The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) (29 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Two Weeks Later

“Where are we going?” Evelyn asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

“You’ll see.” Paxton helped her into the awaiting coach and climbed in next to her. The coach quickly lurched into motion.

Eve looked at him suspiciously. “Why are you dressed so nice? Maybe we should turn around so I can change.” She looked at the smile on his face. “You’ve been smiling non-stop for days now. What are you planning?”

“Patience, my sweet. You’ll see. And don’t worry. Your attire is perfect.”

Eve looked down at the pale blue day dress, then over at Paxton in his formal wear. He looked wonderful in his cutaway style black coat and his embroidered satin vest. His linen shirt was tucked into his black breeches, just a hint of it visible above the vest, and he wore a snowy white cravat. He had removed his outer coat for comfort.

“On further inspection, it has dawned on me that you are perhaps whisking me to the marriage altar, but I assume you know I cannot possibly marry you dressed as I am now.” She looked at him sideways.

Paxton remained silent.

“You do know that?” She nudged him with her leg.

“What? Oh, right. You will not be married in that dress. Understood.” He looked back out the window, smiling as their destination loomed ahead. He closed the curtains.

“What? What is it? Why did you close the curtains?”

“I’ll have to remember how anxious you become with surprises.”

At Eve’s look of frustration, he laughed. “Very well. You’ve assumed correctly. We are to be married today. I find I can no longer live in the same house with you if we aren’t man and wife. I love you.” He laughed, then said, “I’m anxious to start our life together.”

Eve threw herself into his arms. “I love you so much. This is the best surprise ever!” The carriage stopped. “Can I look?” At Paxton’s nod, she drew back the curtain and found they were sitting in front of an old stone church, but the best part was their gathered family applauding their arrival.

“How ever did you manage all of this without me knowing?”

Paxton grinned devilishly. “Keeping you busy was easy, but I can’t take all the glory.” He looked out at their families. “They each did their part.

“Do you like the church? I mean, I know we were going to marry in the garden, but it would have been impossible to plan a surprise wedding there.”

“It’s perfect. Although I admit I would marry you anywhere.”

Paxton hugged and kissed her and the cheers grew louder.

“But what about my clothes?” As if her mother could read her expression from across the lawn, she called out and waved Evelyn’s wedding dress in the air like a banner. “You’ve thought of everything!” she said with excitement as she kissed him and threw open the carriage door to step down and into her new life.

***

An hour later, Evelyn Marie Manning became the Countess of Devonhurst. Many nearby neighbors as well as close friends attended the ceremony, which was conducted by the local vicar. The bride looked breathtaking in her gown and the groom was handsomely attired, but the people were not commenting on the happy couples clothing. It seemed the crowd was more enthralled by the bride and groom’s behavior, for they seemed to only have eyes for each other. Their love was communicated through their gazes and the way they always leaned toward each other, a love so strong that many male viewers felt envious and women sighed dreamily.

Next to Eve stood Cassandra, who kept promising herself that one-day she too would find a perfect suitor for herself. She looked around the church and found many local men admiring her. She knew her love was out there, and she would find him. For now, Cassie was happy for her sister who deserved a marriage full of love, laughter, and happiness.

After the vows were exchanged, Paxton thanked the vicar. He then kissed Eve thoroughly before he picked her up and carried her out of the church.

As the newlywed’s rode away in a specially prepared white coach, Eve and Paxton waved briefly before quickly closing the golden curtains to block out the onlookers.

***

Viscount Stonehaven made his way through the crowd with his wife. They listened to the people talking around them.

“They looked so happy.”

“I wish I could find a woman like Lady Evelyn.”

“Isn’t love grand!”

“She has a sister.”

At this last statement, Charles turned to see his youngest daughter surrounded by a group of men. He moaned, thinking he was going to have to go through this yet again. He patted his wife’s hand and leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Madeline, my love. I’m compelled to fetch Cassandra and see her escorted to the safety of our carriage.”

His wife laughed when she looked over at Cassie. “Yes, dear. I think that would be best.”

Epilogue

One Months Later

“Oh no. I know that look on your face does not bode well. Does the missive you’re clenching hold bad news, Paxton?” Eve moved toward her husband, knowing instantly that something was seriously wrong from his reddening face to his stiff posture.

“I’m afraid it’s the worst of news. My sister has done the unthinkable.”

“Lydia? No, I cannot believe such.” She walked further into the study.

“I have to go to her at once.”

“Of course, my love. If she’s in trouble, then we shall both go.” Eve tried to take her husband’s hand to comfort him, but he was stiff and unyielding. Whatever the misfortune in which Lydia had involved herself, her husband’s stance seemed to say that it was most serious. “She isn’t hurt is she?”

Paxton’s jaw was clenched. “No. But I plan to kill the Earl of Northwood while I’m out and so you may be better served remaining home.”

“I’ll do no such thing.” She reached for the missive and read the letter for herself. It could not be as bad as her husband’s behavior indicated. She hurried to peruse the note and then dropped it to the floor in shock due to the scandal Lady Lydia had just created. But it couldn’t be. “Oh, codswallop. I don’t believe this letter holds the truth for a second. Lydia would never do these things.”

“I must go to her.”

“Yes, but I’m coming too.” She grabbed his hand. “We are married now and we shall do this together.”

“I’m very angry, Eve. I cannot promise I will be a good companion on the road.”

“I can handle you well enough, husband. We best make haste.”

With a firm nod of agreement, Paxton put his arm around her and led her out of the room. He then called for the carriage to be brought around for the long trip ahead of them. For Lydia’s sake, Eve hoped the missive’s contents untrue. Nevertheless, she knew Lydia liked to portray herself a strong and independent woman, and so she was really worried for her new sister-in-law’s future, that she might have in fact done the unthinkable. However, Eve decided instead to assume that some kind of trickery was afoot, and thus it was best if she and Paxton handled this situation as quickly and efficiently as possible. This kind of news could develop into a scandal of mammoth proportions.
Oh, Lydia, what have you done?
Eve could not even begin to imagine what her new mother-in-law would say when she heard of her daughter’s perfidy.

The End

Don’t miss book two in the Bewildering Love Series. Read further for an
excerpt
of A Vengeful Earl.

Also By Lori Hilden:

A Necessary Heir
(book #1 in Alter Ego Series)

London’s Quest
(book #1 in Destiny Series)

Born Reckless
(book #2 in the Alter Ego Series)

Desirea’s Escape
(book #2 in the Destiny Series)

To find out more about the author, please visit her web page at
www.lahilden.com
and you can also follow LA Hilden on FB, Twitter, Google+ and Tumblr.

Excerpt from

The Vengeful Earl
Book Two in the Bewildering Love Series

By
L. A. Hilden

London, England 1815

Aiden Northwood, the Earl of Sinclair, stretched his long legs and placed his booted feet on the cushion across from him in his plush carriage. He looked out the window at his prey, Lydia Witley. He couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was standing there on Bond Street, her russet-colored skirts blowing in the gentle breeze. He watched a footman take her packages while she continued to converse with her cousin, the Duchess of Arlington.

He rubbed his hand over his face with a sigh of frustration. How he wished his original plan had worked. He still wasn’t sure why it failed. It was obvious the Earl of Devonhurst was a sad excuse for a brother.

Aiden recalled the incident a couple of months ago. He had arrived at the Duke and Duchess of Arlington’s soiree early so he could wait for the perfect moment, and his timing could not have been better. He and the lovely Lydia had been playing cards for a large portion of the evening. The woman had a penchant for gambling, and he grinned, thinking how much money he had taken from her. She did, however, win a few meager hands, and so he started calling her Lucky Lady. After another losing streak, Lydia found herself depleted of funds and left the table.

That’s when he knew it was time to approach her.

She was standing with her brother, her amber eyes watching him, as he noticed she tended to do. Of course, over the last several months he made it a habit to move into her line of sight. Her brother, the Earl of Devonhurst, was with Lady Evelyn, now the Countess of Devonhurst, and the Marquis of Geary, the future Duke of Scottsdale, when he decided to make his move.

He approached the group with calm arrogance. After all, he knew Lydia Witley was as attracted to him as he was to her. He boldly pushed a few curled tendrils of her brown hair aside, and then he whispered in her ear loud enough for her brother to hear. “Please tell me you have not given up, Lucky Lady.” Pushing his audacious gesture even further, he lightly kissed her neck before sauntering out of the room.

Naturally, he expected the Earl of Devonhurst to follow him and challenge him to a duel for the violation he made against his sister, but no challenge was issued. Since that incident, the earl had married and remained ensconced in the country. This left Lady Lydia at Aiden’s mercy and he wasn’t about to allow her to escape.

Just the thought of Lydia’s mother, Lady Veronica, the Dowager Countess of Devonhurst, made him clench his fists in anger. His father had loved Veronica until his dying day. As he lay on his deathbed, it was her name he cried out, not Anna, Aiden’s loving and forever faithful mother.

Aiden smiled. At least he had tried to make his father’s life as unpleasant as he could. The deceased Lord Sinclair had fallen in love with Lady Veronica the moment he saw her, a fact he told his son time and again throughout Aiden’s childhood. Lady Veronica, however, was a happily married woman and presumably wanted nothing to do with Aiden’s father. This obviously crushed Aiden’s father, who pined for the woman until his dying day.

Aiden never understood how his mother could remain cordial to the man she married. Anna said they married for the sake of convenience and that she accepted her husband’s feelings, but Aiden heard his mother crying too often not to know the truth. His mother had suffered enough, and now it was Lady Veronica’s turn to pay the piper.

His original plan was to seduce the woman himself, but after seeing Lady Veronica, he changed his mind. Yes, she looked lovely for her age, but she was an intelligent woman grown and he didn’t think he was a good enough actor to fool her. Thus he determined that the only way to make Lady Veronica suffer heartache and loss as his mother did was through her children, and so his next strategy was to kill her son in a duel, which was hard to do since the man was no longer in London. With the Earl of Devonhurst out of the way, however, Lady Lydia Witley was his for the taking. He just wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with her yet.

He watched the women a while longer. It was clear the ladies had lost something as they surveyed the ground around them. After checking her reticule, the Duchess of Arlington went back into the clothing boutique. He stepped out of the carriage, the wind whipping his black tailcoat behind his large frame as he made his approach. Determination hummed inside him. Moving closer, his loins tightened. Lady Lydia had a disturbingly strong effect on him.

***

Lydia saw the Earl of Sinclair coming toward her and her heart immediately sped up. Her eyes watered in the wind and she quickly absorbed a tear with a white-gloved finger. She ended up poking herself in the eye, which hurt, and caused her eye to water more.

Tendrils of hair kept blowing against her neck, a vivid reminder of her last encounter with the earl. Truth be told, after her brother’s wedding, she had thought of little else but this man. He was one of the reasons she wanted to hurry back to London. She just didn’t expect to see him so soon. Thrills of pleasure and excitement coursed down her spine. He was almost upon her. What would he say? What should she say?

He was impeccably dressed all in black, as he always was, which gave him a dangerous appeal. At least she found him appealing. He was a large man, broad shouldered, tall, and slim of waist. Perfectly formed, in her opinion. The way he stared at her caused tingles of excitement to dance in her stomach. Why a man this handsome kept himself hidden away in the country for the last few years was a mystery she wanted solved. He
interested her to such a degree, in fact, that she couldn’t help wanting to know everything there was to know about him.

She watched him move with panther-like grace. His jet-black hair was cut shoulder length, and his skin was a light bronze, giving him an exotic appearance. He wore the same sinister grin he always had on when he saw her, which warned her to be wary. She felt butterflies in her stomach and hoped her voice wouldn’t fail her due to her nerves.

“Hello, my lord.” She smiled, feeling her confidence return. She always seemed to work herself up to a near frenzy and then calmed when necessary. Her brother Paxton had teased her mercilessly about it since they were little. They would be going to a gathering and she’d become nervous, which unfortunately made her clumsy. Then as soon as she was at the event, she’d feel completely in control again and almost overly self-assured. It was comical. That is, when she didn’t hurt herself, which tended to happen.

“Lady Lydia, it’s wonderful to see you. I believe you grow more beautiful with every passing day.” She tried not to blush when Aiden’s piercing blue eyes traveled down the length of her figure as he raised one of her gloved hands to his lips. “I have missed you.”

She was flattered he noticed she’d been out of town. Of course, her brother’s wedding and the near tragedy that turned into a triumph had been in all of the papers. She watched his lips touch the back of her hand and felt the heat of his lips through her glove travel up her arm.

He was unbelievably handsome in spite of his dangerous demeanor, and he was so bold in his attraction toward her that it took her breath away. Who cares if there was an undercurrent of mischief about him. That’s what held her enthralled. “I was in the country celebrating my brother’s nuptials.”

“So I heard. I never did receive my invitation.”

Lydia couldn’t help herself. His expression was so serious that she had to laugh. “Yes, well, I don’t think he likes you much.”

Aiden smiled.

“You didn’t make a stellar first impression,” she said, referring to the kiss he placed on her neck, a moment in time she couldn’t seem to clear from her mind. She really wished he’d explain such an insane act, but a lady doesn’t bring up such an inappropriate topic, she reminded herself. It was probably best to put the incident behind her and be grateful her reputation didn’t suffer as a result. Lucky for her no one had seen his daring kiss but people she could trust not to tell the world.

“Perhaps not.” Aiden shrugged indifferently. “But then it’s not your brother’s opinion I care about.” He reached over and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Lydia quickly backed up a step. She certainly had to watch this one. “Yes, well, one shouldn’t be so forward, especially in front of a lady’s overprotective brother.”

She noticed Aiden’s brow scrunch as if he wanted to point out that her brother hadn’t protected her at all, but she was glad he held his tongue. “I hear your brother’s friend, Lord Geary, has been asking about me.”

“Cole is Paxton’s best friend, and he looks on me as a younger sister and thus feels it his duty to find out more about you, since you… Well, because you…” She didn’t want to say it and sound silly. After all, it was only a little kiss, and not even on her lips, although it made her heart stop. She was sure it probably hadn’t affected him in the least. Just as she was sure that men like him didn’t think much about kissing a lady’s neck.

***

“I kissed your sweet neck.” Aiden’s voice was purposely husky as he held her gaze with his. He wanted to kiss her again, this time on her pouty mouth and right in the middle of Bond Street. What was the matter with him? He had to remind himself about his goal to destroy Lady Veronica, this girl’s mother. Sweet Lydia was nothing but a pawn. “Yes, that wasn’t very gentlemanly of me.”

She said nothing, just stared up at him in the most endearing manner. She turned when she heard her cousin’s approaching footsteps, immediately breaking eye contact. Disappointment speared through him and he held back a sigh.

“I found my other glove. It was under a chair and…” The duchess placed her glove in her reticule and stopped speaking when she saw him. “Hello.”

Lydia immediately made the introductions. “Lord Sinclair, may I introduce my cousin Rebecca, the Duchess of Arlington. Rebecca, this is Aiden Northwood, the Earl of Sinclair.”

Aiden bowed in greeting. “A pleasure, Your Grace.” He was surprised Lydia had
found out his Christian name. The grin on her face told him she was quite proud of herself for shocking him. He lifted his brow at her, wondering what else she’d learned. Did she know his mind was fixated on vengeance, how he wanted to lash out at her family? Tightness squeezed his chest.

“I will leave you ladies to your shopping. Will I see you at Lord Talbot’s soiree this evening?” he asked.

***

“Perhaps,” Lydia replied without displaying much interest in her tone. She had to at least try to behave as if she were indifferent about seeing him again. The man was too sure of himself, which in turn made him too daring toward her person. He had to know that, while she enjoyed the game, she was in control, even if she didn’t at all feel like it. Her heart continued to hammer wildly in her chest as she watched him walk away.