The Perfect Seduction Read online

  What, precisely, she wanted to do about it was difficult to decide, though. Especially as they made their way down the hall toward the stairs. The warmth of him next to her, the slight, easy friction of their bodies as they moved together. the woodsy scent of his shaving cologne, the sense of being sheltered and protected ... It had been a very long time since she'd been this physically close to a man.

  And even then it had never been an experience as thoroughly pleasant as this. Yes. being with Carden Reeves wasn't at all like being with Gerald Treadwell.

  Physically, there was no point in denying that he was wondrously exciting.

  Emotionally ... She slid a glance over at him and caught the inside of her lower lip between her teeth. Carden Reeves was a man who specialized in casually shattering illusions and breaking hearts. In that respect, he was just like Gerald had been.

  Forewarned is forearmed, she told herself as they made their way down the stairs, the girls following behind them like little ducks.

  CHAPTER 6

  There was something about Honoria ... Seraphina stood beside the blazing hearth, trying to get warm as she considered the tiny woman holding court from her place on the parlor settee. She couldn't recall exactly how Carden had described his sister-in-law, but she knew that she'd been left with the impression that Honoria Reeves was something of a good-natured bit of feminine fluff.

  On the surface of things, it seemed a fairly accurate depiction. Honoria was silver haired, very small boned and so short that in another year or two Amanda would tower over her. And Honoria was indeed very kindly engaging her nieces in spirited conversation, inquiring after their interests and talents and promising to share with them every wonder to be had in all of the British Isles. The girls were, while not physically wrapped around her fingers, completely hers as they sat at her feet and looked up at her in rapt, openmouthed attention. Honoria was obviously enjoying herself. So were the girls.

  And yet ... Seraphina had the strongest, strangest feeling that Honoria was far more substantive than she appeared.

  Why she felt that way, she couldn't fathom, though. Neither could she explain to herself why she felt slightly menaced by it. Carden had brought them an into the room and handled the introductions in what had seemed to be perfect accordance with upper-class social protocol. At least as she understood upper-class protocol.

  They'd definitely been interminable and very formal. Honoria had smiled when she was supposed to. She'd smiled when it was her turn. They had both exchanged the customary, expected greetings without the slightest stumble or falter. And then Honoria had turned her attention to her nieces and become the epitome of the elderly, doting aunt.

  The woman had done absolutely nothing to account for the wariness that swirled around in Sera's stomach like a school of mullet. Absolutely nothing. And yet the feeling wouldn't go away. Carden stood on the other side of the hearth, his hands in his trouser pockets, watching Honoria and the girls. He seemed a bit tense, his smile just a little too controlled, but she couldn't attribute it to anything other than his concern that the girls might tell Honoria that they were orphans.

  Puzzle it from all directions as she might, Seraphina still couldn't understand why she was reacting to the older woman the way she was. It was most odd. And because it was inexplicable, it was disconcerting. She kept her distance, quietly watching, hoping to come to some sort of understanding - no matter how vague.

  The bell rang at the front of the house. The last notes were still reverberating as Sera saw Sawyer pass across the open door of the parlor on his way to answer it.

  ''The last of our dinner party has arrived," Carden said softly as he walked past her. "It'll get livelier from here. I promise."

  She didn't have a chance to respond. She watched him stride out into the foyer and greet the two men Sawyer was divesting of canes, hats, scarves, gloves, and coats.

  One man she instantly recognized as Aiden Terrell. The other she presumed to be the friend who held Carden's library in such disdain.

  Barrett, she recalled. He was slightly taller than Aiden, coming closer to matching Carden in that respect and in age. The three of them together were an impressive assembly of male physique. They all had broad shoulders, narrow hips, and long legs. And they were all breathtakingly, classically handsome.

  Carden and Barrett looked quite similar in coloring: dark haired and dark eyed. Barrett didn't have the distinguished strands of silver at his temples that Carden did, though. His misfortune, Sera thought with a small smile.

  Other than that, they could have been easily misspoken for brothers.

  Aiden on the other hand ... As people were wont to do, they would likely assume that Carden and Barrett favored their father while John Aiden was the male image of their mother. Sera smiled. Or perhaps the rogue Irish cousin sent to be tutored in the British Way. There was something a bit unbridled about Aiden Terrell. In all likelihood it was a consequence of his youth, but she liked him for it and was glad that he'd come to dinner. He was easy to talk to and could so ably charm and entertain the girls.

  Which, now that she thought about it, explained why he seemed to fit so well with Carden and Barrett despite the age and appearance differences. Charming females was charming females. Age didn't really matter. The three men advancing into the parlor were all clearly cut from the same fine bolt of masculine cloth. What Aiden was learning at the knees -of Carden Reeves ...

  And from his friend Barrett, Sera mentally amended as the man met her gaze. His regard wasn't bold, but it was open and honest and quietly appreciative of what he saw.

  Clearly, he was an experienced rake, too. The smile he gave her in acknowledgment was eloquent, wordlessly telling her that he was a man who abided by well-defined rules and that for the time being, where she was concerned, he was willing to be the second of Carden Reeves.

  But should Carden choose to remove himself ...

  As direct as it was, his manner wasn't the least bit threatening. Quite to the contrary, she decided. after a moment's reflection. Something about him suggested that he would be a most respectful, considerate champion should she ever need one. Rather like the older brother she had often fantasized about having when she'd been a little girl.

  "Honoria," she heard Carden say, ''may I present my friends, Mr. Barrett Stanbridge and Mr. John Aiden Terrell.

  Gentlemen, my late brother's wife, Honoria Reeves, the Lady Lansdown."

  "A very real pleasure, madam," Barrett said, bowing over Honoria's hand. She lowered her chin in silent, regal response.

  Aiden immediately stepped into Barrett's place and also bent down, saying, "It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Lansdown." Again Honoria played the Queen.

  And then the three men turned to her. "Seraphina," Carden began, his manner considerably easier than it had been when addressing his sister-in-law, "you of course met Aiden earlier today."

  "It stands as one of the best parts of my day," she replied, extending her hand for him to take. "I'm glad you could join us for dinner, Mr. Terrell."

  "Wouldn't have missed it for the world," he countered.

  "And please call me Aiden."

  She nodded her acceptance of the request even as Carden frowned and continued with the introductions. "And this is Mr. Barrett Stanbridge, formerly of Her Majesty's Royal Engineers and now an aspiring private investigator.

  Barrett, I present Seraphina Treadwell, my nieces' companion."

  His smile was warm and genuine. Friendly. "A distinct pleasure, madam."

  "Which is all mine, sir," Sera dutifully replied. She intended to also thank him for joining them for dinner, but didn't get a chance.

  Carden took his friend by the elbow and physically drew him away, saying, "Aiden's already met the girls.

  Let me introduce you to them, Barrett."

  The process continued and they all politely waited through it. Halfway along, Sawyer arrived with a tray of various drinks and silently made the rounds of the room.

>   And when the civilities were at long last concluded, Honoria sat regally on the settee, the girls sat at her feet, and the rest of them stood along the edges of the room holding their glasses and waiting for someone to say something conversational. It was Honoria who sailed mercifully, if imperiously, into the breach.

  "I detect a slight foreign sound to your English, Mr. Terrell."

  "I'm from St. Kitts. In the Caribbean."

  "Oh? And what brings you to London?"

  "My family owns a shipping line. I'm in England to take delivery of an overdue ship out of the yards at Bristol. But since there's nothing for me to do there, I'm twiddling my thumbs in London while I wait."

  "And how did you make the acquaintance of Carden?"

  The tone and pacing of Honoria's questions struck Sera as being a bit inquisitional but Aiden didn't seem to mind.

  Ever affable, he answered, "We met at his club, where, every night for a full two weeks, he routinely plastered me at cards. We eventually reached a point where my friendship was the only thing I had left to offer him."

  Carden chuckled. "Which is turning out to be one of my more interesting winnings in the last year."

  Honoria shot him a disapproving look-whether for the gambling or for having interrupted her interrogation, Sera couldn't say.

  "And you, Mr. Stanbridge?" Honoria went on, very deliberately putting a smile on her face and turning her attention to Carden's other friend. "How did you meet my brother-in-law?"

  "We were garrisoned together in the Transvaal for almost three years."

  Honoria frowned momentarily and then brightened.

  "Didn't I hear somewhere that Lord Wickerly's third son is also garrisoned there?"

  "It's his fourth son, Harry," Carden corrected coolly.

  Barrett nodded. "And Harry is a blight on humanity."

  ''Then that particular apple didn't fall far from the tree," Honoria observed breezily. "His mother is a saint, you know. Endures her husband in absolute silence. I don't know how she does it."

  "It's a shame she didn't raise her voice just once," Barrett quipped, a noticeably sharp edge to his voice. "She might have spared the world Harry. It would definitely be . a better place without him."

  Honoria blinked and found another smile. "What was it that you did for Her Majesty in the Transvaal, Mr. Stanbridge?"

  "Primarily we built railroads. Carden's a trestle wizard, - you know."

  "Really."

  Sera silently, instinctively bristled. Engineering certainly wasn't her forte but if one specialist claimed that another was brilliant at it, far be it from her to question the assertion. But the fact that Honoria felt free to do so bothered her and deepened her sense of wariness. It seemed to bother Carden, as well. His polite smile was brittle as he stared at the curtains behind his sister-in-Iaw's shoulder.

  ''There was no span too big," Barrett explained. "No sand too shifting, no rock too hard to deter the bridges of Captain Carden Reeves."

  "No river was too deep or too fast, either," Aiden tossed in brightly. "No natives too hostile."

  Honoria arched a silver brow. "You were also in the Transvaal, Mr. Terrell?"

  "No," he admitted, grinning from ear to ear, "but I've heard the stories at least a thousand times. There are moments when I certainly feel as though I'd been there."

  Barrett made a snorting sound around his smile. "Every day was a challenge of one sort or another. But we got them built and built correctly. They'll last into the next century and well beyond."

  "It sounds as though you were not only very good at it, but also enjoyed the work. Why did you choose to abandon it?"

  Cocking a brow, Barrett asked, "Didn't I mention that Harry is a pox on all of mankind?"

  Carden cleared his throat and pointedly met Honoria's gaze. ''Let's say that a conflict of interest developed and leave it at that, shall we?"

  "It must have been a significant one."

  Again Barrett snorted. "You don't know the half of it."

  "And shouldn't," Carden declared crisply, finishing off his drink and setting the empty glass on the side table. He glanced toward the doorway and then stepped toward the settee. No trace of his earlier irritation remained as he smiled down at the elderly woman, offered his arm, and said, "Sawyer is about to announce dinner. Honoria, if you'd do me the honor."

  Barrett Stanbridge was at Sera's side in the next instant.

  "May I?"

  She took his offered arm. ''Thank you, Mr. Stanbridge."

  "Formality has a way of impeding the development of friendships. I'd prefer if you'd call me Barrett. And Seraphina is such a beautiful name it would be a shame to be denied the privilege of saying it."

  She'd known the request was coming and acceded with a nod. She didn't miss the quick look Carden threw over his shoulder at her and knew that there was going to be a reckoning with him over the issue the next time they found themselves alone.

  How she'd feel about it at that point she couldn't be certain. There was something to be said for maintaining the bounds of their employer-employee relationship. It was by far the safest course. She did have to admit, though, that something had decidedly shifted between them as they'd stood together in the upstairs hallway. Had the girls not been there, the entire matter might already be a moot one. Whether it was proper or not--or even wise thinking about kissing a man generally moved a relationship to a first-name basis.

  "And if you wouldn't mind too terribly sharing me, Seraphina," she heard Barrett say. Abandoning her musing, she smiled appreciatively as he extended his other arm. "Miss Amanda, if you would do me the distinct honor?"

  'Thank you, sir."

  "Ha! Fools!" Aiden chuckled, extending his crooked arms to Beatrice and Camille. "They've left the prettiest two of the bunch for me to escort. Shall we, ladies?”

  Seraphina allowed Barrett to escort her into the dining room, listening to the girls chattering and laughing as Aiden brought them along behind, and knowing with absolute certainty that bringing them to England had been the right thing to do.

  Carden might well have delayed hiring a housekeeping staff, but he hadn't compromised the part of his lifestyle that came from the kitchen. It was the grandest, most decadently delicious meal she'd had in a very, very long" time. The girls had never in their relatively short lives seen such a feast at all and their eyes had grown larger with every course that had appeared. They'd made do with so little for so long in Belize. And the food aboard ship had barely been edible most days. Now, watching them struggle to practice the good manners of restraint in the face of such a bounty ...

  "Beatrice," Carden said, interrupting Sera's observations, ''you look like a young lady who would like another helping of potatoes. And maybe another slice of roast to go with it, too. Monroe, if you would, please."

  The foot man smiled and silently moved forward with . the platter of meat, holding it as Beatrice carefully selected a dainty piece.

  "Take another, Bea," Carden pressed, smiling at her around the rim of his wine glass. "A big one. No one leaves my table hungry. Food's meant to be eaten and enjoyed. Monroe, please see that Miss Amanda and Camille have additional portions of everything, as well. Seraphina?"

  'Thank you, but I couldn't possibly eat another bite. My sincerest compliments to your cook, Mr. Reeves. Everything was heavenly."

  Barrett lifted his glass. "And compliments to you, Carden- yet again-for having the foresight to bring Cook and Monroe with us out of the Transvaal. A stroke of pure genius."

  "No, it was pure selfishness and you know it."

  Honoria looked between the two of them, blinking.

  ''You absconded with soldiers from Her Majesty's Army?"

  "I didn't kidnap them, Honoria," Carden laughingly explained. 'Their enlistments were up and I offered them passage home, steady employment, and the deep and everlasting appreciation of myself and my friends."

  "And your family," Amanda added happily, taking another helping of the offered roast.
r />   "Yes," Carden amended, lifting his glass in his niece's direction, "and that of my family."

  "Amanda, my sweeting," Honoria said crisply, her tone instantly snapping Amanda's gaze to hers. "A small but important point of manners. Children, when invited to the table to dine with their elders, are not to speak unless directly spoken to."

  Amanda was crushed, but valiant in her effort to conceal it. She nodded and smiled tightly even as she silently replaced the empty meat tongs on the tray Monroe held at her side. Honoria dipped her chin in acceptance and then smiled as she resumed pushing the food around on her own plate. Amanda stared glumly at her roast. Beatrice squirmed and Camille looked at Sera, wordlessly pleading for an explanation. Sera counted to five before she felt she had sufficient control of her anger.

  "It's all right, Amanda," Sera said breezily, drawing everyone's attention her way. "No one is going to die at a small lapse in manners. We have much to learn about living in this new world and it will take some time. We're all going to make mistakes in the process. What's important is that we profit from them in the end."

  Honoria blinked several times. "Are you saying that children speaking freely at the table is customary in Belize?"

  The question had been asked on an incredulous note and yet ... there was something of a challenge in it, too.

  Sera could feel it even though she couldn't say where in the words or what-precisely-it was. She knew with absolute certainty, however, that she didn't like it and that she couldn't afford to pretend it wasn't there. The girls were so very vulnerable now and needed her to stand up for them.

  "Yes, Lady Lansdown, in the Reeveses' home, the girls are allowed to speak freely," she answered. "But their home is unusual. Theirs is one of the very few in Belize that actually has a table."

  There was a flash of steel in Honoria's hazel eyes and then it was gone. What replaced it, Sera couldn't tell. The rapid blinking served to mask it 'remarkably well. "I had already concluded that the standards in general must be very different there," Honoria said, her manner light and conversational. "Otherwise there is simply no explanation for Arthur's having sent his daughters home with such wardrobes. I've never in my life seen such pitifully attired children."