Page 31

There were very few things that Johanna Curtis, the Dowager Duchess of Seymour, took pride in, but her beauty topped thelist. She had been stunning in her youth, but age had taken away much of her charm. She refused to accept that fact and still chased after younger men who sought her money in return. She was all too ready to accommodate them while they warmed her bed and pandered to her vanity.

Even now, she sat beside him, dressed in an expensive black dress that was cut scandalously low. She hid her wrinkles under heavy face paint. The only spots of color on her face were her lipstick and the rouge she applied to her cheeks. It gave the resemblance of a cross between a siren and a clown, and both were clamoring for attention.

“I do not understand what that innocent is doing with such a rake. Did her mother not teach her the consequences of playing with fire?” Johanna said absentmindedly, fiddling with her spoon before she drank some of her broth.

“Whom do you speak of?” Richard asked, his gaze still fixed on Selina.

“The couple on whom you are so fixated,” Johanna answered with a lazy flick of her finger. “Isn’t she a friend of yours?”

“You know the gentleman she is with?” Richard asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Of course! Who does not know him? He is the Earl of Pembroke. You would know him as well if you paid attention while attending social events instead of daydreaming about themoment you can return home,” she said, before popping a bite of beef into her mouth.

Ignoring the barb, Richard turned towards her so that he could watch her face. “I do not care about his bloody title. Tell me what you know about his character!” he demanded, barely keeping his voice low.

Johanna raised a finger to indicate that he should wait while she chewed.

The next couple of minutes were hell while he waited for her. Then, when she had finally finished chewing and swallowed, she answered.

“He is known to be a rake. An unrepentant one at that. We had something between us some years ago. He normally goes for experienced women, but perhaps his taste changed to include innocent young women as well…”

Richard did not hear the rest of what his mother was saying. A red haze had descended over his vision, and he could hear nothing over the rush of blood in his ears.

The fact that his mother knew the man was a red flag in itself. Not only did she know him, but she was aware of his character and took pride in being amongst the women who had warmed his bed.

Having worked his way through the ladies of the ton, he had probably grown weary and decided to cast his net for younger, unsuspecting women to feed his inordinate lust.

Richard was never going to allow him to make Selina a victim. Never.

As he watched them, he noted the moment Selina finished her dinner. Lord Pembroke, still playing the chivalrous gentleman, pulled back her chair and took her arm to lead her away from the dining area. Sensing danger, Richard stood up, determination radiating off him in waves.

“Where are you going, Richard?” his mother called after him as he stepped away.

He ignored her, not trusting himself to reply to her question at that moment without betraying his anger.

Following the path they had taken, he found them close to the balcony, where Lord Pembroke was still doing his best to charm Selina. Her laughter rang out clear and true, stirring pleasure and anger in Richard’s chest. The sound was music to his ears, but at the same time, he resented her for being so carefree with the Earl that she could laugh that loudly with him.

He approached them with determination, his anger increasing as he got closer. The Earl was watching her with a predatory hunger of which she seemed blissfully unaware. Richard had to give it to the man; he was a brilliant strategist, bringing her to this dark space. He was probably planning to lure her onto thebalcony, where he might have the freedom to ravish her as he wished.

His hatred for the man was sealed when he stood in front of him. It was an injustice that such an immoral man was blessed with such handsome looks. He was a typical Adonis. He had a delicate, almost feminine face, startling blue eyes, and light blond hair. It was no wonder he was skilled at leading women astray.

“Pembroke,” Richard called, interrupting their discussion.

He noted the irritation that passed over the other man’s face with pleasure.

“I do not believe we have met,” Lord Pembroke said slowly, narrowing his eyes at him.

“We have not. Richard Curtis, the Duke of Seymour, at your service.”

“Seymour? You are Johanna’s son?” Lord Pembroke asked, a bewildered look on his face.

The ease and familiarity with which he used his mother’s name filled Richard with more anger, but he plastered on a cool smile.

“Yes, I am. So, you remember her? She told me about your… friendship,” Richard said in a tone that was almost too cheerful. His mood improved even further when he noted LordPembroke’s flush of embarrassment. “I cannot say I was too happy to hear about it.”

“What do you want?” Lord Pembroke asked in a low voice, stepping closer to him. He cast a wary glance at Selina, who looked bemused by the interaction.

So, he cares about his reputation, doesn’t he?