Free The Seduction of Sebastian St. James by Rachel van Dyken Page B

another debutante throw herself in front of him, I shall not be responsible for my actions, my dear. I’ve been known to cause carriage accidents.”
    “Is that true?” Emma turned to Welbourne.
    “My dear, you have no idea what she is capable of. It’s why I confess undying love each day.”
    “Silly is what you are, Welbourne,” the duchess answered, though not as stern as before. “I’m older than you and much too set in my ways to marry. My grandson, however, is not past seducing.”
    Emma looked between the two in shock. They were dead serious. Why was she to be the one to do the seducing? Why her?
    “I’m curious why you think I’m up to the task,” Emma said before thinking.
    The duchess was nonplussed and shrugged. “I’ve had the pleasure of spending many of my holidays with the Renwicks. On occasion they even let me talk with young Samuel, though Nicholas is convinced I’ll be a terrible influence on the boy.”
    “You did introduce young Samuel to the tad pole pond on your estate,” Welbourne interjected.
    “Hmm, would that be the same tadpole pond where Samuel found a frog? The same frog he set loose in church?”
    The duchess smirked. “I can neither deny nor acknowledge I had any part in that.”
    Welbourne rolled his eyes.
    “Anyway, my dear, I know you’re a cousin to Sara, whom I also adore. And I’ve heard so many good things, my dear, so many things. I also know of your parents. I think you’d be perfectly suited for my grandson. In fact, I decree that you shall seduce him by any means possible. I’ll even send Welbourne out to catch you in a compromising embrace.”
    “Unfortunately, her grace isn’t bluffing.” Welbourne took a long sip of champagne and shook his head. “Oh the things the Duchess of Tempest has done.”
    The duchess scoffed. “Silence, Welbourne, do you want to scare her? Run along then.” Heavily jeweled hands pushed her toward the dance floor, toward Sebastian.
    Emma was powerless to stop her feet from moving forward. She turned back to the duchess, hoping she would call for her return. Instead she yelled, “And good luck, my dear! You’ll need it!”
    Emma’s leaden legs drew her up to the side of the Duke of Tempest. Closing her eyes, she lifted her hand to tap him on the shoulder. He was going to think she was mad. How did one explain to someone that his grandmother was missing the sane parts of her mind?
    He didn’t turn around. She tapped him again, this time more insistently.
    He still didn’t move.
    Drat the man! She stomped on his foot and grabbed him.
    A hush went across the ballroom.
    Of course.
    What had made her think it would be even minutely socially acceptable to grab a duke by the shoulders? Especially one as single and powerful as the Duke of Tempest? Maybe she was the one with the missing marbles.
    “Yes?” he asked, turning the full force of his power on her.
    Knees shaking, she met his glare.
    “I wish to speak with you.”
    People began whispering. It couldn’t get worse.
    And then...
    “Well, my boy, don’t just stand there! Dance with the girl!” The duchess’s voice boomed across the room. Emma felt her face heat. Why, oh why had she listened to the old crone?
    Sebastian, a bit taken aback, nodded in his grandmother’s direction and took Emma’s hand.
    “You’ve managed to charm the old bag, hmm?” he whispered, putting his other hand on her back. “It’s often compared with snake charming. I’m quite impressed. Do you also do little gypsy dances and parade around in nothing but bangles on your wrists and, God forbid, your ankles? I think I should like to see that.”
    Emma, stunned into silence, began shaking. Mumbling an apology, she pushed away from him and ran out of the ballroom. Again leaving the entire ton in an uproar. She had managed to snag and abandon the most eligible duke in society in the span of two minutes.
     
    ****
     
    Sebastian stood in the middle of the dance floor utterly deserted. He hated