by Tonya Brooks
Davison had very little in the way of information, but it appeared that there was some type of scandal surrounding the young woman and all the Ashbrooks had to be in attendance in order to show their support of the union. The plan was to try to squelch the rumors surrounding the situation before it ruined the lady's reputation.
Scarlett barely had a chance to greet her new cousin by marriage before the dowager duchess all but shoved them out of the house and into the waiting carriages. Once they arrived, the family members filed in and were announced one by one, then they remained at the bottom of the stairs once they had greeted their hosts for the evening. When the Marquess and Marchioness Chillhaven were announced, a hushed silence started at one end of the room and quickly spread across it.
Heads turned from every direction as the members of the ton whirled about to face the staircase. Stefan and Fiona glided into view and were greeted by shocked gasps that seemed to echo through the cavernous space. Even the servants stopped and turned to see what was happening. Stefan's bride looked incredibly serene as they descended the staircase, but when she smiled, the gasps and exclamations began again.
Due to his coldly aloof reserve and icy blue eyes, Stefan was reputed to have ice in his veins, so it was truly shocking to learn that he had taken a bride. But the woman by his side was so stunningly sensual, no one who saw her had any doubts that she had melted his frozen heart. Lady Fiona was not beautiful in the traditional sense, but there was a certain je ne sais quoi about her that drew men to her like flies to honey. When those sultry lips curved into a smile, every man in the room felt the effects of it.
As expected, Scarlett was immediately surrounded by her irksome suitors. Determined to set her machinations into motion as soon as possible, she had devised a devious plan worthy of her grandmother. She was going to get rid of those unwanted suitors with a small fabrication. All right, it was a blatant lie that had no bearing whatsoever on the truth, but that fact was of little consequence. The ends would suit the means and she meant to get rid of those blasted men no matter what she had to do to accomplish it.
Standing on the edge of the ballroom, surrounded by a cluster of eligible young gentlemen as usual, each of them was flattering her outlandishly in a bid to outdo the others. Scarlett had listened to as much of the profuse flattery as she could stomach. Offering them all a simply stunning smile, she lied through her pearly white teeth. “You are such dear, charming gentlemen. I shall miss you all.”
As a rule, they hung on her every word, but this statement got their full attention. “Are you going away, Lady Scarlett?” Viscount Carstairs frowned as if he did not like the idea of not being able to see her on a daily basis.
Allowing her mouth to form an oh, she pressed her gloved fingers over her lips as if she had said something she should not have. “Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry, gentlemen. It would appear I almost shared a secret with you.” Naturally, they pressed her to do so, as she had known they would. Looking around in a conspiratorial manner to ensure that no one outside her circle could hear, she implored, “Can you swear to me that you will keep my secret?”
They readily did so.
“My dear brother does love to indulge me. In most things,” she amended with an adorable smile that mesmerized her audience. “He'd be most put out if he knew I tattled.” Laying a delicate hand on Carstairs arm as if to soften the blow, Scarlett explained, “When his grace learned that I wanted to come to town and enjoy myself for the season, he agreed, but, he cannot allow me the ultimate indulgence of choosing a husband.”
“That's right,” Geoffrey nodded in commiseration. “His grace informed me that he would choose a husband for Lady Scarlett.”
Scarlett beamed at him for agreeing with her and supporting the claim. “He did that years ago,” she informed them. “I've been betrothed since I was a child.”
That announcement elicited shocked gasps and outraged exclamations from the men. “Lady Scarlett, you must be jesting,” one of the men implored.
“I'm afraid not,” she denied firmly, yet gently. “It is as binding as marriage, you know. I have no choice but to adhere to it.”
“Nonsense,” another suitor scoffed hopefully. “A lady has the right to cry off.”
Drat the man. He would have to bring that detail up. Nonplussed, Scarlett offered him a smile and shook her head. “To do such a thing would not be honorable, my lord. I would never embarrass my family in such a manner.”
Carstairs looked as if it was the end of the world. “You are all that is decent and kind, dear Lady Scarlett,” he vowed in a tone that actually warbled with emotion and looked as if he might cry. “I hope your... betrothed... realizes what a prize he has in you.”
“Lord Carstairs, you say the sweetest things,” she assured him. “But, my betrothed is not at all pleased with the amount of attention I've been receiving.” Leaning forward as if imparting some delightful tidbit of gossip, she added, “I do believe he may be jealous of you all. So in order to please him, I've decided to stop entertaining gentlemen callers.”
This produced a flurry of moans and complaints from the men. “Now, gentlemen,” she lightly chided. “You simply must move on to the eligible young ladies out this season and complete your search for the perfect bride.”
Carstairs thumped his clenched fist against his chest and vowed, “I would never let petty jealousy convince me to defect from your circle, my lady. Until the day you wed, I shall remain at your side, your faithful and adoring servant.”
Much to her eternal disgust, several others vowed likewise. Though the emerald eyes flashed her irritation at their decision, Scarlett simply replied, “Oh, joy.”
~~~~~
When Nicholas came to claim her for his waltz, Scarlett asked, “Would you mind a stroll through the garden, Nicky? I’d love a breath of fresh air.”
“Whatever the lady desires,” he agreed amiably and offered her his arm. Once they were out of hearing distance from the relatively crowded verandah, he asked hopefully, “Am I forgiven, kitten?”
“Yes,” she sighed, and had decided that being mad over a mere mistress was a waste of time. After all, he was a scandalous rake, and that was part of the reason that she loved him. However, that did not mean that she would put up with him having another woman after she figured out how to make him hers. “You know I can't stay mad with you, Nicky.”
~~~~~
“Good. I was afraid I was going to have to do something outlandish to get back in your good graces again,” he grinned in genuine relief and began maneuvering them deeper into the shadows. His intention was to find a secluded area of the garden where they could have a modicum of privacy and he could give her another lesson on improper behavior.
“Well, there is one thing you could do,” she suggested in that sultry tone that never failed to send shivers down his spine.
He didn't have to ask what she meant. Nicholas knew perfectly well when a woman was offering herself to him and every cell in his body clamored to attention. “What is it, kitten?” He asked indulgently.
~~~~~
She'd been practicing her feminine wiles on him for years, but tonight she was completely serious and very determined to find out if she could seduce him. Scarlett stepped so close that only a breath separated them and peered up at him through her lashes in the coy, flirtatious manner she'd seen other women employ. “I’d like another lesson in kissing.”
~~~~~
Well, hell. He couldn’t have asked for a better invitation than that to put his plan into motion. That rakish grin flashed in the semi-darkness as he slid his arms around her body and pulled her flush against his length. “This could become a habit,” he warned before his mouth covered hers in a kiss meant to leave her weak in the knees.
~~~~~
It did.
Scarlett clung to his solid strength for support and felt as if the arms that held her against him were the only things keeping her upright. She had thought their first kiss was too incredible to descri
be, but no words could even begin to define the sensations washing over her. She felt like she was drowning yet at the same time as if she would float away if Nicholas were not holding her.
“Nicky,” she breathed as his lips left hers and began to trail a path of nibbling kisses down her neck. When his hands slid up her torso, his thumbs lightly grazing the underside of her breasts, she gasped in pleasure and her hold on him tightened convulsively.
~~~~~
“Hmm?” He murmured as he nipped her earlobe with his teeth and felt her tremble.
“Compromise me.”
He laughed softly as he suckled a particularly sensitive spot on her neck and admitted, “I am.”
“I’m serious,” she moaned and arched her neck to give him better access.
So was he until she started talking. Now he lifted his head and stared at her in the darkness with a frown. “What is it that you’re asking me to do, kitten?”
Scarlett wrinkled her brow as if she had to concentrate to recall what she wanted from him. “I want you to compromise me.”
“Why?” He asked warily. Surely she wasn’t still entertaining that ridiculous notion about running her suitors off.
“You’re the only man who can get away unscathed,” she explained. “Dev wouldn't shoot you, and he certainly wouldn't expect you to do the honorable. I'd be free to do as I please, since no decent man would have me.”
Nicholas would have preferred a well placed knee to the ballocks to the cold, hard truth. Scarlett didn’t want him to compromise her because she desired him. No, the little hellion was merely using him as a means to get what she wanted. “Hell, no,” he responded flatly, his hold on her tightening. “Don't you dare mention such a thing again and I mean it.”
“But, Nicky...”
“Don't you, but Nicky, me,” he growled, the black as night eyes flashing ominously. “You will forget this insane notion and behave yourself, Scarlett.”
“But it's what I want,” she pointed out and leaned up to place a tender kiss against his mouth.
“What you think you want,” he countered, and took a step back to put some distance between them, his lips tingling from the teasing caress. “Besides, Dev is my oldest friend. You wouldn't want to ruin our friendship, would you?”
“Bother that,” she snorted and slid her hands slowly up his chest and over his shoulders. “Dev would forgive you,”
“Wouldn't count on it,” he denied and forced his breathing to remain even. Her delicate touch was wreaking havoc on his fully aroused cock. He wanted nothing more than to rip his shirt open and feel her flesh against his, to let those slender hands roam where they would and... bloody hell.
She had moved closer until their lips were a breath apart, much as he had done that day in the ballroom, her breasts pressed firmly against his chest. “Please, Nicky?” Scarlett pleaded softly as her hand slid behind his neck and urged his mouth toward her upturned lips.
Oh, she was a tempting minx, with all the sensual instincts of a born seductress. And he was a man who had reached the end of his endurance. Without a word of warning, he pulled her hands free and stepped into a patch of light cast from a nearby lantern. “No, kitten. Don't try it again,” Nicholas refused hoarsely and took her arm to escort her back to the house.
~~~~~
“Damnation,” she complained in aggravation even though she was well pleased with the results of her machination. Now she was confident that she could seduce him, as long as Nicholas had no idea who she was, that is. There was nothing to stop her from succeeding.
~~~~~
“She did what?” Devlin demanded in outrage.
“Tried to seduce me into compromising her,” he repeated bluntly. Nicholas was not happy about it since this definitely put a damper on his plans. Hell, he couldn't even court her while she still had this ridiculous notion in her head.
“The devil she did!” The duke expostulated then pinned his old friend with a hard look. “You didn't encourage her, did you?”
“'Course not,” he replied indignantly. “But she's damn good at it, Dev. Too good.” Nicholas frowned with worry. “If she tries a stunt like that with someone else...” he broke off when Devlin began to curse a blue streak. “I told you Scarlett was serious about this.”
“Then we'll just have to nip her nonsense in the bud,” was decided grimly.
~~~~~
Unfortunately, Scarlett hadn't had an opportunity yet to inform her grandmother that these blasted morning calls were going to end. So the next morning, she and Juliette were once again ensconced in the drawing room with a dozen or so of her more determined suitors patently trying to outmaneuver each other with profuse compliments that meant nothing to her. How she wished she was the type of woman prone to having a fit of the vapors, but her grandmother wouldn't buy that act for a minute.
Just when she thought she might die of boredom, a commotion in the hallway grabbed everyone's attention. There was the sound of a woman shrieking quite loudly, followed by an equally loud thump, another shriek and then the sound of her younger cousins excited voices shouting. Before anyone could comment, the door flew open and a massive gray wolf burst into the room, its tongue lolling out of its mouth in a macabre smile, with the twin’s right behind it.
Scarlett gasped and exclaimed in delight, “It's the wolf!” She had heard all about Fiona's pet the night before but hadn't had the pleasure of seeing it yet. The massive beast was a magnificent specimen of a breed that had been extinct in the British Isles for over three hundred years, and she was thrilled at the opportunity to study it up close.
Not thrilled at coming face to face with a wild animal, supposedly extinct or not, her suitors reactions were the exact opposite. One of them flipped the chair he was sitting in over on its back when he tried to scramble over it. Another one jumped atop the sofa while the man sitting beside him fainted. Suddenly there were men running in every direction, knocking over tables as they tried to get behind the largest pieces of furniture in the room, and for the first time in her life, Scarlett actually heard a man scream in terror.
In a startling show of bravery, Carstairs grabbed a poker from the fireplace, placed himself between Scarlett and the wolf and said shakily, “Don't worry, Lady Scarlett. I shall protect you.” He swung the poker in a threatening arc as if it were a rapier and yelled, “Shoo!”
Up until that point, the wolf had merely been standing in the doorway, curiously watching the men make complete fools of themselves, but sensing the danger Carstairs now presented, she focused that unblinking yellow gaze directly on him and bared her fangs, a deep, low growl emanating from her massive chest.
Carstairs paled to ash and looked as if he were going to be sick. “Oh, God,” he whimpered in abject terror.
Stefan's twin sons, Justin and Julian had slid sideways into the room right behind the wolf and watched the proceedings in unrepentant glee. The two of them were laughing so hard they were holding on to each other just to remain upright. Scarlett gave in to her own sense of humor and began to laugh as well.
~~~~~
“Oh, dear lord,” the duchess muttered in disgust. “Boy's, take Artemis away and send in a footman to clean up this mess.” Looking around the now destroyed drawing room where her tea service, tables and flowers were scattered about the floor, she added, “Make that several footmen.”
“All right, Duchy,” Julian agreed as he clapped his hands to get the wolf's attention off of the now trembling poker wielding viscount. “Artemis, come.” Much to the surprise of the men, the wolf obediently turned and followed the boy from the room.
“By the bye, Scarlett. Rajah is hanging from the chandelier in the dining room,” Justin informed her merrily. “Don't think he cares for Artemis a'tall.”
~~~~~
“Damnation,” she muttered and rose to her feet to go check on her pet. “Please excuse me, gentlemen. Thank you all for coming.” Scarlett offered Carstairs a smile and said, “You were very gallant to risk your life
for me, Lord Carstairs.”
In spite of the fact that he was still as pale as a sheet, the man puffed up like a peacock at the praise. “I would gladly die for you, Lady Scarlett.”
Obviously chagrined by his lack of courage when faced with the wolf, Captain Morrison offered, “May I be of assistance in retrieving your pet, Lady Scarlett?”
Scarlett thought the navy officer might have more to fear from her cat than the wolf, but wisely refrained from saying so. “Thank you for the offer, Captain, but Rajah has a severe dislike of men in general. I'm afraid he'd see your attempt to rescue him as even more of a threat and react... badly.” Talk about an understatement. Rajah would shred the man to pieces.
Scarlett made a hasty retreat before anyone else could detain her. Sure enough, the white Himalayan was perched precariously amid the branches of the crystal chandelier, alternately mewling plaintively and growling angrily. Several servants had gathered around the table and were staring up at the nasty tempered cat, but none of them were making an effort to get him down. A wise decision since no one but Scarlett or Nicholas was safe touching the beast.
“Oh, Rajah, you poor thing,” she said soothingly. Lifting her skirt to her knees, she stepped up on a chair, then atop the table and reached up to gently remove the growling, spitting cat from its perch. “There, there, Rajah. You're safe now,” Scarlett soothed as she hugged the furry little body to her breast. The disgruntled cat gave one last growl for good measure before he rubbed his face against her neck in a loving gesture.
Taking the hand that the butler proffered, Scarlett stepped back down to the floor and said, “Davy, I think Rajah deserves a reward for saving me from my blasted suitors.”
“I believe cook is preparing salmon for dinner,” Davison said with a knowing smile. “Shall I have her serve him a portion?”
“An excellent suggestion,” she agreed and stroked the cat's head lovingly. “Such a good kitty.”
