To Tempt An Angel (Book 1 Douglas series)

by Grasso, Patricia;

  ‘“Then we shall contrive to keep you amused while you are in England,” Emerson replied. Angelica smiled brightly, but her thoughts were black. She sensed that he couldn’t wait to get her at the gaming table and steal another fortune.

  “How long do you plan to remain in England?” Emerson asked, turning to her aunt.

  “Indefinitely,” Aunt Roxie replied.

  “I have invited the Douglases to live here,” Duke Magnus said. “I intend to see Graham’s daughters settled into happy and advantageous marriages.”

  “You always were the kindest of souls, Your Grace,” Emerson replied.

  Silent until now, Jasper walked out of his cage, calling, “Hello.”

  “What is this?” Emerson asked.

  “Jasper is my pet macaw,” Angelica told him. “A gift from Prince Rudolf.”

  “What an unusual and colorful bird,” Emerson remarked. “Is it friendly?”

  “Quite.” Angelica heard Robert clear his throat but refused to warn the villain about the macaw’s bite.

  Emerson moved to touch the bird.

  “Don’t touch it,” Robert ordered.

  Emerson wasn’t fast enough. Frightened by the stranger, Jasper nipped the earl’s finger.

  “It bit me,” Emerson exclaimed, holding up his index finger. A dot of blood stained it.

  “Bad bird,” Angelica scolded, struggling against a smile. She rose from her chair, ordering, “Come, Jasper.” The bird followed her across the room to the cage.

  Closing the door behind it, Angelica turned around and, wearing a sunny smile, said, “No harm done, then.”

  “That bird is a menace,” Charles Emerson said, his anger apparent, as he wrapped his finger in his handkerchief.

  “Do not disparage my pet,” Angelica ordered like a queen, forgetting to play the sweet, naive role.

  “Child, I am the Earl of Winchester,” Emerson said, flushing with anger. “Assume a proper tone when you address me.”

  “I am the Countess of Melrose,” Angelica countered, arching a blond brow at him. “I will address you however I please.”

  “You should respect your elders,” he said.

  “Being an elder only means you will die sooner,” she told him.

  Robert burst out laughing. “Well said, angel.”

  Angelica smiled at Robert and realized she’d made a terrible blunder by antagonizing Emerson. He would never roll dice with her if she provoked him into anger.

  “I apologize for failing to warn you about Jasper,” Angelica said, changing her tone of voice. “He is friendly once he knows a person.”

  That seemed to appease the Earl of Winchester. “I accept your apology,” Emerson said, and then smiled. “Perhaps you would like to attend tonight’s ball with my family?”

  His invitation surprised Angelica. Did the man who’d ruined her father think to befriend her? Or was he trying to make amends for his rude words? After all, he wouldn’t be able to get her to the gaming table if she disliked him.

  “My nieces and I will be housebound for several days,” Aunt Roxie said, saving her from answering.

  “Our guests lost their gowns, jewels, and furs to pirates while sailing to England on board, The Tempest,” Robert said, looking at Alexander Emerson.

  “I hadn’t heard about that,” Alexander replied stiffly, his dislike of Robert apparent.

  Venetia appeared in the drawing room at that moment. She looked enchanting in a petal pink silk gown.

  Charles Emerson bowed over Angelica’s hand, saying, “Meeting you has been a pleasure, my lady.”

  “Thank you,” Angelica replied without returning the compliment.

  “You are even lovelier than the last time I saw you,” Emerson told her aunt.

  “I know, darling,” Aunt Roxie drawled. “Good to see you again, Chuck.”

  “Good evening, Your Grace,” he said, inclining his head to the duke.

  “Good evening, Charles.”

  Emerson smiled at his daughter and escorted her out of the drawing room. Alexander Emerson paused to cast Robert a final glare and then followed them out.

  Depleted of energy, Angelica sank down on the settee beside her sisters and touched her diamond pendant. She’d waited years to confront the man who’d ruined her family. Charles Emerson didn’t look like the monster she’d imagined, and that made him dangerous.

  “Well done, darling,” Aunt Roxie said.

  “I applaud your restraint,” Robert said.

  Victoria giggled. “I couldn’t believe you let Jasper bite the bastard—I mean, villain.”

  “I wish I had warned him,” Angelica said. “Now Emerson will be on guard.”

  “I doubt that,” Duke Magnus told her. “Despite his villainy, Charles Emerson is a stupid man who underestimates others.”

  Robert perched on the arm of the settee beside Angelica. “I would guess that Emerson is plotting the most expedient way to steal your fortune, besting you at the gaming table or marrying you off to his son.”

  Glancing at him, Angelica fixed her gaze on his leg and recalled how well-muscled his thighs were, how his back muscles rippled, how he felt on top of her, pressing her down on the grass. She shifted her gaze to the hearth. There was danger in his nearness. In spite of her fondness for him, Angelica refused to forgive him for his lies or his cruelty that morning.

  “Where did the son get his blond hair?” Samantha asked.

  “I suppose his mother was blond,” Duke Magnus answered.

  “Suppose?” Samantha echoed.

  “Emerson’s wife was already deceased when I met him,” the duke said. “Roxanne, do you know anything about her?”

  “I never met the woman,” Aunt Roxie answered. “She must have been blind to marry him.”

  Precluding further conversation, a dark-haired boy ran into the drawing room and headed straight for the duke. Duke Magnus laughed and lifted the boy onto his lap. A graying, middle-aged woman rushed into the drawing room, then stopped short.

  “I’m sorry, Your Grace,” the woman said, obviously flustered. “I’m not as fast as I used to be.”

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Honey. I wanted Colin to meet my guests,” Duke Magnus told her. “Colin, this beautiful woman is Lady Roxanne, and these are her nieces.” He gestured to them, saying, “Ladies Angelica, Samantha, and Victoria.”

  Colin bowed first to Aunt Roxie before giving Angelica and her sisters the same honor. Then he ran to his uncle and hugged him.

  The boy had black hair and dark eyes. When he smiled as he did now, Angelica saw the uncanny resemblance to his uncle and his grandfather.

  Thankfully, she saw nothing of the Emersons in his appearance.

  “I’m pleased to meet you,” Angelica said. “How old are you?”

  Colin stared at her for a moment and then answered, “I am five.” He held up his hand to emphasize his age. “You’re very pretty,” he added, reaching out to touch her blond hair.

  Robert grasped the boy’s hand, saying, “Colin, you are entirely too young to try your hand with the ladies.”

  “Hello,” the macaw called from his cage.

  Colin whirled toward the voice. His mouth dropped open when he spied the vibrantly colored bird.

  “That is my pet macaw, Jasper,” Angelica said. “Would you like to meet him?”

  Without taking his eyes off the bird, Colin nodded and held his hand out to her. Angelica smiled and rose from her seat. She escorted the boy across the chamber and then crouched down to be eye level with him.

  “Hello,” Jasper said.

  “The bird talks,” Colin whispered.

  The macaw cocked his head to one side and said, “Hello.”

  “Say hello to Jasper,” Angelica coaxed the boy.

  His grip on her hand tightened. “Hello, Jasper.”

  “You must never put your hands near Jasper because his teeth are very sharp,” Angelica instructed the boy. “He can bite your finger off.

  “Do you promise not t
o touch him?”

  “I promise,” Colin said, and nodded solemnly.

  “Drink, drink, drink,” the macaw said.

  “Jasper wants a drink,” Colin told her.

  “That is my father talking,” Angelica said with a rueful smile.

  Colin looked around and then asked, “Where is your father?”

  “He’s gone away to heaven,” she answered.

  With a maturity beyond his years, the five-year-old touched her cheek and said, “My father went to heaven, too.”

  “Mrs. Honey, I believe it’s time for Colin to retire,” Duke Magnus said.

  “I don’t want to retire,” Colin protested.

  Angelica feigned a yawn. “Oh, I am so tired,” she said. “I believe I’ll retire, too. Would you care to walk upstairs with me and Jasper?”

  Colin nodded, his black eyes gleaming with excitement. Angelica stood, opened the cage, and then took the boy’s hand in hers.

  “Come, Jasper,” she called.

  With Mrs. Honey in the lead, Angelica and Colin walked out of the drawing room. Jasper followed behind them.

  Angelica didn’t spare a glance at Robert but felt his gaze on her. Relief at escaping his scrutinizing gaze swept through her as soon as she left the drawing room.

  Sitting in front of the darkened hearth in her chamber for a long time, Angelica considered the abrupt changes in Robert’s behavior. The only thing she understood was that he’d lied about his identity. Life had seemed simpler before he became the Duke of Inverary’s son. She’d grown fond of Robert Roy and would have been happy living in poverty with him. The Campbell name, status, and wealth complicated matters.

  Guilt stabbed at her heart when she glanced at the luxurious chamber. How dare she feel relieved by her father’s passing. Her father and mother had lived their entire lives surrounded by wealth like this. To have it stolen away had killed both of them.

  Angelica thought of Aunt Roxie, and love swelled in her heart. Her aunt had enjoyed a life of privilege and wealth and had sacrificed it to keep them alive. Somehow, she would repay her aunt for her loyalty and unselfishness.

  As if her thoughts had conjured the woman, Angelica heard a rapping on her door and then her aunt asking, “Darling, are you awake?”

  “Come in,” Angelica called, rising from her chair. She hurried across the chamber and threw herself into her aunt’s arms.

  “What is this?” her aunt asked.

  “I love you, Aunt Roxie.”

  “I knew that, darling.”

  “When my revenge is complete, I’m going to marry a wealthy gentleman and take care of you forever,” Angelica promised.

  “Men don’t come any wealthier than the Campbells,” Aunt Roxie said, giving her a dimpled smile. “One day you will be mistress of all this.”

  “I would not count on that happening,” Angelica told her.

  “I saw it in a vision,” Aunt Roxie insisted. “You handled Robert spectacularly tonight. I couldn’t have done any better. He left disappointed beyond belief. Men love challenges, you know. Keep up the good work.”

  “I’ll try,” Angelica replied, confused by her aunt’s praise.

  “Beware Venetia,” her aunt warned. “She’s an Emerson and not to be trusted.”

  Angelica smiled. “Thank you for worrying about me.”

  “I’ll say good night, then.” Her aunt kissed her cheek.

  “Good night,” the macaw called.

  “Good night, Jasper,” Aunt Roxie answered.

  After her aunt had gone, Angelica covered the birdcage with a blanket and climbed into bed. She wanted to think about the day’s events and her aunt’s vision, but weariness claimed her in a deep, dreamless sleep.

  The next morning Angelica awakened refreshed and hungry, her nervousness having stolen her appetite the previous evening. She had felt uncomfortable at dinner, with Robert sitting beside her and Venetia watching every move she made.

  After completing her morning toilet, Angelica uncovered the macaw’s cage and said, “Hello, Jasper.”

  “Hello.”

  “Do you want to eat?” she asked, opening the cage door.

  “Eat.”

  With the macaw trailing behind her, Angelica walked down the corridor to the stairs. The hour was relatively early, and she looked forward to breakfasting alone and thinking about her aunt’s vision. She wondered briefly why she hadn’t missed her sisters’ company during the night but decided she’d been too tired to care about anything except sleep.

  Angelica smiled to herself when she walked into the dining room. Except for the majordomo, the chamber was empty.

  “Good morning Mr. Tinker,” she said, opening the door of the birdcage for Jasper.

  “Good morning, my lady,” Tinker greeted her. “I have already placed Master Jasper’s breakfast in his cage.”

  “Call him Jasper,” Angelica said with a smile. “All his friends do.” She closed the cage door behind the macaw.

  Angelica walked to the sideboard and helped herself to a Geneva roll with butter, a slice of ham, and a spoonful of scrambled eggs. When she sat down at the table, the majordomo appeared at her side and placed a cup of coffee beside her plate’

  “The Times, my lady,” the majordomo said, setting the newspaper down beside her.

  “Thank you, Tinker.” Angelica opened the paper and read while she ate. She never noticed the newcomer.

  “Good morning, angel. I was hoping you’d be here.”

  Angelica looked up, though she recognized the voice, and saw Robert standing in the doorway. Her heart ached at the sight of his rugged handsomeness, but she steeled herself against him. The man was a liar and a fraud.

  You are a cheater and a fraud, an inner voice told her.

  “Good morning, my lord,” Angelica said, watching him cross the dining room to the sideboard.

  “Call me Robert,” he told her, filling his plate. “Nothing has changed.”

  A great deal has changed, she thought.

  When he sat down beside her, Angelica gestured to the forty-foot dining table and said, “There are a dozen seats. Why must you sit so close?”

  “I want to speak to you without shouting.”

  “Speak about what?”

  “I want to invite you to ride with me in Hyde Park,” Robert said.

  “No, thank you,” Angelica refused, her gaze on the newspaper. “I have an appointment with the dressmaker this morning.”

  “Look at me, angel.”

  Reluctantly, Angelica turned her head and gazed into his dark eyes. There was as much danger in his intense gaze as there was in sitting so close to him.

  “I apologize for my behavior yesterday,” Robert said. “Your presence in my father’s house surprised me.”

  A smile flirted with Angelica’s lips, but she wasn’t about to forgive him so easily. “I don’t believe Mr. Tinker heard you as well as he did yesterday in your father’s study. Isn’t that right, Mr. Tinker?”

  “I beg your pardon?” the majordomo asked. “I wasn’t listening.”

  Angelica smiled at Robert.

  Robert inclined his head, but his expression told her that he’d prefer to throttle her. He cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, “I apologize for my behavior yesterday.” Then he called over his shoulder, “Did you hear that, Tinker?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “You haven’t apologized for lying,” Angelica said. “Nor have you given me a reason for your lies.”

  “I wanted to become acquainted with you without my name getting in the way,” Robert told her.

  Angelica arched a brow at him. She lowered her voice to a whisper and blushed when she said, “I believe we are intimately acquainted.”

  Robert gave her a wolfish smile. “The Campbells are one of the wealthiest families in Britain,” he said. “I needed to be certain you liked me for myself and not my money.”

  “I don’t like you at all,” she told him.

  “You don’t me
an that, angel.”

  “I see the Campbells are long on money and short on modesty,” Angelica replied.

  “All I meant was that a man in my position needs to be careful,” Robert said. “Besides, your intention to rid the world of Campbells held my tongue.”

  Angelica didn’t know whether to forgive him or not. She was attracted to him, and other than his lying and one lapse into pigheadedness, he had been kind to her.

  “I will consider forgiving you,” Angelica told him.

  Robert inclined his head. Lifting the newspaper off the table, he said, “Let me know when you have decided.”

  “I was reading that paper,” she told him.

  “A marquess takes precedence over a countess,” he replied, and returned his attention to the newspaper.

  Angelica resumed eating but shot him an occasional sidelong glance. Was he just going to ignore her until she forgave him?

  When he burst out laughing, Angelica rounded on him. “Are you laughing at my expense?” she demanded.

  “Yes, I am.” Robert dropped the paper on the table and pointed to an article.

  Angelica leaned close and read:

  Recently arrived from the Continent, Russian Prince Rudolf attended Lord Murray’s ball last night and captured the admiring eye of those ladies in attendance. Perhaps the dashingly handsome prince will take an English bride?

  * * *

  “Sacred sevens,” Angelica exclaimed in horrified dismay.

  “What were you saying about lying?” Robert asked with a smile.

  “Very funny.”

  “Give over, angel,” Robert said. “Let’s retire to my father’s study and practice our strategy. You do want revenge, don’t you?”

  Angelica inclined her head but asked, “What will I do about Prince Rudolf?”

  Robert couldn’t contain his smile. “With any luck, angel, your paths will never cross.”

  “I’ll get my dice and meet you in the study,” Angelica said, rising from her chair.

  Robert stood when she did. He crossed the dining room and opened the macaw’s cage.