His Wicked Seduction by Lauren Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

quiet girl around Audrey’s age dressed in a gray cotton gown, followed behind.
    “Madame Ella is the best dressmaker in London,” she said. “She made that lovely gown of Horatia’s, the one that wretched driver destroyed.”
    It seemed fortune favored Lucien today. This was exactly the place he needed to be to buy Horatia a new gown.
    He kept his tone soft to prevent being overheard. “Audrey, would you be interested in helping me with a special favor?”
    She grinned at him. “Oh I suppose, but I shall demand a favor from you someday.”
    He had said nothing to give away his intent, yet she seemed to know she had him exactly where she wanted him. Were she a man, Audrey would have been a magnificent politician.
    He tried to act casual. “As long as it is within the confines of the law and your brother won’t challenge me to a duel, then you shall have it.”
    “Excellent. We have an agreement.” Her brown eyes twinkled with devilry, and he knew he’d come to regret this day. “What is it you need help with?”
    “I’d like to replace your sister’s ruined gown, but I don’t wish to buy the exact same one she had before. I want something better. Something red perhaps…” His voice trailed off as Audrey’s lips parted in shock.
    “You want to buy Horatia a gown?”
    “Er…yes.” He held his breath, waiting for Audrey to reveal her knowledge of his secrets. Thankfully, she didn’t.
    Her expression changed from surprise to one of calculation. Her shrewd gaze was fixed on him, as if she knew something about him that even he did not. It was most unsettling.
    “Very well. Red you say? Silk perhaps?” she suggested with a smile that was beyond any hint of innocence.
    She couldn’t know about his visits to the infamous Midnight Garden, or the games he’d played there, restraining women with red silk ties so he could take his time bringing them to screaming climaxes. He paid quite a handsome sum to keep his interests private. Yet the girl seemed to hint that she knew more than she should about him.
    “Red is an excellent color on her, I agree. I haven’t the faintest idea why she doesn’t wear it more often.” Audrey turned and went to embrace the stately, mature woman who had appeared near the back of the shop. “Madame Ella!”
    “Miss Audrey! I’m so glad you’re back. I kept those York Town gloves, the fawn colored ones you were so admiring a few days ago.” Madame Ella brushed a loose coil of dark hair back from her face and retrieved a small glove-sized box. Audrey barely repressed a squeal.
    Madame Ella curtseyed when she saw Lucien hovering in the doorway. “Good morning, my lord.”
    Lucien inclined his head and came over. He’d met her once before, a few years back when he’d come with his mother and Lysandra, his sister, to buy her wardrobe for her first Season. It seemed Madame Ella had an excellent memory.
    Audrey took charge and commanded Madame Ella’s attention. “We are here to order a new gown for my sister.”
    Madame Ella’s brows knit in concern. “She was not pleased with my creation?”
    “On the contrary. She loved it, but it met with an unfortunate fate.” Audrey explained the previous day’s events.
    “I see. So what did you have in mind, Miss Sheridan?”
    “A green ball gown with a red satin over dress. Embroider the gown’s sleeves with holly designs, trim the hem with a flounce of white Belgian lace. And a green satin wrapping under her bosom.” Audrey looked over at Lucien, measuring him intently before she added, “Also, trim the décolletage with sprigs of faux mistletoe.”
    Both Lucien and Madame Ella raised their eyes at this last request.
    “Mistletoe?” Lucien asked Audrey in a hushed tone.
    Audrey giggled.
    “Don’t you see, Lucien? She’ll look so lovely in this dress, wrapped up like a beautiful Christmas present.” Audrey wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
    “And they say I’m wicked,” Lucien said to himself.
    If the image Audrey