Helen Dickson - Seducing Miss Lockwood

She looked up at him, very conscious of how close together they were standing, and the almost casual intimacy of their actions, which nevertheless was most inappropriate considering her position.

‘When all the harvest has been gathered in,’ he said, ‘you must come to the harvest-home supper. It’s a night not to be missed, when everyone from miles around comes together. It’s held in Farmer Shepherd’s barn.’

‘I’d like that. Thank you.’ While Dolly shoved the remaining leftover food into the basket she watched him turn and walk away to begin work.

One afternoon, when she was sorting through some manuscripts, someone walked in. Raising her head, she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when she recognised the young man, Sir Charles Sedgwick, who she had seen on her arrival at Lansdowne House, the same man who had been insufferably rude.

She caught her breath as he sauntered towards her. The picture of him and the lovely Geraldine flashed in her mind. She saw him leaning over to caress her neck, and how Geraldine had almost purred like a cat with the pleasure it. It was like an erotic engraving come to life. She forced the unwelcome images out of her mind and tried to compose herself. His pale blond hair was thick and as shiny as silk. He was good looking all right, no question about it, but fortunately she knew him for what he was and was completely immune to Charles Sedgwick’s kind of potent sexual allure.

When he reached the table she managed to give him a cool, indifferent glance. Shoving some books aside that she had stacked up to be rebound and perching his hip on the edge, he folded his arms across his chest, looking very pleased with himself.

‘Well, well, Miss Lockwood, we meet again,’ he drawled, quizzing her at close range with open male interest. His seductive, smoky blue eyes appraised her and a lazy smile curved his mouth, for the ravishing young beauty bore no resemblance to the pale, bedraggled little sparrow who had interrupted their dinner.

Juliet raised one eyebrow at him and regarded him coolly. ‘I am surprised you can remember, since I wasn’t looking my best.’

‘I must have been well into my cups not to see how lovely you are—and I shall endeavour to see a good deal more of you while you are here.’

‘Really? I think I am right to be wary of you. You look like a scoundrel to me.’

‘And you would know what a scoundrel looks like, would you, Miss Lockwood?’

She raised her eyes to his. ‘Oh, yes, Sir Charles. I have come across men like you before and always stay well clear. Now, will you please go away? I am trying to work.’

He grinned. ‘I am a very persistent fellow, Miss Lockwood.’ His voice was pleasant, almost playful, but there was nevertheless a steely edge to it. ‘I am a good-natured, gregarious sort of chap, and you are a beautiful young woman, the employee of my best friend—if I can make your life a little more cheerful while you are here then why should I not endeavour to do so?’

‘Why not indeed?’ Juliet uttered drily. ‘It is obvious to me that you have a way with women—with everybody come to that, even the Duke himself—but my instinct tells me that you will do me no good. Do you flirt with every woman you meet, Sir Charles?’

His eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Only the ones that take my fancy. I find you quite a challenge. Did anyone ever tell you you have wonderful eyes?’

His smile widened and it was such a wonderful, infectious smile. Juliet found herself smiling back. ‘Not lately.’

At that moment Dominic came in, looking most displeased to find Sedgwick perched on the table gazing at Miss Lockwood’s upturned face. Her expression was soft, her generous, full-lipped mouth that raised her beauty to the extraordinary curved in a smile that carried both promise and invitation. A sharp barb of jealously pricked Dominic deeply.

‘I thought I heard your voice, Sedgwick,’ he uttered brusquely. ‘I didn’t invite you to come in here.’

‘I took it upon myself. Always was the impetuous sort.’

‘I see you’ve met Miss Lockwood.’

Sedgwick turned to Dominic with a grin. ‘I most certainly have; had I known she was such a beauty, I would have come to Lansdowne House hot foot. So this is the attraction that keeps you at home, Dominic. I have to say I detect a definite improvement in your taste. My dear Miss Lockwood,’ he said, looking again at Juliet, ‘my hat is off to you. Since your arrival my good friend has not been seen, and I feared he had become a recluse.’ He sent Dominic a twinkling grin.

An embarrassed flush spread over Juliet’s cheeks. ‘Really? If that is so, I assure you it has nothing to do with me.’

‘Miss Lockwood,’ Dominic said, ‘bearing in mind the proprieties, perhaps I should formally present Sir Charles Sedgwick, who purports to be my good friend,’ he growled with some measure of sarcasm.

‘And I’m sure he is,’ Juliet murmured absently, having instantly sensed that Charles Sedgwick was a born womaniser, accustomed to stealing feminine attentions from any other man in the vicinity.

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