A Simple Case of Seduction

“In that, we are agreed.” A fight was a way of releasing years of suppressed frustration and anger. “I find hypocrisy hard to stomach.”

“As do I.” Lucas nodded. “The same people who once refused to speak to me now invite me to dinner.”

“And do you go?” The answer would speak volumes as to the nature of Mr Dempsey’s character.

“Hell, no.” The corners of Lucas’ mouth turned down. “There are those who preach that forgiveness is good for the soul. That a man cannot love when there’s hate in his heart.”

“But you don’t agree.” This was quickly becoming an enlightening conversation.

Lucas held his hands out. “I am proof that the theory is nonsense. While my heart bursts with love, I cannot pretend that the past doesn’t matter. I cannot break bread with those who thrust a knife in my back.”

The Marquess of Pulborough, Daniel’s estranged cousin, had begged for clemency, begged for the return of his vowels, for a way out of the debt sucking him under. Daniel could forgive the taunts and jibes at school. The scars on his hand mattered not. But he could never forgive what the family had done to his mother.

“Do you ever feel the urge to seek revenge?” Daniel asked. The need for retribution was the one thing that made him strive for better things.

“Revenge?” Lucas scoffed. “Have you not heard that happiness is the best revenge?” He glanced over his shoulder at Mrs Dempsey. It took but a few seconds for her to look up and meet her husband’s gaze. “Damn. There’s not a day goes by when I don’t give thanks to fate.”

“And if someone hurt those you love?”

Lucas clenched his jaw. “Then I’d hound them to the gates of hell.”

“Then you’re right. We have more in common than I realised.”

Chapter 18

The matron, who insisted Daphne call her Lavinia, frowned. “I am telling you that boy is the son of the Marquess of Pulborough.”

Helena put her arm around her great-aunt and guided her into the seat. “While Mr Thorpe has the manners of a gentleman, he is not the son of a marquess.”

Daphne’s heart went out to the elderly matron. At the ripe old age of eighty, one was bound to get confused when their head was brimming with memories.

“Mr Thorpe is my colleague,” Daphne said, sitting in the seat opposite. “We work together in London.” Granted, Thorpe was a fictitious name used for business, but the idea that Daniel could claim such a connection was preposterous.

“Work?” Lavinia looked aghast. “That boy has no need to work. What about the estate Tobias bought the boy’s mother?”

The boy? After witnessing Daniel’s impressive form first hand, he was a man in every sense of the word.

Helena glanced at Daphne and raised a frustrated brow. “Aunt, we have no idea who Tobias is?”

Lavinia sighed. “Tobias is the boy’s father. They have the same brooding look, the same olive skin and dark hair. All the girls swooned when Tobias entered the room.”

Daphne glanced over her shoulder at Daniel Thorpe, relieved to find him in the company of Lucas Dempsey. The men had been talking for half an hour. Mr Dempsey’s charismatic charm obviously worked on gentlemen, too, as an uncharacteristic chuckle escaped from Daniel’s lips.

“I’m sure Mr Thorpe will be pleased to know you hold him in such high regard.” Helena patted the lady’s hand affectionately.

“Everyone loved Tobias,” Lavinia said with an air of melancholy. “Such a good man. Such a tragedy. And the boy lives in London, you say?”

Daphne nodded. “Yes, we rode up together yesterday.” While Daniel used numerous houses in the city, she had no idea which one he considered his permanent residence.

“And he’s not married?” Lavinia asked a lot of questions.

“No, he’s not married.” Daphne could not imagine Daniel with a wife and family. A jealous pang filled her chest at the thought. Like a vine, the feeling grew and twisted around her heart.

“Didn’t Sarah look beautiful in her new gown?” Helena said in a bid to change the subject.

Lavinia frowned. “Who’s Sarah?”

Helena breathed deeply, and whispered, “Anthony’s wife.”