Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (13 page)

Without looking at Crestwood to see if the other man watched, Edmund felt the flames of the lord’s glare burn through him. Smiling, Edmund dipped his head to the curve of her neck as his finger traced softly along the edge of her sleeve. Although this was just an act, she sighed and tilted her head back. He placed a kiss under her ear.

“Edmund, you had better be careful what you do to me. I might forget about Thomas altogether and take you.”

His chest shook from his silent laugh. “I regret, my dear Sarah, I don’t have mistresses.”

“What a shame.” She slid her hand on his knee. “Because I think you would be very experienced.”

He grinned. “I am.”

He pulled away and took a moment to glance over his shoulder at Crestwood. Just as Edmund had suspected, Crestwood had his eyes on them, aimed in a scowl. When Megan’s head pointed in their direction, too, Edmund’s heart dropped. He didn’t want her to see. A pain, like a knife driving into his chest, caused his heart to ache and he grumbled.

Sarah squeezed his knee. “What is it, darling?”

“Nothing.”

Edmund refrained from touching her for the remainder of the program, but he couldn’t keep his gaze from wandering across to Megan. Her lovely profile was turned toward the stage, but she didn’t smile. It was his fault. He didn’t want her upset with him, and he vowed he would somehow change her opinion of his rotten character.

During intermission, he continued to fawn over Sarah, hoping Crestwood would soon put a stop to it. The curtain to their box flew open and Lord Crestwood rushed inside. He grabbed Edmund’s arm and yanked him out of his seat.

“Take your hands off her!”

It’s about time.
Edmund adjusted his cravat, smoothing out the wrinkles the irritated lord caused. “I’m sorry, Crestwood, I didn’t realize my evening with Lady Downing bothered you.”

Crestwood stepped closer, his much larger nose taking more space than Edmund expected. He remained still, nonetheless, and waited to hear what Crestwood had to say.

“You know very well what I’m referring to.”

Edmund shook his head. “Lord Crestwood, I must point out if you don’t lower your voice, you will cause a scene.”

Edmund glanced around and the scene he’d planned was unfolding perfectly. He tried keeping the victorious grin from stretching across his face.

Lady Downing stood and pulled Crestwood away. Her hand stroked his face. “Should we discuss this in private, Thomas?”

Crestwood’s eyes softened when he looked at her. Not another word was spoken as she linked her arm around Crestwood’s elbow and they walked out of the box.

Edmund blew out a gush of air. Now…time to make amends with Megan.

He hurried toward her box. She wouldn’t listen, but he’d make her understand. He needed to release the deep ache in his chest, and her forgiveness was the only way.

As he reached her box, he slowed his pace, hesitating to throw back the closed curtain and enter. Judging his mood right now, he’d take her in his arms and smother her with kisses until she sighed his name in passion. Then he would lead her to one of the many dark corners in this building to find a private moment he knew he’d treasure.

He parted the curtain and looked in. Megan sat with her ramrod-straight back toward him, but her mother was there, too.
He hadn’t planned on this. But then, the older woman’s head had fallen forward, resting her chin on her chest as heavy breathing slipped through her lips. He grinned. This was perfect.

He cleared his throat softly, but loud enough for Megan to hear. Her head snapped around and she met his stare. At first, her eyes lit up with excitement, but then she folded her arms in defiance.

“A moment, please,” he whispered.

“No.”

“I need to speak with you.”

She shook her head, the ringlets bouncing in rhythm. “I said no.”

Lady Saxton stirred in her chair, and Edmund held his breath, hoping he had not awakened the mother. Soft snores came from her and he breathed a sigh of relief.

He stepped in a little further. “Megan, we really need to talk. Please.” He held out his hand, but she turned her back to him, ignoring his offer. “Megan, if you don’t come with me, I will create a scene right here for everyone to see.”

She huffed and stood. In three long strides, she was in front of him, lips pursed. But she still looked adorable. He grinned.

Her eyes narrowed. “You have exactly two minutes to explain yourself,
then
I want you out of this box, and out of my life,” she said very softly.

He shook his head. “I’m afraid I cannot do that. First, you will never be free of my attentions, and secondly, it will take more than two minutes for what I have to say.” He glanced at Lady Saxton. “If we hurry, I will get you back before your mother awakes.”

“And, what of Lord Crestwood?”

He couldn’t resist stroking her cheek, and although he wanted to kiss those pouty lips, he resisted. “My dear, I think you know where Crestwood has gone.”

She scowled. “Yes, thank you very much for making a public display by relieving me of my escort.”

“Anything for you, my sweet.” He dropped his hand to hers, entwining their fingers. “Come, I have much to say.”

He pulled her out of the box and found a side hallway. He led her up the stairs and to one of the secret corners of this opera house. The way was deserted, and once they reached the room, he pushed her up against the wall, sandwiching her with his own body.

A surprised gasp came from her, but he silenced it with his mouth. Her lips were stiff, and between his hands and his lips, he convinced her to relax. Finally, she caved. Sighing, she wrapped her arms around his neck and melted against him.

“Oh,
Meggie
.” He broke away only long enough to mumble her name, then slanted his mouth over hers and deepened the kiss. He stroked her arms, then up to her bare shoulders.

She turned her head, stopping the incredible kiss. “Edmund, we must not do this. We must return before someone notices us gone.” Her breaths came deep and irregular.

“I cannot stand to have Crestwood close to you.”

Her body stiffened, and she pressed her hands against his chest to push him away. “Indeed? Well, Mr. Knight, you have a strange way of showing it. The way you pawed all over that woman after the program started, well…it was absolutely scandalous.”

He smiled, his heart softening from her jealousy. “I didn’t mean for you to see.”

“I’m certain you didn’t, but the point is—”

“The point is, you are jealous.”

“
What
?” she snapped. “
Jealous
? I’m not jealous in the least. What you do with other women doesn’t bother me.”

Leaning over, he kissed just below her ear. “Yes it does, and it thrills me to hear you talk this way.”

She pushed him back again. “Mr. Knight, get these silly notions of jealousy out of your head. I’m not jealous one bit.”

“I will be honest and tell you I only acted that way because of Crestwood. I was only with his mistress because she wanted him back.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

“Oh, but I think it does.”

He bent his head toward hers, and she ducked from his next kiss. She tried to move away from him, but he wrapped his arms around her waist, keeping her next to him. She felt too comfortable in his arms…like she belonged here.

“Mr. Knight, please. I must get back. What if my mother awakens?”

“What floor is your bedroom, my sweet?”

“
What
?”

“I’m going to come to your house tonight. I will be waiting outside your bedroom window.”

She gasped. “I think not!”

“Let me in or you will have a devil of a time explaining my presence when I come to the door.”

“You wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Do you want to test my devotion, my sweet?”

She scowled.

“Tell me what room,
Meggie
.”

“No.”

“Then we will see what happens tonight when I search for your chambers.”

Edmund kissed her lips one last time before pulling away. Taking her hand in his, he led her through the hallways and to her box. He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on her gloved knuckle.

“Until later, my sweet.”

When he reached his box, there was a servant waiting for him with a note. The young lad handed him the floral scented paper, then left. Edmund grinned. By Jove, his plan had worked after all. In the letter, Sarah told him Crestwood had taken her back to her place, and back into his life.

Edmund glanced across the way toward Megan’s box. Lady Saxton was awake and the two women were collecting their things to depart. Before leaving, Megan shot him an angry look,
then
quickly lowered her eyes as she followed her mother out.

He chuckled, not caring who heard. What a wonderful evening it had been so far. Certainly he was no gentleman. But then, life would not be as much fun if he were. Tonight, however, he’d discover how deeply Megan cared for him. If she met him at her bedroom window and let him in, he’d know her true feelings. And if she didn’t…well, he didn’t really want to think of that. His heart…um, his
ego
wouldn’t be able to take it.

Chapter Eight

With her frown and downcast eyes, she hoped she’d given her mother a good impression of having a wounded heart on the ride home from the opera. What Crestwood had done was inexcusable, yet she’d been grateful for his quick departure. Her mother had been appalled Crestwood would make some pretext about having an emergency at home that would take him away, leaving the two women to ride in his carriage alone.

Once she and her mother had arrived home from the opera, the minute they walked in the door, her mother called out to Harold.

Her father stormed into the hallway, his eyes wide with wonder. “What are you squawking about now? Good grief, woman, I’m certain the neighbors could hear you.”

Megan’s mother huffed as she yanked off her bonnet and handed it to the maid. “Your daughter and I had the most atrocious evening. I demand you take Lord Crestwood off our list of possible suitors at once!”

Slowly, Megan pulled apart the ribbons tying her bonnet as she carefully watched her parents.

“What for, may I ask?” Harold scowled.

“That man left us halfway through the performance. It was quite embarrassing, I tell you. Megan and I had to slip out of our box when the lamps dimmed just so nobody would see us leaving.” She shook her head. “He has no manners. None at all!”

Megan rolled her eyes. She couldn’t understand why her mother was so embarrassed since she slept most of the time Lord Crestwood was with them.

Harold nodded. “Then if you say he’s not a good fit, I’ll remove him.”

“I thank you, Harold.” She rubbed her forehead. “This evening’s disastrous events have left me very ill.”

“Then go lie down and rest,” he said.

Megan’s father was quite accommodating, which in itself surprised her. Perhaps he hadn’t quite delved into his whiskey as of yet. After all, it was still early in the evening according to his standards.

She finally removed her bonnet and handed it to the servant who waited patiently by her side. “If you’ll excuse me, I must retire as well. I have such a horrid headache.”

Without waiting for a response, she hurried up the stairs to her bedchambers. She must do something about her soon-to-be visitor.

Quickly, Megan moved to the window and peered out the curtains down into the shadows dancing in the yard. A wave of anxiety swept through her. Outwardly, she tried to be an island of calm strength, yet she felt like she was in the midst of chaos, instead. When she thought of Edmund coming to her room, a maelstrom of sensations flooded her mind, confusing her. On one hand, she hoped he’d been jesting with her earlier tonight, because she could
not
let him touch her again. On the other hand, his touch had sent tendrils of flames spiraling through her, awakening desires inside her body she had a hard time controlling whenever he was around.

She had to control them!

She’d have to hurry and ready herself for bed and extinguish the lights. Then, Edmund would leave when he noticed she’d gone to bed. Her plan must work. She couldn’t have him coming to her room.

In haste, she unlatched her dress and removed the many layers of underclothing. Unlacing her corset proved a little more difficult, but once completed, she slipped her wrap over her pantaloons and chemise.

Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind as she paced back and forth in her room. Wringing her hands, she prayed Edmund wouldn’t come, yet her body ached with anticipation for his tender caress. She cursed her weakness, wishing she could be stronger. But the moment he touched her, all intelligent thoughts vanished, and she obeyed his every command.

When the bell at the front door chimed through the house, she froze.
Edmund wouldn’t dare.
Her parents wouldn’t allow him entrance. She hurried to the bedroom door and pressed her ear against the wood. Soon, the deep tread of her father’s heavy footsteps coming up the stairs was heard. She backed up until the end of her bed stopped her. Her limbs shook so hard she thought she’d crumble.