Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

The Grand Seduction

"A re you sure this is what you want?" Christianna asked.

"Are you questioning my decision?" Solomon asked.

Gilbert looked up from the newspaper he read at the breakfast table, and he raised his eyebrows slightly. Solomon and Gilbert had shared many breakfasts together, always rising well before anyone else in the house, and their younger sister had recently inherited the trait.

"I would never question any of your decisions, Solomon," Christianna claimed. "It is all happening so fast."

"And why shouldn't it?" the Duke asked.

Christianna twisted her lips as she considered the question. "Are you sure this is what Miss Moore wants?"

Gilbert folded his newspaper and placed it on the table, becoming more invested in the conversation.

Solomon felt some heat at his collar. It was still early, and the room had not yet warmed with the sun having just risen, and it did something to contain his temper.

"Miss Moore is here, is she not? She wants to be married, and she will be married," Solomon stated.

"Yes, but she—" Christianna started.

"That is the end of it," Solomon interrupted. "I am trying my best to have you ready for your debut, Christianna. You must be ready, and I need you to agree with me on this."

"I can always put off my debut until next year if it will help," Christianna noted.

"No, that will not help anything," Solomon told her softly. "You are ready to show the world who you are, and I will not deprive society of your wonder."

Christianna pouted and smiled at the same time. She quickly removed herself from the breakfast room.

Solomon took a bite of his marmalade-covered toast, the tartness only souring his mood more. He could feel his younger brother's eyes on him.

"I don't want to hear anything from you," Solomon said once he had finished his toast. "Why don't you go back to your newspaper?"

"Is it true?" Gilbert asked.

There was too much sincerity in Gilbert's voice for the Duke to ignore the question. "Is what true?"

"Does she not wish to marry you?" Gilbert pushed.

Solomon glanced around the breakfast room. It was only the two brothers and a maid, but it felt too cramped.

"Bring more tea from the kitchen," the Duke ordered. He waited until the maid left before addressing Gilbert. "We are to be married; there is nothing more to say."

Gilbert drummed his fingers on his newspaper. "Is there not? I know you, Solomon. What happened yesterday?"

"What happened was you were late to arrive on the day of my engagement," Solomon countered.

Gilbert stared at his older brother—not many could invoke emotion within the Duke, but his younger brother could.

"I had no idea you would propose so soon. Besides, that is not what I meant," Gilbert noted. "Did something happen?"

"A joke gone wrong; that is all."

The more Solomon spoke about it, the angrier he got. What nerve did Leah have to question him or suggest there should be no wedding? He had seen in her eyes that she was hesitant about the whole thing, but there was something else in her eyes also. A need to be pleasured by a man—something she'd never experienced.

"Can you let me in on this joke?" Gilbert asked.

Solomon glared at his brother.

"I love you, Solomon. We both know why you are doing this, but you have to be sure. This is not only about the wedding and dowry. This is also about the woman you are making a commitment to."

"I am not making a commitment to her," Solomon claimed.

"Not truly, but on the face of it, you are. Society will see it that way, and you can't have a woman endanger what you are working for. It does not matter if it is a joke. Do you fear that she will back out of the marriage or cause trouble at a later date?"

Oh, I am sure she is trouble.

"She will do as she has been asked. I spoke with Miss Moore in confidence, and we both know where we stand. She will go ahead with the marriage, and there will be no problems before or after."

"I am only concerned for you, Solomon," Gilbert said.

"I am your older brother and the Duke," Solomon replied, using the same tone he had used on their sister. "I am the one who should be concerned about you. Everything is under control."

"Perhaps…" Gilbert started before becoming lost in thought.

"Perhaps what?" Solomon asked.

"No, you are right. You have this under control, and I should not be the one to give you any advice. I am sure Father taught you well."

Solomon bristled at the mention of their father. Gilbert was an astute judge of character and mood, but his dealings occasionally bordered on manipulation. Solomon didn't appreciate the mention of their father, but he didn't want to get into an argument at the breakfast table.

"Will you please just go ahead and say it," Solomon ordered.

Gilbert took a mouthful of tea. "You must ensure she does not have second thoughts about the marriage."

Gilbert raised one eyebrow.

"Expand, brother," Solomon said.

"Only because you are practically begging me for the solution, Brother," Gilbert said. "It is so simple that I am astounded that you did not think of it first."

"Can we cut down on the drama and get to the crux of the matter?" the Duke asked.

Gilbert smiled. "You must do what you do best and seduce her."

"Seduce her?" Solomon asked.

"I know! What a controversial take! To seduce your future wife." Gilbert rolled his shoulders and took another sip of his tea. He looked at his brother mischievously over his cup. "I don't believe you have met a woman you could not seduce, so this will be easy for you. Use some of your rakish charm to convince her that everything is well. She won't be able to resist."

"Everything is well," Solomon claimed.

"Then go ahead as things are," Gilbert moaned. "This was my idea as much as it was yours, and I don't like for my ideas to fail."

Solomon though about how foolish and astute the idea sounded. He came to the same conclusion as his brother when he found out about his father's debts. It was not the only solution, but it was the quickest one.

"I shall do it for you," Solomon said.

Gilbert guffawed as he reached for a scone. "It is for the best, no matter the reason. You are too far into this for you not to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Solomon thought back to the previous day when he had been alone with Leah twice.

"I shall speak with Miss Moore later today. I am already sure she will not be hard to seduce," Solomon said.

That might be true of most other women, but Leah was a most vexing creature. There had been times when he had her entirely under his control, but other times when she had defied him like no one else would dare. Solomon did not know how much of a fight he had on his hands.

* * *

Solomon straightened his cravat, wondering if he should remove it. When he looked through the conservatory window at Leah and her younger sister, he chuckled and left the cravat in place.

The Duke shifted his gaze and checked his reflection in the glass. He pushed his fingertips over the hair on his forehead, pushing it to the side some more.

Solomon rolled his shoulders and opened the door to venture out. It did not feel like a duty to be performed. He remembered the look in her eyes when he had cornered her in the parlor and held her in his room. There was no love between them, but she wanted something more physical, just as he did. He looked Leah up and down as he approached her.

"Good afternoon," Solomon said to them both.

"Good afternoon, Your Grace," Leah replied, her sister saying the same a moment later.

"I must apologize for not dining with you this morning. I am up rather early, and I had much business to attend to, so I ate and spent the rest of the morning in my study."

"There is no need to apologize," Leah said. "We dined with your mother, and the breakfast was exquisite. We appreciate all you are doing to welcome us into your home."

It felt like a dance; the two of them spoke politely but did not say exactly what they wanted to say to each other.

"I would like to invite you on a walk with me," the Duke said. "I know you and your family will reside with us for a while, but time is so fleeting, and I would like to make the most of the time we have together."

"A walk?" Leah asked.

"Just the two of us," the Duke said.

"We cannot be alone together," Leah reminded him. "My sister Bridget will accompany us."

"There is no need, and I do not wish to take up any of her time. In fact, I was hoping that Miss Bridget would spend some time with my sister. Christianna is to debut this season, so could you offer her some tips?"

"I would be honored," Bridget said, looking between the Duke and Leah.

"And Miss Moore, you need not worry about being alone." The Duke pointed back toward the house. "I have arranged for one of our housemaids to accompany us."

"Oh," Leah said. A flicker crossed her features, but she did not let it take hold.

"Then it is set," the Duke said. "Miss Bridget, my sister is in the drawing room and is expecting you. Miss Moore, we can explore the grounds a little, and you will have a chance to see the beauty of where you will live. Nothing to compare to your beauty, of course."

Bridget's mouth twisted into a half-smile as she looked at Leah. Leah rolled her eyes slightly.

Solomon held out his arm, and Leah had no choice but to smile politely and take it. Bridget left them and walked back toward the house.

"Might I say how beautiful you look today, Miss Moore," Solomon said.

Leah glanced over her shoulder as they walked away from the house, followed by the housemaid.

"What are you doing?" Leah asked.

"Taking you on an afternoon stroll through the grounds," Solomon responded.

"No, I don't mean that," Leah complained. "Why are you being so charming again."

Solomon smiled. "I can't help it if I am charming. I am naturally charming."

"You are up to something," Leah noted.

"Up to something? What is it you think I am up to?" the Duke asked.

"I don't know, but you want something from me."

Solomon took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Have you been hurt in the past? Is that it?" They took a small dirt trail between two large oak trees, and the air cooled a little. "Not everyone is out to get something."

"No, not everyone is, but you are," Leah told him.

Solomon looked up at the branches to his left when a bird sang before turning a little toward Leah as they walked.

"I already have what I need," he noted. "I want to be married, and I soon will have that. What more could I possibly want?"

"I-I don't know," Leah admitted.

"Well, there you go," Solomon said. "If I have everything I want from you, why would I be trying to get more when there is no more to get."

Leah was silent for a while as they walked. She checked behind every so often to make sure the maid was still there.

"You have nothing to say?" the Duke asked her. "Are my grounds not worthy of any words?"

"I will admit that they are impressive," Leah replied. "From what I have seen so far, they are very pleasing to the eye. I only have to discover everything that is contained within."

Solomon smirked. "I am sure you will in good time."

"Yes, I am sure."

The walk was not going exactly as Solomon intended, but she was out with him and a chaperone, and it was a good start. He only had to start working on her defenses. Perhaps they had started out the wrong way. If he could go back and only show his charming side, it would make things a lot easier. As it stood, it would be more of a challenge to seduce Leah, but he had never backed down from a challenge.

"I truly believe you are beautiful, Miss Moore," the Duke said. "And I know you find me handsome. Will we not make a fine pair?"

Leah was quiet again.

"Come, let us walk a little more to clear our heads." Solomon pulled on Leah's arm, and they moved through the trees once more.

The Duke turned his head every so often and glanced to the side out of the corner of his eye to take in his bride-to-be.

"I wish for you to smile more," the Duke noted.

"Excuse me?" Leah replied.

Solomon chuckled. "I mean, I wish to make you smile more. I was being truthful when I complimented your dimples yesterday. When you smile, you light up a room, but there is something about the small dimples at the corners of your mouth that is utterly desirable."

"I am sure you say that to all women," Leah replied.

"Perhaps," the Duke said, not annoyed by the barb. "Yes, it is true that I have known many women, but does that not adequately place me to know what is beautiful or not."

Leah shook her head. "Because you have lain with many women, you believe you know me?"

"Why is that so foreign?" Solomon asked. "A man who studies science is best placed to answer questions about science and know the secrets of the universe. A man who studies mathematics is better able to describe how the world works. And a man who studies the great poets can quote a line for every occasion. Why is it any different? Sure, my past is looked on with scorn, but that does not mean it is wasted. Yes, I have known many women, but I have not known a woman like you, Miss Moore."

"No, I am sure you have not," Leah replied.

Why do you stab me so with your sarcasm? If it is not arguing for the sake of it or defying me for no reason, it is a snarky comment or frustrating look!

Solomon took a deep breath. If it were any other woman, he could cast her away and move on to the next, but his brother had been right about seducing her to make his life easier. The marriage was arranged, and the smother it went, the better.

"I am trying to get to know you, Miss Moore. Perhaps we had too much friction yesterday, but today is a new day, and is it not nice to walk the grounds together?"

Leah took a deep breath this time. "Yes, it is," she admitted.

"And do you deny that you are a beautiful woman?" the Duke asked.

"I don't?—"

"Before you answer that fully, take yourself in." Solomon took Leah by the hand and lifted her arm into the air, spinning her around. "You have grace that many women would kill for, and a smile that would tempt men from their wives. I have not yet seen you in a formal gown, but we will be the envy of the country when we dance together in society. The way your hair flows like a cascading waterfall when it is loose and the rich, rustic earthiness of your eyes that are warm and inviting. You are beautiful, Miss Moore, and you must admit it."

Leah stood before the Duke, looking into his eyes. He could see her softening before him. Yet, she did not let her guard down. Solomon knew he had a fight on his hands, and he could not blame her if she were hesitant to believe him when he was trying to charm her.

Solomon lifted his lips into more of a smile, not giving her too much—just enough to charm her.

"You… you want me to say it out loud?" Leah asked.

"Of course," the Duke replied.

Leah shifted her weight, but the Duke did not let go of her hand. She looked uncomfortable. "I… I haven't thought much about it before, if I must admit the truth."

There was a wall between them of Leah's creation. Every time she glanced into his eyes, he could see the distrust behind her gaze.

"I shall not force you if you are uncomfortable but know that you are wonderful, Miss Moore. When I described you as a flower in your family garden, I was telling the truth. I will help you to feel as beautiful as you truly are."

Leah stood before the Duke, saying nothing.

"And do you not find me attractive, Miss Moore? We are to spend our lives together. I hope I please your eye."

"Yes, of course," Leah blurted. "If I have given any indication otherwise, then it has not been intentional. You are a fine man."

"Then, we make a fine couple, and I am made better by having you at my side," Solomon told her.

Leah considered the Duke for a moment before her expression changed. "I don't know what you truly feel," she told him. "You switch between charming and not so quickly that I don't understand who you are. You have a silver tongue, but I will not be sweet-talked because you want something from me. This walk had been pleasurable, but I think we should return to the house."

Solomon felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. He didn't care if a woman rejected him, not that it often happened; he could easily move on to the next. It was that Leah had rejected him—the woman who could see through him and defy him. It felt as if he was being rejected by the first woman who truly knew who he was, and it shook the very foundations he stood on.

I will seduce her you if is the last thing I do, and I know exactly how to do it.

Solomon held Leah's hand tight. "Come with me. I know exactly what you need."