by Macy Barnes
3
Conquering a Viscount
The Regency Heroes Series Book 2
Macy Ann Barnes
The Regency Heroes Series Book 2
Conquering a Viscount
Written by: Macy Ann Barnes
Published by: KDP Select Publishing exclusively for the Kindle
Book 1
A Duke in Shining Armor----- Available now on www.amazon.com
Book 2
Conquering a Viscount-----Available now on www.amazon.com
Coming Fall of 2012
Book 3
Mastering a Marquis
CONQUERING A VISCOUNT
Copyrighted 2012 -Kimberly Gay Barnes
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, this reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission from Kindle Select Publishing.
This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual person living or dead is a coincidence.
To my wonderful family, without you I would be nothing.-Macy Ann Barnes
Chapter 1
Centre London, England 1814
Juliet Wells stopped struggling and stared at the ground. How in the devil was she going to get down from her window without anyone seeing her? The middle child of the late Duke and Dowager Duchess of Norchess, Juliet had been sneaking out of the London town house window of her bedroom for as long as she could remember. Of all these times, never, not once had her dress ever been caught on anything when she made her escape.
Today was different. She was dangling outside of her bedroom window; her dress ripped and hung on something in the window frame. She could feel a cool breeze on the back of her legs and knew her backside was exposed. She tried to figure out how long she had been hanging, a half-hour? Well, that meant she had another half hour before someone noticed her absence.
Her brother, Clinton Wells, the Duke of Norchess had recently wed Lady Emily Moncrief. Her mother was so wrapped up in the wedding affairs it had taken her focus off Juliet for a while. She usually snuck out for an hour at a time, and her mother was oblivious to it. She began wiggling her body again in a back and forth motion trying to tear the fabric of her dress when she heard her mother calling her name in the bedroom. She held her breath and ceased to move. She let out her breath in a whoosh when she heard her mother close the door; she was safe for the moment.
She resumed her struggling for a few more minutes, and then paused as a scent caught her nose. Someone was smoking. And it smelled as if they were very close to her. She tried to peer through the trees to discern whom the figure was standing at the end of the house.
Bloody hell, of all the rotten luck! It was Jonathan Radcliffe, Viscount Cornwell, her brother’s lifelong friend, and the love of her life. He was ignorant to the fact he had Juliet’s affection, and so far she had not been able to make him see her as anything other than a kid sister. She was ten years old when she started having feelings for him.
She loved his thick dark hair and his green eyes that always seem to have laughter in them. He was tall, but not as tall as her brother Clinton was. He was well built and his legs were splendid in the right pair of breeches. She had imagined herself in his arms on more than one occasion. Although she was not exactly sure of what went on between a man and woman, she knew she wanted him to be the one to teach her.
If he caught her dangling with her bloomers showing he would chastise her like a child. She went very still. Hopefully he would finish his smoke and go back into the house so she could get herself down without any embarrassment. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she watched one of the kitchen maids come from the house and wrap her arms around his waist in a familiar fashion.
He said something to her, to which she giggled. He patted her on the behind and sent her scurrying off. That despicable cur, their help was not even safe around the man. Why did she have to be cursed with a love for this man? She made a vow to herself at that moment. She would not chase after him anymore. She would suck up her feelings and allow her mother to arrange her courtships so she could make a suitable marriage. God help the poor girl who was stuck with Jonathan Radcliffe as a husband.
Jonathan Radcliffe, Viscount Cornwell, took a long drag off of the cigarette he was enjoying and wondered how long he should let Juliet hang from her window. He had seen her almost immediately and decided to take his time helping her. She had been unusually hateful to him over the past week. He told himself that he was scaring off her suitors, as any older brother should while Clinton had been occupied with his new wife, not because he was jealous.
From the corner of his eye, he took in the creamy expanse of her legs and allowed himself to admire the curve of her buttocks. She had really grown into a lovely woman. He felt himself become aroused and cursed. Damn it, he was not supposed to have an attraction to her.
He had only begun to notice her as a woman at Clinton’s wedding. She was stunning in her gown of deep blue and her dark hair styled in curls that drifted down to the creamy indention of her breasts. He felt arms circle him from behind and turned to find a kitchen maid by the name of Annie rubbing her body seductively against him. She cupped his arousal and purred. “Is that for me?”
He smiled at her. “Will you ever cease your relentless hounding of me?”
She laughed. “Only after you give in and give me a taste.”
He patted her on her rear end and motioned for her to go about her business. Was he imagining it or was he feeling daggers shot at him from the trees. He sighed and turned towards her. “Would you like help Button? Or are you going to hang there all day?” He thought he heard a very un-lady like curse.
“You insufferable cad!” she seethed. “How long have you known I was here?”
He threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped it. “Oh, just long enough to take in the sight of your beautiful legs and wonderfully round backside.” Why had he said that? He cursed inwardly. He stepped forward and tugged her dress until the fabric gave and she landed in a heap on the ground. She stood up in a huff. She was stunning even in her anger and torn dress.
She was all of five feet tall but that did not stop her from kicking him as hard as she could in the shin. “Ow! What the hell did you do that for Button?” he groaned as he rubbed his shin.
“Don’t call me that!” She struggled to fix her dress so she might make it into the house and back into her room unnoticed. “I can’t believe you would leave me hanging there just to make sport of me!” She was thoroughly angry. He did not care for her feelings at all. She straightened her shoulders and prepared to walk around him. He stopped her and turned her around. Her dress hung in her bloomers. She felt his touch at the top of her waist and it was like molten fire. She heard his intake of breath, and knew he was aware of the sexual tension vibrating from within her.
He drew her closer to him and his mouth was dangerously close and hot on her neck. His hand lingered and she thought he might caress her before she heard him curse and snatch her dress lose and cover her. She spun around to face him; her chest heaving. She wanted this man. And from the look in his eyes, she knew he was finally aware of it.
He leaned in as if to kiss her, but drew back almost as quickly. She ran past him and flew up the side stairs into the house. She did not stop running until she was safely behind her closed bedroom door. Jonathan ran his hand threw his hair and gritted his teeth in frustration. Damn his traitorous body, he was rock hard and thro
bbing with need. He could not deny it anymore. He wanted Juliet Wells and wanted her badly.
This was a dilemma. Clinton was his best friend. If he ravished Clinton’s sister he could more than likely kiss his friendship goodbye. He wanted no wife at this time, and he would have to marry Juliet if he seduced her. Maybe it was time he went back to his home and start handling his affairs; take reign over his responsibilities before a spunky petite brunette made him throw all caution to the wind.
He turned and made his way back to the house. He would just tell Clinton that with him married now, it was time for him to make his departure. He had reached the front stairs to the townhouse when a scream sounded from the second floor. He took off running in the direction of which the sound came from. His first thoughts flew to Juliet. He had to make sure she was safe. He nearly collided with her as they reached the stairwell at the same time.
“What is going on? I heard screaming!” she asked him.
He pushed her to the side. “Stay here.” He ordered. Clinton came barreling down the hall. They each took the stairs running. They found a pale faced Emily with her hands to her mouth. She was staring in horror at the nursemaid Mary, lying in a pool of blood.
Clinton rushed forward and wrapped his wife into his arms. He checked her over from head to toe while Jonathan reached down to the Mary and felt to see if her chest moved with any life. She was breathing, but it was shallow. “We need a doctor quickly.” He told Clinton grimly. Emily nodded her head and took off down the stairs.
Jonathan stood up and followed Clinton into little Olivia’s room. The room was in shambles. You could tell a struggle had taken place. In the center of the room sat one lone child size shoe. Clinton walked over to it and picked it up. Jonathan could tell he was in shock, and was trying to come to terms with the fact that his sister was not in her room.
He was about to walk over to Clinton when he caught sight of a piece of paper on Olivia’s bed sitting next to her favorite doll that never left her side. He snatched it up and read it. “What does it say?” Clinton demanded.
He looked at Clinton with his eyes filled with dread. “We have the girl. Do nothing until you receive further instructions or she dies.”
Chapter 2
The house was silent and filled with despair by nightfall. Clinton’s mother swooned when told that her youngest daughter was kidnapped, and the nursemaid had been beaten half to death. She was in bed, doted upon by a concerned Emily; all the while she was crying and wishing her husband was alive because she was sure he would know what to do.
Juliet cried herself to sleep on the chaise in the front parlor. Their family friend Elisabeth Ellenburg had come at once when Clinton had sent her a note alerting her of the kidnapping. She left shortly after Juliet went to sleep with a promise of returning in the morning.
Jonathan stood out in front of the townhouse watching everyone passing by. He could see Juliet from where he stood and was reluctant to take his eyes off her until they knew what this was about and why.
They were ordered to wait on further instructions. Clinton and Jonathan, along with their friend Thomas Faircloth, the Marquis of Ridgewood, and several servants were posted at different locations of the house waiting for the message. He looked down at his timepiece and saw it was well after the hour of eleven.
He caught the attention of the footman and motioned for him to come up to the house from his post. He asked the man to stand in his place as he made his way into the parlor to Juliet. He reached down and lifted her into his arms. She sniffled in her sleep and wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked at her beautiful face, swollen and red from crying and knew he would do anything to take away the pain that she felt.
He carried her into a bedroom and laid her upon the bed. He covered her and kissed her softly on the forehead. She smelled of roses. He checked the windows of her room twice before he felt confident no one could enter and locked her door as he exited the room. He went back outside and sent the footman back to his post. He sat down and tried to make himself as comfortable as possible. It was going to be a long night.
An hour had passed when he heard the sound of footsteps running from the corner of the house. It was Thomas. “They found one of the coachmen with a gash in his head on the back lawn. There was a letter stuffed in his belt.” Jonathan rose and followed Thomas down the side of the house where they found one of the maids cleaning the wound on the coachman’s head and Clinton clutching a letter in his fist.
“Spill it man, what does it say?” Jonathan asked him. Clinton handed him the letter. He opened it, read the words, and felt his face go hot with fury. Thomas snatched the letter from him and read it.
“No, it will not happen.” Jonathan said through clenched teeth.
“What else are we supposed to do Jonathan?” Clinton asked him exasperated. His friend looked like he had aged ten years since this morning.
“I suggest that we go inside and try to get some rest until tomorrow.” Thomas said quietly. “We can’t do anything else until then anyway. And you both read the letter, we are being watched.” Jonathan glared out into the darkness. He would relish the moment he got his hands around the bustard’s neck behind this travesty.
He tried to calm his anger as he thought of the demands in the letter. The letter stated five thousand pounds must be delivered by tomorrow night at eight. They were to leave town and go back to the Norchess Estates as soon as the sun had risen. Crude directions were left leading to a vacant rundown house in the woods. The last sentence made Jonathan see red. The kidnapper had written that it was to be delivered by the luscious older dark headed sister, who he had been watching undress and bathe for a week, and she was to come alone.
Shortly before dawn, Clinton sent a maid to Juliet’s room. He sent the message for her to meet him in the study in twenty minutes. Jonathan was pacing the floor in the study when Juliet arrived. She sat down and waited for her brother or Jonathan to inform her of their plans. Clinton handed her the letter and her face went from pale to ashen as she read its contents.
“I don’t want you doing this Button.” Jonathan said. She raised her eyes from the letter and looked at him as if he were mad.
“It’s Olivia, Jonathan. She is but a child. I have to do it.” She was firm in her decision. Jonathan looked at Clinton and found no help in his expression.
“We could be sending her to a certain death!” Jonathan felt fear clutching his chest. He loved Olivia; she was a sweet tenderhearted child. He did not want to inform her siblings of what could already be possible, but he felt he had no choice or they would be sending Juliet to meet the same fate.
“Clinton, you know she could already be dead. Do you wish the same for Juliet?”
A tortured sob escaped Juliet as she jumped to her feet. “Don’t you say that Jonathan Edward Radcliffe!” She poked a finger in his chest for good measure. Olivia could not be dead. She would not accept it. She would go and get her sister tonight and nothing Jonathan could say would change her mind.
Jonathan grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. He held her tight and whispered in her ear. “I am so sorry Button; I could not bear it if anything happened to you. Do you not understand? You and Olivia are like my own family?”
She jerked back from him and he winced at the look upon her face. She looked crushed and she snatched away from him. “You are not part of this family, and your opinion does not count.” She turned to her brother. “I will see everyone is prepared to go home within the hour.” She spun on her heel and left the room.
“I am sorry for her harsh words Jonathan.” Clinton started to apologize but Jonathan held his hand up to silence him.
“I can only imagine how she is feeling right now Clinton; if she needs to take her anger out on me, she may do so.”
Within the hour, the family was loaded and ready to head out for the journey back to their vast estates. Elisabeth had arrived and insisted they allow her to fetch her belongings and accompany them home. Much to Thomas�
��s dismay, Clinton felt his wife needed Elisabeth and allowed her to come.
Jonathan reached out his hand to help Juliet into the carriage and she ignored his help refusing to look at him. Elisabeth gave him a small smile as she took his hand and whispered “Forgive her, she is not herself.” Once the ladies were loaded and comfortable, the men mounted their horses and rode alongside the carriage.
When he knew the women could not hear him, he told Clinton of his plans to follow Juliet into the woods. He assured Clinton and Thomas both that he would go unseen, but he would not let her go out there alone. He was the logical choice since Clinton and Thomas were to protect the other women at home. They worked out the details as they rode and came up with a good plan. Jonathan hoped tonight would have a positive outcome.
The journey home was exhausting. The stress and tension each of them felt was more than anyone should have to feel in a lifetime. Juliet looked out the carriage window as tears silently fell down her face. What if Olivia had been harmed? She was a child of ten, but some men did not care how old their victims of rape were. She knew that way of thinking was why her mother was inconsolable.
She pictured Olivia’s pretty little freckled nose and sea green eyes and prayed no one had stolen her innocence. She looked up and saw Elisabeth looking at her with concern. She shook her head to indicate she could not talk about it. She would do whatever necessary to ensure she rescued her sister. She felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled what the kidnapper had written about observing her in the nude. There was no doubt that Olivia’s assailant was vile.
She cast a glance at her sister in law and immediately was concerned. Juliet was one of the few who knew that Emily was with child. She did not look well at all. She would tell Clinton to see that she stayed in bed; this was surely not good for the baby.