Barons Always Win Wagers (Forbidden Kisses Book 3)

by Catherine Mayfair

  Emma smiled at Sally’s reflection. “I am well aware, and I thank you, but I have seen the man’s heart, and I swear to you it is pure despite what he does to try to hide it. You shall see it for yourself today.”

  Sally returned to brushing Emma’s hair, and Emma turned her thoughts to today. In order to keep her name, and that of the household, in good standing, she and Michael both had to be seen walking together in town. It would not take long before news of their engagement spread, if it had not already. Then, after a respectable amount of time, they would end the engagement.

  Yet, that thought, even though the engagement was not real, brought a sadness to Emma’s heart. She did not want anything with the man to end, be it friendship or engagement, or whatever their odd predicament might be called. In fact, the more she thought on it, the more she realized that some of his words the day before were true. For all the good she wanted to do for others, she had not extended the same courtesy to him.

  “I have made a decision,” she said finally. “I will continue to allow him to call, and in our talks, I will help him become the gentleman I believe him to be.” She had expected Sally to smile, but what she received was a frown. She rose and turned to face the woman. “Is something wrong?” Sally was eight years older than Emma and far wiser, and Emma trusted her opinion despite the fact she had never been a member of the ton.

  “I worry for you, is all,” Sally said. “It isn’t that I believe your plan ignoble or wrong, but you do understand this man’s reputation, don’t you? And I don’t speak of the accusations made against him about his wife, for I believe he is innocent in that. It’s just that the man is a known rogue, and you have said he has admitted nearly as much.”

  Emma nodded. “He was honest about it, in fact.”

  Sally took Emma’s hands in hers. “Men, or rather rogues, often use words to woo women. I’m not saying that Michael is doing that, but you must guard your heart. Promise me you will do that.”

  “You have my word,” Emma said before hugging the other woman. “Do not worry, for soon you will see what a good man he truly is. Plus, the camp Stephen controls is full of men and women who were once rogues, thieves, and other sorts. Those people have changed, and Michael will, as well, just you wait and see.”

  “Well, you’ve convinced me,” Sally said with a laugh. “Now, let’s get you some food before your outing. I would hate for you to faint with hunger because you forgot to eat!”

  With that, they made their way toward the kitchen. Emma thought of the day ahead. It was not just the time she was to spend with Michael that she looked forward to, but also asking him more about his feelings toward her. The man had lied and that he had indeed felt something in his heart when they kissed. She had felt it. Once his name was restored and his lands returned, those kisses, and thus their feelings for one another, would increase.

  And she found she could not wait.

  Chapter Twenty

  The carriage, an open contraption meant to show everyone its occupants, arrived on time. Michael sat inside it, covered with fur blankets as the driver made his way to Sweetspire Estates to collect Emma.

  Michael pinched the bridge of his nose. What was he going to do? Today he would begin the first steps in betraying Emma, a woman he cared for. Yet, he also needed to restore his former life.

  He had considered not going through with the charade - not with the mock engagement but his reasons for inviting her to accompany him to Lord Whisken’s party - but he had no doubt that Lord Whisken would do as he threatened. One way or another, the man always got what he wanted.

  The man’s obsession for Emma was odd. It was well known that Lord Whisken had bedded many women, young and old alike, and their position did not matter. Yet, Michael had never seen him go to such lengths to acquire any woman. When images of Emma popped into his mind, Michael understood why.

  Emma was the perfect woman. If Michael spoke to her in anger, she responded with kindness. A sweet, pure melody that matched her innocence and beauty, both of which had begun to break through that wall of regret and anger he had built around his heart. She had chipped away until a single brick had come loose and her light shone through.

  Oh, how he did not want to betray her! He had wracked his brain for any way not to, but in the end he knew he had no choice. Michael might be able to live in a house bereft of furniture, but he could not live in the streets with no money or even his meager business arrangements under his control. If he was forced to give it all up, he would surely die. And not a single person in the ton would reach out a hand to him if that happened.

  Well, perhaps Emma would, but she was well aware of the drunken rogue he was, and that was the part of him for whom Emma had not a care. He did not blame her in the slightest.

  Guilt twisted his insides as he thought of Lord Whisken. The man was crafty, and he often disappeared for many months, said to be away for business, but Michael believed his secret journeys had more to do with assuaging his insatiable appetite for women. If Michael got in the way of Lord Whisken, the man would simply find another way to get to Emma and what he inflicted on her would be worse.

  None of this sat well with Michael, yet a brief flicker of an idea came to him. He could tell Emma the truth and convince her to keep quiet what she knew.

  No, he had tried that before, with Caroline.

  “I know you two are friends,” Michael had told Caroline in a roundabout way to discuss Lord Whisken. “Yet, what if his notions toward you are dishonorable?”

  Caroline tapped him on the tip of his nose. “If my husband does not trust me, perhaps I should remain inside and never leave our house again. Is that what you want?”

  “No, of course not. I do trust you.”

  She smiled. “As you should.”

  That old anger and hurt swelled in Michael as the memories washed over him. He forced them back into the recesses of his mind as the carriage came to a stop. Yes, he cared for Emma, but caring only led to one of them getting hurt, and Michael would not allow that to happen again.

  He glanced up at the top of the steps in front of Sweetspire Estates and inhaled. Emma not only stirred his heart, she ignited something in his soul. Truly there was no woman more beautiful than Emma. The blue dress she wore complimented her eyes. He could see tiny curls beneath the wide-brimmed hat, and the smile she wore made him feel weak, just as it had before.

  No! He could not allow his heart to take over him! “Caroline,” he whispered as a reminder of what he had to do.

  “Hello, Michael,” Emma said as he walked up to her. “Or rather, Lord Bracken. I would like to introduce my friend, Miss Sally Matthews. She has offered to be my chaperon.”

  The blond woman wore a white dress with silver threading, and though she was fetching, she did not hold a candle to Emma. At least not in Michael’s eyes. He had not expected a chaperon. Why had Emma not mentioned the woman before? No, she had. Was this the same woman who had taught Emma how to play parlay?

  “It is a pleasure to meet you,” Michael said with a bow.

  The woman replied in kind, and when Michael returned his attention to Emma, he found her with the widest of smiles on her face.

  “You shaved,” she said, and he flushed. Her eyes went wide and she placed a hand over her mouth. “Forgive me.” She turned to her friend. “Lord Bracken was kept so busy when he took care of me when I fell ill, you see. He had not been able to attend to his own needs for several days the last time I saw him.”

  Miss Matthews chuckled. “I understand. Lord Bracken, I must thank you for what you did for Emma. It was a kind and generous gesture on your part.” Though she wore a smile, he did not miss the hint of…what? Suspicion perhaps?

  “If we live in a time when simple acts of kindness are looked upon in awe,” he said formally, “then we are indeed in troublesome times.” He turned toward the carriage, for he did not want a response. He already knew the times in which they lived were not ideal. “I believe we should be on our way.”r />
  A short time later, the carriage pulled away from the house, and Michael found his gaze upon Emma, who sat across from him. Thinking of what Lord Whisken wished to do with her made his stomach flip, and he had to turn away or he would have relieved his stomach of his breakfast right there on the spot.

  ***

  Though the air was cold, the sun’s rays brought a bit of warmth, as did the lap blankets placed over the passengers’ legs. The open carriage allowed any and all to see its occupants, which would assist in showing everyone they were engaged.

  Once inside the town of Bottly, they alighted from the vehicle and strolled down the footpath, Emma on Michael’s arm. Michael could not help but feel a sense of pride as people gaped after them. So many people filled the streets that he wondered if an announcement had been made that they would be in town today.

  For a short time, he was able to push aside the guilt and pretend that the engagement was real. That the woman on his arm would soon be his wife. It was a pleasant thought, until it was interrupted by a man’s voice.

  “Michael Bracken?” Lord Seymour Clemens said. He was an old friend from years past who looked much older than his thirty years. He wore spectacles, and more scalp showed than hair.

  “Hello, Clemens,” Michael replied. “May I introduce my fiancée, Miss Emma Shepherd, and her friend, Miss Sally Matthews.”

  Lord Clemens gave the women a deep bow. “The pleasure is all mine, to be sure,” he said.

  Michael could not help the confidence that rose inside him at the man’s appreciative gaze on Emma. It had been so long since anyone had given Michael any look of regard, he could not imagine what the people would say and do once his lands were restored to him.

  “It has been some time,” Lord Clemens continued. “I’m happy to hear you are engaged. I admit it is quite…well, surprising. Yes, that is the word I would use.”

  Michael chuckled. “Surprising. Yes, I can see why. However, when a gentleman meets that special woman, the word I would choose is fortunate.”

  “Indeed,” Lord Clemens replied. “Well, I must be off. Work abounds and I must take care of matters. You know what it is like – business appointments and meetings.” He sighed. “It was good to see you again.” With that, the man bowed again and walked away.

  “You would think the way he looks at me that I had an extra eye,” Emma whispered. He enjoyed the pressure of her breasts as she leaned into his arm. “My hair is not out of place, is it?”

  “Not at all,” Michael replied. “Like many men, he is overcome when in the presence of such a lovely woman.” To see her cheeks redden stirred desire in him.

  “Do you think I am that beautiful?” She sounded astonished.

  “I have told you as much,” he replied, though he felt a sense of agitation, not by her words but the feeling that rose in his heart. “Do you need to be reminded of that fact for vanity’s sake?”

  Much to his distress, she looked down. “No.” He went to apologize, but she lifted her head once more and the sweetness in her tone returned. “You do look quite handsome now that the stubble is gone,” she said. “I do prefer the cleaner look.”

  Michael chuckled. “I’ll remember not to let it go again,” he said. He had meant it in jest, but Emma grinned as if he had made her some sort of wonderful promise.

  As they continued their stroll, another couple approached, stopping just as Lord Clemens had, and Michael informed them that he and Emma were engaged. The couple gave their congratulations and then moved on.

  “I have been thinking,” Emma said. “Perhaps after your land is returned to you, we should continue this ruse. I for one, do not mind the attention, and if it gets you to shave, perhaps it’s for the best.” She added a small giggle, but he found her words irritating. He did not enjoy when someone made fun of him.

  “I realize I disgust you with my unkempt face, my house that is in ruins, and my drinking.” To punctuate this last point, he removed the flask he had considered not bringing and took a quick swig. “We shall see concerning the engagement. I’m sure that the sooner it ends, the better it will be for you.” He returned the flask to his coat pocket and led her across the street.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I had not meant to upset you. I was only teasing.”

  Guilt continued to course through Michael. He wanted so much to accept her apology, to pull her into his arms and let her know what he truly felt for her, but he could not do that. It would leave his heart open to something he could not allow, for it would only be taken from him, just as it had before.

  “I know you said our kiss meant nothing,” Emma continued in a low voice Michael imagined she used to keep the chaperon from hearing, “but I have considered what it meant to me.”

  “Emma, please don’t…”

  “I know this is not the most appropriate place to talk of such things, but we have been in situations that are not appropriate.” She shook her head. “What I mean to say is that when I kiss you, or even when I’m in your company, I have this feeling inside me, one I wish to explore. Do you not feel something for me?”

  They stopped for another couple, dropping the conversation for the encounter. He hoped the interruption would put an end to the topic.

  Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. “About what I said before,” Emma whispered as soon as the couple was out of earshot.

  “I have told you I feel nothing beyond friendship,” Michael hissed, knowing the anger had nothing to do with the words he spoke. He glanced behind them. Miss Matthews was far enough away that she would not overhear, so he leaned in and lowered his voice further. “Look, Lord Whisken has a party in a week from today. Will you join me?”

  Emma nodded without hesitation. “Sally is to leave in a few days, and I will be alone again. That means I should have no problem leaving the house undetected.”

  “I…” Michael wanted to tell her to run, that she should be as far away from the party as she could possibly be. Yet, he did not have the opportunity, for his eyes fell on one Lady Matilda Benedict. He would have sighed in relief for the distraction if he could have. “Look who is there,” he said with a low chuckle. “The woman who caused our engagement.”

  “I bet she is gossiping,” Emma returned. “I can assume it’s about us.”

  “Perhaps we should lend her a hand,” Michael replied. “Come. We will speak to her, as well.”

  They approached Mrs. Benedict, who was speaking to the local butcher. To Michael’s surprise, the woman was so engaged in her discussion, she had not even noticed them.

  “Then I saw them engaged in a kiss so filled with lust that I thought myself a sinner by simply observing it!” the old woman was saying.

  The butcher sighed, clearly uninterested in her choice of topic.

  “But that is the way of the ton. They engage in such abhorrent behavior and then proclaim their innocence.” She gave a derisive sniff. “Well, if Lord Bracken wishes to put himself into such a position, it is his soul that is compromised, not mine.”

  For the first time, the butcher looked past Mrs. Benedict, and his eyes widened. Mrs. Benedict did not seem to notice. “I have seen the man make eyes toward me, as well.”

  “Oh?” the butcher asked, his mustache rising with his smile. “Is that so?”

  “Oh, my, yes,” the woman proclaimed as she patted her graying curls. “I was known as quite a beautiful woman in my day, and many still consider me as such today.”

  Having heard enough, Michael gave a laugh. “It is true,” he said. “Many men wish to lay eyes upon Mrs. Benedict.”

  The older woman gasped and spun about as if on a top.

  “I cannot deny your beauty,” Michael continued as he released Emma and pressed a hand to his chest. “In fact, it has cause me to go mad with drunkenness on occasion!”

  “Lord Bracken!” Mrs. Benedict gasped. “I have never heard such bold words come from any man’s lips!”

  “Forgive me, Mrs. Benedict. I should not have sai
d such things, especially while my fiancée is near enough to hear.”

  “Oh, my dear, I do not blame you,” Emma said, much to Michael’s shock. And his pleasure. “I understand that numerous women are quite jealous of Mrs. Benedict. I have heard that her beauty is regarded as among the most lavish. Would you like me to turn away so you can take her into your arms without me watching?”

  “Why, I…I do not know what to say,” Mrs. Benedict sputtered, her face as red as a ripe apple. Then she turned to glare at Michael. “Please, keep your lustful gaze off me, or I will inform my husband!” She then pushed past them and hurried down the footpath.

  The butcher frowned after her. “All I want to do is sell meat,” he murmured. “Instead, I’m forced to endure that woman’s constant gossip.” He shook his head. “If you’ll excuse me, my lord.” He bowed to Michael and Emma and returned to his shop.

  Sally burst out in laughter, and Emma joined her. “That had to be the funniest thing I have ever encountered!” Emma said between gasps. “The way you spoke to her, the old woman had no idea how to respond.”

  Michael could not help but laugh, as well. “I must admit, I found your input into the conversation well-placed. We make a good team.” He regretted the words immediately. It only emphasized the pain he would put her through later.

  “I would like to ask about earlier,” she said as they walked back to the carriage. “Concerning my feelings, and perhaps yours. Surely you must have some sort of opinion.”

  “Such talk only leads to heartbreak,” Michael whispered. “We are friends and nothing more.”

  Sally walked up beside them as they came to a stop beside the carriage.

  Michael lowered his voice. “Let us discuss this at a more appropriate time.”

  Emma nodded, and he let out a sigh of relief. If he could carry on this charade for the next week, all would be fine. Yet, as he thought this, he began to doubt if he would be able to see any of this through, and that only scared him for both their futures.