Her revengeful Bastard

Doing something they ought not

*Anna*

“I can’t remember the last time we went to the theater”. I say as the car smoothly moves through the streets, carrying me and Kyle toward our destination. Since our betrothal, his visits had been rare, which has only served to cause me to question my wisdom in consenting so quickly.

Not that I could have imagined myself saying no, but perhaps if I had paused a bit longer, if I had forced him to work a little more diligently for my agreement, he would be paying me more attention.

Sitting beside me, decked out in his finery, his top hat and cane resting in his lap, he clears his throat, glances out the window and returns his gaze to me. “Actually we’re not going to the theater.”

“But you invited me. You told your parents …”. I say with confusion.

“Yes, well, because I knew they wouldn’t approve of this excursion”. He mumbles.

My heart gives a little kick against my ribs. It is not terribly late, just after eight, but still his words give me hope for some excitement. “Are we on the verge of doing something we ought not ?”

“You might say that. We received an invitation to a ball celebrating the opening of Kai Tempest’s hotel. I thought you might enjoy attending”. He explains.

While I do have a keen interest in the man’s hotel, in seeing what he might have accomplished, I am rather confused by the change in the night’s plans. “You chastised me for walking with him in the park. Surely he will be there tonight. Am I to give him the cut you suggested ?”

“Absolutely not. In hindsight I may have overreacted to the park situation. He assured me nothing untoward took place”. He admits.

His words irk me. “I assured you. Did you not believe me ?”

“Without a doubt I did”. He says hastily. “Anna, you’re missing the entire point. I know you were disappointed that I wouldn’t take you to the gardens during the improper hours, so I thought to make it up to you by bringing you with me tonight”.

“You’ve been spending more time in his company”. My tone isn’t accusatory but it is pointed, a statement indicating I know the truth.

He nods. “Some, yes. My father doesn’t understand that we can’t continue to rely on the income from our estates to sustain us. We must expand our horizons if we want to increase our revenue. I’ll meet investors tonight. And becoming closer to Tempest will also open up opportunities. I want him to come to me the next time he needs capital”.

I am not quite certain the man really needs anything, especially not from Kyle.

“His sister’s going to be there. You liked her well enough, didn’t you ?” He asks.

I nod. “Yes”.

“And you like parties. As you said, we’ll be doing something we ought not. We’ll have a jolly good time at it. You can pretend it’s the Gardens in the later hours. There are bound to be some sordid sorts about”. He grins.

I can’t deny I am intrigued by the opportunity to catch a glimpse into Kai Tempest’s world. “How often have you seen Mr. Tempest since the night at the gardens ?”

The light from the outside allows me to see him shrug. “A couple of times. He gained me access to a club that suits me. On occasion he’s there”.

“I assume this club is a gambling place”. I say with a sigh.

“The very best kind. All they offer is gambling and drinks. It’s rough and exciting. Nothing at all like an Alpha’s club”. Another grin.

I try not to sound too curious. “So Mr. Tempest gambles ?”

He furrows his brow. “Not very much actually. Mostly he watches. Not a man for taking risks, I suppose”.

“This venture of his seems a huge risk”. I had managed to find an article about his developments. “To tear things down and build something new and better… it can’t be cheap”.

“He can afford it”. Kyle says on a huff.

“Only as long as he has success. Unless he’s succeeded in growing money on trees”. I point out.

Kyle laughs. “I would purchase one of those trees from him right quick without even quibbling over the cost”.

“I doubt they would be for sale”. I mumble.

“I wouldn’t put it past him. From what I’ve gathered, he’d find a way to make even more money off it”. Kyle says with kinda reverence.

“You admire him”. I can hear it in the tone of his voice.

He half huffs. “It is difificult not to admire someone who came from nothing and managed to rise above it. Still, my admiration goes only so far. I’d best not catch him flirting with you”.

“He’ll be too busy with his other guests to give me much notice”. I assure him

“I wouldn’t be so sure. You look very lovely tonight. But remember you belong to me”. Kyle looks at me.

I wrinkle my nose. “What ? Like a pair of boots ?”

Grinning, he leans toward me, takes one of my hands and places a kiss on my knuckles, all the while holding my gaze. “Like something I treasure. Have you set a date ?”

“No. Your mother wants the end of the Season, but I was thinking around Christmas”. I say softly.

“Choose the date you want”. He tells me.

I sigh softly. “But your mother has been so kind to me. An earlier wedding seems a small thing to give her”.

“She chose the day she got married. You should choose yours”. He says.

“You have no preference ?” I enquire.

He shakes his head slightly. “My preference is for you to be happy”.

The words are comforting, and yet I rather wish he would claim to be unable to wait until Christmas. Why is it that ever since I have said yes, I am finding fault with him and questioning whether I should have said no ?

The car slows, then comes to a halt. Glancing out the window, I am vaguely aware of a line of cars, while the majority of my attention is arrested by the huge brick building. “Is that it ?”

Kyle leans over and looks out. “I would say so, yes”.

“It’s monstrously large”. I mumble.

“I believe he considers it his crowning glory. It sets the stage for the area”. Kyle tells me.

I try to imagine. “It’s going to be a grand area, isn’t it ?”

“If the rumors are to be believed”. He admits.

I snap my attention to him. “How can you look at that and not believe it ?”

“Too pragmatic, I suppose. I have to wait for the results”. He gives a small shrug.

The results will be spectacular. I have no doubt. A man who can create something like this is a man with vision, and a determination to ensure it comes to fruition.

The car moves up slowly, bit by bit, eventually reaching the front of the building, with its sweeping steps leading up to the glass doors. An assortment of people … some much more posh than others … are swarming toward us and disappearing inside.

A waiting servant opens the car door. Kyle exits, then reaches back and helps me to descend.

The building is even more impressive when I am so near to it. I am suddenly incredibly grateful that Kyle accepted Mr. Tempest’s invitation, that I am on the verge of seeing something so grand, of being part of a night that will have repercussions for years to come. The man is starting something here tonight that will spread out to have an impact on others, like a pebble tossed into a pond creating expanding ripples that eventually touch shore. Placing my hand in the crook of Kyle’s elbow, I begin the ascent into what would surely be paradise.