Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (10 page)

The tension in the air thickened, so Edmund laughed in humor, until the others joined in. Once again, the room filled with different noises, bringing back the normal atmosphere.

Edmund didn’t join in the conversation after that. He knew what he wanted, and seeing Saxton on his knees begging for mercy was high on his list.

* * * *

The first caller for the contest was the Duke of
Kelton
. Inwardly, Megan groaned. What was
he
doing here? The quickening of her heart wasn’t because she anticipated their courtship. Yet, for some reason, she was suddenly nervous.

She smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress before she left her bedchambers and made her way toward the drawing room. Her mother entertained the duke before Megan arrived, and when she walked into the room,
Kelton
stood. In his hand he held a bouquet of roses.

He smiled. “Good day, Miss Ramsey.”

She curtsied. “And a good day to you, Your Grace.”

He handed her the flowers. “Although these roses don’t compare to your beauty, I fear I have nothing else to present you with. Everything else pales in comparison.”

Her cheeks grew warm, yet at the same time she wanted to laugh.
What a fraud.
He didn’t really think she was beautiful. Her father’s contest coerced him into saying those words.

“Miss Ramsey, I wondered if you might like to go on a ride with me to the park?”

She glanced at her mother who hurried to her side and took the flowers out of her arms. “I think that would be lovely. Mother? Will you please get my maid to accompany us?”

Her mother’s smile lit up her face as she pulled the bell chord on the wall, ringing it once. “I will have Bertha bring your shawl, as well.”

Within minutes, Megan walked out the door with
Kelton
, her maid trailing behind to act as chaperone. Bertha sat in the back of the two-seated phaeton, and
Kelton
placed Megan beside him. He tugged on the reins, and the horses jumped to his command.

Kelton
discussed the weekend party his grandmother had one week ago, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about lying with Edmund on the floor of the greenhouse while
Kelton
and Lucinda did things that were very improper? It wasn’t right that
Kelton
take advantage of poor Lucinda. There was yet to be an announcement about their engagement. Apparently the duke wasn’t any better than Edmund Knight.

The duke stopped the horses and jumped out of the phaeton. He lifted her down, purposely letting her body slide against his. This would have been exciting if he were a different man; if his eyes were bluish-gray instead of brown; if his hair was dark as midnight; if his body held more muscles.

She shook Edmund’s memory out of her head and concentrated on
Kelton
. She needed to remember marriage was for the sole purpose of creating heirs.
Kelton
would be the perfect choice.

So why couldn’t she convince her heart of that?

Placing her hand on his arm, she walked beside him through the park, nodding to the other couples in passing. She glanced around the grasslands, feeling all eyes on her. Her father’s contest had turned her into a spectacle, and she couldn’t believe the eligible men in this town went along with it. Couldn’t they see how foolish this was?

From the corner of her eyes, she spotted a familiar form walking her way. The tall man’s strides, the way he carried himself, could only belong to one person. Her heart sank to her stomach when Edmund headed her way. And what was he doing beside Lady Lucinda?

Chapter Six

Silently, Megan pleaded.
Please Edmund, don’t embarrass me. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t say anything about the greenhouse!

Megan’s heart thundered in her ears. She tried to smile through her nervousness as she and
Kelton
greeted Edmund and Lucinda. Megan withdrew her hand from her escort for fear he would feel her shaking. She forced a smile through her quivering lips.

Edmund – that rogue – was as handsome as she’d remembered.
His hair just as dark, his body just as robust…and those grayish-blue eyes, just as dreamy.

He was the first to speak. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.” When his attention stopped on Megan, her mouth turned to cotton. His eyes sparkled with mischief, or was it just her imagination? “And good afternoon to you, Miss Ramsey.”

Kelton
darted between her and Edmund. “Knight? Do you know Miss Ramsey? Have you been properly introduced?”

She panicked and hoped Edmund’s thinking was quicker than hers.

Edmund’s smile widened. “But of course. I’m acquainted with her father, and recently I was introduced to the Baron’s daughter.”

She relaxed, but only a little. “How are you this afternoon, Mr. Knight?”

Edmund glanced briefly at Lucinda and squeezed her hand, which rested on his arm before his attention moved back to Megan. “I’m in the presence of such charming ladies, so my day must be going right.”

Lucinda giggled, and the sound grated on Megan’s nerves. “Hello, Lady Lucinda,” she greeted politely.

“It’s such a wonderful day, is it not?” Lucinda gazed up at Edmund with adoring eyes.

Megan’s stomach twisted. Memories from the night in the greenhouse assailed her. Echoes of the other woman kissing
Kelton
repulsed Megan to the point that she could barely keep a straight face. Yet, now Lucinda had chosen a different attraction. Why would the other woman choose an untitled man like Edmund over the duke?

“Miss Ramsey,” Edmund continued, “I must say you look radiant today. I presume you have adjusted well to the contest your father started in acquiring you a husband.”

She seethed inwardly. Too bad it wasn’t ladylike to punch him in the nose. “Mr. Knight, I don’t see what your concern is about. The method my father is using in finding me a husband is no different than what has happened for centuries. My father’s flair might be unusual, but really, nothing has changed.”

The corner of his mouth twitched as if he held back a grin. “And you are not opposed to this?”

She tilted her head and studied him. Besides his mocking eyes, he definitely looked handsome. His dark clothes enhanced his hair, his eyes; the same pair of eyes she’d been dreaming about since their time at the cottage. Seeing him in person was so much better than dreaming about him these past, very long days. Of course, up this close was also dangerous.

“You seemed shocked I’m not rebutting my father’s contest.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps I am.” He glanced at
Kelton
. “Especially when I see you with the Duke of
Kelton
. Why, rumor has it the duke and Lady Lucinda are practically engaged.”

Megan held her breath as panic surged through her. Why in heaven’s name did Edmund have to say
that
?

Kelton’s
body stiffened as he raised his chin higher. If not for the malice darkening his gaze, she could almost detect fear in his eyes. She glanced at Lucinda, who surprisingly, was not embarrassed by Edmund’s comment. In fact, the woman’s eyebrow arched as if anticipating
Kelton’s
remark.

Kelton
cleared his throat. “That’s just a rumor, Mr. Knight. As Lady Lucinda will concur, there has been no announcement to substantiate the gossip. I might as well tell you now, I have not made my intentions known to Lady Lucinda nor her parents. And, if I do, you, Mr. Knight, will hear about it at the same time as everyone else.”

Megan had to credit the duke with such a well-mannered answer, especially since he didn’t look as calm as he sounded.

Edmund bowed. “Forgive me then, Your Grace, for I have spoken out of turn.”

Lucinda’s expression hardened, and she turned the heat of her steely gaze on
Kelton
. Megan bit her lip and forced herself not to laugh out loud. Served the woman right for giving away her favors before the wedding.

“Now, if you will excuse us.”
Kelton
took hold of Megan’s hand and placed it around his elbow. “Miss Ramsey and I were having an enjoyable afternoon, which I would certainly like to prolong.” He nodded to the other couple. “Good day.” He walked away, pulling her beside him.

When they were a good distance away, a laugh bubbled up in Megan’s throat.

Kelton
slowed his stroll and glanced down at her. “What do you find so amusing?”

She shook her head. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but the expression on Lady Lucinda’s face was most humorous.” She stopped and another laugh erupted. She covered it with her hand.

He chuckled. “Indeed. Now that I think about, she didn’t wear her shocked expression very well.” He patted Megan’s hand. “I don’t enjoy women who try and trap me into marriage. Lady Lucinda has been trying to snag me since I first met her.”

“I do understand. Her loss was most evident, and I almost pity her for being a sore loser.”

“Don’t waste your emotions on her. I’m sorry to say she’d have made a poor choice for a wife. You have heard the rumors going around about her, have you not?”

“Indeed, I have.”

He lifted his fingers and stroked her cheek. The humor from his face disappeared when
Kelton’s
brown eyes softened from desire. She swallowed hard.

“You are an amazing woman, Miss Ramsey. And I cannot believe I didn’t take the time to get to know you better while you were staying the weekend at my grandmother’s estate.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. Your words are most kind.”

“Please, call me James.”

Her chest constricted, and her breathing became difficult. His seriousness worried her. Edmund’s kisses and touch had branded her, and heaven help her, she couldn’t push away that feeling.

She tried to harden her heart. It was imperative she set Mr. Knight out of her mind and let James enter. After all, her parents would think he was the perfect choice for a husband. Mentally, she cringed. He may be suitable for her parents, but she found many things that tainted her opinion.

She nodded. “Then you must call me Megan.”

His hand dropped to hers where it rested in the crook of his elbow, and they continued on their walk. She was certain
Kelton
would win her father’s contest, yet there was still the thought Edmund might try and stop it. Wasn’t he trying to do that very thing with Lucinda a few moments ago?

During their walk, other couples accosted them. The lords were looking at her as if she were their next meal. She could possibly be the most sought out woman this season, thanks to her father’s goldmine, but for some reason, it didn’t comfort her.

Kelton
escorted her home and walked her inside the house. She led him to the parlor as she handed her wrap to her maid.

“Your Grace?”

He stepped beside her and gently touched her hand. “Must I remind you to address me as James?”

She smiled. “I had forgotten. James, would you like a glass of sherry?”

“No, I must decline and take my leave. I fear I have overstayed my welcome.”

He lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth. The fluttering of excitement didn’t happen when he brushed his lips over her skin, and she cursed Edmund for making her aware of the differences between him and
Kelton
.

“Will I see you at the
Rosemoore’s
ball tomorrow evening?”

“Yes, you will.”

“Then shall I claim the first dance now?”

She chuckled. “I think that’s proper.”

He kissed her hand again before withdrawing. “I anticipate the moment when I shall see you again.” He bowed slightly, then turned and walked out of the room.

Her nerves were overwrought, and the relief of his departure made her weary. Before she could retire to her room, her mother walked in with yet another suitor. Lord Crestwood also held out flowers for her.

She groaned in silence.
Not again!

* * * *

The evening’s ballroom glowed like a rainbow, but it wasn’t the women’s colorful gowns that gave Megan a headache, it was the overwhelming group of men surrounding her, vying for her attention. This must be how
Kelton
felt when women did this to him.

She smiled her best and laughed at the right moments, but wished she were someplace else; somewhere far, far away where nobody could bother her. The constant questions about the contest grated on her nerves like fingernails down a writing board.

Even more upsetting was seeing Edmund here tonight, dancing with many beautiful women. She knew invitations were issued to him because of his wealth, and she also knew he didn’t come looking for a wife. He’d told her that much, and rakes like Edmund didn’t give up old habits. Since he was not here for a wife, his purpose was indeed, seduction for some poor foolish girl and to brag about yet another conquest. Her heart sank. Could that have been all she meant to him at the cottage?

Dressed in fashionably traditional attire, he wore a black coat and charcoal-gray trousers, and black shoes polished to an impeccable shine. His starched white shirt was snowy against his tanned skin, and his gray silk cravat was arranged in a simple, perfect knot.