Dance with Deception: Scandalous Secrets, Book 1 - Exclusive Edition (Scandalous Secrets - Exclusive Edition) (19 page)

The two men she loved most in life exited the house and walked toward Sebastian’s carriage and out of earshot.

“Tristan,” Sebastian captured his attention. “Make sure when Dunlop arrives that your sister is tucked away. His courtship wasn’t solicited by her, and I don’t think it wise that she be involved in the severing of ties.”

“I understand.” The men made eye contact and Sebastian knew Tristan did understand, completely.

They were shaking hands when Gwen joined them once more.

“Tristan, would you mind giving us a moment?” she asked.

Her brother narrowed his eyes. “I supposed I could wait on the front steps. But for one minute only.”

Gwen’s twin walked back to the main house. Sebastian stood less than a foot away from her and the proximity was too close. He was desperate to kiss her again like he had earlier. He wanted it so much that his loins throbbed for her.

He silently had to remind himself that she will be his wife in a fortnight. It was enough to slow his pulse until Gwen innocently reached for his hand and kissed his palm. She then placed his hand against her cheek. “Thank you for loving me, Sebastian.”

“Loving you is like breathing. I have no choice in the matter.”

Tristan coughed as if to indicate matters were drifting in the wrong direction.

Sebastian eased his hand out of her grasp and kissed the back of her hand in a final farewell. “Try not to worry, and get some rest tonight. We have a busy fortnight ahead of us.”

He settled against the crimson squibs of his carriage. It then lurched forward, the rhythm of the horses’ hooves drowning the ominous thud of his heartbeat inside his temples. Recounting his actions of this afternoon, Sebastian felt no satisfaction. Instead, he was riddled with guilt.

Sebastian had lied about Gwen’s virtue. Granted, it wasn’t the worst lie ever told in the history of the world, but it was a lie nonetheless.

Recalling her smile, her warmth, and the profoundly disturbing way she had thanked him for protecting her, he wondered how Gwen would react once she learned the truth about his deception.

Anxiety clamped his heart in a death grip. He’d never been terrified before, never in his life, but now he was experiencing the emotion firsthand.

What if she never forgives me for this?

As God is his witness, Sebastian swore that he would confess his sins to both Gwen and her father when the time was right. He couldn’t allow Gwen to continue in her belief that he was a selfless knight in shining armor nor would he allow Lachlan to go to his grave thinking ill of the daughter that had been willing to sacrifice her own happiness for his family’s reputation.

Yes, he would confess but not yet. First, he and Gwen must recite their vows before God. Next he would prove himself a worthy husband, show her that they truly were meant to be together – then and only then would he explain everything and beg her forgiveness. He’d promise to love her every day of his life.

Gwen would forgive him. She must. He
couldn’t accept the alternative.

Tristan followed Sebastian’s instructions to the letter and brokered the dissolution of the marriage contract between Lachlan and Keir.

It was sheer torture.

“You have no idea how ruthless Davenport is.” Lachlan’s angry voice reverberated through the once cozy library. “What he did to my daughter is inexcusable.”

“Now Father, I know he went against your wishes,” Tristan spoke slowly, as if admonishing a child, “but he has not hurt Gwen, not in the least.”

Lachlan laughed, a cold and eerie sound reverberating throughout the room. He didn’t turn to his son but instead continued his address to Keir.

“That bastard seduced her.”

“Father!” Tristan’s tone hardened. “That’s enough!”

“It’s true. That’s why I had no choice but to consent. The daft girl is carrying his child.”

Tristan stood and stalked with leopard-like strides towards his father, halting about an inch away from the old man, glaring at his wrinkled face. “Stop this instant! Don’t you ever say such a thing about my sister, do you understand me? I don’t care whether or not you are my father! I won’t allow anyone to defame her.”

He then rounded on Keir with force. “How much will it take to get you out of my sister’s life for good?”

For someone skilled in the art of negotiation, Tristan proceeded in an unusually blunt manner. It was because both of the men before him made him sick. He wanted nothing more than to get away from them both before their filth rubbed off on him.

Keir named his price.

It was steep, far too steep under such circumstances; however, as instructed, Tristan wrote out the draft delivered to him by messenger the evening before.

“It’s a shame, Lachlan, that your daughter’s morals were suspect.” Keir sneered. “Ours would have been a rewarding union.”

Lachlan’s voice was sharp. “I know. If it weren’t for that—”

“That’s enough for today, gentlemen. Father, say goodbye to our guest.” Tristan grabbed Keir by his arm and shoved him out of the room.

While escorting the appalling man to his carriage, Tristan planned to place the fear of God into Keir, ensuring the fop would never again disparage Gwen.

The Duke’s coach was punctual, arriving at four that afternoon as promised. Tristan instructed the driver to take his time, seizing the opportunity alone with his sister to ascertain if their father’s allegations against her were true.

“How are you, Gwen?” he asked. “How did father treat you today?”

She released a fierce sigh. “Father is furious
with me. I defied him and he will never understand why I did so.” She tipped her head to one side. “Do you still support my decision, Tristan?”

“I know how much you love Sebastian. It is quite evident that he returns the sentiment. Why wouldn’t I continue to champion you?”

Gwen’s smile was bright as she reached across to wrap her arms around her brother’s neck. “You are the best brother a girl could ever have.”

Tristan felt the frown line deepen in his brow. “Is there anything else you need to tell me? Anything at all, Gwen?”

She loosened her tight hold around his shoulders. “Only that I am happy.” Her sweet tone reflected contentment as she drew away and met his stare. “No, that’s an understatement. I am blissfully happy, I am thoroughly relieved, and I am utterly besotted. Does that answer your question?”

“That about covers it, yes,” Tristan responded with a genuine smile. Tristan found the answer he sought. Her speech was much too candid for her to have compromised herself.

Gwen leaned back against the crimson squibs and studied her plush surroundings. Her expression, one of disbelief, spoke volumes. Without uttering a word, her brother suspected that she was finding it difficult to accept that all of this luxury would soon be hers.

Gwen’s next words supported this theory. “I don’t know how I became so fortunate, because I still feel as though I don’t deserve any of this.”

“Why would you say that?” Tristan studied her.

“I had given up hope. In doing so, I hurt
Sebastian terribly. He was willing to sacrifice his good name and marry me regardless of father’s reaction. I refused. Then I further wounded him by taking the coward’s way out and questioning his character. I was horrible to him, Tristan.”

Her brother remained silent, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw as he waited for Gwen to continue.

“I turned my back on him and, in spite of it, Sebastian still convinced father to change his mind. How could I possibly deserve this man when I gave up hope?”

Her brother grinned and chucked her chin. “It is evident that you do not.”

“See?” Gwen giggled. “It was pure luck.”

The extent to which Sebastian had gone in order to stop her wedding to Keir was evident by Gwen’s own recounting of the events. If in fact their father was telling the truth and Sebastian lied about Gwen’s virtue, Tristan was certain it was because the man felt he had no other choice.

He doubted Gwen would see it in the same light.

“Remember one thing, Gwen,” Tristan said in a serious tone. “We make our own good fortune. Promise me that you’ll remember that and act upon it from now on.”

“You’re tutoring me in the subject of chance now?” Her smile widened.

“I’m serious, Gwen. Fate doesn’t always intervene. Sometimes she is busy with others who are more needy. Occasionally, we each must make our own providence. Promise me you’ll remember that.”

“I will gladly make you that promise. I also promise to never again be a coward.”

“Good show, Gwendolyn MacAlistair. I am proud of you.” Tristan smiled at his sister’s tenacity.

“I am so lucky to have you for my brother.”

Tristan chucked her chin. “It’s about time you realized what I have always known.”

The carriage swayed to a stop. Gwen accepted Tristan’s hand then descended from the carriage in a flurry of skirts and silk.

Upon entering the gilded front door, a joyous squeal resounded from the inner hall startling the thin butler with wire-rimmed glasses. He adjusted his spectacles then returned to his post, standing straight and proud once more.

Gwen struggled to hide her mirth behind her gloved hand as Victoria bounded down the corridor, shoes tapping atop the marble.

“Gwen!” Victoria exclaimed as she approached the group in the hall at a break-neck speed. The butler gaped at her before turning to Tristan as if seeking solace. However Tristan was seemingly impressed, his lips turned upward into a grin.

Victoria threw her arms around Gwen in a fierce hug, swaying from left to right before squealing, “You’re going to be my sister!”

Tristan leaned toward the butler and whispered, “She’s also going to be seasick in a moment.”

The stern-faced butler coughed in an effort to stifle a hearty chuckle.

Gwen glanced over Tori’s shoulder. Victoria’s enthusiasm was contagious, it seemed, as both
Tristan and Sebastian’s butler were wearing wide smiles and valiantly attempting not to laugh. Gwen’s own shoulders shook with mirth at the sight.

“Victoria, please stop that before Gwen becomes ill from all of that motion.” Sebastian’s baritone was light with amusement as he entered the foyer.

Tristan exchanged a conspiratorial look with the butler. “What did I tell you?”

Winston cleared his throat in a gallant attempt to suppress his amusement.

Victoria whispered, “I am so excited that you are joining our family.”

“I am, too.” Gwen stroked the girl’s cheek. “Make a pact with me that the next time you’re overjoyed, you don’t go running down the hallway. I don’t want my new sister suffering any broken bones.”

“Tristan,” Sebastian called. “I can trade you my sister to replace the one I’m taking from you.”

“No, thank you. I’m beginning to relish the silence that I will be enjoying at your expense.”

Sebastian studied his future duchess, deciding without a moment’s hesitation that he wouldn’t want it any other way. He then surveyed Victoria, noting that she glowed brighter than the wall sconces. Gwen was good for her. She was good for all of them.

He knew that he made the right decision.

His attention returned to Gwen. She appeared more beautiful than ever before and his heart welled with pride. Of course, he had long been mesmerized
by her beauty, but now was different. Sebastian was proud that she had chosen him. She had at last confronted her father and was going to be his duchess at last. They would be happy. He knew it in his heart.

Tristan interrupted the thoughtful silence, “Good God, it is infectious. Every single one of us has a silly smile on our faces. This is entirely your fault, Gwen! Yours too, Victoria. You just look so happy, I can’t help myself.”

“Shall we move into the salon? Winston was supposed to escort you there upon your arrival but Victoria was too excited to wait, little imp.” Sebastian winked at his sister.

Victoria arched her brow. “I’ll have you know that I have run through these halls for years, with not even one scrape. The day I’m not here to do so will be a boring one, indeed.”

She then offered Tristan her arm. “Shall we proceed to the salon, Mr. MacAlistair?”

Tristan shook his head at her successful transformation then offered his arm. “God bless the man that marries you, Victoria, for you will always keep him on his toes.”