessary and she sucked in a quick breath, her cheeks flushing. He grinned at the sight and leaned closer to her ear, mimicking his actions the last time they danced. Although it wasn’t Annabelle he was watching this time.
“If you keep tempting me wife, I will have to steal you outside.” He teased and felt her shiver in his hold, only pushing him further. He took in a deep breath, breathing in her scented soap mixed with what could only be ‘Grace’.
“I should reprimand you sir.” She whispered back and he chuckled.
“It will take more than your sharp tongue to stop me my dear.” He teased and pressed his fingertips into the small of her back, hearing her soft moan in his ear.
“And...What if I don’t wish to stop you?” Her whispered words seemed like a trick on his senses so he straightened. Her eyes had darkened with passion and his loins tightened painfully at the need he saw there. He cleared his throat and averted his eye so he wouldn’t be pulled in further by hers.
“Careful Grace…” He warned, his voice huskier than he intended and her shocked face melted into another smile at the sound of it. They finished the dance without another word, but he felt his body heating with the need to hold her and feared he would scare her if he gave into his darker desires. So he excused himself to fetch her something to drink, leaving her side and allowing himself a moment to breathe. It would only take him a minute to clear his head, but he wondered how long it would last.
Allowing himself to indulge on his desperate need the other night had only whet his appetite and now he craved the full meal. Grace had also begun to awaken to her womanly desires and what he could give her. However, he had always been a greedy man, wanting more than to be someone to sate her curiosity. His pride also needed her to be the one to admit that she wanted him as a man and demanded he wait for her to invite him with open arms. He sighed as he picked up the two flutes and began to make his way back to his waiting wife.
Sebastian stayed to the back of the crowd, walking along the wall where less people gathered, offering him room to breathe. He would walk behind the large columns holding up the landing and be hidden from sight briefly at times. How he longed to remain in the shadows and away from the curse of society, but he didn’t have that luxury any longer. Besides...He wasn’t as alone as he thought he would be.
“Despite his handsome appearance, I still believe he is a savage brute.”
His ear trained in on the voice as he came out from behind another column and saw a group of four women speaking as they looked about the ballroom, their fans just hiding their sneers.
“Handsome? How can any man be considered handsome with half his face being covered? Who knows what is under that patch.” Another laughed and he sighed. Ah, they were speaking of him along with half those residing in London. He shrugged it off and began to walk again, going unnoticed by the tittering ladies.
“I feel sorry for the woman who had to marry him…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. From what I heard she was found in a scandalous embrace with the beast. No doubt conducting herself as an unmarried woman her age usually does when no other man will have her.”
“True. There are a few rumors that she had taken solace with several men who propositioned her after she was placed on the shelf.”
He stopped at that, his blood flaring angrily as he calmly set the glasses down in a large potted plant and pivoted on his heels. He would allow them to speak of him however they wished, but Grace was a different story. He wouldn’t tolerate any ill towards his wife.
“But to stoop so low as to that man? Really. Even the courtesans of London have more dignity. Who would ever want a man like Sebastian Blackwood?” They laughed and he opened his mouth, only a few steps behind them now.
“I would.”
They jumped and turned to see Grace glaring fiercely at them, her eyes, a deep amethyst, blazing with rage. He froze as well, captivated by her words as she continued, unaware that he was near.
“And, I don’t appreciate you ladies speaking about my husband in such a foul manner. You have no right to pass judgement when you know nothing about him or his character. He may look like a dark devil, but he is more of a gentleman than many in attendance here tonight.” She said, her back straight as she stared down the other women. She raised one hand and placed it over her chest.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“He may be many things, but he is not the monster you are portraying him as. He is kind-hearted, incredibly intelligent and strong-willed, exactly what most of you claim you seek in a husband. He would surprise many if you were not so hung up on appearance and took the time to speak with him as I have. Although...I suppose I should be grateful you didn’t. I chose to marry Sebastian because I saw past his appearance to the man and he is everything I want in a partner!” She huffed, the ladies stunned silent with no words to counter her speech.
He moved past the group of women, their scared gazes switching to him. He didn’t even spare them a glance as he moved to stand before Grace, her own eyes wide as she realized he had heard everything she said. He grinned and gently cupped her cheek.
“Do not waste your beautiful breath on them Grace.” He whispered softly before finally glancing over his shoulder at them. They flinched at the ice in his stare as he coldly said,
“It will be better for all of you to make sure I do not hear such venom directed at my wife ever again.” Then he turned and grabbed Grace’s wrist, pulling her along behind him. She sputtered, but he wouldn’t let her pull from his hold. Blood was pounding in his ears and all he was thinking about at that moment was getting her alone. He settled on an alcove set in the far corner, a large velvet drape would hide them from view.
“Sebastian what are you-” She didn’t get to finish as he pulled, spinning her to face him at the same time, and trapping her between his body and the wall. His fevered mouth began to ravish hers as all logic fled and he was being driven by pure desire. She had said he was everything she wanted. Even if it had been in the heat of the moment as she defended him, it had still shot straight through his chest and set his heart racing wildly. Once those words fell from her lips there was no turning back. He felt it the moment she stopped resisting and returned his kiss just as fiercely.
He spread his hands along her back and moved one leg between hers, fitting them together perfectly. He felt her hands move to the back of his neck and smothered a groan as her kid gloves tickled the base of his skull. How he wished he could rip the cloth from them and feel her nails dig into his skin as her need ran deeper. The weak restraint he had left was fraying fast as their tongues tangled together and her body grew hotter, burning through the many layers between them. If he didn’t stop, the temptation to lift her up against the wall and wrap her legs around his hips would break him.
He pulled back, gasping for air, feeling her own warm breath mix with his. It was intoxicating and he had to close his eye as he fought the urge to claim her lips for his own again. Slowly, he lifted his lid to see her looking up at him with the same passion and hot need that coursed through his blood. He took in deep breaths to calm his pounding heart and rasped,
“Grace...I want you so much that when you say things like that I can’t control myself.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but he pressed his mouth to hers in a quick kiss, silencing her words.
“No. Don’t say anything right now. If you do I really will break. I just wanted to tell you that what you said...It made me incredibly happy to hear it.” He whispered, pulling her head against his chest so she could feel how affected he was. He held her for several beats before stepping back, brushing his hand along her cheek.
“Why don’t we take a walk through the garden? The fresh air will help clear both our heads.” He suggested and she only nodded, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes blurred by passion. He took her hand and placed it against his arm, moving them out of their secluded spot and back through the crowds. Luckily no one had noticed them-even if they had, no one would dare comment when within his hearing. As they neared the french doors he cast a glance at his man and gave a subtle gesture to keep an eye on Annabelle while he stepped outside.
The cold air hit them the second they left the ballroom behind, but he welcomed the relief as it helped suppress the hot need still raging through his body. They walked down the stairs leading to the brightly lit path of grey stones winding through the green scenery. There were only a few other couples walking along the same path, most preferring to stay inside or seek out more private accommodations.
“May I ask you something Sebastian?” Grace asked, her soft voice breaking the silence surrounding them. He glanced down at her, but she kept her eyes on the path ahead.
“Of course. Ask me anything and I will do my best to answer.” He encouraged and she looked up at him then.
“Can you tell me more about your family? I want to know more than the average socialite does.” She asked and he fought a grimace, but knew that the displeasure from talking about his parents still showed.
“My parents have both passed. They died young and close to one another…” He began, fixing his gaze ahead of them, hoping to hide the pain behind his usual cold mask.
“They were high members of society and I remember the lavish lives they lived...The people constantly coming to appraise their home. Probably why I refuse to let outsiders step foot over the threshold now...To them, nothing was more important than the opinions of their peers. If something was flawed, they hid it the best they could so no one could judge them for it.” He said, the sarcasm and hurt leaking into his voice and he didn’t dare look at Grace’s reaction, wondering if she could guess who he was referring to.
“What of your brothers?” She asked and he relaxed, glad she had quickly moved away from the sore subject to a happier one. A genuine smile made its way back to his lips and he turned to look at her, seeing relief in her eyes as she saw the expression.
“Alexander, the eldest and heir to the family; expected to be the best at everything, the perfect son. And little Liam, the free spirit that refuses to reform to his parents’ ideals…We were very close, despite the different expectations Alexander was never a spoiled brother. He is-was our hero and the man we both admired above all others. He taught the both of us many things and ignored our parents when they demanded that he leave us to the servants.” He chuckled and shook his head as so many memories flooded his mind and a dull ache formed in his chest as he remembered his late brother.
“That’s not to say that we didn’t fight as well. Alexander could be overbearing at times and Liam was always causing trouble with his curious nature.” He said as they turned a corner, far from the house now as the music grew faint, barely carrying on the wind.
“What were you like as a child?” She asked and he flinched. It was an innocent question, but was too close for comfort. He stopped walking and turned to face her, studying her face closely, debating if it was the right time. She frowned slightly, clearly curious at how he stalled at her question. He started slowly, choosing his words carefully.
“Nothing extraordinary. I’d like to think I was just the quiet second son that no one paid too much attention to. I was forced to study just as hard as Alexander because I was the ‘spare’...” He couldn’t help the way he hissed the word, despising whenever it was used towards him or Liam.
“After that I was free to do as I wanted...There were only two things that ever caught my own personal interest. Fencing was one. I loved the feeling of a sword in my hand. I found that I had a natural talent at it and had several instructors teach me different forms.” He said, stepping away from her towards a rose bush. He carefully plucked one of the flowers mid-bloom, its soft petals beginning to open so he could admire its beauty, he pulled out the small knife he carried on his hip and began to strip the thorns.
“What of the other?” She asked and he slowly brought his heated look up to hers. His intense gaze piercing through her as she fidgeted slightly and dropped hers away from him. No, it wasn’t time yet. He sighed in resignation and smiled through the bittersweet feeling nestling inside his heart as he made his way back to her. He gently placed the rose he held behind her ear.
“Let’s say that even to this day it holds all my attention.” He whispered and started them walking again. She didn’t say anything to his words and he wondered if she was aware of their meaning.
“Anything else you would like to know my dear?” He asked and she bit her lip in thought. He chuckled at the sight, wishing he could let his own teeth graze the soft skin until she gasped.
“Where have you been all this time? I mean...I’ve heard the staff slip and call you captain at times.” She asked and he shook his head, chuckling lightly.
“I’ve tried to correct that, but years of habits are hard to break. It’s true that I was a free merchant that travelled the world looking to make a name for myself-away from my family influence. Most of the men here are from my old crew and decided to follow me when I retired my sea legs. We were always together and they became something like a family to me on those dark oceans.”
“I assumed you were a part of Alexander’s trading company.” She asked, tilting her head and he hummed, admiring how it offered up her slender neck.
“I eventually was. He was never a supporter of my dangerous lifestyle and tirelessly tried to persuade me to join him as a partner. It took him a few years, but I did concede after a time and became the muscle of his company while he remained the brains. With the two of us his dominance in the trading world soared. He was a brilliant man…” He whispered the last, a softness entering his eye. He frowned as it hit him once more how deeply he missed his brother. He hadn’t made it home in time to say a final goodbye and it weighed heavily on him whenever he allowed his thoughts to drift towards his late brother. He knew that the dark thoughts were leaking into his expression, breaking through the mask he was trying to hold.
Grace took two steps, placing herself before him, blocking his path so he was forced to stop and look down at her. Her eyes were set with determination as she stepped closer, placing her hands flat against his chest.
“He’d be proud of you and how you’ve stepped into the title.” She whispered and he hummed as more pain lanced through him. He reached up and placed his hand over hers covering his heart.
“I’ll never be what he was though…” He answered, speaking the harsh truth and showing a hint of the fear he felt with the responsibility suddenly placed on his shoulders. A responsibility Alexander had grown up preparing for, while he had always denied the reality of it passing to him. He never thought he would lose his brother, had never wanted to think it could occur.
"You’ve kept everything he built safe while also adding your own style and staying true to yourself…” Grace’s words brought him from where his thoughts had begun to lead as he focused on her again. Her face was lifted up as she trapped him within her beautiful, violet eyes and the fire that danced in their depths, beckoning him closer.
“You don’t have to be Alexander. You are your own man and have proven your worth with your actions. Your brother knew this and that’s why he wanted you home and at his side...The man before me isn’t Alexander’s shadow. You are a good man...Sebastian...” He closed his eye at the way she whispered his name, the sound shooting straight down to tighten in his loins. He felt warmth on his lips and his eye snapped open just as she pressed her lips softly to his. It was the first time she initiated a kiss without him demanding it. This kiss was like a gift from her, free from any bargains or games between them.
Something snapped inside him and he wrapped her in a vise grip, crushing her up against him. He didn’t even care if someone stumbled upon them on the stone path. He parted her lips and slipped his tongue inside her warm mouth. She moaned in response, her own flicking against the invading heat. Her hands wiggled, trying to free themselves from between their bodies. He eased back just enough to allow them to slide up and wrap around his neck, her fingers sliding into his hair.
Just as it had in the ballroom, his mind conjured all forms of ways he could enjoy her body and it set fire to his entire being. Desire’s hot talons were firmly planted in him and were loathe to release any time soon. However, no matter how his body begged for him to do so, he couldn’t submit. He groaned and placed his hands on her shoulders, pushing lightly to separate them.
“Grace...don’t.” He warned, closing his eye and taking deep, calming breaths. To make sure he didn’t give into temptation or that she didn’t try to kiss him, he pulled her into another tight hold. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent and feeling a wave of ease wash over him.
“Sebastian?” She asked, her voice quivering with unsatiated desire and he had to grit his teeth against the sound.
“I’ll do everything I can to live up to the image in your eyes.” He whispered, kissing the top of her head lightly. He never wanted to let her go, it had taken too long to find her again. He hugged her tighter, placing his hand on the back of her head, hoping she felt a fraction of his emotions through the caress.
‘God how I love this woman.’