Christian Seaton_ Duke of Danger(66)

And it had also not escaped Christian’s notice that Lisette had not so much as glanced in his direction since she regained consciousness.

Because she felt awkward, having now learned of her true parentage?

Perhaps because she now felt uncomfortable recalling their own conversation earlier today, when she had offered to become his mistress?

Or it might just be that she was aware this present situation had come about because she had disobeyed him, and so allowed for her own abduction?

The former she was most certainly not responsible for.

Nor could Christian ever have contemplated taking Lisette as his mistress.

And he was no longer sure Lisette could be held even partly responsible for her own abduction either.

For one thing, Helene Rousseau had obviously been bent on reclaiming her daughter, as well as seeking vengeance on her erstwhile lover. Christian was now convinced that if the older woman had not abducted Lisette when she had, she would only have found another day when she might do so.

As for Lisette disobeying him... Christian had known she was upset earlier, after he had rejected her offer to become his mistress.

Just as he had known how headstrong she was.

Consequently he should have had more safeguards put in place to prevent her from straying outside the house. At the very least, he should have alerted Evans to the fact that Lisette might attempt to do exactly that, and to wake him immediately if it should occur. Instead, several hours had elapsed—including his lazing in the bath for almost an hour—before he was even made aware Lisette had left the house.

If anyone or anything was to blame for what she had suffered today, then it was Christian’s own arrogance in having believed he could issue a mandate to Lisette and expect her to obey it without question.

She had felt so tiny in his arms earlier, so fragile as he carried her across the bridge. A painful reminder of how close he had come to losing her.

Just the thought of that was indeed painful.

He had, he realised, become accustomed to having Lisette in his life—arguing with her, teasing her, laughing with her, making love to her. Even after only a few hours of her presence, his house had seemed empty without her in it.

His life would be equally empty without her in it.

But if she really was Maystone’s daughter—and the other man appeared to have no doubts on the matter—then Christian knew he had already lost the Lisette he knew. Not to kidnappers, or death, as he had feared earlier, but to the father who would surely now claim her as his own.

There would be a brief scandal, of course—Lisette had been born during Maystone’s marriage, after all—but she was not the first illegitimate child to have later been given legitimacy when claimed by her father. Maystone was certainly more than powerful enough to weather such a storm.

And Lisette?

Lisette had already ably demonstrated her own fortitude.

She would possibly object initially, but with time she would no doubt become the polished, the Honourable Miss Lisette Maystone.

And while she might politely acknowledge Christian Seaton, the Duke of Sutherland, at a ball or some other society entertainment, they would meet as polite strangers, would no longer be the Lisette and Christian they had been for these past days.

Arguing. Teasing. Laughing. Making love together.

That realisation was enough to bring back the heavy ache in his chest.

‘I do not see any complication; Lisette is my daughter, and I will immediately acknowledge her as such,’ Maystone announced predictably. ‘Unless, of course, you are still intent on shooting me?’ He glanced ruefully at Helene Rousseau.

‘Do not mock me, monsieur!’ Helene glared at him.

‘I am not mocking you.’ He sighed wearily. ‘I am only sorry that my actions twenty years ago have caused such a deep and abiding resentment inside you. You were responsible for the kidnapping of my grandson two months ago, were you not?’

Her face flushed. ‘For Napoleon’s cause—’

‘Not for Napoleon’s cause, Helene, but your own,’ Maystone corrected softly. ‘You no doubt thought to pay me back in some measure for what you considered my cavalier treatment of you all those years ago. You should not have used an innocent child as a weapon, Helene,’ he rebuked her. ‘I am perfectly willing to pay for my crimes, but Michael and his parents did not deserve to suffer in that way.’

‘And what of my innocent child?’ Helene challenged.

‘If you had told me all those years ago, come to me after Lisette was born even, then Lisette need not have suffered either!’

‘You would not have acknowledged her as your daughter while your wife still lived,’ the Frenchwoman said scornfully.

‘I would have ensured that she wanted for nothing—’