Cupid’s Arrow
Book Two
Capturing the Duke
Mysty McPartland
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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
Publisher’s Note:
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.
mystymcpartland.webstarts.com
Copyright 2019 Mysty McPartland
Chapter One
The blood pounded in her head and fury throbbed through her entire body as she stood defiantly in front of her callous, uncaring father. Her outrage was simmering at boiling point and on the verge of bubbling over. Modesty refused to cower under his blistering gaze or to let herself weaken. What he was trying to force her to do was so abhorrent, so despicable even for him and she absolutely had no intentions of complying with his dictates. If he thought for one moment she would sacrifice herself to pay off his gambling debts, he had completely lost his sanity. Besides, there was already a contract signed years ago by her grandfather betrothing her to another man.
It would be dishonorable to wed someone else, but if the rumors were true she most assuredly did not want to marry the fornicating cad, either, but still when the time came, she would be forced to do her duty no matter how repulsive she found it. This though, was just so contemptible of her heartless parent and really, she shouldn’t have been surprised he had done something as dastardly as this.
With an effort she shook off her thoughts as heavy, smoldering silence filled the room as he continued trying to intimidate her into submission with his ferocious stare. He was wasting his effort because nothing would make her agree to something so despicable and her father was a selfish utter fool if he ever thought she’d even consider something so abhorrent.
Angling her chin in the air, she wasn’t going to back down no matter what the threats or punishment he used to coerce her. The man in front of her had never been a caring parent and never paid her any attention. Well, not until now and it was only to save his own neck. Chills broke out over her flesh as she pictured the vile creature he owed a great deal of money too. Sir Ronald Stokes, a cit who was desperate to marry into a titled family, to raise his status and the only way he could enter the cream of society.
That wasn’t what bothered her, no, it was the man himself. He was in his late forties and reminded her of a cunning rat. Beady eyes, long thin face and a perpetual sneer twisting his mouth. She’d lost count of the many times he had approached her requesting a dance and she’d rebuffed him every time. Was that why he was agreeable to take her as wife instead of the money owed? He probably wanted to punish her, it made sense.
Unfortunately, he along with her father were going to be vastly disappointed. Not in this lifetime or the dozen to come would she be used to pay off her father’s gambling debt. With a sneer of contempt, she spoke. “I won’t do it.”
“You ungrateful, spiteful chit. You’ll do as you’re told. Obviously, you don’t see the catastrophe that will befall me if you don’t.” Allen bellowed at his daughter and slapped his hand down on the desk in livid frustration.
A tip of her shoulders, her lips stretched into a bitter smile. “Oh, I understand the situation very well — father. However, you forget I’m already betrothed, practically married to someone else and I have no intentions of dishonoring grandfather’s agreement.” She arched a delicate brow when her sarcasm went unnoticed.
Allen threw his hands up in the air in bitter contempt. “The old cur had no right to make such an arrangement. It was not the blasted man’s place to interfere or choose a husband for you without my knowledge or agreement. It was my duty alone to select the gentleman who would be suitable, not his. Besides, everyone knows your dear betrothed will never honor the contract. Over the years he hasn’t paid you any attention, did he even pay you one visit. At least with, sir Stokes you’ll have a decent husband and marriage. You should be grateful to me for arranging it.”
Modesty choked on an embittered laugh. “Grateful! You didn’t arrange anything. You’re using me to pay a gambling debt and nothing more. As for that contemptible creature being a decent husband you must be blind as well as stupid. You’ll have to make some other arrangement to pay him because I’m not going to sacrifice myself.” Spinning on her heels, her spine snapping straight, she marched out of the study and up the staircase. When she reached her bedchamber, she slammed the door and flounced down on the small fainting couch.
Every limb started to tremble violently; she wrapped her arms around her middle and blinked away the tears threatening to fall. Though it shouldn’t, it still hurt that her own father had no love for her and never had, how odd she thought that she felt a twinge of disappointment, with a shrug of her shoulders she dismissed it. He was probably right though, the annoying rogue she was contracted to wed would never marry her. Not that she actually cared.
All of England knew of the agreement between them and they were also aware of the animosity they had for each other. But not for all the money in the world would she be forced to wed that odious villain her father had put her up as payment for his debt. Suddenly the sound of the key being turned in the lock sounded like gunfire echoing through the bedchamber, eyes wide she jumped to her feet raced over to the door and turned the handle. Fear clutched her stomach when it wouldn’t turn. “Unlock the door.” She shouted as she slapped her hand against the thick, wooden panel.
“No. You’ll remain in your room until tomorrow when at noon you will be wed.” Allen informed his daughter. “I will not lose all I possess because of your selfishness.
Infuriated, she banged on the wooden panel harder several more times. “You’re a fool. Keep me locked up then, I still won’t do it.”
“Oh, you will if you want to see your precious aunt again. Everyone knows she’s dotty and would understand that I had no choice, but to lock her away in an asylum.” A vicious smile twisted his mouth; Allen knew he held the perfect weapon to force her to comply.
Horror poured through her, fear for her aunt was practically strangling her. “No! You can’t. I won’t allow you.” Dear heavens, her father’s cruelty and selfishness had no bounds. And he calls me selfish!
“You can’t stop me. If you want to save her you’ll marry, sir Stokes. You have until tomorrow to decide, daughter.” Allen walked away not waiting for a reply.
Hearing the fading footsteps, she slid down the door to her knees and leaned her brow against the cool wood. Even knowing how desperate her father was, she never imagined he’d be so cruelly ruthless. To send her poor aunt to one of those hell-holes was unspeakable and she wouldn’t allow it to happen, she’d find some way to stop him. But, how? Wed that vile creature? No, never. She shook with rage, she surged to her feet and started to pace. There was only one other way to save her aunt, but she loathed to do it.
Yet what alternative did she have, none. She stopped walking and wrung her hands together; she would do it for her aunt. The woman had raised and loved her since the day she was born when her mother had passed away giving birth to her. Striding over to the window, she shoved the curtains back and glanced at the tree, then the ground. She’d climbed out the window many times as a child, but that had been years ago. Shrugging her shoulders, she decided that she wouldn’t have any trouble doing it now.
Tonight, when it wa
s late, she was leaving. She would go to her betrothed and order him to honor his commitment. Once they were wed, she would rescue her aunt and whatever happened to her father, her resolve hardened, would be his own problem to deal with. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip, knowing that for the rest of her life she would be stuck living with a man she abhorred and would probably be an unfaithful husband.
For years she’d always despised his arrogant attitude and seeing him occasionally escort a beautiful woman on his arm made her loathe him even more. She had no idea if he had been intimate with any of them, but it sickened her to think that he had and the rare times they met, she rebuffed him. His patronizing smirk told her that it amused him whenever she snubbed him.
Oh, he was such a contemptible ne'er-do-well. The blasted man was too full of his own importance. His arrogance and sensuality he wore them both like an air of superiority, it was doubtful that he would even agree to her request.
Well, too bad if he didn’t, she wasn’t going to leave until the deed was done. Once it was over and her aunt was safe, they would retire to the country, together without him. What her husband did after that, she didn’t care as long as he kept away. She would inform him from the start she had no intention of being a true wife to him. He could carry on with his sordid life and she’d do as she pleased.
Once she appraised him of the arrangement, it was doubtful he would have any objections when he found out, he would probably be ecstatic that he could continue on with his degenerate lifestyle. She shrugged her shoulders not really caring what his reaction would be because it certainly wouldn’t change her mind or any of her plans.
When she had every last detail worked out in her mind, she laid down on the bed to rest before it was time to escape the nightmare her father had arranged for her. She also didn’t care what everyone would think of her hasty marriage to her betrothed, they already pitied her so what they will think of her in the future didn’t matter.
Long ago she’d developed a thick shield over her emotions where he was concerned and his egotistical attitude no longer bothered her. She had been a foolish, dimwitted twit when she was younger. It had taken some time to recover from the embarrassment she’d suffered when she met him for the very first time and their betrothal had been announced. Though she hadn’t been happy with the news, she had tried to be pleasant and friendly.
It had only taken half dozen heartbeats to realize he was furious and horrified over it. He had bellowed and argued with his father and when that didn’t work he turned on her in sneering contempt. His accusations that she was a scheming, husband hunter and plotting with her grandfather to force him into marriage had at first astounded her then hours later she was infuriated and since that day she couldn’t even tolerate being anywhere near him.
The blasted cur certainly didn’t hide how he felt about the betrothal and had let everyone know how much he abhorred it. For months she refused to go anywhere or see anyone. After a struggle, her pride had been restored and it no longer bothered her what he did or what he thought. He was a despicable degenerate through and through and he would never change.
***
Somewhat bored, Killian forced a laugh when his friend of many years cracked a joke he didn’t find in the least bit amusing. Lately he’d been finding dissatisfaction in just about everything. Life, he decided had become mundane with nothing exciting or anything thrilling to interest him anymore. It was irritating if nothing else that he didn’t understand what was bothering him. The season was nearly over and everyone would be flocking to the country, he’d also probably go and spend time at some of his estates. Heaving out a heavy sigh of discontent knowing that even away from London it was doubtful he’d find anything that would appeal to him or lift the black cloud hovering over him.
Year after year it was exactly the same rote, rusticate then return to town and attend the same irking affairs. Occasionally discreetly bed an available female that captured his eye and attend the usual frivolous social events. Hell, there must be something more to life than what he was now discovering was a miserable, mundane existence.
Garth their other close friend was already married several months and the man was over the moon, in fact, it was damn aggravating to see him so happy. Giving a slight shake of his head, he just didn’t understand how any chap would be so ecstatic about giving up his freedom. Thoughtfully he eyed Gideon seated opposite him and seeing satisfied humor shining in his friend’s eyes for some reason made him feel even more wretched.
At least he and Gideon had enough sense to stay single and out of the clutches of the husband, hunting chits. Though he was betrothed himself and had been for years, he wasn’t in any hurry to leg-shackle himself for life. Oh no, there was no rush to wear the ball and chain. Besides, he was positive his intended would never be agreeable. His mouth twisted in a sardonic smirk.
The little witch would probably behead him if he even suggested they finalize the agreement made between his father and her grandsire. She didn’t have to say a word about what she thought of him, he knew exactly how she felt every time they accidentally came across each other.
It blazed in those huge, shimmering eyes. If a man stared at them too long he was lucky if he didn’t drown in their mysterious depths. The woman was too innocent to hide her emotions. He could easily see she loathed the very sight of him. Really, he shouldn’t find it amusing, but he did. He purposely put himself in front of her on those rare occasions they attended the same affair just to annoy her.
One day, though he supposed he would have to marry her. When he finally decided to do so it probably wouldn’t be so bad. She was an adorable little thing, lots of dark, rioting hair, big smoldering saucer, luminous eyes the color of saffron. Though she was a tiny, sensual bundle of femininity, she definitely wasn’t his type.
Now give him a full breasted, svelte, beautiful woman his interest always perked up, well it used to. Yet there was no denying she was a very attractive bundle of femininity, but he’d rather rip out his own tongue before he would ever admit that he found her very alluring and sensual. Still, there were far too many other things about her that he most assuredly didn’t like.
Forcing her from his thoughts, he returned his mind back to what was bothering him. Lately, much to his dissatisfaction he couldn’t even drag up a smidgeon of desire for a beautiful woman. Being in the prime of his life, it was more than disconcerting that his sexual appetite had deserted him. Perhaps while he was rusticating in the country, it might be time to take stock of his life, find out what was troubling him.
Though it had been a long time since he’d been interested in taking a lover and his lack of interest in finding one also bothered him, yet he knew that wasn’t the reason for the dissatisfaction that was hanging over him. He shook his contemplation away when his friend asked him a question and tried not to grimace or show his surprise.
“When are you finally going to marry your betrothed, Killian?” Gideon leaned back in his chair and sipped his brandy.
“Good God, man, are you mad? The snobby troublemaking, little hellion would rather slice and dice me. She’d rather hang me from the rafters at Almacks than consent to be my bride. Besides my life would be hell living with her. She causes nothing but havoc and turmoil. Moreover, she’s the type of chit who’d expect love and be damned if I’ll let any woman capture my heart and hold it prisoner.” And that was definitely the truth, Killian chuckled yet something odd twisted in his gut and he couldn’t name the annoying sensation so decided to ignore it.
“Well, yes, she does stir up some chaos occasionally, but it’s all really harmless. Still, you can’t put it off forever. You never know, the little sod cupid might just shoot an arrow through your heart and you won’t be able to help yourself falling in love with her.” Amused, Gideon watched his friend roll his eyes in exasperation.
“Harmless! Just last week she was seen galloping madly in Rotten Row alone without a groom in attendance. The week before that she confronted and threatene
d lord Peters about trying to blackmail lady Worth into marriage. The blasted chit can’t mind her own business or behave with a smidgeon of decorum. And bite your tongue. Are you mad? I’ll shoot myself in the head first before I let myself love her or any female.” With a shrug of his shoulders, Killian couldn’t believe she was still doing such outrageous things, but then again, she was always causing mayhem.
Before he answered, Gideon poured more brandy into his glass, then filled up his friends. “Yes, well, there is that I suppose. When you really think about it riding unattended isn’t so bad and you have to admit Peters is scum. He deserved to have his perfidy exposed. I think shooting yourself is a bit drastic though.”
“No woman will capture my heart so just drop the blasted subject. The little hellion can’t keep her nose out of other people’s business or behave like a lady should, but that’s only two more of her many transgressions and without a doubt the list will only grow. She stirs mayhem wherever she goes. Besides, I’m nowhere ready to take on that walking disaster. And just because you’re not prepared to put your head in the noose of material bliss certainly doesn’t mean that I am rushing to do so. Maybe in a few dozen years I might consider it, but until then I’m quite satisfied the way things are.” And yet he knew it was a lie, Killian drank deep hoping his friend wouldn’t persist carrying on the line of conversation any further. Frowning, he knew Gideon was right though, his betrothed wasn’t as bad as he made her out to be.
Still, she always seemed to cause some transgression wherever she went. Sometimes he wondered if she did it on purpose or if it was done in innocence. She was a troublesome, little baggage and would be a handful for any man to take on. It was just unlucky that he was the poor blighter who would be stuck with her.
Well, not for years anyway and until that day came they’d continue to play the game of avoiding each other. He shuddered just thinking about it and cursed his bad luck. Disheartened he sighed, he decided he wasn’t in the mood for any company and hadn’t the slightest interest in taking lady Lana Applebee up on her intimate offer.
Cupid's Arrow Book Two Capturing The Duke Page 1
