This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Copyright © Charlotte Adlesperger
Cover Design © Wicked Cover Designs
wix.com/wicked_art/wicked-cover-designs
Chapter One
London, 1806
“Must I go, Brother? You know how much I detest these sorts of gatherings. Why must there be a ball every night,” I asked with a roll of my eyes. I would have been rather happy to be back home on our country estate in York, this time of year when the earth was still warming from the bitter chill of yet another harsh winter.
“Because it is your first season and if a Miss has more than one season she will most definitely be put on the shelf. You must find yourself a husband as all young ladies do,” he informed. He looked around with a keen eye and then glanced back to me. “You could be the toast of the town if you would stop hiding behind the old maids and dance, you are quite the pretty thing. Much like Mama, if she was here she would indeed be proud. You have her darker coloring in skin and hair, but you have eyes that are such an usual color. Pale violet eyes.”
I blew a strand of hair from my face and watched him flinch.
“Ladies do not blow hair from their faces, either.”
I grinned at that. “You would know better than I Brother, for you have spent these past few years in London alone, leaving me at the family estate. I have been alone there since Papa died when I was twelve. No excuses,” I said tapping him with my fan on his arm. “Let us get this over with, I prefer not to be in this blasted contraption longer then I have too.”
“Darcee! Watch your tongue,” he gasped in disbelief.
“You dear brother have a tongue worst then I, do not forget you were a captain in His Majesties Royal Navy for a number of years, before you came into Father’s title,” I smiled slyly, “Father never forgot, or forgave his only son and heir for being so stupid.” I sighed lightly, “And look at here you drive us! Into a hole in the ground with all your gambling, all you have left to sell off is me! I am glad father left the estate to me as my dowry or we would have nowhere to turn too.”
With a final victorious grin I swept myself inside, with him following close behind, his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Just remember to be polite and smile. Don’t waste Mother’s Italian beauty you were gifted with, it is your best tool.”
I nodded coolly and glided into the large, crowded ballroom with a silken grace that had then me three months to learn. Slowly, but no to slow, as if balancing a book on my head. As I entered from the main door the crown grow rather silent as I passed. It must be the deep red silk dress that left my shoulders, bare that did it, I decided. With my hair upswept at the top and the bottom twisted into one long curl that fell over me left shoulder, the outfit was perfect. I glanced around as I moved into the room and noticed that most of the colors in the room were muted, and pastel in color even the dresses of the ladies.
Oops, but too late to turn back. I was half Italian Royalty and there were rather bold with their colors, Mama had always loved bright colors.
Suddenly my brother was at my side and fitted my hand in the crook of his elbow, escorting me to the other side of the room. As we settled in for a drink the whispering began and soon the dancing had started.
“It was quite a shock to find that you had ordered new dress last week,” my brother said with a slight smile.
“Dear Brother I never did look good in washed out colors of pale pink and yellow,” I said with a small laugh.
“Who has the most enchanting laugh in the room?” asked a deep voice from behind my brother and I in the doorway to a side entrance to the house.
My brother whirled around faster than I and gathered the man in a bear hug that robbed the tall light man of breath.
“Brendan!” my brother greeted the man warmly.
I felt my eyes widen the slightest at the man who was still hugging my brother and exchanging words. He was taller than my brother, and not many were mind you, his golden white hair long and hanging down to mid back and over one shoulder in slight waves, his sage green eyes flashing with true joy, but that was not what caught my gaze. No, it was the three thick scars on his face and neck. Two started at the hair line and crossed over his left eyebrow and the other caught him and the temple and ran down past his neck line and hid under his collar. His beautiful Greek-god face now scarred.
But none of that mattered; he was still as beautiful as he once was when I saw him leave with my brother when I was eight years old, when they both went to sea of the King’s Navy.
“Hello Lord Brendan,” I greeted quietly from where I stood from their lefts.
He and my brother turned toward where I had been forgotten and his cheerful expression turned wary and slightly confused.
“Hello, how are you?” he returned politely, his face searching mine.
My brother slapped him on the back at his confused and startled greeting. “Do you not remember her, my friend?”
Lord Brendan colored slightly and apologized by saying, “No, I am sorry I do not remember. I haven’t been to London in these past eight years, I’m afraid.” He smiled suddenly at some idea, “Would you by chance be the lovely lady Lord Jackson is to marry?” he asked pointing at my brother.
My brother roared with laughter drawing some attention to our little group and grabbed my hand drawing me closer.
“By god, my friend, no! This is Little Darcee, my sister, remember?” Jackson told him with another round of laughter.
At Brendan surprised look I felt a bit cheated however I gave him my best curtsy and my most bedazzling grin. “I believed I already greeted you but I shall again. It is great to see you again, Lord Brendan.”
“Actually its, Your Grace,” he said stunned not noticing his own words.
“Grace?” I repeated to be sure.
He shook himself and returned to his normal serious manner. “I have been given my grandfather’s title, the Duke of Windom, but I guess now that I can no longer be at sea it matters not.”
My brother grinned and patted him on the back. “Welcome back, it has been a good two years since I have seen you since the last battle.” Jackson winced at how the words turned out.
Brendan smiled tightly. “Yes, it has been. As you can see you came out much better than I. Not only my face, but my leg as well, ‘tis the reason I have a limp.”
His bitterness made me angry, but his next words did it.
“It would have been better that I had not come back. The wounds were hell and so was the healing, and now everyday life in public as well.”
Somehow my hand of its own accord reached up and smacked him clear across his good cheek with a loud crack. With tears shimmering in my eyes I whispered harshly, “Never wish you were dead!” Then I turned on them and went in search of a dance partner.
…
Brendan looked at his friend and saw Jackson’s jaw agape and then he slapped it shut and simply pressed his lips together. Some of the women around them had seen and tittered over it and then left at his glare. When gone he turned to his friend.
“Now would you explain that to me?” he asked astonished.
Jackson looked uncomfortable and pulled him over and out the door into the empty hallway. “She is sensitive about the subject of death. Mother, well she was unhappy and often wished she was well…no longer married to Father when he grew to work too much and never come home and Mother got her wish when Darcee was seven, then father when sh
e was twelve. Father died of a broken heart and wished to die so he could be with our mother, he told this to Darcee many times, and he did. She hates self-pity.”
Jackson looked guilty, “I am sorry she hit you though, I really am. She used to worship the very ground you walked on as she grew up, before we left for the Navy. Maybe now she has grown up to see through that.”
A slight smile touched Brendan’s lips and he watched her move about the back floor with her newest partner. She floated around the floor like a goddess in red silk, drawing the eye. She was more the simply beautiful, she was enchanting. And he had a feeling he was in trouble and sinking fast just like his ship had.
He should never have looked into her pale violet eyes, for he was sure they held a dangerous magic. She was an enchanting fairy, unmatched by all. As the music came to an end he was already almost to her.
Chapter Two
It turned out that against her brother’s thoughts the red dress had been what made her the talk of the town, no all talk was friendly as some of the older ladies saw the color red to be the color of fallen women, but then against they were mothers’ of the daughter I had stolen the attention of many of their men. There had been a gentlemen caller every day the past two weeks and no end of invite to parties, balls and picnic alike.
My brother was having a rather fun time of it, for he had made a list of the ones he think would suit best to his problem, and of course as he hurried to say, be a good husband for me. Lord Brendan we had not seen since that woeful night at the ball of the red dress.
He had reached my side as I was breathless from the last dance and he laid claim to my hand from Baron Black, and led me on to the floor where the next song had been a slow waltz. His limp was barely noticeable at first, his movements slow and sure, but it was not as if I had truly noticed, being swept up in his strong powerful arms, which were pure strength and muscle I could feel under his jacket. And my breath came short with every brush of his body against mine.
But as the song wore on his limp became worse and I could see his jaw tighten in pain.
“Please let us stop,” I begged of him, biting my lips, “I can see this pains you greatly.”
He had smiled a quick flash of a smile and said, “No more painful than letting you go.”
Taking him seriously I asked, brow furrowed, “Why would it be painful to let me go?”
He laughed softly and seemed shocked at it. “Because,” he said pale eyes flashing, “You are a beautiful young woman.”
It was my turn to laugh softly. “Thank you, but the true beauty was my mother. She had the face of an angel.”
His look changed to one of quiet seriousness. “And you have the face that could make one cry with envy.”
After his words was a long silence in which the world melted away until it was just the two of us. And slowly, looking into his eyes, I leaned up on my toes and gently pressed my lips to his. As his eyes widened I came back to myself and pushed away from him.
“Forgive me,” I had cried, hand over mouth, fleeing the room and him with it.
You can’t, is what I told myself after that moment. I couldn’t fall for a man who only offered me one thing. I must marry a man who could help with my brother’s debts. I would have given all the money Papa had left me to Jackson, however in Papa’s will it said I could not and all the money would go somewhere else if I did. I loved my brother but I had to think of myself first. I was not yet twenty one, the age for a female to own property, but by special grant of the king, which Papa had paid greatly for, it was mine no matter who said what.
I sighed as I thought of Lord Brenda and Lord Milton setting on the couch across from me noticed.
“Is there something wrong, my lady?” he asked curiously.
I smiled at him and placed a hand to my forehead. “I am sorry, but I do believe I have a headache. I am sorry, but I must call this short.” I gave him a sad pout.
He brightened, patted my hand in standing and said, “Not at all, I thank you for having me and look upon my visit again soon.” And with that he left.
I went upstairs to Jackson’s office and sat down in the chair across from him. I glowered a bit and then said, “You know I feel like I am using them all.”
“You are,” he said, having a point.
“I just don’t feel anything for any of them, they are nice and sweet to be sure, but I want a man who will mean the words he says, not just to say them for the saying.”
Jackson smiled. “Sister dear, when they are young like Lord Milton, they are like puppies and even if they don’t mean what they say, their feelings are real.”
I glared at him. “You know that is not what I mean. I want a man, not a boy, but all who have come are either too old, too young, not titled well enough for you, however for me I want just one thing.”
“And would that be?” he drawled taking a sip of brandy.
“A man who with care for me and take care of me. As simple as that, however helping you have put that dream in a bit of a twist,” I huffed.
Jackson’s eyes gleamed. “Then just give me the money I need.”
Standing I shook my head. “I can’t do that and you know it. If I do then I lose everything.”
“Don’t be selfish,” he quipped.
Feeling as if he had struck me I whispered, “What?”
“You heard me,” he stood, “quit being selfish Darcee and help me out, this is all I have ever asked of you.”
My famous temper came to head. “Selfish?” I screamed. “You are calling me selfish? You ran away a year after Mama died, and then you left me alone for four years on that estate after father died! Calling me selfish when all you have ever done is whatever you wanted at the expense of the family? Me, selfish for keeping the family afloat with money father gave me while you traipsed over the world on your ship?” I picked up the closest object which happened to be a bust and lobbed it at him.
“Me who even tried to help you while you gambled, drink and whored away Papa’s hard earned money? I can’t believe you would say such a thing.”
I felt the burning of tears threatened and I watched as my brother rounded on me.
“Yes, because it is your duty to do so!”
“No!” I wailed, “It is not! I was going to give up my life and freedom to a man to help pay for you and your debt! Well you know what?” The tears began to fall and hit the burgundy carpet, “Go find yourself a rich wife, I will have no more part in this!” And with those famous last words I slammed out of the room calling for my servant. I was packed within an hour all of my stuff loaded onto the royal carriage my Papa had had made for my mother the year before she died, with our family’s noble coat of arms upon it, and was off. I went to the only place I could think of.
When the carriage had pulled out in front of the gated grand manor and its grounds on the outskirts of London a few hours later, I ran from the carriage still crying and pounded on the front door. It was flung open and stout older man peered down at me from his extreme height.
“May I help you, my lady,” he asked startled.
“Where is he? Where is Brendan?” I asked desperately.
A dark shadow passed across his face. “Now you go on and get out of here, His Grace want no trouble from the likes of you. Go on.”
He tried shooing me away from the door. But I grabbed onto his hand and pleaded.
“You don’t understand! I need to see him now, without him I have nowhere else to go tonight!” My breath was starting to come in gulp and my tears poured so much I could no longer see the man’s face. “Please,” I wailed as loud as I could, hoping someone else within the house would hear.
Someone else did indeed hear.
“What is that god awful racket going on, on the front step Johnson?” asked a deep voice from the other side of the closed door.
The big man who opened the door looked to his right and said, “It’s a girl, sir, but she won’t quit till she’s had a word with you-”
&nb
sp; I stopped my wailing then and there to call out, “Lord Brendan!”
Quick feet came and then Johnson was pushed out of the way until there stood Lord Brendan, in a dishelved looking shirt and quickly pulled on leather breeches.
Upon seeing me he gasped my name then asked, or more like yelled at Johnson for not letting me in. A shaking Johnson stood to welcome me in and I was shown to the parlor where I was place with a small glass of sherry until Lord Brendan came in looking a bit tidier. His long hair now tied back away from his face so I could see the horrible damage to his face, but he was still beautiful no matter the mark upon his face.
He looked angry however that I was sitting in his home as he leaned back in his chair to gaze at me.
“Why have you come here is late at night?” he asked brow raised.
I looked at him through blurry eyes. “I had a fight with my brother and I have cut ties with him. I need a place to stay for the night.”
“What?” he asked leaning forward, shock evident on his face. “Did he kick you out if so I swear-!”
“No,” I said quickly, “he didn’t, I left on my own. I refused to marry to help him pay his debts any longer. All he has left is that damn house, he can marry himself to get the money he needs!”
Brendan sat back, but he was not smiling. “Where will you go from here, do you even have a place to go back too?”
I nodded. “Papa gave me the country estate as my dowry and a sum of money from his will that can’t be touched by my brother no matter how much he shall try. I am tired of his games, I was just too stupid to think I could help him. I will go home, I wasn’t meant for society anyway.” I sniffed and looked at him, smiling softly. “Please? Will you let me stay for the night?”
He closed his eyes looking as if he were in pain and I flew to his side, hands flitting about not sure where to put them.
“Does it hurt? Where can I help you? How can I help you?”
He shook his head. “Every day is a bit painful, some more than others, there is not much that can be done about it, my body is to badly damaged. Just coming down the stairs to see you at the door were over doing it. Blast that leg!" he growled.
A Duke's Scandalous Temptation Page 1
