The Scandalous Son by Unknown Page A

allowed to change your wardrobe.”
                  “I like the black.”
                  “You’re scaring away all the ladies,” Dermont complained.
                  “Me? Hardly!”
                  “Or maybe it’s your sour disposition?”
                  “First scary, now sour? Honestly, Dermont.”
                  “You have been sour lately. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
                  “Nothing is going on, and if I have been sour then I haven’t noticed it.”
                  Dermont sighed, “I’m going to get some refreshments. Hopefully they aren’t serving sour lemonade.”
                  Gage tried not to look glum. His friend was right; he had been in a sour mood for a while now. He’d been working on tracking down his father for some time now and had finally found him.
                  Jason St. Vincent was supposed to be attending tonight’s ball. Since his mother death Gage had thought of nothing but revenge; revenge against the man who made his mother’s life a constant struggle.
                  As Gage was thinking about his plans, a blur of pale blue swept past him. Turning his head to see what had deterred his thoughts, he saw the back of a powder blue dress with silver roses on it, and the backside of a gorgeous head of blonde hair. In another second the figure was gone and Gage was left alone with his thoughts again.
                  Deciding that it was a good time to look around, Gage started around the perimeter of the room looking for St. Vincent. After checking the ball room and card rooms as well, he decided to check the upper level of the house. He made his way up the staircase and down the corridor of doors. Trying to be covert as possible, he started checking the rooms. After several empty guest suites, he arrived in an art gallery. Upon entering the room he heard voices outside and went to the window to inspect.
                  On the patio of the first floor was none other than James St. Vincent himself. Gage’s heart began to beat rapidly. So this was his father? Gage was impressed; he was tall and broad of the shoulders, his hair was chestnut, much like Gage’s, but with just a hint of gray. His voice was smooth as liquid as he spoke.
                  Gage was confused by his emotions. Here was the man he had hated for many years, but as he watched him Gage couldn’t help but be slightly in awe of the older man. His father . He couldn’t get it out of his head.
                  A woman appeared on St. Vincent’s arm and all nice thoughts went out the window and were replaced with rage. To think that his mother could have had a cushy life with this man! But instead she was forced to make sacrifices so that Gage would never want for anything.
                  Gage was quickly brought out of his thoughts by the gallery door opening. The gallery was dimly lit with candles and the flames danced as the door closed. Standing with her ear up against the door and her back towards Gage, was the blue vision from earlier. Not sure what to do, he cleared his throat.
                  “Huh hmm.”
                  The girl jumped as she turned around. “Oh my goodness!” she gasped. “I’m so sorry; I didn’t know that anyone was in here.”
                  As she stood there Gage took in the whole picture. Her hair was curled and pinned up, her dress was cut in the latest style showing her ample bosom, her body slender, and the palest blue eyes he had ever seen. Gage finally remembered his tongue and said, “It’s quite alright. I was just looking for a quiet place to think for a moment.”
                  “Me too,” she said. “I’ve been trying to hide from a most unfortunate suitor, but he just keeps finding