“Chase.” She covered her mouth but then dropped her hands. “Did you get the feathers?”
He laughed as he lifted her and swung her about in a circle. “What my lady asks for, she receives. Now and always.”
Sighing, she kissed his lips as her toes brushed the ground. “I’m so glad I managed to find such an indecent husband,” she murmured against his lips. “This shall be fun indeed.”
How to Catch an Elusive Earl
Chapter One
Lucas Marks, the Earl of Crestwood, assessed the stately manor as the last rays of sun set in the sky. How nauseatingly pretty, Luke thought as the bright rays bathed the red brick in brilliant hues of orange and yellow. Below him, the ocean beat against the high rocks of the bluff, creating a scene fit for a work of art.
This house was like the rest of Seabridge Gate, the village in which he currently found himself stranded. Disgustingly wholesome.
He sighed, regretting his decision to come to this dinner, and he hadn’t even gone inside yet. Which was ridiculous. This entire affair had been his idea to begin with. In his defense, the meal with the Moorish family was a sound plan. First because he needed Mr. Moorish’s help. The man ran a shipping business out of Seabridge Gate and catching a ride on one of those ships was his best chance of getting out of this quaint little hellhole and making his way north to a deliciously debaucherous gathering being held by the Baron of Balstead.
Just thinking of that party and all the delights that would surely greet him made his spine straighten with determination. The bridge to the north had washed out, making the trip to Balstead’s property in Haversham days longer than necessary. Meanwhile, if he could catch a boat, say tomorrow morning, he’d be at Balstead’s by lunch. And wrapped in a beautiful woman’s arms by dinner.
And so he raised the knocker on the door letting it fall from his hand. Luke heard the sound echo through the house. The door immediately opened, a sharp-looking butler giving him a solemn stare. “Good evening. Lord Crestwood, I presume?”
“Correct,” he answered. “I’ve clearly arrived at the right place.”
The man gestured for him to step inside. “Are Lord Craven and Lord Dashlane joining you?”
He gave a momentary grimace before replacing the look with a firm smile. Yesterday, his friends, Craven and Dashlane, had met the eldest Moorish daughter, Miss Ophelia Moorish. He couldn’t be entirely certain, but he suspected that she might have infected them with a dose of morality. She’d been incredibly beautiful but also so kind that a man might get ideas about the sort of life he should be living. “No, they’ve other business to attend in the village.”
Not him, of course. Luke had been firmly and completely expunged of any wholesome hope several years ago. A woman who seemed to be the very pinnacle of goodness and light had so thoroughly broken his heart that he’d vowed never taking such a risk again.
Which was why he planned for more than a secure passage on one of Moorish’s ships, he also intended to steal a kiss or two from one of the other four Moorish daughters. He pulled his lips down to keep from giving a salacious grin. If he were going to be stuck in such a place, he may as well leave a little mark upon it. It was the duty of all rakes to do so.
“Very good, then. Right this way, my lord.” The butler turned and started up the stairs, Luke following.
Reaching the second floor, they made their way down the hall where the butler stopped in the doorway. “May I present his lordship, the Earl of Crestwood.”
Luke held back his grunt of disdain. He was as fond of the title as he was of wholesome pursuits. None of them were meant to be his.
The Honorable Thomas Moorish rose along with four young women, each a delight in her own way. He swept his gaze down the line of them, attempting to decide which might be his favorite. Moorish gave him a welcoming smile. “Good evening, my lord. So nice to see you again.”
“And you,” he gave a nod, his gaze drifting to the man’s daughters again.
“Right,” Moorish pointed to the first of the ladies in the line. “My daughter, Miss Juliet. I believe the two of you met yesterday.”
They had. She was a darling little auburn-haired confection with curves like Ophelia’s but a more trusting nature. She’d do nicely for his purposes.
“And this is Cordelia.” Lord Moorish pointed to a serious-looking but very pretty woman that Luke dismissed on the spot. She’d never fall for a rake’s charm. Even now, as she stared back at him, her eyes sparkled with intelligence.
“My daughter, Bianca.” Mr. Moorish pointed to the third woman in the line.
Bianca giggled and waved. He returned a smile. She was a contender for certain. He stood straighter wondering which delightful miss he’d like to taste.
Lord Moorish pointed to the last girl down the line. “And this is Adrianna.”
Luke glanced at the last woman, dismissing her from the first. She was slender for starters, more so than any of her sisters, and he liked some good curves to hold onto. While her features might have been the most perfectly symmetrical and beautiful he’d ever seen, there was a hardness about her eyes that told him she’d not be interested in what he had in mind. “A pleasure, ladies.”
“We’re very much looking forward to dining with you, my lord, but first let us discuss the schedule tomorrow.” Mr. Moorish gestured toward a chair for Luke to sit. “We’ve a boat that will be stopping to pick up additional goods in Haversham that leaves at noon. If you’re still interested in heading north, you’re more than welcome to board it.”
Luke slapped his thigh, his first objective already met. “Thank you, most kind of you.”
Lord Moorish held up his hand. “Please understand this isn’t a passenger ship. We keep a tight schedule and if you’re not on that boat by eleven forty-five, it sails without you.”
Luke gave a single nod. “I understand. Perfectly. Eleven forty-five.” Silently, he cheered. That left plenty of time for drinking tonight and dragging himself from bed in the morning to board that boat.
“You must have very important business in Haversham that you’re working so hard to get there.” Juliet straightened her skirts about her knees, her slender hands, drawing his attention to the lovely silk of her gown.
He hated the rumble of guilt that reverberated through his chest as he tried to think of an appropriate answer. Why should he feel guilty lying to these women? He didn’t. Nor would he allow guilt at the idea of stealing a little peck. A kiss was almost no harm, it wasn’t like he intended to leave one with child. She might even like such a romantic adventure. And the experience. “Indeed. Important land deal,” he muttered trying to give as little detail as possible.
“Really,” Adrianna asked, leaning forward. “A land deal? Are Lord Dashlane and Lord Craven also participating in this deal? Is that why you’re traveling together?”
He looked at the last Moorish sister, attempting to quell his irritation. Her bright blue eyes stared back at him, one eyebrow slightly cocked and her chin notched at a jaunty angle that dared him to continue to lie. What a minx. His blood surged in his veins. Dare accepted.
Adrianna Moorish stared at the cad currently lounging in her sitting room as though he were a dear member of the family and not some snake outsider come to pillage their fruits.
She drew in a breath, puffing out her small chest. Not on her watch. She might be the youngest Moorish but she was also the strongest. She’d developed a razor-sharp tongue over the years, likely because it had been her only defense in her youth against the onslaught of four older sisters who were all bigger and stronger. They’d teased her mercilessly too. Until she’d learned to outwit them. She was still the smallest, of course, but in all likelihood, she was now the most feared.
Not that she’d ever truly hurt her sisters, she’d protect them with every tool she had, just as they would her. But this man had come for nefarious purposes and she was going to cut him down until he skulked away in tears. All right. She couldn’t actually picture
the earl crying, but he’d skulk. There would be definite skulking. There was no doubt about that.
Just as she’d make certain he didn’t go near any of her sisters. She’d been given this task and she had every intention of completing the job. Her future brother-in-law, the Duke of Rathmore, had pulled her aside earlier in the day and warned her that Crestwood was the worst sort of gentleman. He’d told her not to allow any of her sisters near the man and certainly not to allow them to be alone with him.
Adrianna had scrunched her brow, staring at Rathmore. “Why are you telling me all of this?”
Rathmore had given her a pat on the shoulder. “Because you are just the Moorish to keep him in check. He’s a rake, Adrianna, through and through. Don’t allow his charming smile to win you over and don’t let him anywhere near your sisters. Juliet and Bianca are so trusting. Please watch over them tonight.”
Adrianna leveled Crestwood with another glare. She was ready, and Rathmore was correct on both counts. This man was the worst sort of rogue, she could see it in his every gesture, and Adrianna was the woman for the job when it came to protecting her family. “Well my lord, are you going to answer my question?”
He sat straighter, his grin growing brittle as more of his teeth showed. He was a wolf—a handsome wolf, but a predator nonetheless. “Pardon, what was your question? I’ve forgotten.”
“What sort of land deal are you and your friends venturing into that cannot wait?” She sat straighter, a triumphant smile curling her lips. This was a topic she actually had some knowledge on, making it a perfect one to highlight his deceitful nature. Her sisters would surely see what a snake he was by the time she was done. She’d bet her dowry he was lying.
Adrianna might have just told her sisters outright that the man was no good but she’d seen firsthand that it wouldn’t work. Juliet wouldn’t believe her and, in all likelihood, her elder sister would just spend that much more time with the man, trying to prove Adrianna wrong. Or worse yet, come up with some plan to highlight his goodness. She was constantly creating these plans to help people that often went disastrously wrong.
Crestwood’s mouth turned down further, but he didn’t respond as her father interceded. “Adrianna, that’s not something our guest need answer.”
Drat, she tapped her fan against her knee. She’d nearly had Crestwood trapped. Any parcel of land large enough for three lords to consider buying together had a very limited pool of buyers. Which meant there was likely no competition for the sale. So why the rush?
“I’m simply making conversation, Papa. Shouldn’t I be interested in the topic our guest had mentioned for discussion?”
Her father frowned and muttered something about an interrogation, but she ignored the word.
Instead, she turned back to Crestwood and put on her best smile, trying to relax her brow in the hopes of looking kind rather than accusatory. “Isn’t that right, Lord Crestwood? You mentioned the deal. Wouldn’t you say it was polite to ask questions?”
He gave her a long look, turning his head, first one way and then the other. “Polite isn’t quite the word that came to mind.”
She gave a delicate sniff, pretending not to understand his meaning. Two could play this game. “I find real estate quite fascinating. It’s a bit of a hobby for me and I’ve studied several large purchases. For example, did you know that the Louisiana Purchase was over two million kilometers?”
“Fascinating,” he replied, sitting back in his chair. His eyes rolled up to the ceiling and his tone implied he’d found it anything but. As his arms relaxed at his side, she narrowed her gaze. He was stepping directly into her trap.
Adrianna leaned forward. “Now that is a tract of land fit for three lords of your stature.”
“Quite,” he answered, crossing one knee over the other as his gaze drifted to her sister Bianca. He looked like a cat about to steal the milk. His square jaw hardened as his dark eyes glittered with nefarious interest. His arms flexed as he wrapped his large hands about his knee. For just a moment, she watched his long, tapered fingers lace together. Oh, he was handsome. That was for certain. It was part of what made him so dangerous.
Not to her, of course. No matter how masculine he looked, he didn’t fool her. Despite having grown up in this tiny hamlet, she considered herself smart enough to do battle with the likes of a rake. It was her best asset and the one that would keep her sisters safe as they all hunted for husbands. Bianca was a lovely woman with a heart of gold, but she’d never defend herself against a man like this. Which was why Adrianna needed to frighten him away right this minute before one of her sisters succumbed to his good looks and charm.
“Now in Haversham, there are only three parcels that could possibly suffice for such a transaction that you’d be interested in making. I’m truly curious. Which one are you considering?”
His knee dropped back down, his foot landing on the floor with a resounding thump as his gaze fixed on her, the muscles in his face hardening. “Which one?”
“Yes.” She placed her most innocent smile on her face, leaning forward. She didn’t want to miss a flick of his eyebrow as she outmaneuvered him. “Which tract of land are you referring to?” It was difficult, but she kept from crowing her victory. She had him. Haversham was part of her family’s holdings. Not her father’s, of course, but his older brother’s, The Earl of Seabridge.
He slowly sat up in his chair, as a hand came to the back of his neck, giving the skin a careful rub. “Well,” he started, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “The one closest to Haversham proper, of course.” Then he turned to her father, his look brightening. “And if this deal works the way I hope it does, perhaps we can discuss the shipment of our newest goods. It would be a natural pairing.”
Her father brightened considerably, bobbing his head up and down. “Now you’re talking.” Her father gave her a pat on the knee. “Adrianna is excessively intelligent. And here I was thinking she didn’t have a point to her questions but look where she led us. Well done, my sweet girl.”
Adrianna snapped her mouth closed, her hands clenching in her skirts. She noted that Crestwood still hadn’t named a specific plot or the type of product he’d need shipped. But her father was always eager to make a new deal and Crestwood must have realized that. Now her father wouldn’t allow her to interrupt for certain. She’d have to find another way to expose him for the rake he was.
Irritation bristled along her skin. He was good, she’d give him that, but this fight wasn’t over. Far from it. The night had just begun.
Chapter Two
That little minx. Crestwood clenched his jaw, assessing the beautiful siren that sat across from him giving him a most innocent smile. She looked near angelic but under that façade was a razor sharp saber that she was positioning over his head.
He leaned forward, giving her a slow perusal once again. If he were honest, the gleam of intelligence and challenge in her eyes was damn arousing. Annoying but also terribly…arresting.
And the confident notch to her chin was nearly as interesting as the way her shoulders set back and her chest thrust forward. She made the most of her tiny bosom, he’d give her that. He’d been looking for an easy conquest, but perhaps a challenge would be even more fun.
“Mr. Moorish.” The butler stood in the door. “Dinner is served.”
Everyone stood and Mr. Moorish gestured for him to go first but he gave the man what he hoped was a polite smile. “In your home, I must insist you lead the way.”
With a nod of his head, Mr. Moorish started after the butler, his daughters falling in line behind him, Adrianna was the last of the women to leave the room. Luke happily followed, his eyes free to roam all over her backside, which he found to be delightfully perfect. Her narrow shoulders gave way to a graceful back, her evening gown skimming down its gentle lines. Her waist was so tiny, he was fairly certain he could place his hands about it but her hips flared out with the most tantalizing arc, her ass round and firm and made for sin. H
is body clenched as he watched her walk.
She turned back and glared at him over her shoulder, her gaze narrowing as her lips drew into a firm line. When had such judgment grown so…sexy?
They sat about the table and the butler served the first course. Mr. Moorish asked him several questions, all on much easier topics. “Do you live full time in London?” Where else might he live? And… “How was this past season?” I participated minimally. Which was absolutely true. Society was not his preferred pursuit.
Bianca smiled sweetly. “You don’t participate much in society? But why? It all sounds so exciting and fun. Glittering balls and fancy parties.” She sighed gently. “Not like living here.”
One corner of his mouth turned down. She was young, of course, and didn’t understand what appeared glittery and fancy from the outside was a thin façade to mask a cruel world. “It certainly can seem that way from afar,” he said, staring over at the wall. His own memories of his time in the ton assaulting him. “But it’s also very competitive. Everyone is trying to make the most money or orchestrate the best match. It often brings out cruelty in even the kindest people.”
Bianca tilted her head, her look confused. “Cruelty?” she asked. “Really? I never would have thought it.”
He glanced over to Adrianna, to find her intently staring at him. “And you, Miss Adrianna. Do you believe what I say is true?”
She nodded, her gaze unwavering. “Of course I do. Once in the village a boy found this rare shell. Within a week it was stolen. Even in our wholesome little corner of the world, greed begets the worst sort of behavior.”
That was undoubtedly true and rather astute for someone as young and sheltered as Adrianna. For his own part, he much preferred the honest immorality of the men and women he socialized with to the false piety of the ton. “I agree.” He rubbed his jaw. “I participated in all the glitter, as you called it, in my younger days, but I quickly grew tired of its misleading charm.”
Romancing the Rake: Seven Regency Romances Page 10
