by Golden Angel
Undisciplined
By G. Angel
Published by G. Angel
Copyright 2015 G. Angel
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
I have a lot of people to thank for helping me with this book. My Maries, my power houses! Marie for all her help with editing and the continuity issues that I occasionally struggle with (I swear, she remembers all the things that I can’t). Another Marie, for her incredibly close attention to detail, especially when it comes to commas, mixed-up words and my excessive use of the word “that”. Katherine, for her ever-lasting support, encouragement and suggestions. Michelle for her comments and suppositions, which sent me in a different direction several times for this story, creating a much better and more satisfying plot than I’d originally had, with much more interesting character development. Sir Nick, for providing the much-needed male perspective. And RaineyCloud9, for the gorgeous cover art and promotional posters that I’ve been sharing.
As always, a big thank you to all my fans, for buying and reading my work… if you love it, please leave a review!
Author’s Note:
I don’t usually write these, but this novella is a little unusual for me as well. The characters of Gabrielle & Felix were introduced in Philip’s Rules, the first book of the Bridal Discipline series and their story will be continued in Gabrielle’s Discipline, coming out Summer 2016. However, readers requested to know more of what was going on between Felix and Gabrielle during the events of Philip’s Rules, and Undisciplined is that requested story. You don’t need to read Philip’s Rules to enjoy it and it’s not a pre-requisite for reading Gabrielle’s Discipline, but it’s hopefully an enjoyable little piece all on its own and will answer some questions from the first book and give you all a chance to know Felix and Gabrielle a little better before their book.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!
~Angel
Chapter 1
It was an auspicious and shocking day… Felix Hood’s best friend was getting married today. Although Philip Stanley, the Marquess of Dunbury, was three years older than Felix, somehow Felix hadn’t thought this day would come so soon. Then again, as a younger son to a Viscount, Felix didn’t have the same responsibilities that Philip did. His eldest brother, Thomas, would be the one stepping into their father’s shoes, and his son would follow him; unlike Philip, who had already inherited his title and thus needed his own heir.
However, Felix also happened to know that Philip wasn’t just marrying to ensure his lineage; he also happened to be rather enamored of his fiancé. Felix was looking forward to meeting this paragon who had captured his friend’s attention.
As he walked up to the Dunbury house, the sound of voices in the alley beside it caught his attention, as did a glimpse of a pale dress. Any kind of lightly colored finery seemed out of place in the servants’ alley, which is what caused him to slow his pace, peering down the narrow walkway. A young woman, obviously a young lady, was leaning forward and talking to two little girls, obviously servants’ get, going by their much simpler attire. Her skirts melded to her backside, which was nicely rounded, and immediately drew his attention – as it would any experienced rake. Especially one with his proclivities.
Both little girls were clutching their dolls and very gingerly holding what looked to be two dresses in miniature, made with cloth much finer than that of their own clothing. The dolls’ dresses were something he would expect to see a child of noble birth clothing their dolls with, not servants’ children. His eyebrows rose at the sight.
“We be eva’ so careful, miss,” one of the little girls assured the young lady earnestly. “We promise.”
“I’m glad you like them,” said the young lady, with a little laugh, her tones much more cultured than the little imps she was talking to. Although Felix couldn’t see her face, he admired her light brown hair, which glinted with red and gold highlights wherever the sun caught it, and the well-proportioned figure of her backside. The two girls were staring up at her as if she was a goddess, as well they might. He doubted their dolls had ever received such finery before. “Now run along, I have to go.”
That last was said with a bitterly resigned sigh, as if she would have much preferred to stay in the alley with the two little girls. They thanked her again and then ran off down the alley, obviously ecstatic over their good fortune, while the young lady slipped back into the house using the servants’ door. Felix’s eyebrows felt like they’d taken up a permanent position on his forehead as he wondered if he’d just received his first glimpse of Philip’s new bride.
If so, he certainly approved… although if her front was as attractive as her backside, he was also going to be eaten up with envy at his friend’s good fortune. Generous, thoughtful, and endowed with posterior charms? She seemed like the perfect woman. Perhaps he’d be in luck and she was one of the guests… preferably a widow or married with an inattentive husband and a desire to have her passions awakened.
******
"I now pronounce you, man and wife."
A sense of utter hopelessness rose in Gabrielle at the words. Her stepmother was now married to a man that Gabrielle barely knew, but was now responsible for her. A cold man, who looked at Gabrielle in a distant, almost disdainful manner that reminded her harshly of her own father before he'd passed. Her fingers clutched the bouquet she was holding tighter as she kept her smile pasted onto her face. The simple joy she’d received from gifting the housekeeper’s daughters with dolls’ clothes had worn off fairly quickly once she’d been recalled to her real life.
Gabrielle liked children much more than she liked adults, especially adults of the nobility. The servants in her life had always been kinder to her than even her own family, and children were so easily pleased with whatever small tokens she could give them. She found the working class easier to talk to than any of her peers. They couldn’t be friends, of course; none of them were comfortable crossing that line and actually befriending her, but they were often kind. Dunbury’s servants seemed to have a mixed opinion of her, but that was likely due to the Marquess’ influence.
She hadn't liked the Marquess of Dunbury when she'd met him and, truthfully, she liked him even less now. Not only had he been dismissive of Gabrielle from the start, but since meeting him, Cordelia had barely had a moment for Gabrielle. Yes, there were times when Gabrielle couldn't stand Cordelia, but she hadn't wanted to give up her stepmother's attention either. Logically, she knew it hadn't been Cordelia's fault that Gabrielle's father had no love for his daughter. He hadn't before he'd married Cordelia either.
But Cordelia was young and beautiful, and she'd become the Baron’s main focus once they were wed – or at least, getting an heir on her had become his main focus. Then he'd died, and Gabrielle had had Cordelia all to herself. For the first time in her life, since her own mother had died, she’d been the center of someone’s attention. Cordelia had cossetted her, comforted her, and been devoted to helping Gabrielle through her mourning… of course, once they’d come out of mourning, Cordelia had set about finding a second husband. Bitterly jealous that she’d lost Cordelia’s attention so quickly, Gabrielle had chased off several of Cordelia's suitors when they’d come calling. Often by flirting with them, figuring it served Cordelia right. Why should she get a second husband when Gabrielle hadn’t even had her first? What made Cordelia so special that all these m
en wanted to court her?
She didn’t question Cordelia’s change in attitude towards Gabrielle; she’d never expected to hold Cordelia’s attention anyway. No one ever truly wanted Gabrielle.
Still, it seemed to have worked at first and Gabrielle had started to hope that perhaps she might even be able to successfully poach one of Cordelia’s suitors and have her own husband… or that Cordelia would give up and then refocus her attentions back on her stepdaughter. Instead, Gabrielle had been left at home with a hired companion while Cordelia had gone away to a house party on her own and come back engaged. In a last ditch effort at keeping her little world intact, Gabrielle had made a play for the Marquess, hoping to send him packing too, but instead all she’d done was rouse disgust in him. Just not enough for him to forgo marrying Cordelia.
The Marquess didn't care for Gabrielle, but that didn't stop Cordelia from marrying him. It felt like the worst sort of betrayal by her stepmother, who claimed that she was looking out for Gabrielle’s best interests by marrying a man who obviously disdained her.
She told herself she didn't care. She told herself she hated Cordelia anyway, she didn’t need her stepmother’s attention. And she certainly hated her new guardian.
The only joys she'd had in the past months had been stolen moments of playing with the servants’ children and doing whatever she could to make Cordelia’s life harder. It was petty, but it was all Gabrielle had. Why should Cordelia get everything? It wasn't fair. But then, life was never fair, especially Gabrielle's life.
Following the Marquess and Marchesse down the aisle, Gabrielle didn't even glance at the man escorting her. She was too busy trying to keep from bursting into tears, wondering what was going to become of her now that Cordelia was married to such a cold man.
******
Felix was not used to being ignored. Especially not by a member of the fairer sex. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time it had happened. Before the wedding, Philip had asked him to keep an eye on Miss Gabrielle Astley, Philip's bride's stepdaughter. The daughter of a Baron, once she’d had her come-out she’d be known as Lady Gabrielle, but she was currently a mere miss. Apparently she had a shrewish disposition. Philip had described her as attractive, but he truly hadn't done her justice.
Neither had Felix’s own thoughts, because he immediately recognized her as the young woman he’d seen in the alley.
Resplendent in her cream and green dress, which matched the lovely bride’s, Miss Astley was just as attractive from the front as she had been from the back, despite the pout on her lips. Unlike the bride’s dark tresses, her masses of light brown hair were piled on top of her head and decorated with pearl combs, setting off her creamy complexion, and thickly-lashed green eyes. Slim figured, she was still blessed with delightful feminine curves, even if they weren't overly abundant. There were two high spots of color on her cheeks, and her eyes were shiny and bright, and entirely focused on Cordelia and Philip. There was a hint of malice in them, but also a sadness.
Philip had mentioned that Gabrielle had flirted with him, even after knowing that he was engaged to Cordelia. Could it be that she truly was attracted to her new stepfather and was envious of Cordelia’s marriage? But no, that didn't quite fit with the way she was looking at them. She seemed almost… forlorn. But by the time they’d exited the church, that hint of vulnerability was gone, buried under haughtiness. She was an entirely different person than he’d seen in the alley and the contrast intrigued him.
Before the receiving line, Philip had introduced them so that he could properly carry on a conversation with Miss Astley, but she'd barely given him a second glance.
Between well-wishers, Felix leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Congratulations on your new family, Miss Astley. As Philip's best friend, I'm sure we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other."
The smile that he received in return looked forced, her lovey green eyes were dull despite the curving of her lips. There was no energy or sincerity in her voice when she responded. “I look forward to it.”
He frowned, unused to having to exert himself to engage in conversation with a lady. Usually they were tripping over themselves to speak with him. They both smiled and greeted the next guest, before they had a moment to breathe again. Taking her silence as a challenge, Felix decided to try again. He was still curious about why she’d given dolls’ clothes to the servants’ children, but there wasn’t really a polite way to ask, so he was forced to take a different conversational route.
“I’m sorry I was unable to make your acquaintance before this, I was traveling through Scotland, taking care of some business for my brother.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel,” she returned a bit wistfully, her focus turning inward, which wasn’t exactly the effect he’d been trying to receive. “Is Scotland very nice this time of year?”
“Depends on which part you visit,” he said, giving her his best, most charming smile, inviting her to join in it with him. “I was on the coast and it was quite temperate, but further North, the Highlands are always cold no matter the time of year.”
Another guest stepped up to them, the widowed Dowager Countess of Hazelmore, with whom Felix had had a dalliance the year before. He kept his face smooth as she simpered up at him; more than once she’d made it clear that he’d be welcome back into her bed. Her gown today was rather scandalous for a wedding, low-cut enough to show off an ample view of her charms, and the way she was leaning forward nearly allowed him to look straight down into her dress.
“How lovely to see you again, Felix,” she said, her voice breathy and hinting at intimacies; entirely inappropriate for their current locale and the fact that Miss Astley was well within hearing. “London has been quite dull while you were away.”
“You are looking quite fetching, as always, my lady,” he responded, standing stiffly and not quite catching her eye, ignoring her statement. The bloody woman didn’t need any encouragement. “Thank you for your attendance, I’m sure the Marquess and Marchesse appreciate your presence.”
Either oblivious to or unwilling to acknowledge his subtle rebuff, she put her hand on his arm, completely ignoring Miss Astley, who was fidgeting beside him. “Perhaps you and I could… catch up during the meal.”
“My regrets, my lady, but the Marquess has requested I escort Miss Astley here; the Marchesse’s stepdaughter and his new ward, you know.” He gave the brazen woman a patently false smile as he shook her off of his arm.
Beside him, Miss Astley had gone stiff as a board, and he couldn’t blame her. It was unconscionable that the Dowager Countess had tried to proposition him in front of an innocent young miss. He doubted the exchange had done him any favors in her esteem.
“Oh, how dutiful of you,” Lady Hazelmore said, her gaze turning to Miss Astley. She swept her eyes over the younger woman and then turned back to him, patently dismissing her. Anger brimmed in him, and he wished that he didn’t have to play the gentleman, because Lady Hazelmore certainly deserved a set down. “I had heard the new Marchesse and Miss Astley are just come in from the country; it’s so kind of you to spend your time assisting the Marquess in acclimating them.”
Blessedly, Philip’s cousin, Viscount Petersham, and his wife had finished congratulating Philp and his bride, and Lady Hazelmore ceded her position to them, otherwise Felix didn’t know if he would have been able to remain polite in the face of her thinly veiled disdain for the Astleys. He glanced at Miss Astley, who was no longer even pretending to smile as she nodded in response to the Petershams’ pleasantries.
Once they had stepped away, Felix cleared his throat, feeling the need to reassure the young woman.
“Pay no attention to Lady Hazelmore and her ilk,” he said in a low voice. “Her opinion is worthless.”
Miss Astley didn’t even look up at him, instead her gaze was fixed upon a point in the distance. His heart ached for her. With all her time in the country, he very much doubted that she was used to the backbiting, viperous ways of the ton.
"Your stepmother is a lovely woman, you must feel very blessed to have her." He paused, waiting for some kind of response, but none was forthcoming. "The Marquess will take good care of you both."
"I'm sure he'll take very good care of his wife," Miss Astley responded, loudly enough to be heard by the people around him. The expression on her face was completely blank, as if the young woman he’d just been speaking with had disappeared entirely, to be completely covered by this hostile facade. "After all, he does need his heir."
Astounded, Felix bit his tongue. This wasn’t at all the young woman he’d observed beforehand… what had just happened? Frowning, he did his best to dispel the assumptions Miss Astley was obviously making about her stepmother’s marriage.
******
Being seated next to the most handsome man she'd ever met was doing absolutely nothing for Gabrielle's temperament. It was like today had been thought up by the Devil as a special kind of hell for her to endure. Not only was Cordelia being married to her second husband, when Gabrielle had never even had a suitor, but the man dancing attendance on Gabrielle was already quite taken with Cordelia and obviously already disliked Gabrielle. They’d almost started to have a nice conversation and then that… woman had reminded Gabrielle how unsophisticated and ignorant she was, especially compared to the women Mr. Hood was probably used to spending time with. When he’d made it clear that he was watching over her as a favor to the happy couple… well she’d entirely lost control of her temper.
For just a few minutes, she’d thought he was truly interested in speaking with her, and it had been so… lovely. She cursed herself for being fool enough to think that someone as handsome as him, as sophisticated as him, might actually be interested in her for any reason other than it was his duty.