Cupid's Arrow Book One Bewitching The Earl

by Mysty McPartland

  “There’s no need to mock me.” She glared at him with irritation.

  “I have no interest in what other’s do. Now I’ll leave you to think about our earlier conversation.” With a nod, he spun on his heels and strolled out of the chamber. After closer the door, he stood for a few minutes waiting for his throbbing arousal to deflate. Hell, one kiss and he’d completely lost every ounce of his control.

  Just one small taste he’d been so hot and desperate to have her. His damn bride had bewitched him, that’s what she’s done. It was deplorable and he wouldn’t allow it. Next thing he knew she’d be leading him around by the nose and have him jumping through hoops just so he could bed her.

  Making a scoffing sound in the back of his throat, he walked down the hallway. After tasting the passion and desire in her kiss perhaps he wouldn’t have to wait too long to make love to her after all. He smiled with confidence, maybe seduction wasn’t needed after all, if kissing her would have her naked and in his arms, that’s what he would do when they retired this evening.

  Kiss her senseless and she wouldn’t be able to utter any protest. The more he considered it he grew anxious to start. Every inch of him throbbed with ravenous need and it was growing more potent by the second. Damn, he’d never wanted a woman so much and he hardly even knew anything about his bride.

  Well, except she had the most outlandish ideas that annoyed the hell out of him and that was putting it mildly. Independent indeed. The chit was outrageous and had the most crazy notions. His bride certainly had a lot to learn about being married and what it involved, it was up to him to teach her, he supposed.

  He just hoped it wouldn’t take too long, he liked every aspect of his life orderly and under his control. He was not a man who liked change or upheaval or especially foolish nonsense. Neither did he tolerate being questioned, nor being disobeyed. He made his decisions on practicality and common sense.

  Before he did decide on any course of action, he took time to consider every point before he decided what was to be done. Yet since being caught in a compromising situation with his bride, everything he’d done so far there had been little time to think things through. For the first time since he started wearing long pants, he’d reacting without thinking and on the spur of the moment.

  From this moment on though, it was going to stop, he wouldn’t allow her to keep muddling his thoughts or have him reacting spontaneously. Be damned if it would continue. All this nonsense of being independent and purchase all the things she needed was utterly ridiculous. His bride was also going to learn not to make any demands or question his authority. He’d just given her the first lesson, but from the little he knew of her, it was probably going to take a few more before she completely understood who whore the pants in this household and who was in control of their relationship.

  The very last thing he wanted to do though was break her spirit or enthusiasm. Yet she had to learn that now that she was free of her father’s and aunt’s domination didn’t mean she could do whatever she wanted. Hell, no one was ever completely free, there were rule everyone had to live by.

  Perhaps once they were intimate she’d finally settle down and cause him no more difficulty, Lord he hoped so. He shuddered to think what his life would be like if she didn’t. The very last thing he wanted was to have them arguing over every little thing. Hell, for someone who had never made any complaints and did everything she was told, he couldn’t believe she was now being so defiant and making such foolish decisions.

  With a shake of his head, he put the matter aside for now, later he would speak with her again. The moment he other concerns and stepping into his study, he greeted his accountant. Seating himself behind the desk, he opened the book on the desk and they went to work.

  Chapter Ten

  There was no time to waste and growing even more desperate along with his mother they were seated in lord Wilson’s parlor. Walter was glaring at the man and his sister in frustrating rage. He still couldn’t believe their plan had failed, but what outraged him even more was his blasted cousin. He knew Garth was aware of what had happened and where the woman was hiding. The situation was intolerable and they had to do something quickly before all that wealth was lost forever.

  What made everything worse was having the allowance being withdrawn and that he wouldn’t allow. Without it, they would be destitute and when the creditors demanded payment they’d be doomed. It wouldn’t be long before they were homeless as well. He cleared his throat and spoke. “So what do we do now?”

  “Are you certain he knows where she is?” David asked.

  “Yes, definitely. When he sarcastically mentioned I should seek out a physician because it sounded as if someone had hit me in the throat, I knew. There’s no mistake about it, he knows.” With a sneer curling his mouth, Walter swore he was going to make the chit pay for striking him.

  David was thoughtful for a few minutes, then knew what he had to do. “I will call on him myself. I’ll demand he hand her over or else, if he doesn’t I’ll ruin him by accusing him of taking advantage of her and forcing her to stay with him against her will.”

  “I pray it works, brother. We have to get her back before he has a chance to marry her.” Ruth tried to keep the panic out of her voice, but failed miserably.

  Stiff with outrage, Jane nodded. “Walter will see about a special licenses today. Once we have that troublesome chit back, they’ll be married. I also have my solicitors preparing a case to sue my despicable nephew and take him for everything he owns. I’m sick of him lauding it over us and making us beg for every penny. Especially when I should by rights have inherited it all.”

  “As soon as I have her back in my keeping, we’ll have the ceremony. Her blasted mother had no right to make a will and leave everything to her. If I had of known about it. I would have stopped it and it would never have come to light if she hadn’t let herself be ruined by that despicable rake.” David was still fuming at how easily his ungrateful daughter was ruining all his plans.

  Ruth pattered her brother’s arm in sympathy. “Don’t fret, David, I’m sure it will all work out. But I have to agree, your late wife was not only a strumpet, but devious as well.”

  David rose to his feet. “I’ll go now and pay a visit to the fornicating earl. I shall return shortly with my daughter. I suggest you be off and fetch the special license.” With a curt nod, he strode out of the room and ordered his buggy to be brought round.

  With a grim, determined expression, Walter also rose to his feet. “I shall be back shortly. Mother. I suggest you find someone to marry us.” When she smiled and nodded, he left the ladies and stepped out of the house. Before entering his town carriage, he gave instructions to his driver. Sprawled on the seat his gut churned with anxiety. The chit had to be found and dragged home.

  If she wasn’t everything would be ruined and lost. Now his blasted cousin was stopping the allowance, it wouldn’t be long before not only his life, but his mother’s would be in ruins. Damn Brookes to hell, he wouldn’t miss the few pounds he handed out monthly yet the man was going to cut it off. But if he married the chit, it wouldn’t matter, still Garth had no right to keep all that wealth to himself.

  His mother winning to lawsuit was a risky business and he knew probably impossible, but still it was worth a try. Besides the man was a duke and his mother only a baroness. They could only save themselves it if he married the chit and if he didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to pay the lawyers or anything else. Damn it, why was everything going so wrong? From the moment he’d seen the woman for the first time, he found out everything he could about her and what he had learnt pleased him immensely.

  It had been surprising and more than a little annoying when he spoke to her father. When the man suggested that he would agree to the marriage if he was willing to take forty percent of her wealth. He only hesitated a few minutes before he agreed. After all, he would still end up with a fortune that would last him for the rest of his life. Even if he lived to an old
age, it would be impossible to spend it all.

  Mother at first had been furious, but in the end, she agreed and was satisfied. Though the chit was nothing to look at and he didn’t find her at all desirable, he concluded that in the dark it didn’t much matter. She was a female and had all the right parts. His mouth turned down in a grimace remembering all the times he tried to undress her with his eyes, he was trying to imagine what she hid beneath all those ugly, frumpy gowns.

  When he had kidnapped her though, what he’d seen and found had been startling and he couldn’t wait to make love to her. The curves she had hidden and with her hair unbound, he’d been desperate to possess her. Along with his mother, they intended to have her biddable and quiet. There would be no more disrespect or rudeness.

  It shouldn’t take long to tame her, she would be obedient and unassuming. In bed, though, he wanted an insatiable tigress and he intended to teach her exactly what he wanted. Now that he knew what lay beneath her clothing, he was going to keep it hidden. He would not permit another man looking at her with desire. His lashes lowered and he imagined what would happen tonight.

  Beneath his tight pants, his sex throbbed just thinking about how he was going to pleasure himself on her body. Even though he burned with rage that she was no longer a virgin and his despicable cousin had stolen what should have been his, he still intended to enjoy every moment of their lovemaking. When the coach suddenly stopped he lifted his lashes, when the door was opened and the steps lowered, he left the vehicle. Shortly he was going to be a married man and he was going to enjoy taming his wayward, undisciplined bride.

  ***

  Half hour after his accountant left, Garth was well satisfied and a smile curved the corners of his mouth. He lifted a brow when Thomas knocked on the partially open door, but seeing the man behind the butler, he sighed in aggravation. Slowly rising to his feet, he waved his father-in-law inside. “I can only assume you’re paying a visit because my betrothed is missing. I’ve already arranged for bow runners to find her. Like you I’m sick with worry and I can’t understand why she’s suddenly disappeared.” The lies ran off his tongue easily and he could see he had disconcerted the man.

  Flabbergasted at the news, David grew agitated. “I don’t understand. Why would you pay people to search for her or go to all the expense? Why would you do such a foolish thing when you know where she is?”

  “Know where she is! Good God, man I don’t have the slightest idea. If I did, do you think I would be going out of my mind. I can only presume there’s been foul play. When I escorted her home last evening, she was perfectly happy and everything was fine. I knew nothing of her disappearance until my cousin barged into my house this morning accusing me of hiding her. How the idiot came to the conclusion is ridiculous. I want her found more than anyone else and I won’t rest until she returned.”

  Unable to believe what he was hearing, David fell into the nearest chair, if lord Brooke’s didn’t know where his daughter was, then where was she? “We were all certain she was here.”

  “Well you’re all mistaken. I don’t know what happened to her, but I promise I’m not going to rest until I discover the truth. No one just up and disappears without a trace. Something happened to her, I suspect someone kidnapped her probably for ransom. Have you informed the law?” Garth was quiet proud of his acting ability because he knew he’d fooled Wilson, the man was utterly shaken.

  In a panic, David dropped his gaze to the floor. “No. I didn’t think it was necessary because I thought she was with you. I didn’t want to cause a scandal. Now though I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  The man was a weakling and despicable, but still he intended to milk this to his advantage. “I suggest you start preparing yourself for a ransom note. I suspect it’s going to cost you very dearly to have your daughter back.”

  “Me! But you’re her fiancé.” David was unable to hide his horror over what he would have to pay for the return of his daughter. It would take a great deal of persuading to the solicitor to let him have access to such a large sum of money.

  It was an effort to pretend to be affronted, but Garth managed. “She might be my fiancé, but she’s your daughter. Besides when she’s returned she might be damaged goods and you can’t expect me to honor the contract then. I do have standards you know. Still I don’t begrudge the expense of paying the runners to find her.”

  “You… you despicable scoundrel.” David surged out of the chair and strode to the door before he stopped. With rage and loathing, he looked over his shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about honoring the contract. Your cousin is more of a man and would be still willing to marry her no matter if she’s been ravished or not.”

  “I’m sure he would be. Now if you don’t mind leaving, I’m a very busy and distraught man. Unlike you I am frantic to find your daughter.” It was with great relish he watched the man bristle and turned bright red before he stormed out of the house. In disgust, he shook his head, damn greedy bastard. The man deserved every bit of his fear and a lot more. He gave a cold laugh and reseated himself.

  Thoughtfully he rubbed his jaw, when the four abductors met again there was sure to be confusion and that was just what he intended. They were going to be frantic now and wouldn’t know what to do or think. Playing the concerned fiancé had been a last minute decision and had worked to his advantage. He grinned smugly, now all of them would be scrambling and anxious trying to work out what had happened to his bride.

  All he hoped to gain was a day or two, with any luck Laura’s solicitor had purchased the house so she could toss her father and aunt out. Until then, he wanted to keep her hidden. He wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to kidnap her again. Desperate people did desperate things and they’d do just about anything to save themselves. His thoughts fled when out the corner of his eye he watched his bride glide into the room.

  “I thought I heard my father’s voice.” Laura was about to come down the staircase, but hid behind the corner when she heard the unmistakable sound of her father.

  “Yes, he came here for you. I told him I didn’t know where you were and since you were missing I paid for bow street runners to find you. He was stunned by the news and panicked when I said he might have to pay a substantial reward to have you back.” He grinned at the astonishment on her face.

  Shocked, she blinked then suddenly smiled. “That was clever of you.”

  With a nod of his head, he leaned back further in his chair and stretched out his legs. “From the way he reacted, I’d say I was rather convincing. It should keep them busy and leave us alone for a few days.”

  “But don’t you think they’ll be suspicious when they realize Jenny is also missing?” She could see by the astonishment on his face that he hadn’t thought of every detail.

  “Damn, I didn’t think about that. Do you think she would return, she could say she’s been out looking for you if anyone asks where she’s been?” He was disconcerted that he’d missed something.

  With a nod of her head, she sat down and spread out her new pretty day dress. “Yes, I’m certain she’d be happy to do it. I hope Mister Peabody will find somewhere quickly for my father and aunt to live. I don’t like being locked up like a prisoner.”

  “I’m sure he will. I know it’s annoying, but if you risk going out you’re risking being kidnapped by them again and this time you might not have a chance of escaping a second time. They’ll have you married to Walter before you could blink or utter a refusal.” He warned her and saw that she understood the danger.

  With a nod, she rose to her feet. “I’ll go and speak to Jenny. But it will be impossible for them to make me wed him when I’m already married to you.”

  Lust simmered under his skin as he watched the enticing swing of her hips as she swayed out the door and he hadn’t heard a word she said. He sighed loudly in frustration; the blasted woman bewitched him without even trying. If that wasn’t annoying he didn’t know what was. It had been what six or seven months si
nce he’d been intimate with a woman.

  Though the urged had been there, he hadn’t had any desire for any of the chits who had offered him the use of their bodies until now. Lust so profound was ravaging him and tonight, he had every intensions of feeding it. He would just have to seduce her with his kisses and prayed she wouldn’t come to her senses. With a growl rumbling in his chest, he didn’t like the idea that he was desperate to bed his bride.

  He deplored that she had this control over him and it was going to cease. He would let no female weaken him with desire. Yet when he closed his eyes, he imagined just how much pleasure he would have being buried inside his bride. Even just thinking about it, he grew hard and throbbing with need. He cursed under his breath and opened his eyes, what in the blazes was wrong with him? This was so unlike him, he had more discipline that this. If he believed in fairy tales, he’d believed she cursed him with that first kiss they had shared.

  But he knew he was being fanciful and it was utterly preposterous. He was a sane, intelligent man and the only thing wrong with him was he was lusting after his own bride and because he’d been without a warm, willing woman for so long. It was the only reason and nothing more.

  Chapter Eleven

  After her husband helped into her chair at the long table, she stared him thoughtful as he took his own seat. She was annoyed that since it was only the two of them it was ridiculous to use the formal dining room and be seated so far apart. Her eyes narrowed noticing he was wearing evening clothes. Did he plan to go out tonight? Annoyance simmered in her chest. Laura suspected that was what he intended. How dare he leave her alone and plan to attend some social affair without her.

  Absently she thanked the maid as her bowl of soup was placed down on the table in front of her. Picking up the spoon, she took a few mouthfuls, then laid the cutlery down on the plate beside her. “I can only assume by the way you are dressed your planning on going somewhere.”