He entered the earl’s study with a polite nod, though his smile was stiff. William Wentworth looked up as Sebastian entered, his own smile rather cold.
“Sebastian,” he said after a pointed silence. “Please. Sit.”
Sebastian settled into the chair across from the earl, who was looking at him with a strange expression. He let out an irritable sigh and William lifted his brows.
“I trust your conversation with my daughter was satisfactory,” William said, then continued slowly. “Caroline—the one you are marrying now.”
It took all of Sebastian’s self control to merely nod and refrain from making a biting comment about William treating his own daughters as though they were interchangeable. “Indeed it was. Lady Caroline and I had a lovely talk. Thank you.”
William’s mouth turned in a grimace. “I find it heartening that you can manage a lovely talk with my daughter while keeping your hands off her,” he said simply, and Sebastian scowled.
“My lord,” he explained coldly. “I agree that the situation is unfortunate. But as I have explained before, it was a misunderstanding. Lady Caroline lost her balance and I was merely attempting to be chivalrous.”
“Chivalrous,” William repeated, a strange light shining in his eyes. “Forgive me, but the ton is abuzz with rumors of your rakish past. I must wonder if this misunderstanding was truly innocent.”
A frown settled between Sebastian’s brows at this. “If you do not believe me, my lord, believe your daughter. I would also appreciate it if you allowed my past to be just that—my past. I have been nothing but honorable in my interactions with your daughters.”
“Have you?” William’s tone was quite measured, but Sebastian could feel his cheeks heating up at the question. It was true, of course, that he had only ever been honorable in his interactions with the ladies—but he could not deny that his thoughts have been less than pure when he thought of Caroline.
In fact, perhaps his mind drifted towards the seductive softness of her curves a bit too often, and he shifted uncomfortably at the thought. William still stared at him and Sebastian could feel heat rising to his cheeks, as though the man could read his thoughts.
“I have,” he insisted, and William nodded stiffly.
“Be that as it may, we are in this situation now. I would like your assurance that my daughter will be safe with you.”
It was the first time that William showed concern for his daughter and Sebastian nodded slowly, strangely heartened by this. “You have my word, My Lord.”
With this, the conversation soon dried up—William merely nodding before returning to his paperwork. Sebastian remained seated for a while, then stood uncomfortably when the silence continued.
“If I may…”
William merely nodded and Sebastian left the study with a lighter frown. While he was certain that William Wentworth did not approve of him entirely, he was rather hopeful that the man was merely looking out for his daughter. Perhaps, he thought, he could not blame the man for his hostility.
A smile appeared on Sebastian’s face when the daughter he had been thinking of suddenly appeared in front of him, a delightful blush coloring her cheeks.
“I hid in one of the hallways,” Caroline admitted with a tentative smile, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson. “I wanted to see you off,” she explained.
Sebastian could not help but smile at this and a warmth bloomed in his chest. He could not deny that he found Caroline more intriguing than Beatrice. Where her sister was preoccupied with propriety and appearances, Caroline had a spark of wit and independence that drew him in. There was something about her.
“I should be thanking you, My Lady—for agreeing to marry me,” he said now, his voice low and earnest. Caroline ducked her head and a small smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“I will admit, it is a rather intimidating thought, getting married,” she admitted and Sebastian took an impulsive step towards her.
“Is it?”
Caroline looked up at him with wide eyes. They were closer together now than they had been since he’d caught her, and this time Sebastian took his time to truly look at her. There was no denying that Caroline Wentworth was beautiful. Her blonde locks were braided, though a few strands had escaped and framed her face. Sebastian moved his hand slightly, allowing it to hover over her hips as he studied her. Her fair visage was adorned with almond shaped eyes the color of the ocean, a delicately sculpted nose and full lips.
His eyes fixed on those lips now, an inviting pink color. The point of her tongue darted out now, moving over her lips nervously.
“I do believe that we will make a fine match,” he said, his voice low. Caroline’s eyes widened at the words, and she blinked slowly. Sebastian leaned his head slightly forward, his breath ghosting over her skin. “I am quite pleased to be marrying you, Lady Caroline,” he whispered.
Her mouth opened slightly at this and she looked up at him through her lashes. For a mad second, Sebastian wondered what it would be like to kiss those waiting lips. Caroline pressed a soft hand against his chest and looked up, her eyes stormy.
Then a door creaked down the hall and the pair stepped away from each other quickly. Sebastian flashed her a crooked grin, surprised by his own breath feeling quite fast.
“Until our wedding day,” he said softly before turning on his heel and making his way back to his carriage.
A sweet scent clung to him as he climbed into the carriage. Roses, he realized as he shifted on the seat and nodded at the driver.
