Seduced by a Rake

"You do love me?" She said it with a quaver in her voice that told him the euphoria of the night had worn off. Her eyes watched him dress with a question in their blue depths for which she was already learning the answer. He almost regretted what he'd done, what he was about to do. But it was too late for repining. Delia was certainly ruined. Her father would be here at any moment.

Tying his neckcloth loosely around his throat, he met her gaze. "Love? My dear child, this wasn't about love."

"But you said ..."

"I said I wanted you, desired you. No mention of love passed my lips."

Her small white teeth bit into the plump bottom lip, already bruised from his passion. Delia Finch, innocent debutante, former virgin, had provided him with a memorable night. Adjusting his coat, he approached the bed, lifting her softly rounded chin with one finger. "Come, my sweet. Surely you aren't regretting our night together. It was pleasurable, but now we must part."

"Part?" The small crease between the delicate arches of her brows deepened. She twisted from his hold. "You were never planning to marry me, were you, Gideon?"

"I regret to say, the thought never crossed my mind. You know your father would never permit it."

"What if I'm with child?"

He hoped she would be. But that was for the future. Today was about revenge. He could hear the clatter of hooves in the front yard of the inn and the sound of angry voices. So there were two of them. Even more interesting. "It appears Darcy Worthington has accompanied your father."

"Darcy?" She clutched the sheets to her chest. Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders, concealing the pale silky skin he'd tasted. "I'd forgotten."

"Forgotten the man to whom you have been secretly betrothed for five years? How careless of you."

The blush tinted her throat and chest with a rosy glow before lighting up her pale features. "You bastard."

"You can hardly insult me by reminding me of what I am in truth." Gideon reached for his small sword and strapped it on. He could have need of it.

"You won't fight my father, will you, Gideon?"

The door knob rattled. "It's more likely I'll be required to answer to Mr Worthington."

Her next words, a plea to take care, were swallowed by the slam of the door as two men thrust it violently against the wall. The short chubby man he recognised instantly. Uriah Finch made a comical figure, his waistcoat too tight and his face flushed red from his exertions. Gideon had no desire to laugh. This was a serious business.

Darcy Worthington was a tall man, almost as tall as Gideon himself, but prettier, light to his own darkness. His blond locks and soft brown eyes were a trap for the unwary maiden. They had never met, but he'd been pointed out to him by one such maiden.

The two men halted on the threshold. Her father regained his voice first. "Delia. What has Caulfield done to you?"

The younger man swung around. "You are Caulfield?"

"Indeed I am." Really, it was almost funny. It was pretty obvious from her state of déshabille exactly what he'd done. And Worthington would know why.

"Papa? How did you know where we were?" Her bewildered gaze went from her father to Gideon and back again.

It was Worthington who replied. "The blackguard had the cheek to send your father and myself a message."

"Gideon?"

The hurt in her voice sliced into his guts. He stiffened his back and achieved a sneer. "Someone had to fetch you home. Why not your inamorata and your dear papa."