T. A. Chase

Angel’s Seduction- Part Sixteen

Angel’s Seduction copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase

Part Sixteen-

Uncle coughs, trying to bring our attention back to him. “The other thing I wanted to talk to you about is the fact that I’m going to make you my heir.”

Shock races through me. “But why?”

Standing, Greyson keeps a hold of my hand, but turns to look at my uncle. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Uncle shrugs and looks away for a moment. “Good or not, it’s something I feel I must do.”

“To make up for whatever it was you did wrong?” I tighten my grip on the duke’s hand. I wonder if this is a dream.

“Yes, it is in a way. One of those I wronged is beyond my touch forever. The other I have never been able to find so that I might rectify my mistake.” Uncle’s gaze meets mine and I see sadness and shame in his. “But that isn’t the only reason why I want to do this for you.”

“Williamson has disowned Angel, hasn’t he?” Greyson’s voice holds outrage and anger.

“Not yet, but if he chooses to stay here with you, my brother won’t have any problem trying to erase the young man’s existence.” Uncle folds his hands and nods at me.

“I don’t exist now for him. It doesn’t matter to me if I’m his heir or not.” I shoot to my feet and start to pace. “I’ve always assumed he would have Edward take my place.”

“Edward is your younger brother?” Greyson settles into the chair I vacate.

“Yes. He’s Father’s favorite child.” There is no envy in my heart for my brother. Being our father’s favorite is its own form of torture.

“You’re probably right, lad. Your father has been making noises for a while now about making Edward his heir instead of you. I think he had a feeling you just might not be as broken as he thought you were.” Uncle stands and moves towards the desk in the corner of the room. He picks up a packet of papers. Waving me over, he hands them to me. “Look these over. Take your time and let me know how you feel later.”

I stare down at the brown string wrapped around the papers. Who knew life could change with the untying of such a small piece of twine? I nod because there’s nothing else I can say at the moment.

“If you’d like, I can have my solicitor look over the papers for you, Angel,” Greyson offers from his place across the room.

“Thank you.” I smile slightly at my uncle. “I thought my father was your heir, Uncle.”

“He would be if my title was entailed the normal way, but somehow the first Earl managed to keep control of who the title went to. I guess he didn’t like any of his sons or something like that. I can make any male my heir. He doesn’t even have to be related to me, if that’s the way I want it.” Uncle’s hand grips my shoulder and he squeezes. “Don’t worry. You’ll be a good Earl.”

I shrug, unsure of all of this. I watch my uncle say good-bye to the duke. Greyson escorts him out and I walk to the window. It overlooks a small garden with a fountain in the middle. I don’t fight the urge and I find the doors leading out onto a veranda. Stepping outside, I wander down to the fountain. I stare into the cascading water and let my mind go blank.

Strong arms wrap around my waist and I’m pulled against Greyson’s chest. I know it’s him by the familiar scent filling my nose. In an instant, I relax and allow his strength to support me.

“What are you thinking?” His voice bathes my ear in warmth.

“This is all a dream. In a minute, I’ll wake up in my cold bedroom and Father will be yelling at me for something I didn’t even know I did.” I want to add that good things like this don’t happen to me.

“Is that why you haven’t fallen apart yet? You still believe this is all a dream.” One of Greyson’s hands moves up to slide under my waistcoat and rest against my chest. I know he can feel the pounding of my heart. His other hand lies just above my groin and my shaft hardens.

The tone of my laugh is hysterical. “I’m holding on by my fingertips, your grace.”

“Greyson,” he murmurs as his lips brush my neck.

“What?” I’m distracted by the light sweep of his fingers over the front of my pants.

“Please call me Greyson. I don’t want formality from you. I hope we’ve moved beyond that.” His teeth scrape a spot beneath my ear bringing a gasp to my lips.

“Greyson.” His name is a whisper as I lean my head to the side and offer him more of my skin. “It must be a dream. No one touches me anymore. No one cares enough to offer me protection.”

“I will protect you forever, Angel, if you will only trust me.” Urgency holds court in his words.

I want to explain that I do trust him. I trust him more than I have ever trusted anyone. I have deserted my father for him. I have opened myself up to disappointment and hurt because of this man holding me so carefully in his arms. He is a stranger yet I give him my very life to do whatever he will with it because in his eyes I see the man I can become.

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