Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (17 page)

“Mr. Knight.” She tried pulling away without causing a scene. “I believe we are making a spectacle.”

“Do you think that bothers me?” His laugh increased in volume.

They danced the remainder of the time in silence. When the orchestra ended, Edmund cupped her hand around his elbow and turned to escort her back to her parents. “My sweet, have you met Nicholas Fielding, Duke of Ashton?”

She gave him a quizzical look. “I don’t believe so.”

“I’d like you to meet him. Out of all the boorish aristocrats in this room tonight, the duke is one I can consider a friend. I have known him for years, in fact. He doesn’t judge me as the others have.”

“His name is vaguely familiar.”

“He was the untitled nephew of the late duke, and was awarded the title when his uncle passed on. Since Nicholas married, he has been spoiling his wife and taking her around the world. They just recently returned from America.”

“Indeed?”

“It would be my privilege to introduce you to him and his wife.”

“I’d like that very much.”

Edmund came to a halt when they were by her parents. He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, then backed away. “I shall return shortly.” He winked.

She dropped her gaze to his backside as he walked away, wishing she could set his legs on fire so he’d know how upset she was at him. His attitude tonight bothered her. This was certainly not the skittish coward who’d succumbed under her father’s wrath this morning. As much as she wanted to hate him, curiosity niggled at her, making her want to see if she could break through his shell and discover the real Edmund Knight.

* * * *

“Your Grace.” Edmund clapped his hand on Nick’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you again.”

Although there were only a few years difference between them, Nick still left his share of broken hearts due to his dark, handsome looks – and now that the man was married, many a maid mourned the loss.

Nick’s smile widened and met Edmund’s gaze. “I see I have returned just in time, my good man.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, you know I don’t regularly listen to gossip, but after seeing the way you danced with Miss Ramsey, I’m now convinced.” Nick shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, Knight. You surprise me. You’re the last person I’d expect to get hit with Cupid’s arrow.”

Edmund threw back his head and laughed. “Cupid’s arrow? I think not. I’m not certain of what you have heard, but rest assured, it’s false.”

Nick laughed, then turned and looked out across the ballroom. “That doesn’t explain the doe-eyed expression I saw on your face while you danced with that lovely lady.”

For the first time in his life, Edmund’s face grew hot from embarrassment. “I take it you have never danced with Miss Ramsey.”

“No, why?”

Edmund’s gaze moved across the couples on the dance floor until he saw Megan. “Because she has that kind of effect on men.”

Nick clamped his hand on Edmund’s shoulder and squeezed. “I know the feeling well, and whether you want to admit it or not, you’re a lost man for certain.”

Edmund shook himself out of the trance Megan’s beauty always put him under, and turned back to his friend. “All right, I must admit, I have gone weak.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “The truth is, don’t be surprised when you hear of my nuptials within a fortnight.”

Nick’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping. “Nuptials? Oh, this is worse than I first expected.”

“Indeed, it is, but things are going my way, nonetheless. I convinced Megan’s father to give back the goldmine he stole from me and along with it, his daughter. And, without causing a scandal.”

Nick laughed. “I cannot wait to hear this story.”

“In due time, my good man.” Edmund chuckled. “Now I’d like to hear what you have been up to since you married. Is it true you and your wife just returned from California?”

“Yes, and I have just built a hotel in San Francisco.”

“A hotel?”

“That part of the country is booming, and I wanted to get my share. The hotel is named Fielding Tower Hotel. You and your soon-to-be bride are welcome to stay there for free.”

Edmund laughed. “I will hold you to that offer.”

“Are you planning on taking up residence in San Francisco when you go?”

Edmund shrugged. “I haven’t yet decided. I think a lot will depend on how my new bride adjusts.”

Nick nodded. “True. I think a British lady would have a devil of a time adjusting. San Francisco is uncivilized, but just before I left, they were getting the law under better control. Perhaps it will be safer when you and Miss Ramsey arrive.”

“Let’s hope. The farther away I can get from her parents, the better.”

Nick chuckled. “Lord Saxton is definitely a…challenging man.”

A bark of laughter escaped Edmund. “What a refreshing way to say it, Your Grace. So, what brings you here tonight?”

His friend shrugged. “It’s been a while since Catherine and I have been seen in public. I felt attending the ball tonight should be done. I’ve heard rumors about my marriage to Catherine, and I wanted to stop the gossipmongers.”

“Yes, rumors can indeed be nasty.”

Nick chuckled. “You, of all people, would know. Correct?”

“Correct.” Edmund’s gaze quickly left his friend as he searched for Megan again. She was on the arm of Lord Rollins, being led out on the dance floor. He groaned. That man was a leech. Didn’t she know Rollins’ hands would be all over her, whether they were in public or not? The gown she wore tonight bared her shoulders and a great deal of her neck and bosom. Rollins would definitely try to touch her.

Edmund fisted his hands by his side. Looks as if he’d have to save his ladylove one more time.
Would this ever end?
Would he ever be free of overzealous suitors? More importantly, when would he finally be able to claim her as his wife?

* * * *

“You’re a very gracious dancer, Miss Ramsey.”

She smiled her best at the man swinging her around the ballroom floor. By the smell of his whiskey breath, he’d been drinking plenty already tonight. And, by the glassy look in his eyes, he’d been using his snuffbox much too often. Of course, it was obvious something was wrong with him. He kept stepping on her toes.

“Thank you, Lord Rollins.” She bit back a yelp when he crushed her
slippered
toes again.

“And you look ‘specially lovely tonight,” he added with a slight slur.

Indeed, he was drunk and reminded her entirely too much of her father. “Thank you for your compliments.”

“Have you made plans for tomorrow afternoon?”

“No.”

“Would you accompany me on a picnic?”

Inwardly she groaned. Although she didn’t want to, she didn’t think she had a choice. Her nuptials weren’t announced yet. “A picnic sounds lovely.”

He grinned. “How are you fairing with your father’s contest?”

“What do you mean, Lord Rollins?”

“I mean, are you as excited as your father seems to be?”

She gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “I must admit, I’m not thrilled with the way my father has gone about seeking a husband for me, but then who am I to tell him what to do?”

“Most girls would be ecstatic to have so many suitors.”

“I’m not like most girls.”

His gaze left hers and traveled down her neck, over her bare shoulders and to the deep cut of her bodice. She groaned again, wishing her mother hadn’t forced her to wear this immodest gown.

“Yes, I can see.” His tone turned husky.

Her stomach churned. How could she stop him from looking at her as if she were a sweetmeat? She resisted the urge to regurgitate.

“Lord Rollins, I assure you it’s not my bosom that makes me different, so would you please refrain from ogling my chest?”

After the words were spoken, she couldn’t believe she’d said them. Was that really her voice? Or had she just become so tired of it all she had to give him her opinion?

His gaze snapped up to meet hers. His eyes widened as a crimson color spread over his face. She smiled victoriously.

“Forgive me, Miss Ramsey, I did not mean—”

“Yes, I’m certain you
did
mean to stare at my bosom. If anything, why can’t you be honest?”

His jaw dropped, but just as quickly, a different expression crossed his face, pushing his surprise aside. A gleam of lust appeared in his eyes, a look she didn’t like at all.

“You want me to be honest?”

He steered her body closer to him as he headed toward the double-doors leading out to the shadowed patio. When she realized where he was taking her, she let out a soft, fearful sob and tried to pull away, but to no avail.

He grinned. “Then you won’t be surprised when I tell you I want to take you out behind the hedges and have my wicked way with you.” His hand moved from her back down to her buttocks, pressing her closer.

“How dare you.” Once again she tried to pull herself free, but his tight hold would not budge. She glanced back into the ballroom. The couples were further away than she’d wanted. She had to make him stop, but she also didn’t want to draw attention.

“Take your hands off me this instant.” She brought her heel down on his instep and stomped. Although his face grimaced, he didn’t release her. He must be used to pain; or he was
terribly
drunk.

That was the last straw. Whether her father wanted it or not, she was going to make a scene. She couldn’t allow Lord Rollins to paw at her any longer. Before she could summons the courage to knee him in the groin, Edmund weaved his way through the crowded floor. Dark lines of anger creased his handsome face as he stormed past the couples, pushing them aside on his way toward her. Her first thought was to panic, yet, Lord Rollins deserved what Edmund would soon give him.

Rollins wasn’t prepared when Edmund grabbed the back of his coat and jerked him away from Megan. Rollins met Edmund’s fierce glare and a pitiful cry escaped the man’s quivering lips.

“Take your hands off her, you drunken fool.” Edmund’s voice boomed through the room.

Gasps exploded from inside the ballroom, and the dancing stopped. Even the orchestra quit playing. Slowly, the crowd moved toward them. Megan’s heart hammered.

Rollins yanked himself away from Edmund’s grasp, and acting as dignified as he could, straightened his coat. “You sir, have overstepped your bounds.” His voice squeaked with weakness. “Who do you think you are talking to
me
like that?”

Edmund didn’t cower. He moved closer to the imprudent man and glared down at him. Poor Rollins looked as if he could disgrace himself in his trousers at any moment. Megan quickly lifted her hand to cover the smile sneaking across her face.

“Who do I think I am?” Edmund mimicked. “I’m the man who’s going to flatten your nose if you lay one more hand on Miss Ramsey.”

Once again, gasps echoed through the ballroom. From behind Edmund, the host of the party, Lord Hampton, weaved through the crowd, stopping next to Edmund. Lord Hampton’s face was void of color as his wide eyes switched back and forth between the two arguing men. Just behind him, there was another man. Although she didn’t know his identity, she suspected he was a friend of Edmund’s by the drawn and worried brows on his handsome face as he stared at her betrothed.

“I demand to know what’s going on here,” Lord Hampton snapped.

Lord Rollins pulled himself straighter, but he still was not as tall as Edmund. He cleared his throat. “Knight, are you going to apologize for ruining Lord Hampton’s party?”

Edmund’s jaw hardened even more, and he fisted his hands. Megan held her breath. Would he strike out and release his anger and cause a greater scene?

“No, I will not. You are the one who needs to apologize, but not to Lord Hampton. If I don’t hear you tell Miss Ramsey you are sorry for pawing at her, I will take you outside and make your face into my punching bag.”

The handsome man behind Edmund stepped into his view. “Knight, this isn’t the place for your temper.”

Edmund didn’t look at the other man, but kept his attention on Rollins. “Your Grace, this isn’t your fight.”

Your
Grace?
Was this Edmund’s friend, Nicholas Fielding, Duke of Ashton?

“And, it’s not your fight either,” the duke continued. “You have said your peace, and I suggest you leave with me now.” The duke clamped his hand on Edmund’s arm.

Edmund finally removed his glare from Rollins. When he looked at Megan, his eyes softened. “Miss Ramsey? Would you like an apology from him? Or, are my fighting words falling on deaf ears?”

He was daring her to voice her opinion in public. As much as it frightened her to be so open, she couldn’t let him down after all he had done. She couldn’t let herself down, either.

She lifted her chin. “Yes, Mr. Knight. I would like an apology from Lord Rollins.”

Once again, gasps from the crowd rang through the air.

Edmund’s eyes softened as his lips curved into a grin. He shot a gleam of victory at Lord Hampton. “There you have it. As soon as Lord Rollins apologizes, I will leave with the Duke of Ashton.”