And the ride was so smooth. Rather than being jostled around in a horse-drawn carriage for hours on end, they could travel in comfort, sitting or standing as the mood struck them.
“Does your father own one?” Sebastian walked over to where she was sitting and sat down next to her on the sofa.
Livie suppressed a smile at the way Aunt Demelza’s eyes honed in on them from where she was sitting on an armchair located across the other end of the carriage. There was curiosity and decided speculation in her aunt’s astute gaze.
“No, he doesn’t,” she replied, adjusting her skirts slightly to make more room for Sebastian. She’d thought the sofa had been extremely spacious, but now with him sitting there, his broad shoulders leaning back, it felt noticeably smaller with his large frame taking up a majority of its surface area.
She felt every single inch of her skin prickling in awareness of him. He was so close, and the smell of sandalwood and soap that she’d come to associate with him was as refreshing to her senses as a cool summer breeze. Livie felt the absurd urge to lean her head into the crook of his shoulder and neck and just breath him in. But she managed to refrain, especially as her aunt was watching them like a hawk.
“I shall have to convince him to order a personal one,” Livie said. “It’s absolutely marvelous.”
Seb smiled. “It is, isn’t it.”
“You do have your hands in many pies, Mr. Colver,” Demelza said, her voice like a whip as she stood with her cane and made her way over to them. “I imagine they must get quite dirty.”
“I am involved in many things, Your Grace,” he answered, managing to give Livie a little wink before he turned and faced her godmother. “Though I manage to keep my hands clean. For the most part.”
Livie’s stomach did a little somersault at his gesture, and she felt like slapping herself. She was far too mature and sensible to be getting weak at the knees from a wink. For goodness’ sake, Livie, get ahold of yourself!
“I certainly hope you do, Colver,” her aunt replied. “In fact, I think you should keep them spotless over the next few days. Absolutely spotless.”
“I intend to, Duchess,” Sebastian said with a wry smile.
“See that you do. I think you understand my meaning, yes?”
“Perfectly, Your Grace.” Seb winked at the duchess, who merely raised her brow at the gesture.
“I do hope so.” Lady Calder pointed her cane at him. “Especially if you wish for me to sponsor your half sister in Society.”
Livie gasped and Seb clenched his jaw.
“You know Charlotte is his half sister?”
“My eyes are working perfectly well, contrary to Miss Charlotte’s suggestion the other day.” Her aunt gave Livie one of the haughty looks she was so very good at. A look that conveyed just the right touch of annoyance and reproof. “And you and your sister, Colver, have the same eyes. Obviously, though, with her father still alive and a doctor at that, and your bastard of a father six feet under, I reasoned she had to be your half sister.”
“Quite the detective, Duchess,” Sebastian growled. “You should work for Scotland Yard.”
“I should,” she said without hesitation. “I would solve many of their cases a great deal quicker than they do.” She turned to Livie. “I’m disappointed in you, goddaughter, for not telling me the truth of this information.”
“I promised Mr. Colver I wouldn’t.” Livie folded her arms over her chest, feeling both guilty and defiant. “And I never lied to you. If you remember, I told you her brother was the one giving her the dowry and paying for her seasons, I just didn’t tell you his name.”
“Humph,” was all Demelza said in reply.
“Will you still sponsor her?” Sebastian asked, his eyes narrowing on the duchess.
“Oh, do stop trying to intimidate me with that fierce look of yours. I will still sponsor her. I like the girl, she amuses me with her boldness and fearlessness. Reminds me of you, Colver. So, do stop fretting, I shall make her a diamond of the first water, and I will keep safe your secret that she is your half sister. Even with my clout, I don’t know if I would be able to make a brilliant match for her if that little fact was known.”
Livie couldn’t contain the laughter that bubbled from her mouth at the suggestion of Sebastian being told to stop fretting.
“How uncouth, dear Livie,” her aunt chastised. “Ladies should not laugh in public, nor—”
“Should they show emotion,” Livie finished for her. “Yes, Aunt, I’m well aware of that edict of yours.”
“Good,” Demelza replied. “Then heed it. Now, if you will both excuse me, my legs are weary from standing. I shall go back to my seat.”
And with that, her aunt turned around and, using her cane, returned to her seat next to Charlotte.
As soon as her aunt was out of earshot, Livie turned to Sebastian. “Why was my aunt so worried about you getting your hands dirty?”
“She was warning me off,” Sebastian replied.
“From what?”
“From compromising you.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Two hours later, after disembarking from his train and getting the ladies into the awaiting carriage to travel the short distance to his estate, everyone was now settled in their individual rooms and presumably sleeping in bed, given that it was after three in the morning.
Thank bloody goodness. Seb could finally relax.
He took in a deep breath and sighed heavily as he leaned back on the leather upholstered lounge in his library, with a glass of his favorite whiskey nestled in his hand, his tie unknotted and hanging loosely around his neck. The flames from the hearth roaring away in front of him were strangely soothing and almost hypnotic.
Just the thing he needed to help calm his busy
