“Do you think you could teach me some naughty words?” Marianne asked.
Sebastian had taken another sip of his drink and he began to choke on it. He drew out a handkerchief and coughed into it for a moment before he gathered his composure.
“Naughty words?” he repeated in blank disbelief.
Marianne nodded. “Yes. I’d like to know how to ush…use them. Like…” She searched the foggy annals of her mind for words she had heard men on the street use, or her brother if he thought she wasn’t nearby. “Likebollocksanddoxyand?—”
Before she could say more, Sebastian reached out and covered her hand with his. It felt so warm and heavy. Comforting. Why was her body tingling?
“Yes, yes,” he said. “I-I understand. But why—” He cut himself off with a laugh and a shake of his head. “Actually, I’m not certain you’re in much condition to even knowwhyyou would want to know such things. But I shall come by to see you tomorrow and we can discuss it in private when your mind is clearer.”
“My mind,” Marianne hiccupped, “is perfectly clear.”
Sebastian stared at her a moment and then he reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a delicate gesture and Marianne’s heart began to pound at it.
“Of course it is,” he said softly. Then he shook his head. “Now we shall find your brother. I’ll tell him that you have a headache and need to go home. If you remain quiet, there is no reason he needs know that you are at least somewhat in your cups, do you understand?”
Marianne smiled. Good, so she would know the naughty words. That would be two items off her list in just a day’s time. Excellent.
“Marianne?” he repeated. “Do you understand?”
She nodded. “Yes, Shebas…Sebastian. Of course. I shall be quiet as a church moushe. I’ve had plenty of practice at that.”
Sebastian looked at her. Even in her fog, even in the dim light, she saw the troubled expression on his face, and the surprise in his eyes when she said that. Then he nodded.
“Yes, I suppose you have.” Then the trouble was gone and he smiled as he got to his feet and offered her an arm. “Come, my lady. I shall make certain you arrive home safely.”
Marianne took his offering and leaned on him slightly as he maneuvered her toward the door. “Thank you. And don’t forget, you promised me. You promised you would help me.”
“Yes. I did. And I keep my promises.”
CHAPTER 4
Sebastian was careful to wait until mid-afternoon to arrive at Marianne’s home on St. James Street. After the previous night, he would hazard a guess that she was still feeling the effects of too much drink. Hopefully she’d had a chance to sleep it all off.
And now he stood in her front parlor, staring around the room, shocked by the fact that he didn’t think he’d ever come to her home before. He always met her at Delacourt’s estate a mile away, or at his own. And Delacourt was always in attendance at those times so they were never alone for more than a few moments at a time. But he doubted his friend was here now, not with her asking for such shocking help from Sebastian.
So the whole exercise felt…odd. Odder still was the fussy parlor. It was truly the domain of a spinster with its doilies and miniatures of elderly relatives. It didn’t feel like Marianne. Despite her labeling by Society as such, she never seemed like a spinster to Sebastian. Not truly. No, Marianne was in a category all her own.
The door behind him opened and he turned to watch her enter the chamber. Her dark hair and gown were impeccable, and if one only looked that far, she would be the perfect vision of a lady. However, her cheeks were pale and her eyes a little glassy. He smiled slightly. It seemed shewasstill hungover.
“Sebastian,” she said as she slowly advanced on him, hand outstretched in welcome. “I didn’t expect you.”
He lifted her knuckles to his lips briefly and laughed at her as he released her. “My God, you really were in your cups. You must be miserable.”
Now color rushed to those pale cheeks and she took a few wobbly steps to the settee, where she sank down. “I am,” she admitted. “My head throbs and I’m certain I’ll cast up my accounts at any moment.”
He shook his head slowly, both amused by her and also driven to help. “That will not do at all. One moment.”
He crossed to the door and rang the bell. In a few moments her butler appeared. “May I help you, my lord?”
Sebastian leaned forward and quietly requested a few items from the servant. It seemed the old man might refuse, but when he looked past Sebastian to Marianne, worry for his mistress overrode whatever hesitations he had at being ordered around by a stranger, even a titled one.
“Yes, my lord. Immediately.”
Sebastian nodded and then turned back to Marianne. She was staring at him. “Oh, what in the world did you ask Adams for?”
“You’ll see. Nothing terrible, I promise you.”
