Love Sneaked In (Montgomery Family Trilogy) (47 page)

Melody looked over at Lord Henry and gave him a sympathetic look. “I agree, war is terrible, but I’m glad it’s finally behind us and that England prevailed. How long have you been in the army?”

“I went in six years ago, when I turned eighteen. It was always a dream of mine, and since I’m a second son, my father bought me my commission when I finished school. Now that the war is over, I’m going to be helping my brother with some of the ducal holdings, once I resign my commission.” Looking directly into her eyes, he said, “Listen, I want to see you as much as possible over the next few weeks before you go back to Lincolnshire. Will you allow me to see you again?”

“If it pleases you, I’d like to see you as often as you would like.” She looked up at him and just knew…she was falling in love, and it scared her to death. She’d heard others talking about love at first sight, but she’d never expected it to happen to her.

Surely, he couldn’t return her regard so quickly, could he?

The rest of the drive went by quickly and soon, it was time to return home. When they arrived, he helped her down from his curricle, and when he touched her hand, she felt a warmth run through her entire arm. Lord Henry’s eyes darkened, and he looked so intense that it sent chills up her spine. Once she reached the ground, he reluctantly let go of her hand.

Turning to her, Lord Henry asked, “Would it be convenient for me to pick you up tomorrow at ten? I’d like for us to go riding. I’d be happy to procure a horse for you, if you need me to.”

“My aunt has several horses, so I’d be pleased to go riding with you, my lord.”

Lord Henry escorted her inside, and took his leave. Just as soon as he left, her aunt immediately started asking her questions about the time that they had spent together. As Melody removed her lace gloves, she said, “We had a delightful drive, and he’s asked to see me as much as possible over the next few weeks, and I told him that I would enjoy seeing him again.”

Miriam pulled her into her arms and hugged her. “How simply marvelous! I just knew he was interested, and now he plans to court you. I’m so pleased for you.”

Melody nervously twisted her hands. “Aunt Miriam, I’m scared. This is all moving so fast. How can I be sure that my feelings are real, when everything is happening so quickly? I think he’s serious in his intent, but I just worry. I don’t want to be hurt.”

Aunt Miriam lovingly touched her arm. “Melody, sometimes it only takes a moment to fall in love. That’s how it happened for me with your uncle, and we had twenty-five wonderful years together. I’ve missed him every day since his death ten years ago. I’ve had opportunities to marry, but there will never be anyone who can take your uncle’s place in my heart.”

“I remember how happy you were,” Melody wistfully replied. “I’d like to have that kind of love, just as you did, and my parents do.”

Reaching over, Miriam patted Melody on the shoulder. “All I can tell you is that sometimes, you just have to be brave and take a chance on love. See your young man as often as possible and just let nature take its course. All right, darling? I’m sure you’ll be fine. I can tell by the way he looks at you that this is going to be an enduring attachment.”

***

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Turned Around by Love - Chapter 1

Late June 1823

While Jonathan St. John, the Marquess of Sutherland, lay in bed looking around the room of his latest mistress Alana, he realized that even though she was beautiful with her long, rich, sable-brown hair, startling golden eyes, and a figure as voluptuous as any man could ask for, he was already tired of her.

Jonathan was thirty years old and had had a dozen of mistresses over the last eight years. While all of them were beautiful, none of them could hold his interest for very long. Oh, they were all sexually alluring and well trained in all the sensual arts, but after a while he lost interest in every one of them. He found himself growing bored faster than usual with his most recent mistresses. It was as if he’d even lost interest in sex. Physically, his body still responded, but mentally, he was somewhere else.

At two and twenty, Jonathan had returned from Waterloo a broken man. He’d joined the army when Bonaparte escaped from Elba. Because his father didn’t want him to enlist as a foot soldier, he’d bought him a commission, and since his brother Roderick refused to stay behind, he came along also.

The injuries Jonathan sustained during the battle still pained him today. Because of his bad knee, he’d lost his fiancée, Susannah, when he came back from the war. She had refused to marry a cripple. He suffered from terrible nightmares and…he was a drunk. In essence, he was going through the motions of life and letting it pass him by.

Alana stretched, purring like a cat. He knew he’d pleasured her well because he was an expert lover, but he was completely unmoved by their sexual encounter. It was definitely time for their liaison to end. Jonathan rolled out of bed and stood up, leaned over, and pulled on his black satin knee breeches over his muscular buttocks and thighs.

Alana sat up and gave him a sultry look. “Darling, why are you getting out of bed? I thought you were going to spend the night. Please come back. I’m sure I can revive you, if you’ll give me a chance.” She pulled him to her and began stroking his cock through his breeches, but he remained unmoved by her touch.

“Alana, I’m not in the mood, and I just want to go home. It doesn’t have anything to do with you. I just need to leave. Besides, I never stay all night. You know that.”

He reached for his startling-white, fine lawn shirt, pulled it over his head and broad shoulders, then tucked it into his breeches. He put on his deep blue embroidered waistcoat and pulled his dress coat on over it. Once he finished dressing, he ran his fingers through his thick, jet black hair and smoothed it down, giving it some semblance of order. He took a deep breath, clenched his straight white teeth, and turned around.

Softening the expression in his brilliant blue eyes, Jonathan gave her one of his sardonic smiles. “My dear, I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together. However, I’ve decided that it’s time to end our liaison.”

“What do you mean it’s time to end our liaison? We had an agreement that I would be your mistress for twelve months, and we’ve only been together for three. I turned down several very good protectors for you!” She stood up, her eyes on fire with indignation as she walked over to him. “I’ve given you no reason to want to end our liaison. Sexually, we’re extremely compatible. Give me a chance to prove it to you.” She lifted up on her tiptoes and gave him a searing kiss as she stroked his cock.

He felt a stirring of desire and returned her kiss but then pushed her away. “I know what our contract states. I’ll fulfill those terms until you can find another protector. I’m sure one of those men you turned down will be happy to take my place. You’re more than welcome to stay in this house while you find a new protector. My secretary, Stebbins, will pay all your expenses, within reason of course, and you’ll receive a new diamond necklace for your trouble. I’m leaving London at the end of the week, so I will bid you adieu.”

Jonathan turned around, picked up his silver-headed walking stick and left the room. As he closed the door, he heard a crash and breaking glass, and Alana shouting profanities. Obviously she wasn’t taking their parting well at all. He made his way down the stairs, picked up his top hat and kidskin gloves, then laboriously made his way out of the house.

When he stepped down onto the sidewalk, he motioned to his driver to bring him his carriage. When the carriage pulled to a stop, he gingerly pulled himself inside. His knee was killing him, and it was beginning to swell.

As Jonathan fell back against the tufted dark red velvet cushions, he rubbed his knee, trying to alleviate some of his pain. His leg was acting up, so he knew the weather was getting ready to turn. He tapped the roof and told his driver to take him to his club. Pulling his flask from the inside pocket of his dress coat, he took a large swig of brandy. Jonathan needed the brandy to steady his nerves. He knew he was drinking too much, but couldn’t seem to help it. It was the only thing that seemed to deaden the pain.

When he arrived at White’s, he carefully got out of his carriage, climbed the stairs, and went into his club. While he stood at the entrance to the card room, he scanned the room, looking for his friend Baron Kenneth Jenkins. He spied him sitting at a table involved in a card game with Bentley, Masters, and Wilkins. Jonathan slowly made his way across the room. “Good evening. Can I join you gentlemen?”

Jenkins glanced over at Jonathan and grinned. “What are you doing here? I thought you were spending the evening with the delectable Alana. Of course you can join us. Masters just folded so you can take his place.”

Jonathan sat down, and they began a round of whist. He enjoyed the occasional game of cards, but he was very careful that he didn’t lose too much money. If the cards were against him, he would fold and discontinue playing. Luck was with him tonight, and soon he had a pile of coins in front of him. Bentley and Wilkins folded and left the table.

While he sat there smoking a cigar and enjoying a brandy, he looked over at Jenkins. “I ended my liaison with Alana tonight. I’ve become bored with her and no longer want her as my mistress.”

Jenkins took a sip of his brandy and then laughed. “Sutherland, you go through mistresses faster that anyone I know, but even for you this is fast. You’ve only had her for what, three months? Have you already found someone new?”

Jonathan leaned back in his chair while adjusting his intricately tied cravat. “No, I haven’t. I’ve decided I’ll take a break and not have a mistress for a while. If I feel the need for sex, I’ll go to a house of pleasure instead. That will be less trouble. Mistresses are too demanding, and I can’t be bothered trying to please them. Oh, by the way, I’m leaving London at the end of the week. I haven’t been to my estate since March, and I’m bored with the season.”

With a look of astonishment on his face, Jenkins asked, “When did you decide to leave London? You didn’t say anything about leaving this morning when we went to Tattersall’s. Aren’t you supposed to buy that matched pair of dappled grays you were looking at? We both agreed they’re real goers and would be perfect for your new phaeton.”

“Oh yes, I’m definitely buying the pair, but that won’t keep me from leaving. I’ve been thinking of leaving London for a while now, but I just didn’t say anything about it. The amusements of London have lost much of their appeal. I made the decision to go back to Bath this evening when I realized how utterly bored I am. Why don’t you come with me? I have a lake on my estate and we can do some fishing. You can’t tell me you’re not getting tired of the season. Besides, it’s almost over anyway, and I’d enjoy your company.”

“I haven’t been fishing in years. I find the idea very entertaining. I’ll be happy to come for a visit, but I can’t leave town until next week. Would it be all right if I came then?”

“Come whenever it’s convenient for you. I’ll look forward to you joining me next week. Well, I’m going to head home. I have quite a bit to accomplish if I’m leaving town by the end of the week. I’ll see you soon.” Jonathan stood up and almost lost his balance. He realized that the brandy was beginning to affect him.

Jenkins stood up, grabbing Jonathan’s arm to help steady him. “Do you need help getting to your carriage? I can tell your knee’s bothering you.”

“No, I’m fine. See you next week,” he said, as he staggered out of the room.

Jonathan went outside, hailed his coach, and went to his townhouse in Bloomsbury. It was no longer one of the best parts of town, but his townhouse had been in the family for several generations. When he arrived, he climbed out, went up the steps, and unlocked his door. He picked up a candelabrum that was waiting for him and slowly made his way up the stairs.

His valet, Hatton, was waiting for him, but Jonathan wasn’t in the mood to have Hatton fuss over him, so he sent him off to bed. He made it as far as the chair by the fireplace and collapsed. His knee was causing him a great deal of pain tonight.

When he was injured, the surgeons had wanted to remove his leg, but thankfully, he was lucid enough to refuse the procedure. His brother Roderick had been there to make sure they didn’t proceed. Roderick could be very intimidating since he was such a large man, and he had convinced the surgeons to leave Jonathan’s leg alone.

While it pained him a great deal much of the time, he would still rather have it than the alternative. It bothered him most late at night, especially if it rained.

Once Jonathan sat there relaxing for about thirty minutes, he was finally able to get up and remove his clothes. He went to the basin and washed off the smell of sex before donning his dark blue silk banyan. He went over to the table, poured a large glass of brandy, and proceeded to drink until he knew he would finally be able to sleep.