Susan Paul - Beguiled

Sincerely,

Tracy Farrell

Senior Editor

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lives in Monrovia, California, with her husband and two young daughters. She started her first novel when she was in her early teens but eventually put it aside, unfinished, in favor of more important interests…such as boys. Now happily married and—somewhat—settled down, she’s returned to her love of the written word and finds it much easier to finish the books she starts.

To the wonderful ladies at The Book Rack in Arcadia, California, who have so kindly supported me over the years and kept my bookshelves at home well stocked, this novel is dedicated with all my thanks and appreciation.

It had often been said among those who should know that the Earl of Cardemore was not quite human, that he was, in fact, a devil who had managed to escape from Hell and take on human form. Some argued that his unnatural size was proof that he wasn’t a native of this world, while others contended that the vivid scars mapping his harsh features gave testament to the fierce struggle he’d made while grasping and clawing his way out of the eternal pit of fire. Anthony Harbreas, the Earl of Graydon, had never given merit to the ridiculous rumorings. Until now.

The summons he had received from Cardemore an hour earlier—although he used the word summons out of polite habit, as it had really been a threat—was the least of the surprises he’d met with that night. The gloomy interior darkness of Cardemore’s immense and elegant town house, Wilborn Place, located in the midst of London’s most fashionable district, had certainly given him a turn, as had the sight of a number of carriages belonging to some of England’s highest-ranking nobles parked outside that same house. The fact that all of Cardemore’s servants appeared to possess the ability to fade rapidly into shadows had been cause for some question, as well. Lord Daltry, who’d been present when the summons arrived and had subsequently insisted upon accompanying Lord Graydon, murmured as they followed Cardemore’s ominously silent butler down a darkened hall, “If I’d known we’d be surrounded by ghouls, I would have brought along a priest.”

But the most potent shock by far had been the sight of Cardemore himself, when he had at last come through the doors of the study in which Graydon and Daltry awaited him.

Unkempt, unshaved and dressed in the coarse manner of a dockside laborer, appearing both aggravated and weary, the man walked into the room, looked down at his guests from his superior height and commented gruffly without preamble, “Brought a friend along to hold your hand, did you, Graydon? Just as well. I can’t abide most of you sorry young dandies, but at least Daltry knows how to fight properly.”

“Not against you, however, my lord,” Daltry remarked with a slight bow. “The last time I had the honor of matching you at Jackson’s you nearly knocked all my teeth out. I was obliged to eat boiled oats for a week.”

With a rare chuckle, Cardemore stalked past them, reaching for a decanter of brandy set near the impressive desk that took up one end of the room. “Sit down,” he said, pouring himself a drink. “I haven’t long before I must return to more important matters.”

“No thank you, my lord,” Graydon replied, his gaze following Cardemore’s movements as the man settled into a large chair behind the desk. “As it happens, Daltry and I are expected at Lord and Lady Hamilton’s shortly. We only stopped here first because your missive was so urgent.”

“Urgent,” Cardemore repeated, his dark eyes taking in his guests’ elegant evening clothes with clear amusement. “Oh, yes, Graydon, it is indeed an urgent matter that brings you here tonight. But I have less use for fine manners than I do for young dandies, so let’s dispense with them and speak plainly. You came because I told you to come. Because I’ve bought up every debt you owe, every marker you’ve pledged and every deed you’ve mortgaged, including the one to St. Cathyrs.” He paused long enough to sip his drink, his eyes holding Graydon’s over the rim of the glass. “That was foolish of you,” he continued pleasantly in a moment. “Didn’t you realize how vulnerable your family estate became when you used it to secure such a large loan?”

“It was an unfortunate but necessary action,” Graydon replied quietly, warily. “It was to be repaid this coming quarter. Indeed, if what you say is true, if you hold the note to the mortgage, then you will receive the outstanding amount due. In full.”

“No.” Cardemore set his glass on the table. “I won’t accept payment in money for the outstanding amount. I won’t accept money for any of your debts. What I require,” he said, sitting forward and tenting his fingers beneath his chin, “is payment of a different kind.”

Graydon gave not the slightest indication of surprise. “You bought all of my debts in order to put me beneath your hand? May I tell you, my lord, that such as that is blackmail, and more than likely to end with you in Newgate?”

Cardemore’s lazy smile widened. “Oh, no, my boy. That’s not one of your options. You don’t know enough about me to even begin to understand what I can do to you without fear of reprisal. I vow I wouldn’t lose so much as a moment’s sleep on your behalf. If you don’t want to find yourself ruined and your dear mother and charming sisters thrown out of your ancestral home, then I suggest that you sit down and listen to what I propose. There will be enough opportunity for you to rant and rave after, if you wish.”

“Might as well sit, Tony,” Daltry remarked with practical resignation, adding, when Graydon looked at him sharply, “Unless you want to stand here all night while you argue with the man.”

When they were both seated, Cardemore said, “Let me tell you plainly what I want and we can save ourselves the effort of playing cat and mouse. My sister, Lily, and my niece, Isabel, are coming to London next month to have their comeout. I want you to dance attendance on Lily while she’s here and make certain that both she and Isabel are fully accepted in society.”

A stark silence followed these words as Cardemore looked from one man to the other, at last saying, “Never thought I’d see the day when one of you frippery young lords could be shocked speechless, but I suppose here it is. It’s a nuisance to put my own sister into such a man’s care, but you’ll treat her well enough or suffer the consequences. That’s the best I can do, short of buying Lily a husband.”

With an effort, Graydon found his voice. “My lord, what you suggest is preposterous.”

“You won’t think so when you’re corresponding to your family and friends from debtor’s prison,” Cardemore assured him.

“But why should you wish to do such a thing?” Graydon demanded. “And why me? I can’t suddenly start squiring a girl I’ve never even met before.”

“Why not?” Cardemore gave a shrug of his massive shoulders. “Like the rest of your kind, you’ve been taught from the cradle how to manipulate others. There’s very little you can’t manage if you put some effort to it. And don’t think I don’t know it. I come from the same sort of people, with all their ancient titles and ancient blood and ancient emotions.” He sat back comfortably in his chair. “The Walfords go back to before the days of the Romans, so far back you’d think we’d have water in our veins by now instead of blood, we’ve been stretched so thin. Some of us are half-mad,” he said with a grin. “Some of us are nearly inhuman. I happily abandoned my family when I was fourteen and never would have gone back if my brother hadn’t had the bad manners to get himself killed without leaving a son to inherit the title and estates, and if Lily hadn’t needed me. I’ve loved few souls in my life, Graydon,” Cardemore said softly, intently, “but Lily is the most precious among them. I’ve held her safe from every harm these past many years, keeping her in the country, as far from fashionable society’s vultures as possible, but now I think perhaps I’ve done her a disservice. She’s twenty-one years of age and as vulnerable as a newborn babe. Coming to London is as a dream to her. An answer to all her prayers. I’ll not allow her to be disappointed. Understand that.” His expression took on a hint of menace, as gentle and firm as his voice. “Lily will have all the things she’s dreamed of. Exactly as she’s dreamed of them. You’ll make certain of it or lose everything you hold most dear. I give my word of honor on it.”