Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (24 page)

He placed another kiss on her lips before turning her around and fastening her dress. Anger along with guilt and sadness filled her. Why hadn’t she thought of the consequences before now? For certain, the whole party would hear within minutes.

Squeezing her eyes closed, she willed herself not to cry. How would she find the courage to face everyone downstairs? But more importantly, how could she face her father? He’d always reminded her how well she disappointed him. What would he do now?

She groaned. Dealing with him would be the hardest part of all.

* * * *

Edmund placed Megan’s shaky, cold hand over his elbow as he escorted her down the stairs. It made him proud to see her hold her stubborn chin erect, and especially to keep a smile on her blanched face.

All eyes were upon them as they descended the stairs. Although the orchestra continued to play and couples pretended to dance, Edmund and Megan were, without a doubt, the center of attention.

Lord Rollins stood next to Lord
Eversley
, and by their victorious smirks they were going to gloat for quite a while. Edmund didn’t care. This was nothing compared to the ridicule and scandal he’d been used to. Although Megan shouldn’t have to suffer. She didn’t deserve such treatment.

Everybody judged them at that moment, obvious through their piercing glares. Once again, Edmund was used to brushing it aside, but when he glanced at Megan and saw pain etched across her face, his heart wrenched. If he could do anything to keep her from this humiliation, he would.

Out of the corner of his eye, Megan’s parents weaved their way through the crowd, heading toward the doors. The Baron’s forehead was so creased it almost hid his face as if he was ready to explode. Edmund didn’t think he’d ever seen Lady Saxton’s mouth so pinched before. Her pale face contrasted to her husband’s reddening cheeks.

Edmund directed Megan to the front door, the crowd parting with each step. Megan kept her shoulders straight, but didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. The butler gave them their cloaks, then disappeared.

Not a word was said while Edmund escorted her outside. The Saxton’s carriage waited next to his. When they neared, the Baron jumped down.

Saxton aimed a finger at Edmund. “You have ruined everything now.” He turned to Megan. “And you can get inside.” He titled his head in the direction of the family vehicle.

Edmund cleared his throat. “Lord Saxton, I will be taking Megan home.”

“Well, you can forget it. I have a few words I need to say to my daughter.”

Edmund stepped closer, glaring down at the other man. “Then you can say them in front of me.”

“Over my dead body.” Fire nearly shot out of the Baron’s eyes.

“If it must come to that.”

“Megan is still my daughter even if she has acted like a whore, and until you exchange wedding vows, I have every right to speak to her.”

Edmund grasped the Baron’s lapels of his overcoat and yanked him once. “I don’t wish to hear such language about my future wife. Apologize immediately.”

Megan sobbed and pulled on Edmund’s sleeve. “Please, put him down. He’s been drinking. He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

Edmund glanced down into her wide, frightened eyes now spiked with tears. His heart clenched. “Megan, I won’t allow your father to speak about you in such a way.”

Her forehead creased. “You won’t
allow
? Pray tell, Edmund, what will you do? Duel him like you’ve done in the past?”

“You will be my wife. As your fiancé, I have been entitled to such responsibilities.”

She gasped. “I am now a responsibility?”

Saxton knocked Edmund’s hands away, then turned to face his daughter. “Megan, you have one minute to get inside the carriage, or as God is my witness, I’ll wipe my hands clean of you this very moment.”

Megan’s face hardened, her tears kept at bay. She glared at her father, then back at Edmund. His heart hammered and he prayed she’d come with him.

She lifted her chin. “Father, the deed has been done. The scandal is out and there’s not one thing we can do about it. I will ride with Edmund.”

The Baron cursed. “You’re as defiant as your mother.” His face reddened more. “The two of you have brought nothing but pain to my existence.” He shook his head. “I never wanted your mother, I just didn’t want
him
to have her.”

Megan gasped, her eyes widening. “What are you talking about?”

The Baron nodded at Edmund. “His father wanted your mother, but there was no way I would let Phillip get her.” He growled. “Now it looks like his son is getting my daughter and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

Her bottom lip quivered, but she straightened her shoulders. “You are correct, Father. This time you have lost.”

The Baron cursed again, climbed inside his carriage and slammed the door.

Edmund took her arm and helped her inside his carriage, then climbed in and sat next to her. The moment the vehicle lurched into motion, Megan crumbled, weeping into her hands. He circled his arms around her and held her head against his chest.

“My love, let it out. You have every right.”

“Did...did...you see the way...my father looked...at me...and what he said?”

“
Shhh
, calm down, my love.”

“How can I remain calm?”

“It’s like you said before, your father is drunk, he doesn’t know—”

“Yes, he does. He knows how he feels. He’s judged me and left me to hang. Just like they all have. They were all condemning at the ball. Every last one of them.”

“Yes, I know.” He kissed the top of her head. “But you made me proud the way you faced them.”

“Oh, Edmund. Will it always be this bad?” She dropped her hands and looked up at him. “Will they always judge?”

“Yes, my love. I fear they will never forget.”

“It’s not fair.”

“No, life is not fair, but the way you handle it will shape your future. You can choose to be a broken woman or you can hold your chin up and smile to the world, letting them know you do not care what they think.” He ran his finger across her cheek, wiping her tears.

She sniffed. “How have you handled it all these years?”

Have I really handled it?
He shrugged. “It takes time and perseverance.”

“I don’t know if I can last that long.”

He smiled, then bent and touched his nose to hers. “You can. You are a stubborn woman, Megan. And, whether or not you choose to believe this, you have a bit of your father’s Irish temper.”

She chuckled. “Of course I know it, but I have hesitated to show it.”

“You can show it now. I will let you.”

She drew back, far enough to gaze into his eyes.

“Can you believe what he said about your father and my mother?”

He shrugged. “That could be the very reason our fathers hate each other.”

Her tears had stopped, and from the low lantern in the carriage, her eyes narrowed. “Edmund? Why do you continue with your pleasantries toward me when I have been shamefully ill-mannered with you this evening?”

He chuckled. “You have been upset with me? I haven’t noticed.”

“Then I must hide it well.”

He cradled her face in his hand. “Why have you been so vexed?” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “You certainly didn’t show it while in my arms not too long ago.” Although her face was still shadowed, heat from her embarrassment touched his palms. He smiled. “Megan, my love, I believe you
want
to be vexed with me, but you cannot. Your heart will not allow it.”

“And you, Mr. Knight, are making more out of it than you should.”

He would have believed her words, but her gaze dropped to his mouth. Even her body relaxed against his. No, she wasn’t upset at him. Just the opposite.

“I also believe,” he whispered, lowering his face to hers, “I can make you feel better. Let me try, my love. I will take away your pain.” He brushed his lips across hers, but she pulled away.

“No, Edmund.” She moved out of his arms, closer to the window. “This isn’t something your kisses can remove. I have been humiliated far greater than I’d ever imagined.”

“But I
can
help.”

He reached for her, but once again, she withdrew, slapping his hands. “Mr. Knight, it’s no wonder I am always vexed with you, you...you stubborn man.”

“Megan, please, I beg of you—”

“You can beg all you want, but I will not allow this to happen.” She folded her arms. “You have always believed passion could cure anything, but since meeting you, passion has only ruined my life.”

Her words slapped him across his face. Where had the scared woman run off to? And why was her temper showing now?

“I’ve ruined your life? Pray, how have you come to this conclusion? Meeting me was the best thing that could have happened to you.”

She gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “Meeting you was the worst thing in the world.”

“You were not happy until you met me and I introduced you to passion.”

She rolled her eyes. “There you go again, Mr. Knight, not thinking with the brain God gave you.”

He bit his tongue to stop from flinging back name-calling.
Why was she acting this way?
“Megan, I’m not going to sit here with you all night and trade insults.”

Just then, the carriage stopped, and a triumphant grin stretched across her mouth. “That’s right, Mr. Knight, you’re not because I’m home.”

She tried to push past him to get to the door, but he clamped his hands on her shoulders and held her firm. “Megan, I won’t let you leave this way. After we are married, I will insist you learn to resolve your temper before the night is over.”

Her eyes widened and she gasped. “There you go again, presuming to tell me what to do. First my father, and now you.”

“Megan, I will be your husband in less than forty-eight hours. I think I have the right to dictate.”

“No, you don’t.” She broke their contact and pushed past him, opening the carriage door on her own. She continued her tirade over her shoulder. “You told me once that I should have my own opinion. Now you’re taking that away from me, and I will not let you.”

“Megan, be reasonable.” His voice lifted while he followed her out.

She snapped around and he almost bumped into her. He was certain her glare could cut through ice.

“Be reasonable? Fine, I will.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Mr. Knight, there’s not going to be a wedding.”

He shook his head. “You’re talking nonsense. Of course there will be one.”

“No. I have seen the errors in my ways, and the path before me is clear. I have decided I don’t want a husband like you.”

He stood stunned for a few seconds before the urge to laugh hit him. A small chuckle bubbled from his throat. “You’re overlooking one thing, my dear. Most of London has seen us together. If you don’t marry me, you will be disowned from society.”

“Then I will not interact with society, because I shan’t marry you.”

“Megan.” He reached for her, but she again slapped his hands away.

“Mr. Knight, I bid you goodnight and farewell.” She turned on her heels and marched away.

He caught up to her, grabbed her arm and spun her around. “You’re not thinking clearly, my dear. You cannot leave me. It’s unheard of.”

“Then I will start a new fashion, because from this day forth, you – or any other male in my life – will
not
control me. If I have to move across the ocean to a different land to live the way I want, then so be it.”

She was serious, and the longer he looked into her stern expression, his heart weakened. He couldn’t let her go. Of course, her stressful evening had made her talk nonsense, but it worried him because
she
thought it could actually happen. What if...what if he came to call on her tomorrow and she wasn’t here? His chest restricted and he couldn’t breathe. No, tonight she was upset, which was the reason she acted this way. She’d be different tomorrow.

“Megan, listen to what you’re saying.”

“I am, Mr. Knight.” She yanked her arms out of his grasp. “Goodbye, Edmund. Forever.”

Chapter Fifteen

Megan stood against the ship’s railing with her eyes closed, content to feel the light breeze and sparse sprinkle of the ocean spray against her face. The salty air burned her nose, but she didn’t care. Nothing would bother her now. Not ever again.

She smiled.
Free at last!

Leaving home hadn’t been as hard as she had imagined it would be, especially when her father made it verbally clear he wanted her out of his house as soon as possible. Between Megan and her maid, they were able to pack three trunks of clothes and other necessities for their new life. At three in the morning, Bertha’s uncle drove them to the docks in a rented wagon and stayed with them until they purchased passages to America.

Megan opened her eyes and sighed. Ahead, the dot of land slowly grew larger. Her new home and new life hovered on the horizon. Tingles shot through her limbs and a rush of hope swelled in her chest.