Chapter 43
MARGARET HAD ANGRY COLOR still high on her cheeks after the dirty trick Sebastian had played on her in the coach, kissing her simply so she’d look like she’d just been kissed.
For the role they were playing, not because he wanted to kiss her.
But her cheeks got even hotter, with embarrassment, when the hush fell on the room as they entered the large parlor.
It had nothing to do with curiosity finally being appeased as Sebastian’s neighbors got their first look at him after eleven years.
There was some surprise, surely, but there was a lot more alarm and wariness in the expressions she could see.
The men even glanced away a bit too quickly, as if they feared catching his gaze.
“Good God, they’re terrified of you,” Margaret gasped quietly. “You couldn’t send The Raven away for just one night?”
Sebastian glanced down at her and scoffed, “You exaggerate, m’dear. And why do you continue to think The Raven is a role I play?”
“You forget I’ve seen you with your grandmother. The old Sebastian is still there.”
“I take pains to conceal from her who I’ve become. The Raven is a result, Maggie, not a contrivance. It’s what the last eleven years have made me.”
“Then take some more pains to conceal that man tonight, would you? Or is this how you planned to avoid any questions you don’t care to answer? A splendid idea, appear so menacing no one will dare to approach you.”
He actually grinned at her. “Maggie, you’re starting to think like me. But as it happens, I had no particular plan for the evening. If anyone is so rude as to ask personal questions, he’ll merely be met with the silence he deserves. Is this better?”
He smiled at her so widely she could count his teeth. “No,” she said huffily. “It bloody well looks like you intend to bite me.”
He burst out laughing. She was so disconcerted by his laughter, because it was genuine that she didn’t notice Alberta approaching them until the lady spoke.
“Welcome home, Sebastian. Is your father feeling well enough to join us tonight?”
Maggie almost laughed now. That wasn’t a personal question by any means, but it would certainly answer the one on everyone’s mind—if father and son had reconciled.
And yet Sebastian managed to avoid a direct reply by saying, “I didn’t think to ask.”
Unfortunately, the duchess turned her gaze on Maggie with the same question in her expression, forcing Maggie to add, “Neither did I. But with Douglas back on his feet, we returned to White Oaks this morning. He is still convalescing, though, so I doubt he’s feeling up to socializing just yet.”
Alberta tsked. “Yes, I should have taken that into account at your suggestion and delayed this party for at least another week or two. But hindsight, while superior, is rarely useful in correcting an error. So let me be the first to congratulate you this evening. You’ve made quite the catch, Sebastian.
We were beginning to wonder if our dear Maggie would ever find a chap to suit her. So many have tried, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know,” Sebastian said with a raised brow at Maggie.
“Now, now, Sebastian, there’s no reason for jealousy to rear its ugly head,” Alberta said. “Beautiful gel like her, it was to be expected. Had them camping on the steps of Edgewood while she was staying there. It quite amused Douglas, I’m sure.”
Margaret was blushing by then and said defensively, “I was fresh out of the schoolroom and nowhere near thinking about marriage yet. It was a bloody nuisance, if you must know, having all those young bucks showing up, half of them I didn’t even know!”
Alberta chuckled. “M’dear, that’s when all you young gels get married.”
“Douglas was kind enough not to point that out and let me decide for myself.”
“Which was fortunate for me,” Sebastian put in, coming to Maggie’s rescue.
“Indeed!” Alberta was forced to agree. “Well, come along, then. I can’t monopolize you when everyone here is eager to wish you well.”
Margaret managed not to laugh, since she was sure everyone there would just as soon not speak to Sebastian, given their initial reaction to him.
But she was surprised. His earlier laughter had eased most of the guests’ wariness, and in the next hour, the well-wishing did sound genuine.
Only Cecil and his fiancée hadn’t spoken to them, and Alberta had the good sense not to force that particular confrontation.
She left them soon after to mingle. “Thank God that’s over with,” Sebastian remarked.
Margaret shared his sentiments, though she allowed, “That went much better than I expected.”
“I passed muster, did I?” he replied dryly.
She looked up at him and was struck again by how handsome he was.
“Indeed. One might actually think you were Sebastian Townshend, rather than The Raven.”
He didn’t actually roll his eyes at her, but she had the feeling he would have if the old Sebastian really were in attendance. But then abruptly, any amusement he’d been experiencing vanished.
He couldn’t have looked more somber when he said, “I have one more duty I feel obliged to perform.”
She went very still. He was staring at Cecil. She didn’t have to ask what he meant. She ought to talk him out of it. It wouldn’t be pleasant for either man. But that word “duty” kept her from trying.
“I’ll fetch some punch,” she said, but added hesitantly, “or would you like reinforcements?”
“I doubt your presence would ease the situation. Cecil always was one to speak his mind.”
She nodded. “Then let us hope he can do so quietly.”