"I would be honored." Gwen tried to keep herself from glaring at Redding. Something about him gave her pause, though she had no idea why.
She sighed.
"Perfect." Redding rubbed his hands together and leaned forward.
Rosalind seemed to let out a deep exhale next to her. Most likely in relief, considering she had been so worried about Gwen ever since her return from Dominique's castle.
If only her sisters knew. Her innocence had long ago been taken, by watching the horrors of what men with power could do. Not a night went by when she didn't see the nightmares of the torture Napoleon had inflicted on some of his people, women in general. She had barely escaped without becoming another conquest.
And the Crown had done nothing to commend her except send her back into the darkness of Hades in order to glean more information.
She was broken. Perhaps Hunter was right. She was a temptation for a man, but that was all. For she could offer nothing, save her body, to another human being, for who wanted a soul that was so tainted?
Chapter Twelve
Red—
You truly looked beautiful today. I didn't mean to upset you. I was trying to goad the men into defending you. Lecherous idiots that they are. Do tell me what you learn after you spend your afternoons with both of them, and do not, I repeat, do not allow them to get you alone. Take a chaperone, or you will force the Wolf to become the Hunter, and we both know what happens when the Hunter is after you…
—Wolf
Hunter shifted uncomfortably in his seat as all three gentlemen sent dirty looks in his direction. Words flew freely from his mouth without his brain once discussing with his lips what should or should not come out. It was as if he had taken complete leave of his senses. What the devil had he been thinking? Perhaps Dominique had drugged him for kissing Gwen. If the Beast only knew that it had been several kisses and he had in fact captured and tortured her.
The image of his body floating face-down in the river wasn't even enough to keep him from wanting to slap himself for his foolish words.
For him, a man of excellent seduction skills, to tell a woman in front of other men, no less, that she looked awful! He'd nearly groaned when he saw her face fall. Her dress was awful. It had nothing to do with what was beneath it, but it was entirely too proper for his liking.
He liked her in red.
Curse the woman.
Now every time he saw her, she seemed to be wearing some ugly color that made him want to rip the dress from her frame.
Which his body quite agreed with.
Though he imagined her sisters wouldn't have been pleased with him. In some ways, he was angry with Gwen. She was a temptation he could not afford, not with the lives of people he cared about in the balance. Yet there she was, a conundrum if there ever was one.
It made him uneasy to see Trehmont and Redding in the drawing room and even more nervous that Gwen would be spending time with them. Yet the plan was working perfectly. Both men seemed entranced by her. Who would not be? Considering they were being pressured to settle down this Season, it was hardly difficult to get the men to fawn over her. Now at least it would be easier to follow them and keep a watchful eye on their actions. His nose suddenly pained him. He reached up and touched it. At least he knew she could defend herself.
The tea became cold in his cup. He put it down on the table and rose to excuse himself, when the butler entered again.
"The Earl of Eastbrook."
Trapped, with no way to escape, Hunter sat back down.
Redding and Trehmont seemed less than pleased that they had more competition, for Eastbrook had taken great care in making his appearance perfect. Stupid man. All Hunter needed was his cousin sniffing around Gwen's skirts. He had enough problems as it was.
"Ah Haverstone, thought I might find you here!" Eastbrook slapped his gloves against his leg and smiled coolly. Then his eyes fell on Gwen. "And what a lovely creature, more lovely than even my best dreams."
Gwen blushed.
Why the devil did she blush?
Could she not see how evil he was?
Well, perhaps he wasn't particularly evil. After all, he hadn't necessarily done anything but set himself up quite nicely within society. Treat his friends with respect and keep from vices like gambling and heavy drink.
Which, if you asked Hunter, meant he was a terrible human being. What man didn't engage in at least one vice or two? It was the quiet fellows a gentleman had to worry about. He narrowed his eyes in his cousin's direction.
"Thank you," Gwen answered, folding her hands in her lap.
If it was at all possible, Hunter's eyes narrowed even more as he watched his cousin smile seductively at Gwen. Hunter imagined his hands around his cousin's neck and suddenly felt calm enough to breathe again.
"…Did you hear nothing I just said?" Eastbrook addressed Hunter.