Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (9 page)

“The people there are heathens,” her mother whispered.

A shudder ran down Megan’s spine. Such things didn’t matter to her father. As long as he received money, he’d be happy.
“Father?
What has this to do with me?” The deep gnawing in her stomach let her know his answer would be horrible.

“I just realized we have been trying to find you a husband the incorrect way. All this time, your mother’s uncouth tactics have been chasing men away, but if we follow
my
plan, the eligible titled men will be lined up at our door. And the threat of Lord
Thornwyck
joining the family will be but a vague memory.”

Her heart pounded in against her ribs, and her stomach rolled with nausea. She clutched her grasped hands to her middle. “Father, what are you going to do?”

“My plan is to post an announcement in the newspaper, stating I’m searching for a partner in my new business adventure. But in order to become my partner in this goldmine, my daughter’s hand in marriage will have to be obtained first.”

She groaned and covered her face. This could not be happening. At her mother’s enthusiastic squeal, Megan’s heart dropped.

“Oh, Harold. This idea is wonderful. Why haven’t you thought of this before now?”

“Because I really didn’t want a partner in my goldmine. But now it seems I have no other choice.”

Megan pressed the tips of her fingers to her eyes and fought back tears. She breathed slowly, trying to get her emotions under control. “Father, you and Mother have forgotten one important thing.” She dropped her hands and raised her chin.

“What’s that, my dear?” her mother asked.

“Father’s plan will cause a scandal. Why, it’s unheard of. You will be selling your daughter to the highest bidder – like an auction.”

His eyes beamed like the afternoon sun. “An auction? Why, that’s an excellent idea, child.”

Megan groaned as her heart jumped to her throat. “No, Father. I will not be subject to ridicule.”

He smirked as he stepped toward her. His knuckles caressed the side of her face in a loving fashion, but she knew love wasn’t the emotion growing with her father right now.

“You have no other choice,” he told Megan. “You will abide by my rules, or you will be an outcast to society. Then what will you do? At least my plan will catch you a wealthy husband.”

Tears stung her eyes. “Father? You do know this will mean you and Mother will have to move to California? How else will you be able to see how your goldmine is producing?”

“No,” he replied. “I will leave it to your husband to hire the men needed to run the mine. Besides, he will have the money to do that.” He shrugged. “I won’t.”

With a heavy sigh, Megan knew she would be the only person to emerge from the situation a loser.

* * * *

“I can’t believe this!”

Edmund shook his head in disbelief as he read the morning’s headlines in the newspaper. With great interest, he leaned forward in his chair, resting his arms on the dining room table. He reread the article, growled and pushed himself away, grumbling. “May the devil take him!”

Heavy footsteps of his servant echoed out in the hallway before the man hustled into the room.

“Master? Do you need something?”

“Yes. Get my carriage ready, posthaste. I will be going into town.”

Saxton is lower than dirt.
Edmund gnashed his teeth.
That man
actually had the audacity to try and sell Edmund’s piece of land. Growling louder, he crumpled the newspaper. That deed belonged to him, not Saxton. Yet how could the Baron have changed names on the document without Edmund’s signature? Obviously, it was forged.

Edmund’s heart sank. He’d lost this battle. How could he claim the property himself when he’d won it in a card game? If Saxton had the names changed, there was really no way to get the deed back. Unless…

Smoothing out the crinkled paper, Edmund read further in the article. Megan came with the piece of land. He shook his head. Poor Megan. She was probably overwrought with embarrassment right now, and rightly so. It wasn’t her fault she had an imbecile for a father. But, if marrying her would get back his goldmine…

He read further. Only titled lords were able to participate.

Cursing, he wadded up the paper again. Had Saxton ask for only titled lords just so Edmund could not compete? Saxton must be worried Edmund would try to get his deed back.

He pounded his fists once on the table before he turned away. Well, two could play at this game, and Edmund played to win.

He stormed out of the dining room. His manservant followed behind and helped him slip on his over-jacket.

“Is there anything else, Master?”

“No.”

Vengeance boiled through his veins, and his fingers itched to wrap themselves around Saxton’s throat and strangle the very life right out of him. But, honor demanded Edmund control his first impulse. He was no gentleman, although he did play by the rules occasionally.

Besides, he had something better in mind for Saxton. He wanted to witness the Baron slowly die in his poverty. Edmund wanted to personally see that man wither away from society. The peerage was full of men like Saxton, but this was one lord who wouldn’t get the best of Edmund.

A scandal was what it would take, and Edmund would create one.

Unfortunately, Megan would be pulled into this game. She already led a life of embarrassment. She would be better off living with him as his wife. She would be much happier with him. When he remembered how her mouth had responded to his teachings, hope grew inside him.

His carriage pulled up beside Whites and stopped. He opened the door and jumped down. Keeping his back straight and chin erect, he entered the club.

The attendant greeted him with a smile. “Good day, Mr. Knight.”

Edmund nodded. “Good day to you, my fine lad.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a gold coin, then tossed it to the servant. “Tell me, has the Baron, Lord Saxton been in this morning?”

“No, sir.”

“Then I will take a seat and wait for him.” He glanced around the sparse group of men in the club. “Do you know if there’s a good game going on right now?”

“Yes, Mr. Knight. There’s one at the end table.”

Edmund flipped the servant another gold coin then strode through the room toward his destination. When the three other men looked up and saw him, he recognized their fake smiles. Would people ever forget his past, and especially, his lineage?

“May I join you?” he asked the others.

“Certainly, Knight. I never turn away someone willing to hand over his money when he loses.”

Edmund laughed. “Just as long as you hand it back when I win.”

He took a seat. After Lord Rollins dealt the cards, the game began. Once the bets were made, Edmund’s mind wandered to the last card game he had played, and grinned. He would give anything to be back with Megan playing Commerce – with the same wager, of course. It had been only a week ago, but he still recalled everything that happened as if it were just yesterday.

The conversation soon moved from politics to the latest news. When Saxton’s name was mentioned, Edmund’s enthusiasm picked up.

“That’s the most absurd thing I have ever heard,” Lord Winslow remarked. “Saxton has sunk too low this time.”

Lord Rollins next to him took a sip of his brandy then set it on the table. “I disagree. Most of us are bored with the mundane rituals of marriage. We are looking for an adventure. Saxton has just given us one. I believe there will be many men vying for Lady Megan’s hand in marriage, mainly to get the goldmine.”

Edmund cleared his throat and looked at Rollins. “Are you saying you will be participating, my lord?”

“Of course.” He grinned as he laid down his card, displaying his win. “Lady Megan is quite comely and would make an exemplary wife. Although her father is a gambling man, I still believe he raised his daughter properly.”

Edmund ground his teeth, holding back his fury. Women considered Lord Rollins handsome, and he was wealthy to boot. “How many others do you think will join in the adventure?” Edmund asked between tight lips.

“I have spoken with
Kelton
and
Johnstone
, and they are also eager for a new game.”

Edmund decided to play a mental hand and watch Rollins closely for his reaction. “I can’t imagine being with the same woman for the rest of my life.”

Rollins laughed. “Neither can I, but at least I’d have heirs.” He flipped a dismissive hand in the air. “Surely Knight, even you would consider marriage to continue your name, however untitled as it may be.”

“I have personally found titles to be as useless as the men who carry them.” Edmund presented a faux smile. “Money seems to be the dividing line, wouldn’t you say, Rollins? After all the money you have lost over the last few years, I’d think you would know that by now.”

Rollins’ face turned livid, his pale cheeks as red as blood.

Edmund continued, “Should I marry, it will be to the woman I want. I have a large bank account and I have no need to marry for money as some do.”

“Knight, I never took you for a sentimental bloke. I’m certain if you keep sprouting those words of love, some noblewoman might just take the bait.”

Edmund raised a brow at Rollins. “Who said anything about love?” Edmund glanced back at his hand. “Love is for fools.”

Lord
Eversley
laughed. “True, but nonetheless, I’m willing to enter Saxton’s contest. I’m ready to give
Kelton
a run for his money.”

The men around the table chuckled and nodded. Edmund boiled, his fists growing tighter by the second. He couldn’t believe
Kelton
was going to participate. The rest of the men should just go ahead and tuck their tails between their legs and scurry away.
Kelton
had the upper hand
.
Yet, there was one thing he knew about
Kelton
and Lucinda nobody else knew. This piece of information would become useful at the proper time.

Sitting back in his chair, Edmund relaxed and enjoyed the card game.

The morning passed too slowly, and every time the door opened, his attention snapped to the person entering. Each time his spirits dropped when it wasn’t Saxton. After three more hours, the redheaded Baron walked through the door, looking as arrogant as ever. Edmund seethed with anger as the older man took a seat with his old cronies. A servant hurried to the Baron’s side, bringing him a drink. Edmund wished he could have spit in it first.

Edmund allowed Saxton to visit with his old chums for a little while. Finally, Edmund could wait no more and pushed away from his table to make his way over to the Baron’s side. As Edmund approached, the word
goldmine
popped into the discussion. He stopped several feet away and leaned against the wall, listening intently to what everyone had been talking about.

Saxton acted as if he didn’t have a problem in the world, as if the goldmine were really his and not Edmund’s. He bunched his hands into fists, and then quickly shoved them in his pockets before striking out at the man.

“Saxton, I think it was a brilliant idea,” Lord Adams commented. “Why, the whole town is buzzing with the news.”

Saxton shrugged. “I had to share my treasure with my friends, but this way I’ll keep it in the family.” He laughed, and the rest joined in.

Edmund cleared his throat and stepped forward. All eyes turned toward him. Saxton’s face turned one shade paler.
Good. Let him be afraid,
Edmund thought
.
“Lord Saxton, may I ask how you will choose the winner?”

The other man’s Adam’s apple lurched. “There will be a contest, and I will pick the worthy man. I want to make certain my daughter and her future husband will suit. After a week or so, I will weed out the unworthy men, narrowing our choices.” He folded his arms across his belly. “After that, I don’t know what will happen. I shall just let the pieces fall into place.”

“But, Saxton,” Edmund continued, “how will those worthy men know the goldmine is real? Perhaps this is just a farce to get you out of debt.”

The room hushed and only the sound of clinking glasses could be heard over Lord Saxton’s heavy breathing. Edmund wanted to smile in victory, but he hadn’t won yet. The Baron twisted his handkerchief and a bead of sweat popped out on his forehead.

Saxton glanced around the room at the others, and cleared his throat. “The proof of the gold is back at my house. You have my word as a gentleman, but for those who know nothing of the concept – my proof will be the nugget.”

Edmund gnashed his teeth. Not only had Saxton stole his deed, he had taken the gold nugget he’d kept hidden in his pocket during that fateful poker game. He growled under his breath. He’d been drunker that night than he first thought.

One of the other men in the room spoke, breaking the awkward silence. “Mr. Knight? Are you planning on participating in this contest?”

After a few deep breaths, Edmund contained the rage brewing inside his body. He glanced at the man. “Respectfully, I must decline. I’m not titled. Besides,” he paused for emphasis, and turned his voice smooth and as seductive as honey, “I don’t think I could tolerate having Saxton as my father-in-law.”