“No, neither did I.”
“I’m going over to his house,” Sebastian announced rising from his seat. He shook his head as Quinn started to speak. “No, I don’t want you to come. You tend to make me think too rationally, and this is one time I’ve no wish to be rational.”
“Don’t do anything to make Jenna hate you even more,” Quinn advised.
“You think she hates me?” Pain sounded in his voice.
He immediately regretted his hasty words. “No, I think she is angry and hurt, but I don’t think she hates you.”
“Well, no matter, I’ve a duty to see to her honor. I won’t let this insult pass.”
###
Sebastian strode determinedly up to Douglas’s door. He pounded on the heavy wood and waited for an answer. A distinguished-looking butler opened the door and peered inquiringly out.
“I’m here to see Mr. Douglas,” he growled.
“Mr. Douglas does not receive callers at this hour of the morning.”
“He’ll see me.”
“I see, and do you have a card I may present?”
“Tell him Viscount Hembly is here to see him. If it helps in recognition, perhaps you could tell him that Lady Jenna Wycliffe is my sister.”
Something flickered in the older man’s eyes. “Please come in, my lord. I’ll tell Mr. Douglas you are here.”
Sebastian paced the drawing room floor, surprised at its opulence and size. But then everything he’d seen of the house so far cried out elegance. Not at all vulgar in the obvious display of wealth it possessed. So the man had refined tastes. It still didn’t excuse his abominable behavior toward a well-bred lady. His sister, at that.
Moments later a tall, well-dressed man entered the drawing room and stared at him from across the floor. To Sebastian’s surprise there was no arrogance reflected in his eyes, just a hint of sadness. “You must be Sebastian.”
Anger flared at the man’s familiarity. “I am Lord Hembly.”
“Ahh yes, of course. I only know you as Sebastian since that is all Jenna has ever called you.”
“LadyJenna,” he corrected.
“Perhaps we should cut to the chase. I realize you aren’t here on a social call. And as you are obviously itching to plant me a facer, I suggest we dispense with the niceties and go straight to the matter at hand.”
Despite his anger, Sebastian had to admire Douglas’s candor.
Before he could say anything, Douglas continued. “I seduced your sister. Pursued her shamelessly. You mustn’t hold her in contempt. There was little she could do once I decided I wanted her. I’m sorry to say, should you call me out, I would have to respectfully decline, as Jenna would never forgive me for killing her brother.”
Sebastian eyed him with suspicion. “You say you pursued her?”
“Yes, quite unashamedly at that. I saw her at Lady Lockhart’s ball nearly a fortnight ago and confess I thought of little else but having her in my bed.”
With a snarl of rage he punched Douglas in the chin, watching in satisfaction as he reeled to the floor. Douglas sat there a moment rubbing his chin and eyeing him with barely disguised anger. “I’ll grant I deserved that, but don’t make the mistake of doing it again.”
Why wasn’t he fighting back? Sebastian was itching for a good brawl, yet Douglas quietly got back up and resumed his stance in front of him.
Sebastian’s jaw worked up and down, trying to tamp down his rage at hearing anyone speak of bedding his sister. “Keep a civil tongue in your head when it comes to my sister,” he growled. “There’s no need for vulgarity. I know she approached you.”
“I beg pardon?” Douglas’s brow lifted in surprise.
“She told me what happened. That she approached you.”
Douglas shook his head. “So typical. Honest to a fault. Would have been easier on her had she just said I seduced her.”
