A Whisper of Seduction Read online

  Eris sighed and looked away, and that's when she spotted him. Standing with another gentleman who looked vaguely familiar, Cian Deverell looked as though he'd rather be anywhere but here. Eris knew exactly how he felt. She also knew it could possibly be disastrous should he spot her and venture over.

  Abandoning her plate of sweets with a little sigh of regret, Eris carefully made her way in search of a safe place to disappear to.

  She didn't get far before she was found out.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Eris!”

  Eris cringed upon hearing the chipper greeting and turned slowly to meet the smiling visage of the tall blond man.

  She forced herself to smile. “Good afternoon.”

  “You don't remember me, do you?” he asked, still smiling.

  Eris clasped her hands behind her back and apparently had the good grace to blush if the heat in her cheeks meant anything. “I remember your face, but your name escapes me.”

  The blond chuckled. “I often have that effect on people, young ladies especially. Once they've seen my face, they fail to remember anything else.”

  He winked at her and Eris chuckled despite herself. Taking her hand in his, he placed a kiss to her knuckles and said, “The name is Sebastian, my dear. Sebastian Hunter, Earl of Penwich.”

  He released her hand and motioned with a flick of his wrist to the gentleman standing slightly behind and to the left of him.

  “This charming fellow who is trying to hide behind me is the Marquis Evrington, but I like to call him Cian. Apparently it's his birth name. You wouldn't believe how much work it took on my part to wheedle just that tiny bit of information out of him--”

  “Sebastian, that's quite enough, thank you.”

  Eris hid a smile behind her hand.

  Sebastian rolled his eyes and gave her a look that clearly said Do you see what I mean?

  She chuckled.

  Sebastian clasped his hands together and said, “Well, it was lovely reminding you who I am, Lady Eris, but I must go. I do believe I hear my name being called by another beauty and I must answer her summons.”

  Eris didn't have time to do anything but grin before he hurried away, and she was left in the company of a disgruntled looking Marquis.

  Quite suddenly she wasn't sure of what to do, which was very unlike herself.

  Cian noticed her quandary and couldn't help but say, “No witty rejoinder?”

  Eris shook her head. “I'm afraid not this time. I think your friend absorbed a bit of my sarcasm.”

  “He is a bit much, isn't he?”

  Eris smiled. “Oh, I think he's perfect.”

  Cian frowned a moment, then said, “You wouldn't be the first, or last, woman to fall prey to his charms. Once he flashes his smile, you all tend to lose your reason and happily become his darlings.”

  “Oh, but I haven't fallen prey to him, my lord,” she said with a shake of her head. “I simply find his eccentricity refreshing.”

  Cian didn't respond to that. Instead, he took this time to study her in the full light of day, realizing with a start that she was far more stunning with the sunlight shining down on her as opposed to the milky light of the moon.

  Her lips seemed pinker, more kissable, more delectable. Her eyes were big and bright and shining and they ensnared him quite thoroughly.

  He really wasn't putting up a fight, though.

  No, this little slip of a girl intrigued him like no other to the point where he willingly allowed himself to be drawn in. It was most strange, really.

  “What has you so enthralled, my lord?”

  Her question jarred him from his musings. He locked his gaze with hers and said quite plainly, “You.”

  “Me?” she asked, her eyes widening and her tone a pitch too high for their surroundings. Cian didn't have to look around to know several pairs of eyes were trained on them.

  “Mmm,” he answered, frowning just a bit. He let his gaze wander back to her mouth where her tongue promptly darted out to moisten her lips and he wondered for a scant second if perhaps she was doing it on purpose, tempting him with actions that planted thoughts in his mind of kissing her breathless.

  He lifted his gaze to hers once again and promptly dismissed the idea. Her reactions were too real, too innocent to be planned. She was definitely not trying to appeal to him. In fact, she looked a bit frightened.

  Cian stepped closer, just enough to have her give a little gasp and take a surprised step back.

  He smiled despite the lascivious thoughts churning in his mind and cocked his head in a playful manner.

  “Tell me, Lady Eris, have you ever been kissed before?”

  “N-no,” she stuttered, blinking quickly, letting her gaze wander hither and yon.

  His smile widened as she tried to avoid looking at him directly.

  “Gossip doesn't really bother you, does it, Lady Eris?”

  Her lips formed the word, but no sound came out.

  “Wonderful,” he said. “Nor does it bother me, which is a good thing, because I believe what I'm about to do will, without a doubt, cause quite a stir.”

  “What do you mean to do?” Eris asked, her eyes wide with trepidation.

  Cian smirked deviously. “Why my dear, I'm going to kiss you.”

  Chapter 4

  Eris couldn't have turned away in that moment if her life had depended on it. Neither could she convince her eyes to obey her command to look away from the spellbinding promise in his shocking blue gaze.

  And even though she knew what was happening, nevertheless, she let out a tiny “Eeep!” of surprise when their lips finally met.

  At first she wasn't sure what to feel, but he started moving his mouth tenderly over hers, inciting curious feelings within her, and a languid warmth filled her from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.

  A strange tingling spread through her, magnified in the place where they were touching.

  She parted her lips just a bit and promptly gasped when she felt the warm, wet heat of his tongue glide against the opening of her lips. It felt good so she opened her lips a bit more, hoping to feel it again, but this time she felt the tip come inside to touch her tongue.

  She sighed against Cian's mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair, leaning against him as she raised up on tiptoe to allow for more contact of their mouths.

  Eris felt his hands tighten at her waist and a small thrill flashed through her from the gesture just before he stepped away suddenly, breaking the kiss.

  Her brows drawn in a frown, she stared up at him, wondering what she had done to make him stop his sweet play.

  She heard a faint cough and all at once the realization of what she had done before one and all bombarded her in one fell swoop.

  Painful embarrassment poured through her. Feeling her face burn, she forced her gaze away from Cian. Her eyes caught movement among the throng and a sense of relief filled her as she realized it was her mother making her way over.

  However, that bit of relief was completely dashed when she saw the stoic expression on her mother's face, which could only mean one thing.

  Still refusing to look at Cian, Eris didn't say a word as she followed after her mother, nor did she speak on the ride home.

  She couldn't quite decide if her mother's silence was a blessing or an omen in this instance, and that part of her that got her into trouble so many times, really wanted to voice the question.

  Eris decided holding her tongue would thus ensure her living at least until they arrived home so she was inclined to ignore the thought and stared out the window the rest of the drive.

  * * *

  Cian watched Eris walk away, a smile forming on his lips. To everyone gathered around, it probably looked like he was enjoying having sullied Eris' good name, when in truth he was smiling because he'd found someone other than Sebastian to make his life entertaining.

  And this one didn't get on his nerves.

  He heard footsteps approach
. He didn't have to look to know it was Sebastian coming to stand at his side.

  “Ah, Cian,” Sebastian began delicately. “I hate to say this, but don't you think--”

  Cian flashed a smile as he glanced over at Sebastian. “For once, I find myself agreeing with you, now come on.”

  Sebastian's mouth remained open for a moment, then he snapped it shut and frowned.

  Cian's brow lifted. “Don't you want to be there to witness my downfall firsthand?”

  Sebastian's frown deepened.

  Cian sighed and rolled his eyes heavenward, placing his hands on his hips. “Don't play the idiot with me, you know what I'm talking about.”

  Sebastian lifted his brow just a tad; just enough to really irk Cian.

  Cian's jaw clenched and he narrowed his eyes, at which point Sebastian gave up his little game and shrugged.

  “I just wanted to hear you say the actual words instead of alluding to it. You can't blame me, really.”

  Cian shook his head and clapped Sebastian on the back as they made their way to Sebastian's carriage, pointedly and delightfully ignoring the guests and their whispers as the two of them went on their merry way.

  “One of these days, my friend, you are going to meet your absolute match and I hope she makes your life hell in much the same way you've made mine. As a matter of fact, I hope she comes up with new ways to make you want to pull your hair out.”

  Sebastian paused and looked over his shoulder at Cian as he rested his foot on the step.

  Flashing a jaunty smile, he said, “Why Cian, that's the nicest thing you've said to me in all the years I've known you. I shall have to scribble a transcription of this moment down in my journal when I get home.”

  “You keep a journal?” Cian asked, settling back against the crushed velvet squabs.

  Sebastian nodded and reached for a little wooden doll with hinged appendages. “Indeed I do. Helps me keep my sanity.”

  Cian had to bite back a laugh at Sebastian's comment as he then proceeded to carry on a conversation with the wooden doll he'd plucked from the cushions.

  Cian snorted. “Sanity indeed.”

  Chapter 5

  “Do I actually get to be present when you say the words?” Sebastian asked as they alighted from the carriage.

  “Only if you shut up now,” Cian remarked, taking the steps two at a time. He knocked sharply on the door a few times and waited impatiently for it to be opened.

  It finally swung inward and he was faced with a short, thin balding man who was looking up at him with such a haughty look, Cian felt himself wanting to laugh.

  Burying the urge, he said, “I need to speak to Lord Blakely immediately. It's urgent.”

  The butler looked him up and down and said in a clipped tone, “Your name, sir?”

  Cian glared down at the little man. “Cian Deverell, Marquis Evrington.”

  “Very well, my lord. If you will follow me, I shall inform Lord Blakely that you request an audience with him.”

  Cian and Sebastian exchanged looks as they followed the butler and were directed to wait in the parlor.

  “If that's what the butler is like, I can't wait to see what the girl's father is like,” Sebastian said pleasantly, taking a seat in a comfortable looking chair.

  Cian grinned.

  * * *

  Eris looked towards her door when it opened, dreading what her mother was going to say. She held her breath in anxious anticipation.

  “Your father wants to see you.”

  Eris grimaced and left her room, her stomach twisting into knots as she made her way to her father's study. She knocked once before letting herself inside.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked, closing the door softly behind her.

  “Yes, I did. This young man here has just asked for your hand in marriage. Are you agreeable to the idea?”

  Eris snapped her gaze to the left where her father indicated with a small wave of his hand. Finding Cian standing there, her face flushed and she blurted out, “Why on earth would you want to forever chain yourself to someone like me?”

  Her face heated even more when Sebastian chuckled. She hadn't even noticed him standing just slightly behind Cian.

  She noticed Cian struggling to control a grin and wanted to disappear into the floor.

  “Could I have a moment alone with your daughter, Lord Blakely?”

  At her father's raised brow, Cian said, “We'll leave the door ajar, of course.”

  Lord Blakely sighed deeply. “Very well.”

  Eris turned a slightly shocked gaze to her father, surprised to hear him agree.

  When it was just the three of them in the room, Cian looked pointedly at Sebastian and said, “You, too.”

  Sebastian sighed and shook his head as he headed out. Eris heard him mumble as he passed her, “I should have known he wouldn't let me stay.”

  Alone with Cian now, Eris wasn't sure what to say. She took a slight step backward when he came towards her, skittish of a sudden.

  He tilted her face upwards so their gazes met.

  “You asked why I would want to chain myself to you. Let me show you.”

  Eris felt her heart pound in her chest as he leaned down to take her mouth in another kiss, this one somehow sweeter than the last. When he left her on the edge of wanting more, he pulled away.

  Brushing his thumb across her bottom lip, he said in a husky voice, “This is why. There's a flame between us, Eris.”

  Eris stared at him with wide eyes, then she bit her lip and stared at the floor. “But...what if the flame goes out? What if the heat we feel is really nothing more than a spark?”

  Cian kissed her again, just enough to have her wanting more, then stepped back, just like the previous times.

  Eris whimpered slightly, wanting that something more that kept eluding her. She looked up at him, the question evident in her gaze.

  “That is your proof, Eris. I've only kissed you thrice, and already it's burning brighter, hotter. You feel it as much as I.”

  Eris stared up at him for a long moment. “And love? What about that? I need more than a spark or a fire between us, Cian. I need your love.”

  He surprised her by laughing. He shook his head. “Why did I think this would be easy?”

  Eris lifted her brow. “Why indeed?”

  Cian sighed and looked at her a long moment, then he said, “It could very well be possible I'm just a bit in love with you already. Could you believe that? Would that make this proposal a little more palatable?”

  Eris took her bottom lip between her teeth. Her brows dipped in a low frown as she became lost in thought.

  “At least allow me to court you. Given the circumstances--”

  “All right.”

  “Pardon?”

  She sucked in a breath and straightened her shoulders before plunging ahead. “All right, I'll marry you.”

  Cian seemed stunned by her words, though it was his idea.

  Smiling despite her warring emotions, she said, “What's the matter, Lord Deverell? Not too keen on the idea now that I've accepted?”

  He frowned. “No, just surprised. After all, you were just protesting this union because of a decided lack of something between us.”

  Eris smiled softly. “True, I was, but I had a sudden change of heart.”

  Cian's brow lifted. “Did you now? Why so?”

  Eris' gaze didn't waver as she said, “Just a little thing called curiosity. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's what started this mess to begin with.”

  Cian blinked. “Ah, yes. All because you were spying on me behind a rose bush. Tell me, what led you to do that exactly? You never explained that part to me.”

  She felt the heat of a blush beginning in her cheeks, but ignored it.

  “I heard noises.”

  Cian grinned slightly. “And did you see the person I was with?”

  Eris frowned. “It was Caroline Finchley.”

  “What reason would I have to meet that wret
ched female in a deserted garden?”

  “The same reason dozens of males before you have. She's quite beautiful and I've heard it said that she gives away kisses fairly easy.”

  Cian didn't know whether to groan or burst into a fit of laughter. Shaking his head, he said, “You are far too mouthy.”

  “That's just the way I am, my lord.”

  “What happened to calling me Cian?” he asked.

  “What happened between you and Caroline Finchley in the garden?”

  Cian narrowed his eyes. “Why does it matter so much to you?”

  Eris sighed and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “I'm afraid I've developed a healthy dose of jealousy having remembered seeing the two of you alone together.”

  Cian pulled her close, gently caressing her lips with his. Breaking the kiss, he trailed the backs of his fingers along her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open.

  “Nothing happened between Lady Caroline and I,” he said softly. “She tried to get me to come to her bed that night, but I refused.”

  “Why?” Eris asked in the same soft tone.

  Cian stared into her eyes, his fingers now tracing her lips. “She's too sour for me. Too plain. She would bore me to death if I remained in her company more than a minute or two. But you, you're sweet. Decadent and not at all plain. You excite me, make me anticipate your next move, which in your case would be words.”

  Eris smiled.

  Cian kissed her again. For some reason he couldn't resist the temptation.

  “We have to speak to your father. Tell him you've agreed to marry me for curiosity's sake.”

  Eris pulled away with a gasp. “I completely forgot about father!”

  She hurried to the door to snatch it open and let her father in, but she turned quickly at the last moment, her skirts swirling about her.

  “Before we tell him, I have to warn you.”

  Cian frowned. “About what?”

  Eris pulled him down for a quick kiss, then smiled at him.