Read Online The Seduction of Sebastian St. James by Rachel van Dyken - Free Book Online

no idea what happened,” she feigned, innocently putting her palm against her fluttering heart. “One minute we were throwing grapes at people and the next he was kissing me!”
    “Throwing grapes? Kissing?” Nicholas’s face turned an odd shade of purple as he glared at Sebastian, who was now holding his already bruising cheek.
    “They were small grapes! And she is not totally innocent!” He looked ready to call in witnesses, not that there were any.
    “On what grounds do you say she isn’t totally innocent?” Nicholas asked.
    Sebastian cleared his throat and mumbled, “She cheats.”
    “Right.” Nicholas glanced between the two of them, and then turned toward the ballroom.
    Emma strategically stuck out her tongue so Nicholas couldn’t see. Sebastian answered her with a threatening glare that would have made her squirm if Nicholas hadn’t been standing right there.
    “What am I to do with you two?” Nicholas was facing them and pacing all at once.
    “Do you think it’s a rhetorical question?” Sebastian murmured under his breath.
    Emma choked on her laugh just in time to meet Nicholas’s searching eyes. Then his mouth turned into a smug grin. She hated it when he got that look on his face.
    “I know exactly how to handle this.”
    Sebastian shifted his weight and rolled his eyes. The doubt on his face was apparent. Emma couldn’t help but share the same feeling. What could Nicholas possibly do to them? They were adults after all.
    “Both of you, follow me.”
    Emma wasn’t given a choice as Sebastian urged her forward, leaving an almost searing handprint on her back. The man did wicked things to her. Just a moment ago she had been kissing him like a madwoman. And she did feel mad. For even though part of her was still terrified, another part was delighted and couldn’t help but wonder when or if it would happen again. Not that it would be a good idea. After all, they didn’t want to end up having to marry just because they found each other's kisses more exciting than a ball.
    For goodness sake, anything was more exciting than the ball. Especially when one didn’t dance. A girl can only drink so much punch and eat so many bonbons before it starts to show on her figure, sending her into even deeper despair of ever finding a husband.
    Emma followed Nicholas blindly into the main room.
    “Go along now,” he said authoritatively.
    Emma turned to Sebastian for help. He winked.
    “What would you like us to run along and do, my lord?” The mockery wasn’t lost on Nicholas. His face grew even sterner. Which, considering the circumstances, was quite a feat.
    Suddenly Nicholas smirked. “Pardon my interruption, Lady Fenton!” he announced, voice louder than a man of his stature should possess.
    Lady Fenton turned around. “Ah, Nicholas, there you are.”
    “Indeed, did you know I’ve just heard the most delightful news?”
    Lifting her eyebrow, Lady Fenton leaned in. “What is it? Surely your secret is safe with me.”
    “It has come to my attention the Duke of Tempest and Miss Gates are both actively searching for someone with whom to share their hearts. And after careful consideration, they’ve decided to announce at the Fenton ball next week their choices for a companion. After several dances, they will announce their intentions of whom they wish to court. Isn’t that delightful?”
    Emma watched in horror as Lady Fenton’s face seemed to brighten with every word. “Will Renwick House be accepting visitors then?”
      “Naturally, both Lady Gates and Tempest will be accepting callers.”
    Emma’s mouth dropped open. Sebastian let out a lovely string of expletives and ran his fingers roughly through his hair.
    Torn between wanting to shout and curse alongside Sebastian, Emma watched with dread as Lady Fenton leaned in and whispered a few words to the ladies in her group. This process was repeated until everyone in the ballroom seemed to be a flutter with excitement.
    In one sudden