Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (16 page)

Saxton growled and pushed away from his desk, hurrying to the cabinet before pouring himself another glass of whiskey. “I don’t wish to get my family involved.”

“Your gambling habit has put them and yourself in financial ruins.” He shook his head. “I think, my lord, your family is already involved.”

The man glared at him over his shoulder, but Edmund remained strong.

“You are very persuasive, Knight.”

“I’m tired of being swindled by such
honorable
men like yourself.”

“You are a snake, just like your father.”

He nodded. “If it means I’m as devious as the old man, then yes, I’m a snake. But my father lives by society’s rules. I refuse to.”

“I wonder what your father thinks of you now?”

Edmund shrugged. “Why don’t you ask him yourself? For the past five years he has lived as a recluse in one of his townhouses, but I’m certain he would be easy enough to find.”

“I wondered why I hadn’t seen him lately. What drove him into seclusion, may I ask?”

“Pompous know-it-alls like you, I would imagine. Men who think they are noble, but cannot wait to scuff the bottoms of their boots on men like me. If his old cronies are as underhanded as you, I’m certain my father eventually tired of the game. He withdrew into a shell right after the death of his wife.”

The dark scowl from Saxton proved to Edmund that he didn’t like his comment. The older man turned to finish refilling his drink.

“My lord, I’m tired of waiting for you to get blazing drunk. I would like the contract drawn up now.”

Saxton weaved his way back behind his desk and slid into his chair. “You’re being pushy again, Knight.”

“The contract, Lord Saxton. If you don’t have it written in five minutes, I swear, I will create the scandal you’re trying to avoid.”

The older man withdrew a blank piece of paper from inside his desk, and collected his ink and quill. He wrote slowly, and by his weak hand, the man had a hard time focusing on his writing.

Swearing under his breath, Edmund walked around the desk. “Let me write the bloody contract. It appears the liquor has taken over your mind, you drunken fool.”

Within five minutes, Edmund had it written, and thankfully, the Baron agreed.

“Now call in your wife and daughter,” Edmund instructed.

Saxton tugged on the bell-cord until a servant appeared at the door. “Tell Lady Saxton and my daughter I’d like to see them in my study posthaste.”

“Yes, milord.” The servant bowed and hurried down the hallway.

Tilting the glass of whiskey to his mouth, the Baron glared at Edmund over the rim. He produced a cocky grin, which he knew irritated the elder. Saxton grumbled and threw his empty glass toward the fireplace. It hit the wall and shattered instead.

“Tsk, tsk.” Edmund shook his head. “Poor Lord Saxton. Things just aren’t working out for you, are they? That is what you get for trying to double-cross me.”

“You will always be an illegitimate man no matter how much money you have. But I will always have noble blood run through my veins.”

Edmund laughed. “I’d rather be a bastard son of a nobleman than a miserable excuse for a lord, as you are right now. Saxton, I’m happy with my life. I pity you because you cannot say the same.”

The clicking of shoes on the wooden floor in the hallway drew his attention to the door. Lady Saxton walked in ahead of Megan, but when the woman he’d be marrying soon sashayed in the room, his heart swelled with pride. Although she kept her gaze to the floor, she was still beautiful as any woman he had met. She wore one of her day dresses, her hair coiled tightly at the back of her head. She reminded him of a schoolmarm. In fact, it surprised him she was not wearing black, albeit the gray dress did come close. Inwardly he chuckled. Even Lady Saxton looked as if she were mourning. He was relieved he’d be taking Megan away from such an unworthy father and dimwitted mother.

Someday Megan would thank him, he was certain.

* * * *

Edmund’s gaze was upon Megan. Even though she refused to meet his stare, the prickles of her skin testified he indeed watched her. She grasped tightly to the folds of her skirt to keep from striking him. Out of the corner of her eyes, he lifted a hand and stroked his mouth. Without being able to stop herself, she took a shy glance at him. The corners of his mouth lifted in a cocky grin. Edmund and her father had definitely concocted something during the time they’d been in here, and she was hesitant to discover what they’d done. Had they not ruined her life enough?

“Lady Saxton, Megan,” the Baron began. “I need the two of you to witness the contract Mr. Knight and I have written up.”

Megan glanced at her mother, and her brows were pulled together. Megan felt the same bewilderment.

“Whatever for?” her mother asked. “Is this the betrothal agreement?”

Harold nodded. “In a sense, yes. I have decided Mr. Knight will court Megan for two weeks before I make it public he has won her hand in marriage. I don’t want a scandal, and neither does Mr. Knight.”

Megan’s gaze snapped up and met Edmund’s warm stare. He smiled, which made her heart pound against her ribs.
What’s going on?
Edmund not want a scandal? Ridiculous! Scandal was his middle name.

“I’d like you,” Saxton continued, nodding to his wife, “to sign right here, and Megan can sign right below.”

Her mother scribbled her name on the contract then handed the quill to Megan. With a shaky hand, she signed her name. From across the desk, Edmund expelled a heavy breath.

She tried to avoid his stare, but she lifted her gaze and met his regardless. He winked, and once again, uneven palpitations went out of control in her chest. She cursed the power he had over her body.

What was wrong? Had he not openly stomped on her heart not more than two hours ago? The pain was still real, so why was she letting his slight flirtation bother her?

Something was amiss. Not too long ago, Edmund practically begged her father not to force the marriage issue. Now Edmund looked like the cat that had swallowed the golden canary.

She glanced down at the paper and skimmed over the words. According to the contract, on the day of the wedding, Edmund would receive the deed to the goldmine. Her heart crumbled more.

So this was his game. Edmund had convinced her father of the marriage by acting as if he didn’t want it. Once he had the goldmine, he’d leave her. She’d have his name, but it didn’t mean he’d be the respectful – and loving – husband she’d always wanted. He had told her before he wasn’t looking for a wife. Why hadn’t she believed him? Why did she let her heart make decisions? No matter how passionate Edmund was, he’d always be a devious rake…a rogue of the worse sort.

“Lord Saxton,” Edmund said, “I believe it’s your turn to sign the contract.”

Her father’s hand wobbled when he signed his name. Edmund had to steady the older man’s arm. Once her father was done, Edmund took the quill and signed his name with perfect strokes.

“Well, now that’s all settled, I think I will return home and freshen up.” Edmund smiled broadly. “Megan, tonight is Lady Hampton’s ball, and I wish you to accompany me. I will pick you up at nine precisely.”

She gave him a weak nod. “I shall be ready.”

He moved around the desk and stood in front of her. Lifting her hand, he placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Until later tonight, my sweet.” He winked again, then turned and walked past her out the door.

She wiped at her hand, hoping to erase the heat his kiss had left.

“Harold?” her mother asked in a soft voice. “Mr. Knight was acting most peculiar, don’t you think?”

Megan’s father raked his fingers through his receding hair. “He’s always been an odd duck to me.”

“Why was he so obligating to court Megan when it’s clear he wanted nothing to do with her earlier this morning?”

Megan stared at her father, waiting for an intelligent answer. Yet, he was drunk, so she shouldn’t expect him to produce one.

“I’m not certain. The man is planning something. I feel it in my bones, and it’s not good. Not good at all.”

Her mother grasped her father’s arms. “What can we do?”

He yanked his arm away. “There’s not a blasted thing we can do.” His attention moved to Megan and he glared. “Your daughter has done the most despicable thing imaginable, and now we have to live with it.”

Megan’s eyes stung from unshed tears, but she refused to show emotion.
Especially not in front of her heartless father.
“I suppose he’s the lesser of the two evils. Would you rather have me wed his father, Lord
Thornwyck
?”

The color in her father’s face turned a darker red. “Megan, I don’t wish to see you for the rest of the day. You will take yourself up to your room until Mr. Knight comes for you this evening.”

It was not a request, it was a demand, and by the gruffness of her father’s voice, she’d obey. What other choice did she have? Yet right now, there wasn’t any place she’d rather be than up in her room, drowning in her sorrow.

She gave her father a nod, then with a straight back, walked out of the study and up to her room. Once the door was closed, she ran to her bed and fell upon it. Tears streamed down her face while she sobbed into the pillow.

Chapter Ten

Lady Hampton’s ball was as boring as all the others, except Megan couldn’t conduct herself as she’d done in the past. Instead of acting nonchalant, she’d have to be on her best behavior. Tonight she’d have to perform as if Edmund was sweeping her off her feet, and that she enjoyed it. Deep inside, she loathed him, and she must remind herself of that periodically lest she forget and become enchanted by his charm.

Whispers floated around the room, but the gossipmongers didn’t know about this morning. So far, nobody knew he’d compromised her or that he was forced to sign the betrothal agreement. Not that they would believe the rumors anyway. After all, Edmund Knight was a rogue. He wasn’t foolish enough to get himself trapped into marriage.

The gossipmongers wouldn’t hear it from her lips. It was bad enough shame had taken a hold of her emotions, and regret left a permanent mark in her heart. Why had she thought giving her virginity to him would solve her problems? Obviously, it had made things worse. What a fool she’d been!

Edmund, on the other hand, never looked more handsome…or happier. For a man who had just been forced into a marriage agreement, he certainly didn’t act as miserable as she felt.

It wasn’t his dark clothes setting him apart from the other men tonight; it was his outgoing persona. His cheerful smile and sensual charm annoyed her, but she had to follow through with the plan. She had to act joyous right beside him. It was hard when he’d ripped out her heart and stomped on it.

She stood next to her parents as men lined up to meet her, hoping to compete for her hand and the goldmine. Her father acted as if nothing Earth shattering had transpired that morning. He continued to encourage the men to dance with his daughter. She wanted to scream at the top of her voice for everyone to leave her alone. But, she kept an artificial smile plastered to her face as she accepted dances and met new contenders.

As her father conversed with some of the men, he hinted to opening up the contest to untitled men – as long as they were wealthy. She knew he did this so the news of accepting Edmund as his new son-in-law wouldn’t come as quite a shock to the
ton.

When Edmund claimed her for another dance, she sighed in relief. Then she reminded herself of this morning, and hardened her heart. His gaze devoured her like it always did, but this time she didn’t let her heart leap. She tried not to let his manly scent of spice stir emotions inside of her and weaken her knees.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look this evening?” he asked.

She lifted her chin and turned her head, ignoring him as she concentrated on the dance. “Perhaps. I can’t remember.”

“Are you upset with me, my dear?”

She clenched her teeth, holding back what she wanted to yell at him. Stiffly, she shook her head. “If you must know, your presence has given me a headache.”

He tightened his arm around her, bringing her closer to his body. The skunk was trying to soften her up. Well, it wouldn’t work. Not this time.

“Oh, what a sense of humor you have tonight, my sweet.
But did you know, I have the perfect cure for headaches?” His grin widened and he arched a brow.

“I’m certain you do.”

He chuckled. “If I had my way, I would cure you every night.” His fingers caressed her hand as he cradled it in his.

She forced herself to remember his actions – the way he’d crushed her heart. “Mr. Knight, we should refrain from speaking so personally with one another. After all, this is the week we pretend you are courting me, and couples courting never converse in such a forthright manner.”

He swept her around the ballroom floor, more skillfully than anyone she had danced with. She cursed him once again for being so perfect, for making her compare him with other men. He gathered her even closer, scandalously close. It took all of her will power not to step on his foot.