The Ugly Duckling Debutante(15)

Nicholas rested his head against the chair. He liked his life. It was simple. He was rich. He gave to charity, not to mention totally reformed of his old ways. He didn’t deserve a maiden, and he didn’t want a seductress like Sai. What he really wanted… no, what he needed was to live in the country away from temptation.



He sat up quickly. The answer was so simple. After he escorted Sai to a few more balls he would be free to leave. He would go to the country, perhaps retire for a while, maybe find a country woman who would want to marry him and give him children. Someone away from the influence of the ton. He had lived enough years within their deadly grasp; why not move to the countryside? Where did Lady Fenton say she had family? It was somewhere in the countryside—maybe she had a distant niece he could marry, someone who understood life.



He smiled for the first time in an hour as he thought of his new country bride. Naturally he would wait until after he had the feather. That would mean he would need to court in secret, but affairs of the country were never discussed during the season. Granted, it wasn’t that he technically wanted to take a bride, but it was the next sort of step for a man like him to make. He didn’t want to marry but it was his God given duty to produce an heir and be able to carry on his family line even if he was set against it. A quiet country mouse was just what he needed. Especially if that country mouse took his thoughts away from the siren he was having to spend every waking moment with.



He would have the feather, an innocent untitled bride, and freedom from his lustful desires. All he needed now was to make sure Sai took in the ton. Hopefully she would set her cap on someone straight away, so he could be free to leave her side. He was no protector of virtue and didn’t know how long hers would stay intact with him constantly watching her. As it was, he felt like he undressed her with his eyes merely by smiling at her. He shook the thought out of his head and pulled the cord in his study. There wasn’t enough tea in the world to get ride of the stirring of feelings he felt at the moment.





****





“Sai!” Her aunt’s voice rivaled her own mother’s, and if ever she doubted their relation, it was now confirmed, however distant it might be. Sara had not slept well. In fact, she hadn’t slept well since her unfortunate meeting with Lord Renwick. He was unnerving and possibly the most attractive man she had ever met. Naturally he would invade her dreams, but did he have to invade every waking thought as well?



She stumbled out of bed, and with the help of her lady’s maid, donned a riding habit that left little to the imagination. It was tight enough to show off what little curve she had and clung tightly to her bosom—which her aunt had pointed out, was her best and only asset. She pulled on her gloves and went down the stairs.



“My dear, we have a change of plans.” Her aunt was in an elaborate ball gown saying something French to the woman nearest her. “My gown is to have crystals sewn onto it!” Her voice gave away her excitement making Sara smile for her. “I must stay here.” She didn’t look Sara in the eye, instead she said, “Oh, and Lord Renwick is waiting for you in the study. He has graciously consented to escort you to the park for an hour or so to aid you in familiarizing yourself with some of the more famous of the ton.”



Sara wanted to scream. Wasn’t it bad enough she had to be escorted by him to the ball, now she had to spend even more time with the man? She held her tongue and smiled. “Shall I be off then?”



Her aunt looked up from her dress. “Well, hurry on.”



Sara did a quick curtsy and walked into the study. Lord Renwick’s back was facing her, giving her adequate time to size him up. His pantaloons tightened over thickly muscled thighs, and her eyes traced up his velvet coat and smoothly pressed shirt. His hair was a little unruly, possibly from the ride, but it gave him an air of danger she had grown to admire about him.



He turned quickly, meeting her gaze. She dropped into a curtsy and heard him sigh as if annoyed by her presence “Lady Fenton informs me she will not be joining us?” He was glaring at her.



“No, my lord. That is, she was planning to come but has a pressing matter to attend to with her modiste. If you would like to reschedule, I’m sure—“



He cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Surely you don’t think I am afraid to be alone with you?” He smirked in her direction. His moods seemed as unstable as her breathing.



She backed up into the wall. “Of course not, my lord. That wasn’t my intention. I was merely thinking it would be unwise to be without a chaperone.”