The Duke's Temptation (17 page)

Chapter 25

Alarmed at being caught, her eyes darted to his face. His were now slightly open, their cobalt blue nearly covered by his lowered lashes. Even so, there was no disguising the fact they were locked on her.

“As much as I love opening my eyes to your exquisiteness, I have to wonder, did you mistakenly enter a room I occupied or did you deliberately ferret me out?” he continued with a voice so charmingly seductive it could melt honey.

It was a blessing this man never graced the ballrooms of London. Mothers would have to resort to locking up their daughters to keep them from falling into his arms.

“So tell me, which one is it? Am I merely fortunate you happened to stumble upon me or am I even luckier and you purposely sought me out?”

The lines surrounding his wide smile dimpled neatly and set off a sparkle in his now fully open eyes. Somehow it made him even more handsome and endearing. Luckily for Elizabeth, love for Gabe already filled her heart to capacity; there was nothing left for this very appealing man to steal.

Yet whenever Nate directed his complete attention to her, she felt a slight flutter in her chest. The purpose for pursuing the man tickled the back of her mind, so she brushed off his effect on her and stepped further into the room, stopping a few feet from the settee. “Actually, I do have something specific I wanted to discuss with you.”

He sat up, clearly interested. “And here I thought my dear brother would have warned you away from me. I could have sworn I felt daggers flying in my direction when he came upon us earlier.”

“Yes, well, Gabe should know better than to forbid me from doing something.” She grinned. “It is his miscalculation not to realize all it causes me to do is dig my heels in further.”

He laughed openly. The deep sound reminded her of Gabe’s laughter and how she rarely heard it anymore. “I’ll wager my brother is just thrilled with your blatant disregard for his authority. You do realize he is the Duke of Wesbrook, and all shall bow before him?”

There was no mistaking the deliberate mockery in his words. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t resist prodding the lion that was the overinflated ego of Gabriel St. James. Nate would be the exact ally she needed.

But, how to broach the subject of Mary?

“Out with it.”

“Excuse me?” Her eyebrows rose at his directness.

“I can see something is bothering you.” He straightened and moved over slightly, creating a spot for her next to him. “If I promise not to pounce on you the moment you come within three feet of me, will you sit and let me know what is so troublesome that your worry is marring your sweet face?”

Nate offered her the opportunity she needed, but still she hesitated. Would Gabe view this as a betrayal? What if Nate didn’t know as much as she thought? She gnawed her bottom lip, mulling over what to do.

“No need for you damage to your delicate lip. Sit and we’ll talk. I can be a good listener when need be.”

She studied him and this time looked past what was so apparent. The easy charm was still present in his golden features, but hidden beneath was a glimpse of seriousness, caring. The brothers apparently shared a penchant to display a persona that had the least chance to break through whatever it protected.

For Nate it was a carefree, flirty exterior. Gabe, on the other hand, hid behind a screen of aloofness, using his status as a duke to keep others from getting close.

Taking a fortifying breath, she threw away her misgivings and sat beside Nate, leaving plenty of room between them. No need to ignore proper decorum entirely. She adjusted the skirt of her dress, laying it out perfectly, fighting for more time to determine how to begin.

He chuckled softly. The lighthearted sound eased some of her anxiety. “I believe your dress is in order and will be subjected to very few wrinkles.” He relaxed against the settee, resting his arm along the back, his fingers hanging just above her shoulder, facing her squarely. “I’ll make this easier for you. Let’s start with you asking me something about myself. Ask me anything and I promise to be an open book.”

It wasn’t what she’d come here for. And she wouldn’t normally be so forward, but he’d given her the opportunity and she wasn’t about to pass on the chance to ask something that had been nagging her. She turned to him and blurted, “Who is your mother?”

Once spoken, she realized how rude her question had been, and tried to take it back. “I’m sorry. I have no right to ask.”

Nate’s hand dropped from the settee and patted her shoulder briefly. “None of that. I gave you the freedom to ask anything. No need to steer clear of the tough questions.” When his half smile never reached his eyes, she knew, despite what he’d said, he wasn’t completely at ease with her choice of topic.

“Nate, you don’t have to tell me.”

His smile grew. “Truly, it isn’t a topic I avoid as if a plague. I’ve accepted my parentage long ago. It’s not a secret, especially here at Frenton Hall. In truth, I’m astonished you haven’t heard before now. My mother was a maid here. She started when she was seventeen.”

Shock from learning of his mother’s position pushed the air from her lungs. She tried to keep her reaction from showing, but she knew she hadn’t succeeded as Nate continued, “I know, a typical pattern. For the first six months she managed to do her job with no complication. Regrettably, soon after, the duke took notice of her.”

All trace of a smile vanished and something similar to disgust twisted his lips. “At the time, my mother was a green girl with no experience when it came to men. Being a beauty, my father saw something he wanted and laid on the charm. A thing he’d perfected in order to lure unsuspecting women to his bed. She by no means stood a chance against such a practiced seducer.”

She didn’t expect him to continue. True to his pledge to be open with her, he didn’t even pause before divulging more. “I was fourteen when I learned who my father was. At first, I was filled with rage, wanting to accuse him of forcing himself on my mother, but she confessed everything. Even though he’d used her and held no affection besides lust, there’d been no force. Often as it is with a man like my father, he’d seduced her with pretty words and false promises. After it became apparent she was with child, he reverted to his true self. He threw her out of the household with no reference and only a pittance of what she was due.”

Elizabeth’s heart bled for yet another helpless person the evil man had destroyed. She was starting to think there was no end to the misery he’d caused.

Nate went on in a flat tone, almost as if the old pain no longer touched him. If not for the hurt reflected in his eyes, she might have believed it. “Luckily, no one had known of the affair and my mother’s sister and her husband took her in after my grandparents had banished her. If not, I shudder to imagine what would have become of my mother.”

He glanced off into a distant corner, undoubtedly caught in memories of the past, before he gave a slight shake of his head. “In more detail than you probably ever wished for, that is the meager story of my inception. As a child, I lived in the shadows, no one ever knowing who I really was. My mother concocted a tale that my father had been a young man who went off to strike his fortune and died tragically. It didn’t save her from scorn, but it did give her some reprieve.”

Elizabeth fought back tears for all the struggles his mother had had to endure. No one, especially someone so young, should have to face such torment.

The fact his mother had done it without the support of her family seemed all the more heartbreaking. It made Elizabeth appreciate the relationship she’d had with her parents and the continued love and support she received from Marcus.

She sat quietly, reluctant to break him from his grasp on the past. All the while, stowing new anger at the disreputable man Gabe and Nate had the misfortune of calling ‘father.’

“My mother died shortly after I reached my majority. I couldn’t live with her being the only one to deal with the consequences of his dishonorable actions, so after her death, I confronted the man. It pained me to undo all she’d done to protect me, but I couldn’t let him go on without at least acknowledging what he’d subjected her to.” Nate let out a light snort. “I should have known how little it would concern him. He simply pushed me aside like he had my mother. Despite everything, he went on to act as if I didn’t exist and continued with his despicable ways.”

He trailed off. And when he didn’t continue, she asked in a soft voice, “How did you and Gabe meet?”

Another of Nate’s quick smiles washed away his previous anguish. “My unusual friendship with my brother is a completely different story and not nearly as stirring. Are you sure you want me to bore you with the details? Besides, wasn’t there something else you wanted to ask me?”

He was right. She had come to him for a reason. She should use this time to speak of Mary. To find the answers she sought. Even with a house this size, it wouldn’t be long before they were disrupted and she would lose her opportunity.

And yet, she couldn’t give up the chance to learn how they’d become friends.

Before she could change her mind, she said, “I’d like to know.”

“Of course you do. I never thought you would eschew a chance to learn more about Gabe.” His chuckle sent embarrassment through her. The knowing look he bestowed made it clear he’d discovered the extent of her feelings.

A place deep inside screamed for her to say nothing. To protect her fragile heart. But she couldn’t. Tired of storing all she felt inside, locked where no one could see, she decided to be direct and asked, “How did you know?”

His eyes still danced with mirth. “Don’t worry, my lovely. You are not entirely transparent. When we first met, I wasn’t quite honest with you. I knew who you were the moment I crashed into you. I’ve lost count of the number of times Gabe has spoken of the little minx from his childhood currently taking London by storm.”

Her cheeks flamed anew, this time with a hint of humiliation. What must she do for Gabe to see her as anything other than a child? Unable to speak through her mounting misery, she sat in silence.

“Oh, and Gabe might have informed me that you and your aunt had arrived at Frenton Hall a few days ago. He also mentioned the extra bundle you brought along.”

His expression never changed; keeping her from discovering what he thought of his brother’s child being born on the wrong side of the blanket. Now aware of his origins, she suspected if there were anyone who wouldn’t hold Phoebe’s illegitimate status against her, it would be Nate.

“That explains how you knew who I was, but . . . how did you discover my
feelings
?” She almost cringed to speak it aloud.

“Now, that was a tad more difficult. But not much of a leap after seeing your face beam at the sight of him.” A spark of naughtiness entered his blue eyes. “Besides, only someone who either hated him or loved him would chance his wrath by challenging him. Your reaction to him was far from hate.”

“Well . . .”

“Don’t worry, sweet, your secret is safe with me.” He produced an exaggerated wink. “Now that you know more about me than people I’ve known my entire life, it is your turn. What sent you in my direction?”

“Gabe.”

“I surmised as much. I might have a vast intelligence that is matched only by my exceptional good looks, but you’ll need to give me more than that.”

She hesitated. The idea of speaking to Nate regarding Mary’s death had been very well in her head, but now that she had to voice it, she found herself wavering.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes and whispered, “Mary.”

He sat in silence. Focused on her hands clasped tightly in her lap, she had no way of knowing if he understood. Finally, she found the courage to look at him.

His features were smooth, calm. Only his eyes told a different story. Silent misery pooled in their depths.

“He told you about Mary?”

She nodded, her throat too tight to answer.

“And about her death?”

“Yes,” she managed to croak.

“What would you like to know?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “That’s all? You are just going to tell me?”

“Gabe never dwells on that time. Not even to me. The fact he confided in you speaks for itself. If he trusted you enough to tell you, I trust you by answering your questions.”

Tears formed in her eyes. Not of sadness, but relief. Nate clearly cared for his brother. She’d been right to go to him for help. She whispered, “I need to know how to convince Gabe he didn’t kill Mary.”

Confusion flickered in his eyes. “Kill Mary? He didn’t kill her. She took her own life.”

“He believes his actions—or lack of action—led to her suicide. For him it is as if he committed the deed himself.”

“Ridiculous. There is no one to blame but our father.”

“You didn’t know.”

“No,” he growled. “If I had, the old man would have found his final resting place long before he did.” Nate rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t believe I never realized. I know Gabe changed after that day but I never thought he would hold himself responsible.” His desperation slammed into her as he studied her, holding her gaze in a frantic plea. “By no means did he kill Mary. You mustn’t believe it.”

The wildness blazing in his eyes startled her. “Of course not. I would never think him capable of such a thing.”

Nate’s fury evaporated as fast as it had flared to life. “I’m sorry. Gabe has had to endure so much from the very people meant to protect him. I sometimes become the overprotective little brother.”

His confession—along with his crooked smile—sealed her opinion of Gabe’s flirtatious devil of a brother. Anyone who would fight so fiercely to protect Gabe would always hold a special place in her heart.

“What can we do about it?”

“I’m not sure. Knowing my brother, without hard evidence, no matter what we say, it won’t change what he believes.”

“What proof is there to get? She killed herself. She’d already confessed in the letter she’d left. What else is there to prove?”

“I am not exactly sure but I might know where to start.” He leaned forward and grasped her hand in his. “Trust me.”