My Lady Mischief (18 page)

But, no. He was leaving. How could he leave and not help? Thea tried to call to him, but Charles took advantage. He quickly covered her mouth with his own, effectively silencing her calls for help.

By now thoroughly fed up with his unwanted embraces, she reacted to this invasion with unbridled fury. She bit down on his lip—hard.

Charles yelled and released her, toppling her to the floor in an ungainly heap. When it became obvious that he would do nothing to help, Mr. McCormack and Emma stepped forward to help her in rising.

"You bit me," cried Charles. He raised a handkerchief to his mouth.

"I most certainly did. You deserved it." Her fury remained unabated. "You wouldn't release me." She looked at the others: Emma, Mack, Aunt Prunella, and Mrs. Cresswell. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must find Hart."

Mrs. Cresswell stepped forward and grabbed her forearm. "Not so fast, young lady." Leering, she added, "It appears that a betrothal is in order."

"Whatever do you mean?" Thea whirled to remove the woman's hand but the woman just clamped down that much harder.

"You were caught
en flagrante
with Lord Gibbons. I think the consequences are quite obvious."

"Obvious, my eye. The man was attacking me."

"It didn't look like that to me from the way you clutched his lapels. Look, they are still creased from your handling." Mrs. Cresswell pointed at him.

Thea spun to take in his appearance, and he did appear to be the worse for her handling. She felt particularly proud of his swollen lip.

Charles shook his head, then dabbed at his mouth with his handkerchief. He'd changed his mind about wedding Thea. No fortune was large enough to convince him to spend his remaining years under the cat's paw with her.
 
She'd probably beat him senselesswithin a sennight of their wedding. She'd always been able to best him.

However, he didn't wish to be accused of behaving in an ungentlemanly manner. As he removed the handkerchief from his mouth, he wisely held back a reply until he could resolve the issue in his own favor. He signaled Mrs. Cresswell to dispense with their plan to force Thea into marriage. But the woman was too caught up in the drama of the moment.

Mrs. Cresswell's voice became louder. "You have been compromised and you will marry Lord Gibbons or forfeit your position within society, Missy, that I know for sure!"

And Thea, in answer to the woman's words, unthinkingly flung back her own, "I'll have you know I've already been compromised—by Lord Hartingfield! If I could not be coerced into marrying him then I certainly will not marry Charles."

Hart, who had tried to leave but hadn't been able to rid the image of Thea from his head, had returned to the library in time to hear Thea's proclamation. Something about the way Lord Gibbons had held Thea bothered him and he'd eventually seen through the jealousy fogging his brain. Thea hadn't been a happy participant. Now, his peripheral vision took in the number of other people who had come to witness the scene. Their numbers now included Lady Sefton, Lady Jersey, Lady Phillingim, and Lord Steyne.

He opened his mouth to explain because if someone didn't do something, Thea's reputation with the
ton
would be destroyed. However, Thea caught his eye. She smiled warmly at him and he realized, in that instant, that what she felt for him ran as deeply as his feelings for her. In that moment all eyes in the room turned to watch them grinning like children at each other.

Thea was the first to recover at least somewhat. "My dear Lord Hartingfield, will you do me the pleasure of becoming my husband?"

The inhabitants of the room inhaled a deep breath of shocked silence, until at last Lady Sefton laughed kindly. "She's utterly captivating, Lord Hartingfield. No wonder she stole your heart."

"That she did. Although why she couldn't have accepted one of my numerous proposals and chose this particular moment with an audience, is beyond me. If you will excuse us? I wish a few moments alone with my betrothed."

He waved his arms for everyone but Thea to leave the room and for once, she appeared eager to be alone with him.

*

In the corridor outside the closed library door, Aunt Prunella turned to deliver a setdown to Lord Gibbons. "How could you? You actions were not that of a gentleman."

"My lady," he said with his most endearing bow, "you are correct. I was overcome by the loveliness of Lady Althea and in a moment of passion declared my love." He spread his hands in an entreating gesture. "I am most ashamed and regretful I overstepped the bounds of propriety and I ask your forgiveness. It will never happen again."

He paused to judge the effect of this pronouncement upon the persons present and felt that it would serve. To give his pose further credence, he added humbly, "I shall now go forward and do good works to atone for my impudence. Please say you forgive me, Lord Steyne and Lady Prunella." He bowed his head.

"Very well, we shall speak no more of this matter," answered Steyne haughtily.

"You ninny," Mrs. Cresswell growled. "You almost had her purse within your hands."

"Better to forfeit her purse than forfeit my life, madame," he answered in an undertone. Just when the notables present had begun to think he might not have behaved so abominably, the woman had to ruin it all by reminding them of what he had to gain. The scandal would be the delight of the
ton
for weeks to come.

Without considering what it would do to his injured lip, he signaled a footman to bring him a fresh brandy just as the milling crowd began to disburse.

Chapter Fourteen

Alone at last in the library, Thea's eyes rounded in surprise as Hart lowered his lips to hers. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her as thoroughly as only a reformed rake could when embracing the woman who'd captured his heart. She encircled his neck with her arms and returned his kiss with joyful abandon.

When Hart moved to tenderly kiss her forehead, her eyes lit in amusement.

"You have been compromised, my lord. You never answered earlier. Have you reconsidered your decision?" She enjoyed turning his own words back on him. "Will you agree to an immediate betrothal?"

His eyes crinkled in amusement. Two could play this game. "My answer remains the same."

Thea placed her palm against his cheek. "Shall I force you to reconsider, Hart?"

Again, his lips claimed hers. He bundled her more tightly into his arms, as if he never intended to release her.

After many contented minutes, Thea sighed as she snuggled delightedly into that precious spot beneath his chin. "I love you, Hart," she whispered.

A huge boyish smile lit his face, "You are not marrying me for my title or wealth?"

Thea shook her head.

"You are not marrying me to avoid the censure of the
ton?"

"No."

"We are making a love-match?"

Thea's voice was as soft as a cashmere shawl. "I hope so, Hart. I sincerely hope so."

He looked deeply into her eyes and she knew the truth of her love for him was written on her face.

"Of course, I haven't told you of the depth of my esteem, have I?" said Hart teasingly.

Thea looked at him in shock. Had she been mistaken? Or was the cad playing with her? Blast the man and blast her heart for loving him so. "No, you haven't."

Hart lifted her into his arms, pulling her feet off the floor. He swung her dizzily about the room, his voice a low growl. "I love you, Thea. I'll never stop loving you."

Sometime later, the two lovers were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. They looked up to see Lady Prunella, the Earl of Steyne, and the Duke of Devonshrop watching them with warm affection on their faces.

The duke turned to Prunella, "I planned this. I planned it all!"

Lord Steyne broke in, "Nonsense, Squigy. It was all my doing."

While gentle pandemonium broke out among the threesome, Hart pulled Thea by the hand to lead her from the room and to a life filled with laughter and love.

Other Titles by Kathy Carmichael

Find out more about my eBooks by clicking on the Amazon links below or by visiting
my website
or my
Amazon Author Page
.

Cozy Mysteries

My Favorite Corpse (A Skullduggery Inn short story)

Short Story. While Ashley’s mystery weekend guests usually enjoy the occasional dead body, they prefer the never-previously-animated kind.

Mayhem on the Winterland Express (A Skullduggery Inn short story)

Short Story. A valuable necklace disappears, and Ashley must discover who-dun-it or the fundraiser to build a no-kill animal shelter will be terminated.

Diary of a Confessions Queen

Amy Crosby believes her missing husband is dead…that is, until she receives a blackmail note.

Confessions writer Amy Crosby has put her life on hold for the last seven years after the disappearance of her husband, Dan. In writing for
True Lies Magazine
, guilt-ridden Amy takes on the abilities her fictional characters confess to, such as the time she thought she was psychic after researching clairvoyants. With fatalistic acceptance of the craziness in her life, she uses humor to cope; but when the home Dan bought for them is about to be foreclosed on, her only answer is having him declared legally dead and using his life insurance policy. Her home is safe––that is, until she receives a blackmail note. Equal parts mystery and humor, this novel is sure to keep readers guessing–and laughing–until the end.

Romantic Comedies

Angel Be Good

Red Adept 2010 Indie Awards Winner
Miracles still happen in modern day New York when “Scrooge” (Nathaniel Danvers) meets
Heaven Can Wait
(Daphne), who has been sent to give him one last chance at redemption.
Angel Be Good
captures the essence of the classic Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol
and offers a touch of humor and romance. A perfect holiday feel-good read.

Your Magic Touch (A Sweet Read from Kathy Carmichael)

Novella. Tabloid reporter Frannie Fielding arrives at Haliday Hall with three ghost hunters to investigate possible ghost infestations.
 
But there's more to Frannie and the ghost hunters than meets the eye. Sinclair Haliday, a dead ringer for Heathcliff or Mr. de Winter, finds the peskiest of the intruders to be Frannie with her endless questions—although he has to admit she's the cutest living creature he's ever seen. After being blackmailed into allowing the group into the Newport, RI mansion, Sinclair is determined the only story they will leave with is of a failed attempt to find ghosts. In this romantic comedy, sparks fly as Frannie tries to resist Sinclair's magic touch.

Here Comes Trouble

Coming Soon in eBook from Montlake Romance

Reviewers International Winner Short Contemporary

In the town of Littlemouth, being naughty was never so much fun. Trouble was never so delightful! Five incorrigible women are members of a library reader's group, The Readers Organization Uniting Book-loving Littlemouth Elites. Their nickname, TROUBLE, fits them perfectly. There's no avoiding TROUBLE. They run every volunteer and civic organization in town and feel justified in creating chaos in pursuit of their own amusement. The ladies now turn their hands to matchmaking. Their first project is centered on homebody Stella Goody, and wanderer Quin Gregory, who were best childhood friends. Now that Quin has returned home after a long absence, can they rebuild their friendship or will it turn into something more lasting--and romantic? With TROUBLE involved, all's fair in love and Littlemouth!

Texas Legacy Romantic Comedy series

Chasing Charlie
-- Prequel

“Sweet” romantic comedy. When Davis Murphy, cowboy wannabe and one of Dallas's most eligible bachelors, asks Charlie Nelson to pretend to be his fiancée, her reaction is to run far and fast. Raised by two older, very protective, brothers on a South Texas cattle ranch, Charlie wants only one thing: to avoid thrill-seeking cowboys. Davis needs a fiancée so his widowed mother will marry her longtime gentleman friend. Charlie is the perfect answer if only she'll go along with the scheme. Can he talk her into becoming his temporary fiancée? And once he does, can he convince her to become his real wife?

Kissing Kelli
-- Book 1

Handsome cowboy Bobby Gray Nelson would like to put his brand on Kelli Palmer’s heart … but will she give him the boot?

“Sweet” romantic comedy. When rodeo champion Bobby Gray Nelson meets feisty Kelli Palmer, she refuses him on every count. Always up for a challenge, he is determined to woo this woman who might be his soul mate. Kelli’s sister claims dibs on this handsome cowboy, so Kelli reins in her attraction. Losing is not an option for Bobby Gray. He comes up with a plan to place his brand on Kelli’s heart. Can Kelli stand her ground — even after his toe-curling kiss?

Stuck on You
-- Book 2

Now
this
is magnetic attraction!

Accident prone is one thing. But electromagnetic impairment, too? Whenever Diedra Palmer’s emotions run high, light bulbs burn out, watches stop and appliances go berserk. Diedre likes her men in neckties and starched collars, all the better for mussing. And Alec Sparks is the starchiest man she’s ever met. While Alec and Diedra work together, can they fight the heated desire flaring between them?

Women’s Fiction/Romance

Hot Flash

Booklist
named Top 10 Romance!

Calm, cool and premenopausal?

In this laugh-out-loud story about self discovery and coming to terms with aging, forty-year-old Jill Morgan Storm sets out to find the man of—if not her dreams, her son’s college tuition. Thanks to survey responses from couples celebrating significant anniversaries, she’s discovered the secret to a successful marriage: a man who travels. When she “auditions” traveling salesmen, she’s hoping for one week of marital bliss, three weeks off and a monthly paycheck. Will she find herself and the man of her schemes?