Angel’s Seduction-Part Twenty-Seven

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

Part Twenty-Seven:

Am I happy? It’s a strange question and I don’t think anyone ever cared to know if I was happy. Yet looking into Alice’s eyes, I can see that she is really interested in my answer.

I glance around the room, trying to see if I can find Greyson. He is leaving the room. Worry shoots through me, but I crush it. There is nothing that can happen to me here. People who are more Greyson’s friends than my father’s surround me. Also, I must learn how to deal with being by myself. The duke can’t live his life attached to me. I’ve proven I can be strong if I need to be.

“Angel?” Alice’s soft inquiry brings my attention back to her.

“I think I am. It’s hard to say. I’ve only been away from my father for a week or so. Can a life change that quickly? Is happiness that easy an emotion to gain?” I frown.

She stares at me for a moment and I wonder if maybe I should have just said yes. Then she nods.

“I know what you mean.” Her gesture includes all the people dancing around us. “I’m not sure I’m made to be a society queen. I don’t really fit in here.”

I laugh. “My dear lady, if you don’t fit in, then I have no chance to ever be a part of this strange world.”

Her laugh trickles from her lips and those around us turn to stare. Some of them smile and nod. Others frown as if there shouldn’t be any joy here. I shrug.

“Are you happy, my lady?” I twirl her around until we are close to the edge of the dancers, so when the music stops, I bow and offer her my arm.

Taking it, she tilts her head and stares off for a moment. I don’t say anything; just lead her towards a footman. The young man holds a tray of refreshments. I hand her one and she nods.

“Yes, I am. My father believed Harry would break my heart. I couldn’t convince him that Harry would rather die than hurt me.” Alice’s eyes gleam with love.

I understand what she’s saying. I think Greyson feels the same way. We continue to chat and mingle with her guests. Tension slowly disappears from my shoulders. My eyes no longer scan the crowd, searching for either my father or Greyson.

“How dare you?” A voice cuts through our conversation.

Alice and I turn to find my father standing behind us. Fear causes me to freeze. His eyes burn me and I feel the scars on my back tighten. I’ve faced his anger before and have paid for it with my blood. Alice’s fingers grip my arm and I’m brought back to the ballroom where my father is shouting at me.

“You dare to show your face at this young lady’s ball. You’re nothing but an embarrassment. Where is your lover, son?”

Before he can say the words, Alice steps in front of me. “Watch what you say, Lord Williamson. Angel is my friend. You are not.” She glances around and gestures to a footman. “Find my husband and bring him to me.”

Growling, Father reaches for her. I push my fear away. He mustn’t touch her. I know the pain his hands can inflict. I block his hand and insert myself between them. “Not here, Father. Please, not now.”

I’m not sure why I’m begging now when it has never worked before, but I don’t want Alice to be hurt or upset over the scene my father seems determined to create. He spits at me.

“Do you know what he is?” He swings his hand towards me.

I don’t move. Let him inflict the pain on me. I’m used to it. I refuse to allow him anywhere near Alice. The crack of his flesh meeting mine rings through the air. My head wants to whip back from the force of it, but I control it. I’ll not give him the satisfaction of seeing me wince.

“He is a friend, Williamson. I think you had better leave.” The Marquis of Beckenworth makes his way through the throng, followed by two large footmen.

A hand touches my back and I breathe in the familiar scent of my lover. He’s returned just when I need him the most.

Greyson doesn’t say anything. It is the Marquis who takes charge and orders the footmen to escort my father out. Father doesn’t fight them. He gives me a hate-filled stare.

“Some day you won’t be surrounded by these fake friends of yours. I’ll get you back,” he hisses before he turns around to leave.

The Marquis gestures and the musicians start playing. The guests pretend not to notice the four of us slipping away. When we get to an empty room, Greyson turns me to look at my cheek. I’m sure there’s a red handprint marring my skin, but it doesn’t bother me. I stare over his shoulder at Alice.

“I’m sorry to ruin your ball, my lady,” I apologize to her.

She laughs and shakes her head. “You didn’t ruin it, Angel. In fact, I’m sure it’ll be the most talked about ball of the Season. Besides, they all came here expecting something scandalous to happen any way.” She moves up to stand beside Greyson. “Are you all right?”

I nod. “He’s done worse to me.” I pull away from Greyson’s touch. “I think I’ll go home now.” I’m tired and my face hurts. I just want to crawl into bed, hiding under the covers and try not to think about my father.

“Of course. I’ll go order the carriage.” Greyson brushes a kiss over my mouth. He shakes Harry’s hand and hugs Alice.

There is a moment of silence after he leaves, then I ask Harry a question. “Why are you still his friend?”

The surprise on his face tells me he’s never considered turning his back on Greyson. “He’s been my best friend for years. He doesn’t flaunt his preferences, but even if he did, I’d stand by him.” Harry gives me a hard look. “Don’t hurt him, Angel. You’ve become his world and you have more power to destroy him than any other person.”

I nod, letting him know I heard the threat and I’ll remember. I take Alice’s hand to kiss it. She wraps her arms around me and gives me a hug. After hesitating, I hug her back. She kisses my cheek.

“Don’t be a stranger,” she whispers in my ear.

“I won’t. You should return to your guests. The carriage should be out front by now.”

We separate at the door. They head back to the ballroom. I exit the house to find Greyson standing by the carriage. He gestures for me to join him. I stare at him for a moment. In the flickering light of the street lamps, I see concern mixing with love in his eyes. I’m beginning to see what Harry meant. I have the power to hurt Greyson far more than he could ever hurt me. That thought makes me shiver and I run down the steps to him, knowing I would never chance breaking this man’s heart.

10 Responses “Angel’s Seduction-Part Twenty-Seven”

  1. T.A.Chase says:

    jenna,

    don’t worry. Angel’s going to stand up for himself. Just give him a little time. 🙂

    The pic’s pretty nice, isn’t it?

  2. Jenna Howard says:

    Holy smokes…just noticed the picture now! Well I knew there was a picture but all that caffeine and talk of Transformers…

    Holy that is one sexy, sizzling picture. Beautiful. It truly is beautiful.

  3. Jenna Howard says:

    Sigh. Loved it. First: Angel stood up to protect Alice without backing down (now he needs to stand up for himself then whoo-hoo!) Second: That was so beautifully written. Sigh. I could actually see the hope radiating from Angel. Perfect.

  4. T.A.Chase says:

    JJR,

    I’ve accomplished my goal. *yay me!* Yep Angel’s father is a bastard. But love will prevail over all evil..lol. 😉

  5. T.A.Chase says:

    Cathy,

    You’re right. They both have equal power to really hurt each other, but I think their relationship is the type where they would talk everything out before it got to the point where they hurt each other. 🙂

  6. Anita says:

    God Angel’s father is a bastard! It’s amazing how he managed to raise such a great guy.

    Grey found the right one to hold his heart. Angel would NEVER intentionally hurt him. *sigh* Love is such a great thing!

  7. Anonymous says:

    I think Harry is right- that Angel could hurt Greyson- just as much as Greyson could hurt Angel- but I dont think they will- they have something far more special due to everything that they have gone through
    sighing happily
    cathy

  8. T.A.Chase says:

    I can’t agree with you more, Sherrill. But from what I think will happen, there won’t be any violence committed towards his father. I think there will just be Angel standing up to him without any fear inside. that will be the ultimate sign of defiance and breaking of all kinds of chains for Angel. 🙂

  9. Sherrill Quinn says:

    Pistols at dawn! I’m glad Angel’s getting stronger, but somebody really needs to do something about that father of his…

  10. T.A.Chase says:

    *holding out a tissue* Here you go, S.W. I like this scene because it shows that Angel is getting stronger. While he still loves having Greyson near him, he doesn’t need him to be there for him to deal with things. We’re getting close to the total freedom Angel is looking for, I think.

    Thank you.

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