Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (7 page)

On shaky legs, Megan followed behind her mother as they proceeded into the ballroom. The duchess had several round tables set out for game playing and Megan groaned, recalling the card game she had played with her knight. That particular game could have cost her everything.

Her stomach churned. She must leave now and return to her room or embarrass herself by becoming ill. She tugged on her mother’s sleeve and whispered in her ear of her distress.

Her mother nodded. “Go back to your room and rest. I will make your excuses. After the fright you experienced this afternoon, the dowager will understand.”

Holding her stomach, Megan turned and headed toward the grand staircase, but just before reaching it, she glanced out the large side windows that showed a perfect view of the greenhouse down the hill. The same greenhouse where her knight wanted to meet her.

Anger build inside her. What she wouldn’t give for just five minutes with the cad. She wouldn’t hold back from giving him a piece of her mind…and the palm of her hand across his cheek.

Dare she tempt fate?

* * * *

Edmund leaned against a brick wall, hidden in the shadow cast by a thick hedge, and studied the greenhouse. The hounds must have been kenneled or they would be snapping at his heels right now.

Being stealthy made him feel younger than his six and twenty years. It had been quite a while since he’d played tricks on his neighbors, especially his childhood rival, the pompous Duke of
Kelton
. James’ higher-than-thou attitude convinced Edmund his neighbor had a stick up his
arse
. But then, most titled sons acted that way.

Edmund had once been considered amongst the pompous titled sons until scandal hit London aristocracy and knocked them senseless. Edmund’s father, the Earl of
Thornwyck
, had been stern, but dealt with his son in a loving manner. Edmund associated with other boys of his class until the shocking truth of his parentage leaked out.

Although it happened several years ago, the memory still ate away at his gut, and left a gaping wound in his heart.

A movement across the lawn caught his attention when the lavender silk flared for a brief moment under the lantern’s glow. It had to be Megan. His heart quickened. Inside the greenhouse, only a few lanterns were lit. The soft click of the door shutting alerted him of her entrance.

He stepped away from his hiding place by the hedges and glanced around before leaving, double-checking to see if there was anybody around to spread rumors. If Megan was found with him, it would certainly ruin her reputation. And he couldn’t let that happen – not yet, anyway. Not until he discovered the game of roulette she and her father played with his life.

Edmund strode to the door and hurried inside, closing it tightly behind him. The overpowering mix of scents from dozens of rare and exotic plants assaulted his senses. His nose twitched, and a sneeze threatened to break free. He pinched his nose to keep it from happening.

He moved with the ease of a jungle cat as he walked around the tables, looking for the woman he’d thought about since she’d left him earlier this afternoon. His lips still tingled with the touch of her mouth. His hands still experienced the delicious quiver of her body. And he was being tortured because her sweet sigh still rang through his ears.

To his right there was movement. Treading softly, he made his way toward her as he skirted around the large pots. Megan stood staring out one of the many windows in this plant museum, tapping her fingernail against the windowpane in a nervous rhythm. With her back straight, there was a slight tremble to her body. Did she anticipate this meeting as much as he?

Moonlight poured through the windows, blanketing her in a lovely golden glow. Her hair wasn’t free to flow over her shoulders like he’d wanted, but caught up fashionably in a knot on the top of her head.

“Megan?” he whispered.

She jumped and swung around. Her hand flew to her throat as she met his searching gaze. He smiled and waited for her expression to relax. It didn’t. Her brow knit in anger and her hand lashed out, connecting with his cheek. The slap echoed through the greenhouse. The whack left a sting.

“You rotten, deceiving…lowlife…miscreant,” she hissed. “How could you lie to me?”

His gut clenched. Yet, what had he expected? Did he think she’d come running into his arms after learning the truth?

He shook off the effect of her slap and grinned. “Good evening, Megan.”

“You, sir, may show some respect and call me Miss Ramsey.”

Folding his arms, he leaned against a table. “Even after everything we have been through?”

Her chest heaved with every breath she took. He glanced down at her fingers.
What, no claws?
She looked so beautiful in her lavender gown with the scooped neck. How could such a beautiful woman change into a fierce cat so quickly? But he knew she’d changed once she learned his identity.

“Tell me why you lied,” she demanded.

“Because you wouldn’t have liked the truth.”

“What is the truth? Who are you, really?”

He straightened and mocked a bow. “Edmund Knight at your service,
Miss
Ramsey.”

She released a loud groan and covered her face with her hands. “Fate cannot be this unkind.”

He stepped closer and took hold of her hands, pulling them from her face. “My sweet, fate has not been unkind at all. I have never enjoyed myself so much with any other woman. This afternoon was a dream come true for me.” He poured on the charm, hoping it would work.

She yanked her hands away. “Maybe for you, but meeting you was the worst possible thing that could have happened to me.”

“Don’t be so cruel with your words.” In a dramatic display, he placed his hand over his chest. “My heart cannot bear it.”

“And my heart cannot take the lies you have told me.” She folded her arms. “Tonight I find I have been shamed by the very man responsible for my father’s gambling addiction. You are the sole cause of my family’s financial ruins.”

Edmund scowled. “You are mistaken if you chose to place the blame on me. It was your father’s choices – wrong as they were – but I didn’t force him to do anything against his will.”

“Nonetheless, you are the man I blame.”

“Then you judge me too harshly.”

She huffed and turned her back on him. “Mr. Knight,” she snapped over her shoulder, “I would appreciate it if you left and scurried back into the hole you crawled out of earlier. It will damage my reputation to be seen with you.”

Common sense told him he should take his leave, but as much as he wished it didn’t, she still tempted him. He couldn’t leave without touching her once again or trying to charm one more kiss out of her.

Closing the space between them, he pressed the front of his body against her back, wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her there. “My dear, sweet lady,” he whispered against her throat as he rubbed his lips against her smooth skin. “Your reputation is already spotty. You spent some very long and enjoyable hours with me alone at my woodsman’s cottage. If news were to get out, your family would be excluded from society. Your
respectable
parents wouldn’t be able to walk through town without hearing whispers about their daughter’s wanton actions.”

A small sob escaped her. He brushed his lips just under her earlobe. “I could make the rest of your life miserable because of mistaken identity.”

“Is that what you have planned, Mr. Knight?”

“I have not yet decided.”

She sighed and her whole body slumped in his arms. He hoped she had given up her struggles because he knew his touch affected her. He caressed her arms, up one to her shoulder, then slowly down. Her hands stayed over his, but did not remove them. Strange, but her reaction wasn’t what he expected. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d think she enjoyed being this close to him.

“What are your plans, Mr. Knight?” Huskiness laced her voice. “Are you going to ruin me? My family?”

“My plan is to take you to my cottage and have my wicked way with you. I want to hear your pleasurable sighs while you’re in my arms, meeting my passionate kisses.”

“I will not be willing.”

He chuckled. “Are you certain? The tremors in your body say otherwise. I know you ache for my touch.”

He kissed her slender neck and shoulder. “How much will you wager, my lovely? I guarantee within five minutes you will be mine.”

Goosebumps on her skin rose against his lips and she released a small whimper. His heart soared. Swinging her around in his arms, he bent his head and captured her mouth. At first she resisted, stiffening her lips. With his gentle coaxing, she soon became submissive.

In haste, he slipped his hands over her back as he pulled her closer. Her soft moan mixed with his. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss. Just as in the cottage, it was wonderful. So right, and so very passionate. He wanted her now – much more than he’d wanted her before.

He broke the kiss and
sighed
her name. But before he could say anymore, voices from outside grew louder. Her body stilled, even her breathing.

“We’re going to get caught,” she whispered. “What are we to do?”

He scanned the area around them. In the corner of the room there was a spot in the shadows underneath the table. He pointed in the direction. “Quickly, crawl under there.” He helped her to the ground then slid in behind her. She bumped her head and let out a tiny yelp.

“Lie on your side and face me.” He helped her into the position before their unexpected visitors intruded upon them.

He was in the process of wrapping her in his arms when the squeak of the greenhouse door echoed through the shed. Whispers from their visitors floated through the air. He peeked over his shoulder to see if he recognized the couple. From above the many tables of plants, his gaze rested upon a woman, young and blonde, but he couldn’t see her face. Within moments a man joined her. Immediately, he recognized James Hartley.

Edmund chuckled deep in his chest. He turned his head and whispered in Megan’s ear. “Looks as if our darling
dukie
has snuck away from the party for a midnight romp in the greenhouse.”

She gasped, but didn’t speak.

Taking another look, Edmund squinted through the shadows to see the woman, but it wasn’t until he heard her laugh when recognition struck. He turned back to Megan. “And it looks like
Kelton
is joined by Lady Lucinda.”

“Lucinda Baldwin?”

“In the flesh.” He chuckled low. “Makes me wonder if
Kelton
knows what a harlot she is? But of course he does. He wouldn’t be out here with her any other way.”

A throaty giggle from Lucinda and rustling of skirts made him glance back over his shoulder just in time to see Lucinda wrapped in
Kelton’s
arms in a passionate embrace. Edmund shook his head. That woman would do
anything
to win her a titled man.

“What are they doing?” Megan whispered as she tried to look over his shoulder.

“Let’s just say Lady Lucinda is not as innocent as she leads everyone to believe.” He tightened Megan in his arms so she wouldn’t see.

“Why do you say that?” Megan asked, straining her neck. Edmund wasn’t quick enough, and when her gaze focused on the other couple, her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh, my.”

If he didn’t suspect Megan of being pure and untouched before, he certainly knew now. He chuckled. “You certainly are the little innocent.”

“
Shh
,” she coaxed, reaching up and placing her fingers over his mouth. “They’ll hear us.”

He held her hand to his mouth, kissing each finger. She inhaled a quick intake of air.

“We shouldn’t—” she began to say, but he silenced her when he leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers.

She didn’t surrender easily, even when he nipped at her lips tenderly. Within seconds, she responded to his kiss with subtleness. He wondered if she was trying to control her own passion. He wished she wouldn’t. He wanted her exactly like she’d been at the cottage. Cooperative and eager to please.

The kiss wasn’t wild like it had been moments earlier. Yet, the tender way she moved her lips across his shattered what little control he possessed. Sliding her hands around his waist, she held him tight, cuddling closer against his body.

She felt so wonderful, and he didn’t want to let go. Thankfully he still had his wit about him – barely – and knew nothing could happen between them here and now. “Megan, we are going to have to stop. If not, I fear the duke will hear us.”

Megan pulled away from him and nodded.

From behind, came Miss Lucinda’s husky voice. “Your Grace, when are you going to inform your grandmother of our engagement?”

Edmund arched an eyebrow.
Interesting.

“I…don’t know. It’s rather difficult to find time.”
Kelton’s
reply was barely audible.

Glancing over his shoulder, Edmund studied the odd pair.
Kelton
was no better than Edmund; the only difference being
Kelton
had a title
.
Edmund grinned at
Kelton’s
obvious discomfort and waited patiently for Lucinda’s reply.