The Sweetest Challenge
(Sons of Worthington Series)
By Marie Higgins
Copyright © 2016 Marie Higgins
Cover Artist – Sheri McGathy
Edition License Notes
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
The Sweetest Challenge (Sons of Worthington, #5)
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to thank my friends, Cherub-Angel, Veronica Mesia, Sharon Simmons, and Carol Spralding, for helping me with this story. You ladies are truly the best!!
Melinda Stewart was far from being a debutante, but she must disguise what she really did during the day to keep food on the table. When a wealthy businessman enters her life and wants to buy her land, she’s torn between giving up her deceased father’s dream—and wanting to give her heart to this stranger.
Morgan Drake doesn’t take no for an answer, but ever since meeting the very lovely Miss Stewart, all of his business ethics have been pushed aside. Now, the lonely man who never had time for a wife, wants to change, and he wants Miss Stewart to be the woman beside him. If only he can convince her that he’s not the terrible person she believes him to be.
ONE
England, 1828
Melinda Stewart felt like Cinderella attending her first ball.
Two large chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, illuminating not only the rose colored wallpaper, but the four solid columns lining the room. A gold-plated mirror hung on each wall, along with scenery paintings. Several shelves displayed the collection of porcelain Goddess figures, adding a sense of creativity to the room.
Indeed, Lady Patrice, the hostess, was a very classy woman. Hopefully, she would never know of Melinda’s lowly occupation, or she would certainly toss this particular guest out on her ear—and reprimand Melinda’s friend for bringing her along.
Melinda peered at the nearby mirror. Her black and red mask tilted on her face, so she quickly righted it. The ruby with gold trimmed gown she wore for tonight’s event was borrowed. Melinda had never owned anything so elegant. Usually, her wardrobe consisted of men’s breeches and shirts—the very things needed to work in a blacksmith’s shop. For tonight, her blonde hair was styled with ringlets, similar to most of the women at this masked ball. Even her hair wasn’t completely hers, since it wasn’t long enough to coil into a thick bun, so she fastened a wig for the chignon and pinned it to the back of her head. She left tendrils by her ears, which of course, was her own hair.
Her best friend, Judith Farley, had recently married Lord Trey Woodland, the youngest son of a duke. Judith had always included Melinda in such extravagant parties. Melinda was certain her friend was trying to change her into a lady.
That was a nice gesture, to be sure, but Melinda and her brother, Jake’s, only income was their father’s blacksmith’s shop. Now that their father was deceased, she and Jake needed to keep money coming in to survive.
Sighing heavily, she turned her attention back to the crowd. Everyone wore some type of jeweled mask, which made it harder to identify anyone. But at least she was certain they would never be able to recognize her.
“Oh, there you are,” Judith said as she stopped beside Melinda. “It thrills me that you decided to come to the ball, and especially for wearing this gown. I think it fits you perfectly.” Judith plucked at the full short sleeves. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”
Melinda chuckled. “Amazing what a little wealth can do for a person, is it not?”
Judith smiled. Through her silver and black mask, Judith’s emerald eyes twinkled. “Actually, my dear friend, if you would wear pretty gowns instead of boy’s breeches, you would outshine us all. I have always been jealous of your lovely face and amber eyes.”
Melinda rolled her eyes. “Lying does not suit you, dear Judith.”
Her friend shook her head. “Why do you insist on thinking the worst in people?”
Melinda’s heart twisted in remembrance of the past. “Because too many people have lied to my family, which eventually led to my father’s death.” She took a deep breath and slowly released the anger trying to build up inside of her for the one man she held responsible for her father’s demise. “But you know all about that, so let’s put the past aside and focus on tonight’s party.”
“You are correct.” Judith nodded. “Let us mingle and pretend we are different people this evening. Nobody will guess our disguise until the unmasking at midnight.”
“Oh, I’m most certain people will know who you are.” Melinda chuckled. “Especially because your adoring husband cannot stay away from you for very long.”
The expression on Judith’s face changed, and love sparkled in her eyes as she glanced across the many faces in the crowd. “Indeed. I do have the perfect husband, do I not?”
“He is closer to perfection than I have ever seen.”
As if on cue, Lord Trey walked up to his wife and slipped a possessive arm around her waist. “My sweet, I have found you at last.”
Melinda’s heart softened, watching these two. It was obvious how much Trey adored his wife. Melinda doubted she would ever find such a man. The man she married would have to approve of her career choice, and she highly doubted there was such a person out there.
Lord Trey glanced at Melinda and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal my bride away for a dance.”
“Not at all.” Melinda motioned her black-gloved hand toward the center of the room. “Take her and enjoy your dance.”
“Is there any other way to dance with such a lovely woman?” Trey grinned more out of one side of his mouth than the other.
Melinda laughed as she watched them leave her side. Although she knew this evening wouldn’t amount to anything, she was glad Judith invited her to come, nonetheless. Melinda didn’t hobnob with most of these people in attendance. Her father hadn’t, either. But for certain, she or her father had repaired something on their carriage, or shoed their horses. Even if she stood before them wearing her regular clothes, they wouldn’t know she was a woman. At least, not at first.
“Pardon me, Miss.”
The man’s deep voice from behind startled her. She jumped and turned around. She had to tilt her head back to look into his masked face. She hadn’t seen very many tall men, but this man certainly towered over most of the gentlemen here. His black hair was slicked back off his forehead, and his black mask made him even more mysterious. He wore a dark blue tailcoat with matching waistcoat over a snow white shirt. His pants were gray, and his knee boots, black. There was nothing plain about this man, since he filled his clothes so impeccably —wide shoulders and muscular legs. Because of his height, she knew he had never entered her family’s blacksmith’s shop before.
She curtsied, and he bowed.
“If you are
not otherwise engaged,” he began, “could I request your company for the next dance?”
She couldn’t stop her heart from jumping with excitement. “I’m not otherwise engaged. I would enjoy dancing with you.”
“Then shall we?” He held out his arm.
Trying not to grin like a child in a candy store, she placed her hand on his arm and followed him to the center of the room. Couples had lined up for the next dance, so she and the strange man took their places.
Once the small orchestra began playing, she stepped in time to the music. It surprised her how well this man could dance, especially because he was so tall. And yet, he moved around the other couples with such grace and ease, she almost felt inadequate as his partner.
The few times he’d taken her hand, heat crawled up her arm, making her heart beat faster. Another thing that disturbed her—in a good way—was he didn’t take his gaze off her. The relaxed grin on his face made her weak in the knees. For certain, this wasn’t the way to act during a dance.
Once the music stopped, she was out of breath. True, she wasn’t used to dancing, but it was more than that. Her body just couldn’t handle the way his mesmerizing gaze latched onto her.
“Would you like a glass of punch?” he asked as he walked her back to the wall.
“Yes. That would be lovely.”
Without asking, he took her hand and looped it around his elbow. She sucked in a quick breath of excitement, but followed him to the table with the refreshments. Not often did she meet a man so bold, but yet...they were at a masked ball. Perhaps it was permissible to act in such a way. His actions had caused flutters to twirl inside her belly.
He stopped in front of the refreshment table and requested the butler to pour them each a drink. He handed her a cup.
“I suppose if I asked you to introduce yourself to me, you would decline,” he began.
She chuckled. “But of course. You shall have to wait until midnight, just as the others have to wait.”
One of his dark eyebrows rose above his black mask. “There are other men who are anticipating meeting you?”
“Well, actually—”
“Naturally, there would be,” he added quickly. “You are the most beautiful woman here.”
She resisted snorting a laugh from his compliment. “I thank you, but I fear you are half blind, Sir.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, I can see clearly, I assure you. I’m sure others have noticed your beauty as well.”
If others had noticed, they certainly hadn’t said anything about it. And Judith doesn’t count since she’s Melinda’s friend. “Once again, I thank you for your compliment.”
He turned away from the table and moved toward the back of the room. She kept in step beside him. It was hard not to notice how handsome he was, and she knew other women in the room were ogling him, as well.
“So tell me,” he said, stopping near a wall and looking into her eyes, “what does one talk about when one cannot discuss one’s identity?”
“Very good question.” She sipped her punch. “I’m quite sure I’ve never met a man of your stature, so perhaps you can tell me a little about what you do or where you live.”
“I was born in West Sussex, but I travel around England for business, I don’t have one specific place to call home anymore.”
“May I ask what business you are in?”
“Without going into detail, let me say that my business helps me obtain land.”
She cocked her head. “So if you have obtained land, why do you not have a place to call home?”
“I don’t buy the land to live on it. I buy the land so that I can sell it for a higher profit.”
“Really? I have never heard of such a thing.” She took another sip of her punch.
“Of course you haven’t.” He raised his hand to her face and traced his fingers along her cheek. “Delicate women like you should not be concerned with such matters.”
Once again, she resisted the urge to snort a laugh. Delicate women like me? Obviously, he had no clue to her true identity. But at this point, she didn’t want him knowing what she did for a living. She enjoyed the way he thought of her as a lady. In fact, she quite missed being treated as one.
But alas, she would never be the lady he thought she was. Not while she worked as a blacksmith.
Feeling self-conscious, she brushed away his warm fingers. “You are correct. I suppose I don’t need to concern myself with that. I shall leave that matter to handsome, strong men like you.”
He grasped her gloved fingers, lifted them to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. “You think me handsome, my dove? Even though the mask hides my identity?”
Her cheeks burned from the endearment. “You thought I was beautiful, and yet I wear a mask. So why can I not think the same about you?”
“Touché, my dove. I’m impressed with your quick wit.” He kissed her fingers one last time before releasing her hand. “So tell me something about yourself—where you live and what you enjoy doing.”
He definitely wouldn’t believe her if she confessed to being a working woman in a man’s world, and he certainly wouldn’t be kissing her fingers if he knew that underneath those gloves she had a few calluses and cuts instead of the smooth skin he was used to seeing on women.
Another dance had started, and she glanced in the direction of the couples on the floor. Immediately, she recognized Judith and Trey Woodland. As she watched her friend, she answered the stranger’s question. “I live in Mayfair. My father’s business is here, as well. I have one brother and we live at home.” She met the man’s stare once more.
“Are you by chance betrothed to some lucky chap?” He grinned out of the corner of his mouth again.
“No. Are you engaged—or married—to anyone?” she countered.
“I fear I don’t have time for the family life because of my business.”
“Oh,” she nodded, “so you are more of a rogue, I assume.”
He belted out a laugh. “What do you know of rogues?”
She gave him a teasing grin. “More than you think.”
“You don’t say.” He moved closer to her, staring deep into her eyes. “Then what do you say to meeting me outside in fifteen minutes?”
Fear lodged in her throat and she swallowed hard. He couldn’t be serious. Then again, the way she’d talked to him didn’t make her out to be a very respectable woman. Dare she agree? After all, she knew she wouldn’t ever see him again. What would it hurt to share an intimate kiss with this incredibly built man who thought she was a real lady? Nothing more would happen between them, especially when he discovered her true identity.
Boldly, she slid her fingers against his hand and squeezed. “I shall be there in fifteen minutes, and not a moment later.”
TWO
Morgan Drake paced in the shadows of a tree. The night breeze was remarkably warm—either that or it was his nerves making him feel this way.
What had he been thinking? He wasn’t a rogue, and yet he made the beautiful woman believe he was. He blamed it on the mask. Hiding his identity made him say things he wouldn’t have dared otherwise.
He hadn’t planned on coming to this ball, but his good friend, Lord Vincent, had invited him. Lady Patrice and her husband had always treated Morgan like one of their own sons, especially since he and Vincent had been inseparable as lads. Morgan’s father had been Lord and Lady St. John’s accountant, and thankfully, they allowed Morgan’s father to bring his young son along during meetings.
Morgan stopped and rested his palm against the bark of the tree as he gazed toward the back doors of the estate. Through the windows, the lively party continued. Nobody would notice him gone, only because most of the St. John’s guests didn’t know him, anyway.
Had it been fifteen minutes yet? Would she really come out and meet him as she’d promised?
Suddenly, his cravat felt tight around his neck. Nervously, he tugged at the cloth, hoping to loosen it slightly. Why he acted lik
e a boy still in the school yard, he didn’t know. He’d never been shy around women, and yet he wasn’t a rogue, either. It had been a few months since he’d been in a woman’s company. He always found a woman to escort to balls or the opera, but he never seriously courted any of them. As he’d told the lovely Miss tonight, his business kept him too busy to think about settling down and becoming a family man. Although, he was wealthy enough, yet he couldn’t stay in one place for very long before wanting to move on.
A movement from around the corner of the house drew his attention. At first he didn’t see her clearly because she stayed in the shadows, but soon she stepped into a sliver of light from the half moon. He recognized her red and gold trimmed gown, and especially the mask that seemed to hang crooked on her face no matter how much she pushed it into place.
He smiled so wide his cheeks hurt. It surprised him how quickly his heartbeat kicked into rhythm when he saw her. Although, it pleased him to see she’d come outside to meet him, he could tell she was a proper lady. The blush he’d witnessed on her face a few times during the evening gave evidence of her innocence. Perhaps that was why he wanted to get to know her better. Her actions and speech made him that much more curious.
When her gaze swept across the yard, he stepped away from the tree and waved. As her attention landed on him, he was privileged to witness her cheeks growing red again. She lifted up her gown to just above her gold slippers before rushing across the lawn to join him.
As she neared, he reached his hand out to her. She slipped her gloved palm against his and he pulled her into the shadows.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” he said. “But I’m glad you did.”
“My friend, Judith, stopped to talk to me,” she answered breathlessly. “I didn’t dare let her know why I wanted to go outside.”
Judith? The only woman he knew by that name was Lord Trey’s new bride. “Indeed, you played that well. Lady Woodland doesn’t need to know you are meeting a man in secret.”
She laughed and nodded. “You are correct. If she knew that, she would have tied me to a chair for the rest of the night.”
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