by Megan Derr
Table of Contents
A Suitable Replacement
Book Details
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
About the Author
A Suitable Replacement
MEGAN DERR
After three years abroad on an arduous expedition, Maximilian is happy to be home, where he can pursue his private studies in peace and enjoy not living in a dusty tent. He is also glad he has arrived in time to attend his twin sister's wedding in a few months, and to finally meet her fiancé, Kelcey.
Instead he arrives home to be accosted by his sister's furious fiancé, who wants to know where she has run off to and why. When they confirm the wedding is most definitely canceled, Max has no choice but to fulfill the runaway clause in the marriage contract: he must find Kelcey a new spouse.
And if that was not enough to manage, there is also the matter of the people his sister angered when she vanished ...
Book Details
A Suitable Replacement
By Megan Derr
Published by Less Than Three Press LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.
Edited by Amanda Jean
Cover designed by Aisha Akeju
This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.
First Edition August 2014
Copyright © 2014 by Megan Derr
Printed in the United States of America
Digital ISBN 9781620044018
Print ISBN 9781620044025
Chapter One
"If you drop that crate, I will take you to the roof and drop you from it," Max said as the worthless moving men made to do precisely that, as though the damned box was not clearly marked 'fragile' in precisely twelve places.
They turned surly looks toward him but changed their minds about whatever they'd wanted to say, carefully setting the box down on the spot he'd marked before fleeing the room. Cowards. Huffing, Max went over to inspect the crate, but it seemed undamaged. When he gave it a jostle, nothing clinked or rattled in a way it shouldn't.
Satisfied, he returned to his spot in front of the cloth-draped desk and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the movers bring in the rest of the laboratory crates and chests. When that was at last accomplished, he said, "Now you may begin on the rest of the rooms. Work from the upstairs down, and you had better not break anything. Am I clear?"
"Yes, my lord," the group of half a dozen men mumbled before scurrying off to get it done.
Max removed his spectacles and pulled a cloth from his jacket to clean them, frowning as a stubborn speck refused to be immediately banished. Finally defeating it, he tucked the cloth away and restored the spectacles to his nose. He looked around the room that was to be his laboratory, making mental note of all the changes that would have to be made: shelves and cabinets added, the rugs removed, curtains and furniture removed, minus the desk, additional tables added—
The sound of something slamming against the doorframe made Max jump. "Where the bloody hell is she?"
Max turned toward the door, ready to tear apart whoever was tearing about his house in such ridiculous fashion. He planted his hands on his hips—
And froze, lips slightly parted, words forgotten. Whatever he had expected, it was not a bloody highwayman. He looked precisely like all the absurd penny story images of a highwayman: dark, dashing, dangerous. Given he had not heard so much as a creak until the man had chosen to make himself known, the description might be more accurate than Max liked.
The man was tall, and the breadth of those shoulders was absolutely absurd. He skin was so dark it was more black than brown. A handsome face, sharp cheeks and broad nose, large brown eyes. His hair was cut quite close to his head. Max had briefly taken up with a woman who kept her hair that way; he had loved to run his fingers over it, back and forth and back again. Max wanted to do it to the man before him, then stroke the lines of his face, the sharp cut of those cheekbones and that mouth. Ridiculous. Who needed lips like that? Max wanted to bite them.
Damn it all, he hated distractions—especially good-looking ones that were glaring hard enough Max was grateful the man did not appear to be carrying a weapon. "Who the bloody hell are you and what are you doing in my home?"
"I want to know where the hell my intended is and why she has decided to vanish without so much as a word to me," the man replied, biting out each word. His eyes were the brown of good coffee, as irritatingly distracting as the rest of him.
He began to cross the room, and Max decided that, distracting or not, he'd had enough. He reached behind himself and grabbed one of the books that had already been unpacked, lobbing it at the man, who caught it and dropped the book to the floor. Max started to throw another, and the man rushed in, grabbing his wrists tight enough he was forced to drop the book.
Buggering fuck.
"Violence, sir, will accomplish nothing," Max said, lifting his chin.
"You tried to strike me first."
Max scoffed. "You came barging in here without so much as a by-your-leave. I would assume from your dress, if not your absent manners, that you do understand the concept of a calling card? I am not certain what you expected to accomplish crashing in here bellowing about a woman you've yet to name. Now, who the devil are you, and why are you bothering me?"
The man scowled as he let Max go. "You look just like her! Where is she?"
"Oh, bloody hell," Max muttered as the pieces fell into place. Of course the delectable, if snarly, highwayman belonged to Mavin. "You must be the fiancé."
"In theory, but it is hard to be half of an engaged couple when the other half has been missing for three weeks."
Max drew back, eyes widening, mouth opening, then snapping shut, before he finally managed to get out, "What are you talking about? I got a letter from Mavin a fortnight ago that seemed to indicate she was still right here!"
"She vanished three weeks ago, immediately after the Forte ball," the man bit out. What the bloody hell was his name? Something that did not provoke images of dark and stormy highwaymen, to be sure. "I have been attempting to find her, but all I get is vague reassurances from her friends that all is well."
That sounded alarmingly familiar. Damn her. Why did he have to be the twin brother of such a reckless ninny? He was going to choke Mavin with her own hair ribbons when he found her, and this time it was not going to be an idle threat. "I am her brother, not her keeper, and she mentioned nothing to me of vanishing."
"I want to know where she is! Why she has abandoned me like this? Is she safe? Is she running from something?"
Max almost posed she might be running from her affianced, but honestly the man did not actually seem dangerous, simply … loud and slightly dramatic. Much like Mavin. "Sir, I wish I could provide you an answer, but she made no mention to me of any untoward plans. I thought she was about in the city; indeed I planned to call upon her this very evening. I've arrived a few days early and thought to surprise her. We look alike, sir, but that is where our similarities end."
"Yes, I can see that," the man replied.
The words should not sting, but in all his thirty-three years Max had never deduced how to make them stop hurtin
g. No, he was not his sister, but honestly wasn't one of her enough? Heaven knew one was enough for him. "You have overstayed the welcome you never had to begin with," Max said. "Show yourself out."
"I'm not going anywhere—"
Max reached into his jacket and pulled out his pistol. "You will depart."
To his astonishment, the man looked amused more than anything. Max wanted to shoot him for that alone. "I want to know where my fiancée is," the man replied. "I'll return in the morning, and you will receive me."
"I sincerely doubt that," Max said, but it was for naught as the bastard had already departed as quickly as he had arrived.
He tucked the pistol back into his jacket and decided he had best go make certain the damned movers had not broken the china or put his books in the dining room. Running a hand through his hair, he strode toward the door—and stopped just in time to avoid running into a man in blue and gold livery. "Who the devil are you, and why are so many strangers just traipsing about my house?" he demanded.
"Beg pardon, my lord," the man said and dipped into the most elegant bow Max had ever witnessed. The few royals he'd endured had not bowed that well. "My name is Hugh, and Master Moore bid me remain here and assist you howsoever you require, in recompense for his behavior."
Well. That was unexpected. "I see. Go nail the front door shut, then, so I don't have to fret over who I am going to trip over next." He noticed belatedly that the man held out a salver, upon which was a calling card. Picking it up, he murmured a thanks as Hugh departed.
Master Kelcey Moore
113 Dogwood Row
Kelcey, that was the man's name. Max tapped the card against his lips. Definitely not the name of a highwayman. Pulling out his silver card holder, he tucked it away as he went to go yell at the movers; he might be three floors up, but he still knew a dropped crate when he heard it.
Three tedious hours later, he washed up and pulled on clean clothes, pleased he managed a half-decent job on his neck cloth, and went in search of his errant sister. The most obvious starting point was Mavin's home, the family townhouse at the end of Mistletoe Lane. He pounded on the door, completely uncaring the knocker had been removed. "Barrington, open this door at once or I will come through the kitchen!"
After a moment the door was opened by a harried looking man with white hair and a flushed face. "Lord Maximilian!"
"Oh, Maximilian, is it? Going to be that angry, am I?" He stepped inside and let Barrington take his coat, hat, and gloves. "Where is she?"
Barrington had never looked so close to bolting—and he was kept in a constant state of anxiety because of Mavin's recklessness.
Max wondered if he had remembered to bring his headache powder. "I think I'm going to need a drink before I hear this."
"I just replenished the gin, my lord."
"Good man." Max strode off down the hall to his sister's study, wrinkling his nose at the overwhelming scent of tobacco and magnolias that filled it. The room was cool, and a fire had clearly not been lit in some time—if he had to guess, he would say three weeks—and the post had become a rather alarming pile that was swiftly overtaking her desk.
He turned slowly around the room, seeking clues, and was distracted by a painting that had certainly not had choice place before. It was positioned over a worktable covered in all the bits, bobs, and tools that went into her model making. A portrait of the two of them shortly before he had left to conclude his studies overseas; studies from which he had been recalled early to attend their parents' funeral. Unable to behave 'properly' for even a portrait, Mavis had sprawled in the armchair, one leg swung over an armrest, her right arm stretched up the back to hold his hand.
Defiant in his own quiet way, Max had retained the spectacles his parents hated and worn the purple jacket with angel and devil patterning his sister had bought for him. With her in bright red, they had made quite the study. The artist had seemed amused more than anything, their parents decidedly less so, but neither he nor Mavin had ever had much tolerance for the rigid life they had preferred.
He sighed softly and accepted the glass of gin that Barrington held out to him. "Where is she, Barrington?"
"I could not say, sir, though she promised that she left word for you to find."
"No doubt," Max murmured, then tossed back the gin. He set the glass on the table, scowling at the mess covering it. Mavis never could be bothered with more organization than was foisted upon her. Drove him mad. Honestly, was it that hard—
His thoughts stuttered as he saw a familiar wooden box, black and with his initials in ornate script. Shoving everything else out of the way, he dragged the box forward and released the catch, flipped the top open—and broke into a grin. On top of everything was a note in his sister's tidy hand: Welcome home, good-for-nothing.
Tucking the note away, he admired the contents of the box: miniature tables, shelves, bottles, beakers, and countless other items that would fill one of the last rooms in his dollhouse. She'd finished the library for him before he left and promised him the laboratory upon his return. All that was left was the master bedroom and the greenhouse. He could not wait to set it up.
He started to close it again when a flash of white caught his eye—and he saw that tucked into the velvet lining of the lid was a slip of paper. Suspecting the mystery of the vanishing sister was about to be solved, he pulled it out. The paper had been folded, closed with his sister's magnolia seal, and his name was written across it in her familiar bold loops and curls.
Max,
I apologize for my absence and all the trouble it will bring. I hate myself for the triteness of it, something right off the scandal sheets, but I've run away with a man I love dearly but cannot yet love publically. I'm sure it shan't take long for you to deduce his identity.
Do give my love and condolences to Kelcey; he's a bit gruff but has a good heart, and I did not mean to leave him floundering. I trust you will do well by him per the runaway clause.
All my best to you. Enjoy the miniature laboratory, and I hope your latest experiment in blowing things up proceeds well. I shall return to see you given that award you go on about.
Kisses,
Mav
The moment he was saw her again, he was going to mock her relentlessly. Scathing tone and everything. Ninny. His mouth quirked; he could hear her strident Good-for-nothing as clearly as though she were standing beside him.
Homesickness washed over him. That was the part he hated the most. He could handle the scandal and a furious fiancé. But not knowing when he would get to see his sister, when she was the reason he had pushed so hard to arrive early, the only person he had truly missed while he had been gone three years?
Sighing, he tucked the second note away with the first and closed the lid on the box, tucking it under his arm. "Barrington, I do not suppose you have a handful of people I could borrow for a couple of weeks while I attempt to get my new house in order?"
"Certainly, my lord. Leave me the address and I will send them over this evening, unless you want me to select them immediately?"
"No rush at all. The address is Nineteen Hemlock Circle. Take until tomorrow if that's easier. Thank you. If you receive further word from our troublesome duchess, let me know at once."
"Of course, my lord."
"I shall be off then, but send someone if you've need of me for anything. If Master Moore comes by, send him straight on to me for answers."
"Yes, my lord."
"Thank you again, Barrington. Have a good night."
"You as well, my lord."
Outside, Max climbed into his waiting carriage and bid the driver take him to his club. He wanted food, but there would be no having it at home, and he had no desire to inconvenience his sister's staff. Resting his head against the heavily padded cushions, he let his mind wander—
And jerked upright, nearly dropping the box set carefully in his lap, as something he had read finally struck him. Pulling out the note Mavis had left, he swiftly reread it, and pr
omptly groaned. Runaway clause.
Damn that woman. Runaway clause—he did not have time to go about finding a man he did not know a new fiancée. Why was it his problem?
Buggering fuck.
Chapter Two
Max had just sat down to breakfast when he heard the knock at the door. Lifting his eyes to the ceiling, because he could not imagine who else might be calling so damnably early in the morning, he set down his fork and said, "Best set another place, Ellen."
"Yes, my lord," she said, and briskly left to see it done.
Eschewing food in favor of draining his tea, Max waited, listening as the door was opened and Hugh spoke to whoever was at the door. There was no mistaking that deep rumble. A couple of minutes later, he heard the tread of Hugh's feet—but not, strangely, Master Moore's. Had he gone away, then?
Max dared to hope, but it was quickly dashed by the opening of the door and the barreling in of a handsome, scowling figure. Moore appeared to have a talent for moving silently. "Good morning, Master Relentless. You may sit and have breakfast if you can behave yourself, but make no mistake—if I have to draw my pistol today, I shall see a round or two is put to work."
"I wanted only to know if you had located Mavin," Moore replied. "I've been worried about her, damn it. She was meant to go hawking with me two days ago, and it is not like her to miss such an event. She even had her peregrines sent to Walchester Estate. I had to return them to her country estate before returning to the city. Mavin is ever inclined to vex every person who crosses her path, but I've never known her to risk any harm coming to the animals under her charge."
Max thanked Ellen as she poured him more tea and set a plate of food in front of Kelcey. When she had slipped away again, he said, "I found a note from my sister when I paid a visit to her home last night. She has run away, and been vague as to her reasons, save past saying she is marrying someone else. I am sorry."