The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series)

by Hilden, L. A.

  Paxton couldn’t believe she could say something so ignorant and wrong. He knew many people who never recovered from losing someone they loved. “I don’t know.” He stood up and walked around the back of the couch before her hand could make its way to his groin.

  “I can’t forget her. I don’t think I ever will.” With a sideways glance, he could see Beverly squeezing one of the couch cushions with all her might. Good. I am frustrating her.

  “Trust me.” She set aside the pillow she was choking the life out of and regained her composure as she circled around the couch to stand in front of him. She lifted his chin so he would look at her instead of the floor. “I will help.” She moved her lips over his. She likely hoped to rekindle their old passion or to show him what he was missing, what he could have if he let go of Evelyn. Lord, the woman is completely daft. I was a fool to believe I could have ever of loved someone as self-serving as Beverly.

  Reluctantly Paxton was about to lean toward Beverly with the hope of further frustrating her when he moved away again, but he didn’t have a chance because Evelyn walked in the room. She marched toward them, anger clear in her shimmering blue eyes, her hair falling like fire over her shoulders. She looked like a tigress ready to pounce and he couldn’t help but smile.

  ***

  “Remove your sinful hands and vile lips from my husband!” Evelyn advanced toward them, grabbing Paxton’s arm and possessively yanking him away.

  “But…but you’re dead!” Beverly stammered as she stared at Eve in wide-eyed horror.

  “Then I must be a ghost sent here to see to your demise.” Eve glared at the woman, daring her to come closer so she could tear her eyes out.

  “No, no, it’s not possible.” Beverly turned away, swiping at tears. When she turned back to Eve, hatred gleamed in the depths of her hazel eyes. “Why aren’t you dead? You’re supposed to be dead. I spent a small fortune trying to rid myself of you and here you are!”

  Beverly looked at Paxton. “I can see you are not surprised by your bride’s sudden appearance.” She laughed wickedly, proving she did indeed teeter on the brink of lunacy. “Did you believe I’d turn myself in? I don’t think so! Look at her, Paxton, and tell me how you could choose her over me?”

  “I could make you a list, but for one thing, unlike yourself, Eve has a heart.”

  “And obviously a very hard head!” Beverly threw her hands up in the air, pacing the length of the room as she continued with her ranting. “The injustice! How did you survive? I was assured you were hit hard enough to bring down an elephant. But here you are. Well, you can’t have him. He was mine long before you came along.” She turned her back to them and fished something out of the top of her bodice.

  “I’ll have to kill you myself!” She lunged at Evelyn with a small knife, attempting to stab her through the heart. Beverly flailed around and screeched in outrage when she suddenly found her arms grabbed and painfully held behind her back. She tried to wiggle out of the strong grip. “You!” she spat at Cole as she twisted around to see who stopped her from attacking Eve. “I should have known you’d be in on such a tricky plot. You can all remove those smug grins from your faces! I may have confessed that I arranged for her demise.” She glared at Eve with utter hatred. “But you cannot prove I’ve done anything. It’s not as if I will ever repeat such a confession, so you may as well let me go!” She tried to yank her arms away from Cole without any luck.

  “Drop the knife,” Cole instructed calmly, pulling her arms up harder until she cried out and dropped the blade to the floor.

  “What are you going to do with me?” she asked as if their worst would be a slap on the hand.

  “It would be fitting to smash you over the head and leave you to bleed to death,” Paxton said with venom in his voice.

  “I should have done it myself. I should have known those two worthless idiots I hired wouldn’t do the job correctly.”

  “And where are those worthless idiots?” Cole questioned.

  “Dead, of course. I poisoned them. I couldn’t let them have a slip of the tongue, nor could I trust them not to blackmail me. I’m much too smart to allow such a thing to occur.” She yanked again and Cole released her arms, seemingly knowing Beverly couldn’t do any harm to Eve with him and Paxton in the room.

  “Very clever,” Cole said mockingly.

  Beverly started to leave the room.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Paxton asked as Cole moved around to block the door.

  “You can’t prove anything. I am returning to London where I will wait for you to tire of her.” Beverly pointed at Eve.

  “You are an evil vicious woman and I hope you receive everything you deserve,” Eve spat, her body shaking with rage.

  “Come, my sweet, and sit down.” Paxton guided Eve to a chair. “You are still healing. Don’t allow her insults to bother you. She is not worth it.”

  Paxton went to the connecting sitting room. “Have you heard enough?”

  The magistrate stopped writing. “Yes, I’ve written it down word for word.” He left his chair and walked into the room to stand before the speechless Beverly. He secured her wrists.

  Beverly screamed in outrage and tried to lunge at Eve again, but the magistrate had her well in hand. “Lady Evelyn, I am terribly sorry for the ordeal this woman put you through. I pray you will mend quickly and be able to put this nastiness behind you. Rest assured, this woman will not be able to harm you again. You have my promise on that.”

  Eve nodded numbly. “Thank you, sir.”

  “I can’t believe this!” Beverly hollered. “She steals Paxton from me and everyone feels sorry for her?”

  “I never belonged to you,” Paxton said with obvious disgust. “You are in dire need of medical treatment. Your desperation has caused you to become deranged in your thinking. I hope you find the help you need.”

  The magistrate yanked Beverly out the door.

  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 stop
ped. “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.