Conquering a Viscount

by Macy Barnes

  “Don’t try to move love; we don’t want that wound to reopen.” He told her. “Juliet, I love you more than you could ever imagine. I thought I lost you before I had the chance to tell you how much you mean to me.”

  He looked up to see her eyes full of tears. “No love, please don’t cry. I couldn’t bear it if you were to be upset. You have been through so much.”

  She weakly hit his arm with a smile. “They are tears of joy you buffoon. I have waited so long to hear those words from you.”

  She closed her eyes and Jonathan could tell she was losing her strength. He kissed her head. “Sleep now, Button. I will return shortly.” He opened the door but stopped when Juliet called his name.

  He rushed back to her side and smoothed her hair back. “What’s wrong? Do you need me to get you anything?” he asked her anxiously.

  She smiled. “No, I just wanted to tell you, I love you too.”

  Chapter 9

  Juliet giggled as she watched Jonathan chase Olivia around the foyer. Over the last three months things had returned to normal for her family. She was almost fully recovered from her wound. She had lost most use of her arm, but she was too blissfully happy to be upset by it. Jonathan kissed her scars and assured her that she was as beautiful as ever.

  He had not left her side, and was insisting they be married as soon as she was able. Her mother argued with him that invitations must be ordered and sent out and Juliet must have a wedding trousseau before they could be married, which meant they should return to London.

  Elisabeth had returned to London once she was sure that Juliet was well on her way to recovery. Thomas had followed; although he said he had business to attend, Juliet felt he really wanted to see Elisabeth home safely.

  Emily’s aunt and uncle were in prison for kidnapping. Juliet had learned the man who shot her was the infamous Paul Maitland, a notorious murderer and robber. Thanks to her family and friends, he was six feet under and would not terrorize anyone ever again.

  Juliet sighed in contentment. Tomorrow they would leave for London and she would be one step closer to being the Viscountess Cornwell.

  Jonathan caught her eye and gave her a bright smile. He had been visiting her room every night and loving her into exhaustion. She hated to give that up, but the sooner they were in London, the sooner they could be married.

  She gave him a secretive smile in return that held promises of what was in store for him later tonight. He was so handsome as he smiled and laughed with Olivia and she could picture him playing with children of their own one day.

  She caught Emily’s eye and smiled lovingly at her sister in law. Emily was rubbing her protruding belly that held her niece or nephew. She held no ill will towards Emily; she was nothing like those wretched people who raised her.

  Jonathan made his way over to her and pulled her from the chair and started dancing around the room with her. She laughed at his antics. “There is no music, my lord.”

  “We can make our own music my lady!” He told her with a wink. He placed a kiss upon her cheek. “Happy?” he asked her, looking deep into her eyes.

  “Immensely happier than you could ever imagine. I adore you.” She laughed as he twirled her around faster.

  “I’m forever yours Juliet.” He whispered in her ear, and he meant it.

  ~~~*****~~~

  Coming Fall 2012

  Mastering the Marquis

  I hope you enjoy the following preview of Thomas and Elisabeth’s story.

  Happy Reading-Macy Ann

  Chapter 1

  Centre London, 1815

  The Carlton House

  This had to be a nightmare. There was no other way to explain how she felt at the moment. All of her mother’s grooming for her debut into society could have never prepared her for what was going on at The Carlton House ball. Lady Elisabeth Ellenburg searched the ballroom franticly for her best friend, Juliet Wells Radcliffe. She could barely see over the heads of the dozen suitors who surrounded her.

  Her feet ached from not only dancing, but from being trampled one too many times this very night. She was no fool. She knew the hoard of men who surrounded her knew she had a large dowry. Her father was an astute business man and had built quite a fortune before he passed away when she was twelve. His careful planning had allowed Elisabeth and her mother to live quite comfortably.

  She tried to squeeze past Lucas, Baron of Kinsland, but he mistook her move as an invitation for company. He latched himself to her arm and lifted her dance card from her wrist.

  “May I have the honor of a dance tonight, my lady?” He didn’t wait for her reply and simply penciled himself in. She snatched her arm back from him, feeling more than a little aggravated with his arrogance.

  “Seems as I will, my lord since you took it upon yourself to pencil yourself in. Now if you will excuse me, I must go to the ladies sitting room. The heat in this room has become unbearable.” Without another glance in his direction she turned on her heel and marched away. The gentlemen in company at this ball were overstepping boundaries with her tonight.

  Her face flushed as she remembered the Earl of Monastoe taking liberties upon her person on the dance floor. Subtle touches to her waist and then more bolder touches below her breasts. He had all but fondled her on the dance floor in front of polite society. Still not seeing any sign of either of her friends, Emily Wells, the Duchess of Norchess, or Juliet Radcliffe, the Viscountess Cornwell, she made a path straight for the ladies room.

  So focused was she on escape she almost ran head first into Jared Blake, Viscount Dornay. He was the most diligent suitor. He called on her regularly all the while they would sit in awkward silence. He was not bad looking by any means; they just had absolutely nothing in common. Elisabeth wanted a marriage with love such as the marriages her two friends had found in the past year. She darted left towards the doors that led out in the garden. At least outside she could hide and take a moment to gather her wits. She felt as if she might go mad.

  Finally finding a reprieve behind a large oak tree, she let her breath out in a long whoosh. How she wished her mother had not flaunted her dowry to everyone within ear shot her whole life! She knew she would not lack for suitors without her dowry, she felt she was somewhat pretty. Too pale for most, but she did have striking blonde hair and blue eyes. The money hounds were sniffing her heels no doubt. Over half of the gentlemen tonight trying to court her favor were rumored to be in debt.

  She let out a startled yelp as a hand gripped her forearm. She turned with wild eyes to find the Earl of Monastoe with his fingers to his lips to indicate her silence. He pulled her roughly up against his body and his hands cupped her bottom in an intimate gesture.

  “I thought we would never get a moment alone, pet. You are achingly beautiful tonight and I have not been able to take my eyes off of you.”

  Elisabeth struggled to free herself from his embrace. “Please, my lord, unhand me at once, this is not proper!” Desperation entered her voice as he ignored her pleas. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her in a most shocking fashion. When she tried to protest, he used it to his advantage and slipped his tongue inside her mouth.

  She was repulsed. She beat on his chest in an effort to stop his assault. It seemed to encourage him instead of divert him. He moved from her mouth to her neck and she shuddered in disgust as he ran his tongue under her chin. “Please stop.” She begged tearfully. She never thought she would have to fear rape at a ball.

  “I think I heard the lady ask you to unhand her, friend.” A voice like steel came from the darkness.

  “What?” Monastoe asked angrily. “Show yourself at once.” He demanded.

  Elisabeth felt her heart skip a beat when Thomas Faircloth, Marquis of Ridgewood, stepped from the shadows. His face was lined in anger as he glared at Monastoe.

  “Ridgewood, Ol Chap, did not know you were there, we shall take ourselves elsewhere in the garden.” Monastoe jerked Elisabeth’s arm painfully and she cried out. Thomas took t
wo steps and towered over Monastoe.

  “Take your hands off the lady now.” He ordered through clenched teeth. His body was rigid with rage. Elisabeth had never seen Thomas display such emotion. The best friend to both of her friend’s new husbands, she had fancied herself in love with him last year. Thomas was so aloof and remote that she had given him up as a lost cause.

  “Fine!” Monastoe angrily flung Elisabeth backwards almost knocking her to the ground and stalked back into the ball. Still shaking from the encounter she tried to put her pins back in place and smooth her dress.

  “Thomas, thank you I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.” Tears streamed down her face as she tried to reign in her emotions.

  “Maybe you should think twice before leading all these gentlemen into believing they can sample the goods before purchase.” Thomas growled.

  She gasped in shock and outrage. “Thomas! I have done no such thing. I have not been able to get away from these, these, vultures tonight! They have all but thrown me around as a prized possession.” She stared deeply into his eyes and winced at the anger she seen in them. “Please believe me?” she asked him earnestly.

  Why his opinion mattered she did not know, but she would not have him believe she was a harlot. She placed her hand upon his arm when he looked away from her, desperate for him to understand.

  He took a deep calming breath and looked back at her. His eyes had changed from bright green to almost a golden hue. Without warning he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her up against his body. She could feel his muscular arms as she gripped them. He was warm and virile. His sandal wood scent filled her senses and everything seemed to fall away as he lowered his lips to hers.

  “Of course you don’t have to encourage them. Any man with eyes would be a fool not to want you.” As his lips claimed hers in a passionate kiss Elisabeth knew the man destined for her held her in his arms.