Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (18 page)

All eyes fell on Rollins now, and the nervous little man must have known it. A bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, the color of his face disappearing slowly. Megan met his stare in a silent challenge.

Rollins switched his attention from her to all the other pairs of eyes around them. When he looked at Lord Hampton’s angry face, Rollins’ shoulders wilted.

He finally met Megan’s stare. “I apologize, Miss Ramsey, if I offended you in any way.”

She nodded. “I accept your apology.”

Edmund stepped to her and took her hand, lifting to his lips for a brief kiss. She held his gaze. They twinkled, making her heart flutter. This time she allowed the warm emotion spreading through her.

“And I apologize for causing you grief,” he said, still holding her hand. “I bid you good evening.” He bowed, then pulled away and left with the Duke of Ashton.

Once her breathing returned to normal, she glanced around at all the wide eyes staring at her. Whether Edmund realized it or not, he’d staked his claim on her right there and then. He’d actually caused the scandal her father didn’t want.

Instead of letting anger consume her, she smiled in triumph.

For the remainder of the evening, she aimed the anger growing inside of her toward her parents. Her father cursed her for driving away the men who had tried so hard to get a dance from her earlier. Now it was as if she and her parents had been shunned. Not very many people came their way to speak to them. This was all right with Megan.

Although tonight had turned out to be a disaster for her parents, Megan had overcome one of her fears. From now on, she’d never be afraid to speak her mind.

All the way home, she ignored her father’s constant bickering and stared out the window. Her father acted distant toward her, and when he did speak, it was rude and degrading. Strange, but this time, his anger had no effect on her.

When they pulled to their townhouse, there was another carriage parked in front. Beside her, her father curse.

“What in the devil’s name is he doing here?” her father shouted.

“Who is it?” her mother asked.

“Knight.”

Megan’s heart leapt. Beside her, her father grumbled another curse. She couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face.

Her mother touched his arm. “Perhaps he wants to apologize.”

“He can apologize until he’s out of breath, but it will do no good. A scandal was caused tonight, and it’s his fault. He cannot change the outcome, no matter how much he grovels.”

Megan chuckled. “Father, I seriously doubt Mr. Knight is the groveling sort.”

Her sire pushed past her, opened the door and climbed out. Their coachman stepped forward and offered assistance to her mother and Megan. Before they entered the house, Edmund’s voice carried through the air. Although her father shouted, Edmund’s tone remained calm.

Megan hurried ahead of her mother and entered the parlor where Edmund and the duke waited. Her father stood in front of Edmund, his finger pointing to his chest.

“You have ruined everything. I should call off the betrothal.”

Edmund laughed. “Not a wise thing to do, milord.”

“But you broke the contract. You caused a scandal!”

Folding his arms, Edmund cocked his head. “What would you have me do, Saxton? Lord Rollins was pushing your daughter – my betrothed – back toward the side doors. It was his intension to do improper things to her person in private, I’m certain.” He arched a brow. “And, if I’m not mistaking, your daughter was about to stop him in a very un-lady like way. So I ask you, which would have been worse for you? My actions or your daughters?”

Her father muttered under his breath, spun around, and stormed out of the room. Her mother chased behind him up the stairs.

When Edmund looked at her, the anger lines in his face disappeared. He stepped forward and took her hand. “Good evening, Megan.” He brought her fingers up to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I hope you are not vexed with me.”

She couldn’t prevent the grin sneaking across her mouth. “I should be, but I’m not. I couldn’t stop Lord Rollins from manhandling me. I’m grateful for your assistance.”

Without releasing her hand, he stepped closer. Using his other hand, he caressed her cheek. “And, I must say how proud I am of you for speaking up when I needed you the most.”

As always, his nearness left her breathless. “I couldn’t very well keep quiet, and not only that, it felt wonderful to be able to voice my opinion in such a way. After all, Lord Rollins had taken liberties with me, and I wanted an apology.”

“I will never let another man touch you again.”

For a moment, the tenderness of his blue-gray eyes hypnotized her and began to melt her heart. She was lost. She leaned toward him as her gaze dropped to his mouth. The urge to kiss him was strong, and she couldn’t contain herself.

The Duke of Ashton cleared his throat, which made her jump back.

Keeping her hand in his, Edmund turned to his friend. “Your Grace, I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Ramsey.”

The other man bowed slightly. “A pleasure, Miss Ramsey.”

Edmund looked back to her. “Megan, this is the friend I told you about, Nicholas Fielding, the Duke of Ashton.”

She smiled and curtsied. “I had assumed you were a friend when you stepped in to aid Edmund at the ball.”

“I have to admit, it was the most excitement I have had for quite a while.” Nicholas clapped Edmund on the shoulder. “Of course, with a friend like Edmund, I can never expect a dull moment.”

She laughed with the other two men. “I agree with you, Your Grace. Since my first meeting with Edmund, my life has been turned topsy-turvy.”

Edmund held up his hand. “Enough. No more flattery, please.” He aimed his full attention on her. “Now, we must discuss our future.”

“Why?”

“Because of what happened tonight, I’m afraid our wedding must be moved up. If London doesn’t see a wedding soon, everybody’s reputation will suffer. I’m not worried about mine, but I am worried about yours – and yes, even your parents. As much as I loathe your father, I cannot put my future in-laws through such torture. I have been there, and it’s not a pleasant feeling.”

She placed her hand over his and squeezed. “Edmund, you
do
care about my parents.”

“
Shhh
, speak quietly. If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined.”

She laughed. “What do you propose we do now?”

“Your father left before I had a chance to talk with him, but I think we should plan for a wedding at the end of the week.”

She gasped. “The end of the week? There’s no way my mother and I can get everything ready. And the cost—”

“Don’t concern yourself with the cost, my dear. Simply have all the bills sent to me. I shall cover them for whatever size wedding you wish, that is, if you want such a grand occasion.”

She frowned. “Personally, no, I’d rather have a quiet wedding, but you know my parents.”

“Yes, unfortunately, I do.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Do not fret, my love. Bright and early tomorrow morning, I will take you and your mother shopping. We will have everything ready for a grand wedding at the end of the week.”

She nodded. “I thank you, Edmund.”

He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, but before she let her emotions run out of control, she pulled away. He’d broken her heart before. She had to remember that. The only reason he wanted her was because of the goldmine.

She turned to the duke whose smile warmed her heart. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. As always, she compared it to Edmund’s kiss, and Edmund beat his friend in that area, too.

Nicholas Fielding bowed properly. “I hope to see you again, soon.”

“You will.”

Edmund gave her a wink before he and the duke left. The two men resembled each other with their dark handsome looks and broad shoulders, but Edmund had a certain charm she couldn’t forget. Indeed, it would be very difficult to fight him once she became his wife.

Chapter Eleven

“Stay for a few more drinks.” Edmund tried to coax Nick as he stood by the liquor cabinet in his townhouse, pouring the drinks.

“I really must return home. Catherine is waiting for me, you know. I sent her home with my brothers because she knew you needed my help tonight.”

Edmund laughed. “Indeed? I’m not all that bad, am I?”

Nick’s eyebrows lifted. “Do you really want an answer?” He gathered his top hat and coat. “But I really do need to get back. That woman has a strange kind of hold on me, and I find I can’t be without her for very long.”

Edmund set the glass of brandy on the counter and walked his friend to the front door. “I hope to see you again before too long. As I said before, I expect my wedding to be at the end of the week.”

“Yes. I can see you’re looking forward to the day.” Nick squeezed Edmund’s shoulder. “I’m glad to see my friend happier than I have seen him before. And, I’m surprised to learn it’s because of a woman.”

“Bite your tongue, good man.” Edmund laughed. But, Nick was right. Edmund had actually allowed his heart to get involved this time. In fact, it surprised him to think he did have a heart after all.

Nick opened the front door, but came to a halt just before stepping out. Edmund peered over his friend’s shoulder. On the steps, Lord Rollins stood with two of his cronies. Rollins pointed a pistol toward them.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Edmund snapped as he moved in front of the duke.

“I’m calling you out, sir,” Rollins spouted.

Edmund widened his eyes and held back a laugh. “You are completely sloshed! Haven’t you heard it’s illegal to duel?”

“I will overlook that fact just to see you are brought down. I shall not have my name slandered by the likes of
you
.”

Edmund leaned against the doorframe, folding his arms across his chest. He rolled his eyes heavenward. “Rollins, go home and sleep it off. In the morning you will think more clearly.”

“Don’t presume to tell me what to do.” Rollins growled. “You, sir, will meet me at Becker’s Pass at dawn.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I will hunt you down like the dirty dog you are and shoot you ‘tween the eyes.”

Nick tried to move past him, but Edmund’s arm blocked him.

“Rollins,” Nick barked, “there’s no need for this. Put your pistol away now!”

“Your Grace, I will handle Lord Rollins.” Edmund turned to the drunken man on his steps. “Are you aware of my experience with the pistol? Haven’t you already heard of my exploits on the dueling field?”

“Those rumors ended long ago, Knight, and at the time, I refused to believe them.”

“So, you are willing to meet me on the dueling field and get yourself killed just so I can prove my marksmanship?” He shook his head. “That’s not very wise of you, milord.”

“I’m very adamant about this, Knight. Name your weapon.”

Edmund groaned. He didn’t want to fight, and he especially didn’t want to kill the insipid man. What other choice did he have?

He nodded. “Swords.”

Rollins lifted his chin. “Morning break, on the field, or I will hunt you down.” He turned and marched back to his carriage, his friends following.

“The foolish man,” Edmund muttered as he closed the door.

Nick’s brows knit together. “Knight, you cannot mean to meet him there tomorrow, can you?”

Edmund ran his fingers through his hair, his mind blank of ideas. “Do I have another choice?”

“Yes. If you kill him, you will be arrested.”

“If I don’t show up, the drunken lord will hunt me down and try to kill me anyway. Knowing Rollins, he’d take the coward’s way out and shoot me in the back, which is why I chose swords.”

“What are you going to do?”

Edmund scratched his chin. “I don’t know yet.”

“You only have until daybreak to decide.”

“Do you have any suggestions?”

Nick folded his arms, his forehead creased as if deep in thought. “I could always take the law and pay Lord Rollins a visit.”

“That will only make him more upset.”

Nick sighed and leaned back against the wall. “Do you want me to be your second?”

Edmund laughed. “It will be like old times.”

“Very close, but, we were much younger back then.”

“Rollins is not exactly a young buck, you know. In fact, I’m fairly certain he’s older than you.”

Nick shook his head. “It still does not matter.”

“Do you doubt my skill, Ashton?”

“Of course not.”

“Then are you going to be on the field by my side at morning break?”

“Have I ever let you down before?”

Edmund shook his head.

“And I will not this time,” Nick promised.