Bewitching My Love

BEWITCHING MY LOVE

by

Diane Story

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Published by

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

P.O. Box 726

Lusk, Wyoming 82225

307-334-3165

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Copyright

2004 by
Diane Story

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

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 publisher.

ISBN 1-
59374
-133-2

Printed in the United States of America

D
edication

To my husband Ron, for loving me and believing in me. And for supporting me through endless hours of writing and research.

Chapter One

“
Jerk,”
Fern hissed quietly to herself. Only a jerk would dare to creep up and steal her wardrobe. It was hers and nobody, not even Rowen Nichols would take it from her. At least that’s what she told herself when the bidding war first started, now she wasn’t so sure.

She hadn’t seen it for over five years, until last week when it showed up in her monthly catalog of antiquities. Her work as a rare antiques dealer gave her the advantage of seeing what would be coming up for auction before the general public. So she took out a loan against her condo, not realizing the price would go this high, or that she’d have to bid against the wealthiest bachelor this side of Salem.

“
Seventy thousand going once.” The auctioneer’s hammer hit the podium. “Seventy thousand going twice.” Nodding, he acknowledged the young woman’s acceptance of the bid then turned with her to wait for the inevitable reply. The bidding had become more interesting than he expected. After all, who in their right mind would want an old broken down wardrobe, the thing was worthy of kindling for the fireplace at the most. “Mr. Nichols! We now have a bid of seventy five thousand sir, will you give me eighty thousand?”

As she waited for his black-gloved hand to rise again, Fern swallowed back her frustration and winced in pain when she found herself grinding her teeth too hard. It was beginning to look like she might lose the wardrobe. There weren’t many buyers in the small room, and she thought she was a shoe-in until Rowen Nichols showed up at the last minute, forcing the price tag to unexpected highs. The bidding had started at ten thousand and had somehow made it to this point before she knew it.

Rowen frowned slightly with irritation; she was beginning to grate on his nerves. This tit for tat game of bidding over the wardrobe had to end. Fern Abbott was even more stubborn than he’d realized. Good thing, he thought to himself, she’d need to be stubborn by the time he got through with her. With a sidelong glance he smiled at the angry pout of her full lips then cursed himself for letting her beauty sidetrack him; it was time to end it.

Which he did, with one final flip of his wrist. “I’ll raise the bid to one hundred and ten thousand dollars,” he acknowledged the auctioneer. The wardrobe would be his, no matter what the cost. By the look on her face, he could tell he’d finally out-bid her. Tipping his hat, he tossed her an indignant smile, satisfied that he’d won.

“
The bastard,”
Fern swore under her breath as she flung herself back against her seat.

“
He might be a bastard, honey, but he’s a good looking one, you’ll have to admit.”

Fern frowned at the busty platinum blond sitting next to her. “I suppose so, if you consider egotism good looking.” She smiled when the overly lipsticked red lips puckered into a frown then turned away to plant a kiss on the shiny bald head of the man sitting on her opposite side. Fern thought he must be three times her age.

What did Rowen Nichols want with a rickety old wardrobe? Reluctantly she stood to leave, but couldn’t bring herself to go without one more look at it. He owned it, that was certain, but she could at least have one last look before he took it away. She walked over to where it stood, and stared at it. It was made out of some of the most beautiful old mahogany she’d ever laid her eyes on. Sure, it was falling apart, and even the feet had lost any semblance of what the original carvings were, but it was still magnificent to her.

Fern remembered the first time she’d seen it. It was during a field trip with her college professor. They went to the Peabody Museum to study antiquities from the seventeenth century when she spotted it in the corner, all covered with dust. It had a strange allure about it back then, and it still held that same allure now, even in a room filled with items a hundred times its beauty, or worth.

“
If you don’t mind.” He stared down at her with a sneer. “My men will be taking it now.”

Fern turned and came face to face with the dark eyes of the man who had stolen her wardrobe. His hat was still planted firmly on his head, but she could now see his face under the silhouette of its shadow. His looks matched his attire. Dark, yet wickedly handsome. “You gave me quite a run for it, Mr. Nichols, why didn’t you just say what you were willing to bid and save us both the trouble?” She took note of his equally wicked smile.

“
What fun would that have been? Besides, you would have ended up going home feeling completely defeated. Don’t you think the chase is more erotic?” He was amused with her look of disgust. “I’ll tell you what, Miss…?”

“
Abbot! Fern Abbot” She responded sharply through clenched teeth to his request for her name.

“
Miss
Abbot why don’t I send my car for you this Saturday, say around eight. After I treat you to dinner I’ll show you where I’ll be keeping my new wardrobe.” He let his gaze travel over her long neck to rest on the amber flames of her hair; as usual, she wore it up.

“
You’re awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you, Mr. Nichols? Why did you have to have my wardrobe? You obviously can afford a nicer one than this.” Picking up her purse, Fern prepared to leave.

“
A man of my stature has to be sure of himself, Fern, and yes, I can have a much nicer wardrobe than this. But then I wouldn’t be here today making you angry with me for taking it from you, would I?” She had to come, if she didn’t agree on her own, he might have to resort to kidnapping. And since he wasn’t a rogue, that wasn’t the way he wanted it. “Come now Fern, put your pride aside. I have it now and there is nothing you can do to change that.” Shifting his attention back to the wardrobe, he allowed it to take his mind off the moisture he noticed building on her bottom lashes. He was beginning to hate the day his father forced him to read those damned journals. “If it will make you feel any better I’ll give you directions and you can drive yourself.” He reached into his coat pocket for his address cards.

Setting aside her own advice not to accept, Fern smiled sweetly and took the card from his outstretched hand. “All right, Mr. Nichols, I’ll come. And I will drive myself. I was prepared to risk losing my home over this wardrobe, the least I can do is take a look at where it’ll be placed from now on.” She tucked his card in her purse and turned to leave. “Eight o’clock Saturday, I’ll see you then.” As she sauntered away she fought the urge to turn around for one last look, but didn’t because she realized she was more interested in one more look at the devil in disguise and not her precious wardrobe.

But she still couldn’t quiet the little warning voice in her head. After all, what did she know about Rowen Nichols? She’d heard the reputations, the ones that people only spoke about under their breath when he didn’t show up for some social event. He was famed as a recluse, locked away in that great big mansion of his only to come out when society demanded it of him. Yet his friends were always the first to praise him and brag about how much of a gentleman he was, well known for his commitment to the community. In either case, she had to settle her fear of the man and go to his house. A recluse? Maybe, but he still owned her wardrobe. And that was enough incentive to drag her into the pits of hell.

* * * *

Rowen leaned back against the soft leather seat and stretched his long legs out as far as he could. He had the partition up to separate himself from his driver and had pulled the curtains to keep it dark. His Lincoln was black, like most everything else he owned. Saturday was nearly here, thank God. If Fern knew he’d gone to the auction to not only secure ownership of the wardrobe, but also to insure a meeting with her, he wondered how she would have reacted when she met him. He let his fingers drum against the arm of the seat and frowned. Fern Abbott was a little more tenacious than he thought she’d be. His frown turned to a steadily growing grin as he thought about her pouty bottom lip each time he’d out-bid her and the spark of animosity in her hazel eyes every time she looked at him.

When they arrived at his estate he pushed the button of the intercom. “Have the men take the wardrobe to my room, Marcus. Then let Betty know I’ll need her to plan for a visitor Saturday evening. I would like for her to prepare us some of her famous lemonade. Oh, and could you have my Brescian Flintlock Pistol cleaned before Saturday?”

“
Do you have a competition this Saturday, sir?” Marcus looked back at his master through the rearview mirror.

“
No, not this weekend.” Sitting back, Rowen left the partition down and stared at his estate as it came into view through the thick coastal pines. “Saturday is the fifth of June, Marcus. I have something more important than a pistol competition this weekend, much more important.” His fingers had stopped their drumming and now drew endless circles of worry over the soft leather.

* * * *

Fern sat staring at the spot next to the window she had cleared for her wardrobe. She’d been so positive that it was going to be coming home with her that she sold her piano in order to make room for it. Picking up her glass she slammed the last few drops of wine down her throat in frustration. Rowen Nichols! Of all the people in this God forsaken town to take it from her. She’d never get it now, never. She might have called him the scum of the earth, but his looks certainly didn’t fit the description.

Except for seeing the man’s picture in the newspaper from time to time, she knew very little about him, except that he was he was the wealthiest single man in town. Partly out of inheritance and partly because he was a savvy businessman, with a reputation he built on his own. The Nichols Lumber Empire supplied all of the wood necessary for the finest cruise ships in the world. Most people she knew considered him a recluse, but nothing about his mannerisms displayed today gave her the impression that he didn’t have more than his fair share of beauties just waiting to share his fortune and his bed.