Cupid’s Arrow
Book One
Bewitching the Earl
Mysty McPartland
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
Publisher’s Note:
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.
mystymcpartland.webstarts.com
Copyright 2018 Mysty McPartland
Chapter One
With her stomach churning in anxiety, Laura looked to her right, then her left and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t see anyone in the dimly light hallway. With a trembling hand, she reached out and turned the handle on the study door. Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open; she slipped inside and closed it quietly behind her. She winced when the sound of it clicking shut echoed in the empty room. The click seemed so loud, but she knew it was only her imaginations. Puffing out a breath of air over foolishness, she stiffened her shoulders. She had no time for irrationality or cowardice.
Not only could someone come along and discover her, especially the owner of the house, but also she would be missed if she took too long. Now her eyes had adjusted to the murkiness of the room, she could make out the furniture and she carefully made her way over to the desk sitting at one end of the room. Knowing she wouldn’t have much time she started rifling through the draws.
It was several minutes before she finally found what she had been searching for, signing with relief, she held it against her chest and sent up a silent prayer of thanks. With a cheerful smile, she closed the draw and as she started to walk to the door, she heard the unmistakable sound of several footsteps approaching. Eyes wide with desperation she frantically searched for somewhere to hide, backing up, she spun around and collided with something hard and solid.
Stifling a cry of panic, she spun around and tilting her head back, she realized she had stumbled into a man. A very large man. Hard powerful arms wrapped around her and before she could utter a protest, she was spun around and his mouth was covering hers. She was being kissed as if he was trying to steal the life essence from her soul. In desperation, she struggled to free herself, but the tight bands of his arms around her only tightened more.
Swiftly her thoughts were being scattered to the wind, the kiss was so potent, so possessive and consuming. His mouth was hot, demanding and when he thrust his tongue inside, her knees nearly buckled beneath her. She moaned, but she wasn’t sure if it was from pleasure or outrage. This couldn’t be happening and in desperation, once more she tried to tear herself free.
Instead, her protest was swallowed by the relentless mouth covering hers and her struggles were ignored. In disbelief she was being tumbled backwards onto the sofa his big body was blanketed hers. She tried to push him off and when that didn’t work, she started to beat on his hard, masculine chest. She attempted to turn her head away, but his large hand came up and captured the side of her face.
Tears of frustration and anger filled her eyes, she was powerless against the brute. Her mind scrambled searching for a way to escape. She couldn’t think what to do to save herself from being ravished, but she knew that she wouldn’t allow herself to be defiled by this despicable fiend. Suddenly the study door flew open and light spilled into the room. She heard angry male and female voices, but couldn’t make sense of the words.
Thankfully though, her attacker lifted his mouth from hers. She watched him turn to the doorway with a dark scowl on his face, then his gaze swung back her and her heart raced when she met his furious glare. Abruptly his expression turned to one of disbelief, it would have been comical at any other time, but now she was only incensed. Before she could demand he remove himself, the yelling started and all she could do was gape. But slowly dread started to trickle through her veins because she knew what was about to happen and there was no way she could prevent the disaster that was about to happen.
“You despicable blackguard, Brookes. How dare you compromise my daughter?”
With her mouth still hanging open in shock, she heard the man above her rough, cynical laugh before he turned and stared down at her. She gasped loudly when he had the audacity to wink before he leisurely started to move off her. Why the nerve of the despicable rake. She gritted her teeth when every inch of his powerfully body rubbed against her own sending shockwaves of searing heat through her. The blasted cad was enjoying every minute of the intimate contact; the wicked gleam in his eyes told her he was taking pleasure from humiliating her.
Just before he stood up she remembered the book she still clutched, she quickly slipped it into the pocket of his evening jacket and prayed he hadn’t noticed. She’d think of some way to claim it back later. When he looked at her again it was with suspicion, she pretended not to notice, but she was grateful when he didn’t say anything.
When he was on his feet, he reached out to help her stand, she slapped his hand away and with her face burning with shame, she sat up and heard the loud gasps of shock coming from the angry crowd filling the doorway. With her head down, she brushed at her wrinkled gown before she slowly rose to her feet and faced everyone. Her lashes slammed down and she wondered if her humiliation could have been any worse. It was very doubtful.
Not only was the owner of the house and his mother present, but also several other lords and ladies. Her disgrace wouldn’t be kept quiet for long, word would soon spread like wildfire through the ballroom. Soon everyone attending this evening would know she’d been compromised. Stiffening in outrage, she swung her head and glared at the large man standing beside her.
She groaned when she finally recognized him. Though she’d never met him, his sordid reputation was well known. Could her life become any worse, she wondered? She suspected that it wouldn’t take long before it did and most assuredly would. Reluctantly she rose to her feet and met the outrageous glares with a calm she was far from feeling.
“Why my goodness gracious, Lady Laura Wilson. Well I never. What have you to say for yourself young lady. You’re a disgrace, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
“You! Where’s my daughter you ne’er-do’-well. I know you arranged to meet her and she snuck off to be with you. As for you young lady I’ll see you ruined, ruined.”
“I’m afraid I have no idea who your daughter is or where she is.” The man beside her answered with a sneer in his voice. In desperation, she looked around for an escape, but before she could even think about running, a large arm wrapped around her trim shoulders, anchoring her to the spot. “As for your threat to ruin my fiancé, I suggest you think twice before you do.”
In stunned disbelief, her head swung up and she stared up at the man in horror. He squeezed her shoulders telling her to keep silent and he glared down at her ominously. Her mouth tightened in anger, but she kept quiet knowing her life was ruined and nothing she could say would change anything.
“Fiancé?” She winced as everyone shouted the word in incredulously fury.
“Yes, my fiancé. We were just celebrated our engagement when you rudely interrupted us.” Unable to help herself, she groaned. She couldn’t believe that this nightmare was happening to her. What was her father and aunt going to say, they’ll be outraged she’d ruined their plans for her.
Yet she couldn’t help thinking how relieved she was. She hadn’t like or wanted to be married off to Walter
Brown, yet they weren’t giving her any choice. They were insistent that he would make her the perfect husband and she was lucky that such a fine, respectable gentlemen was willing to take for his wife.
Still this scoundrel wasn’t any better and for the moment she couldn’t think of anyway she could prevent what was about to happen. The situation was atrocious and it was only going to even worse shortly. Her stomach churned in anxiety as each second ticked by, she winced when someone shouted and dread settled over her.
“Someone go and fetch the chit’s family.” In miserable defeat, she hung her head, but within a heartbeat, it whipped up when at a woman’s furious shriek. “What’s going on? Who is she and what’s she doing here with him.” Pressed up against the large, solid body, she could feel the amused chuckle vibrating through him and before she could voice any denial or protest her father and aunt arrived.
“My God what have you done now, Laura? Do you realize you’ve ruined everything and what are you doing with this… this rapscallion? What’s lord Brown going to say? The man will be most upset, he was going to ask for your hand in marriage this evening and now you have destroyed your only chance at a decent marriage.” Staring over at her father, she opened her mouth to say something, but quickly snapped it shut when her aunt spoke up. “Ungrateful little wretch. You’re just like your mother. I knew you would ruin everything, I just knew it.”
At the mention of her loving, sweet mother anger bubbled up inside her and she couldn’t remain quiet a moment longer. “It was your idea to drag me to London to find a husband and I’ve found one. A man of my own choosing and not yours.” She ignored the man beside her when he stiffened, but she looked up at him when he spoke.
Garth had enough of the drama being played out, he was furious at himself and the whole debacle, but his goose was cooked and he knew it. “My Lord as my fiancé’s father I will call on you tomorrow. Now though I would like a few moments alone with my betrothed.” He could see the chit’s father and aunt wanted to deny his request, but his furious scowl stopped them. One by one the crowd slowly left and when he and the chit were alone he dropped his arm from her delicate shoulders and stepped away. “Now you can explain to me why you trapped me in this compromising situation.”
In outraged disbelief, Laura stared at the despicable cad before she raised her hand and slapped his cheek. “How dare you accuse me of something so despicable? I don’t even know you and I didn’t even know you were in here. Why in heaven’s name would I destroy my life to trap someone like you?”
Amused he rubbed his stinging cheek, her indignation was convincing and so was her explanation. “Perhaps you’re telling the truth, then again perhaps you’re not. Either way it doesn’t matter much does it? We are now engaged to be married whether we like it or not.” He gave a shrug and grinned. “At least being in the wrong room saved me from an even worse bride I suppose.”
“I take it from that comment you had a rendezvous with someone else.” She sniffed in disgust. “As for being trapped you needn’t be concerned. I don’t intend to continue with this farce.”
“Oh, I am and we are. It won’t be just your reputation ruined, mine will be damaged as well.” Garth didn’t understand it, he was enjoying the woman’s indignation and as he stared down at her, he was amazed that he found her attractive. Not that she was a stunning beauty or had a body of a goddess, yet he couldn’t deny the kisses they shared had been downright intoxicating and lust still simmered beneath his skin. His brows jerked up when he noticed her unattractive, high-necked gown, but when she spoke, he could only grin.
“Go to the devil. I’ll find a way out of this if it’s the last thing I do. No sane woman would want a fornicating scoundrel like you for a husband.” She started walking towards the door and gritted her teeth when he laughed. Just as she was about to step out of the room, his taunting comment reached her and she whipped around to stare at him in horror.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, my little bride and you can explain to me why you were skulking around in here and what you stole.” With a wide grin, he pattered his pocket and raised a brow.
“You… you, give it back.” Laura had forgotten all about what she’d been doing in here and now she’d been reminded she need him to hand over her friend’s diary.
“Mmm, perhaps I’ll keep it for a little while. Call it insurance.” He smothered his laugh when she stamped her foot, spun around and stormed out of the room. With a shake of his head, he sat down and wiped a hand down his face. Hell, he’d just been forced into an engagement to a woman he didn’t even know. How in the blazes had it happened? He cursed knowing he had no one to blame but himself.
If he hadn’t been bored or tipsy he’d never would have agreed to meet the chit, but he’d stupidly let lady Lesley Ward talk him into it. He’d been barely listening when she said to meet her in the library. Instead, he’d ended up in the study and while he waited for her, he’d laid down on the sofa and was dozing.
When he’d sensed he was no longer alone he realized she was in the room. A mild case of lust stirred inside him and seeing no reason not to take what was eagerly being offered, he rose to his feet and captured her in his embrace. Once he had taken her in his arms, he’d sensed something was wrong, but couldn’t put his finger on it. Foolishly he had ignored the warning now he was paying the price.
The very second he’d been kissing her nothing else seemed to matter other than quenching his thirst of her exotic essence. Damn, his fiancé tasted like sin and from the first sample he’d been quickly addicted. He closed his eyes and remembered her soft, feminine curves pressed against his own. Though there wasn’t much of her, she certainly had curves in all the right places and he couldn’t wait to discover them all. Not that any of them showed in the frumpy gown she’d been wearing. Lifting his lashes, he chuckled, he was actually looking forward to her trying to wriggle out of their engagement.
And speaking of engagement he scowled, so her father and aunt were going to hand her over to that smarmy toad, Walter Brown. He sneered in loathing; though the man was his cousin, he detested the little weasel. The blighter had been a thorn in his side forever, he could only conclude that his fiancé had a sizeable dowry and fortune.
Really, she should be grateful that he, Garth was willing to step up and save her from a fate worse than death. If he had wanted to he could have kept is mouth shut and not offer up his freedom. Now that he thought about it, he’d been an idiot. The very last thing he wanted was to be married, yet for some odd reason he had utter those damning words and said they were engaged.
Perhaps it was because everyone had expected to find him with another woman, one that had set a trap for him and he’d wanted to foul up their plan. He shrugged still not certain why he’d done it, but really, did it matter anymore? Nope, it most assuredly didn’t.
Well, he supposed one good thing came out of it and that was all those desperate, husband-hunting chits wouldn’t be setting any more compromising traps for him. He shuddered just how close he’d come to being forced to wed lady Lesley. Though she was a beauty, she was also calculating. Yes, he’d definitely been an idiot to have agreed to meet her, but her plan had been foiled and thank goodness for that.
And though he ended up engaged at least it had been his own choice, well, not exactly because of his honor he’d been forced into it. Not that he knew anything about his fiancé, but before he saw her and her father, he would discover everything there was to know. If he found out anything unsavory, he would find some way to end the engagement. Now though, he would go home, there were many things he’d have to do tomorrow before he met with his soon to be father-in-law and his bride.
Chapter Two
Seated across from her father and aunt, she could feel the waves of their rage rolling over her. She knew shortly that they were going to let her know just how disgusted and disappointed they were in her. Laura though, was on one hand relieved and on the other hand, she was angry. She was glad that she wouldn’t be forced
to marry that detestable man, Walter Brown, she shuddered just thinking about him. The second night she had attended a ball he’d approached her and since then everywhere she went he was there. After a fortnight, he hinted heavily that he was going to speak to her father. Before she had a chance to talk to him herself, the fiend had and she’d been forced to share his company.
Each and every time they were together, the beast practically stripped her of her clothing with his eyes. Whenever her dowry and inheritance was mentioned, he virtually drooled. It was obvious the despicable cad was after her dowry and she’d been frantically searching her mind for some way to prevent being forced to agree to be his wife. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when her aunt spoke and it took every effort not to show her outrage.
“You, little hussy. You had to go and ruin everything. Just like your jezebel of a mother, she ruined my brother’s life with all her flirting.” Ruth sneered her contempt. “Lord Walter Brown would have made you the perfect, decent husband. Instead you had to go and throw yourself away on that detestable rake.”
“I want to know, young lady just how long you’ve been seeing that blackguard? Your aunt and I did everything we could to stop you acting like a strumpet. Tried to make a decent and moral lady out of you and what do you do? Throw yourself at the first fornicating rake that lures you into his arms. How lord Brown’s going to react I shudder to think. He was the perfect choice for you, the man would know how to curb your waywardness and break your spirited nature.” David glared at his daughter in aversion.
The more her father and aunt ridiculed her sweet mother the furious rage built inside her. They lied, her mother hadn’t been a jezebel and there was no harm in flirting when a husband and sister-in-law did nothing but ridicule you excessively. She knew her father was waiting for an answer and she scrambled to think of a story that would be believable. When she did, she met their outraged glares with an innocent one. “We met the first week we came to London and meet every day.”
Cupid's Arrow Book One Bewitching The Earl Page 1
