Trapped with the Earl of Sin

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

“ R oofing is the key…”

Percy studied Madeleine out of the corner of his eye as he listened to Cecil twitter on about the fluctuation in slate prices. He had always been fond of her, found her to be adorable even, but now, she was stunning to behold in every sense of the word. He could not pull his eyes away from her. The word cursed floated to his ears once again, and he pushed down the ever-present sense of guilt and anger that accompanied it. The whispers were abound tonight, and they were not all about him.

Ignore them , he commanded himself and attempted to return his attention to Cecil’s financial analysis of the current slate market.

Percy could feel Madeleine’s beautiful blue eyes studying him. He was pleased by her attention, but all she ever did was frown at him. He was not certain what he had done to cause her to feel such displeasure, but he was determined to find out and remedy it if possible.

Perhaps she has heard the rumors about the curse and judges me for it. His jaw tightened once more but relaxed when he realized the foolishness of his thought. She has been frowning at me since we were children, long before the curse was made manifest. Perhaps it is simply her way, but I have seen her smile and laugh in the past.

Her frown was not all he studied, though. His little Monkey had grown up behind his back and became a woman. Those chubby cheeks Cecil used to love to pinch and mock were now angular and well-matched to the planes of her oval, clear-complected face. Chin rolls that once sat between her chest and jawline had also melted away.

However, what weight was lost in her face had gathered in her bosom and hips, and the way her dress flaunted those delicious curves was downright making his mouth water. Not slim, like most of the other ladies in attendance, nor covered in jewels or feathers. She was just… Madeleine.

As if suddenly realizing the thoughts he was having about his best friend’s little sister, Percy physically jerked, pulled his thoughts and gaze away from the woman who had seemingly captured everyone’s attention, and tuned back into Cecil’s voice. This would not do. For him. For her. For anyone.

“ And that is why we study the industry, is it not?” Cecil asked him with a confident smile. “To monetize it to its full advantage.”

“Hmm? Yes, of course, of course,” Percy muttered, pretending he’d paid attention all along.

At his side, Cecil let out a laugh and patted his shoulder.

“Here I am going on about business when we should be discussing more friendly matters. Tell me, old friend, how have you been faring?”

It was a question he would rather not answer even if he could focus on the conversation, but even as his body turned toward Cecil, his eyes kept roaming over to Madeleine where she stood apart from the others, seemingly trying to avoid everyone. Including him.

“Oh, you know how it is,” Percy answered passively.

“You seem distracted,” Cecil noted, starting to turn his head toward Percy’s line of sight.

Percy quickly noted it and grabbed his friend’s shoulder, stopping him from seeing the object of Percy’s distraction. It was wrong to look at Madeleine like that, and he knew it. Still, as he tried to pull his attention away from her, he found that he could not.

“Pardon me old, boy,” he apologized, giving in to his curiosity.

Percy didn’t hear or see Cecil’s disappointment as he walked the few steps away from him and placed himself once more directly in front of Madeleine.

“Why do you frown at me, Monkey? Do I have something on my face?” he jested, turning his most charming smile towards her.

Madeleine’s brows arched in surprise. “Your Grace, please address me properly when in public,” she chastised.

The snap in her voice caused a stir in his loins, and when he only looked at her with amusement, she snapped open her fan and began to wave it rapidly before her face.

“And no. Your face is… fine. I am simply in need of air,” she murmured, her cheeks flaming red once more.

“Fine?” He chuckled, but Madeleine’s frown only deepened before she turned away. Before he could apologize for his jesting, though, she hurried away toward the exterior doors before he, or her brother, could stop her.

He was going to give her a moment. Perhaps she was simply overheated. It was nearly summer, after all, and the breeze in London wasn’t exactly brisk. But as he turned to make his way back to Cecil, Percy saw Herbert Mowbray follow her out onto the veranda. Concern twinged as he caught the snide smile on the man’s face, and something dark and feral reared inside him.

Excusing himself from Cecil once more, Percy put down his drink and followed Madeleine outside. As he reached the doors, he could hear Madeleine’s voice raised in irritation. “No, I do not wish to marry you!”

Percy quickened his step.

Madeleine rushed from the ballroom out onto the veranda, allowing the fresh air to wash over her. Percy had caught her staring at him, and he had mocked her for it.

Always frowning, he’d teased. When had his voice become so deep? So rich? And when had he become so… so large ?! The man had become a giant, standing a foot taller than her brother. And he was not large in belly like her Papa but in overall physique. Percy’s well-tailored suit showed off the ample layers of taut muscle that lay just beneath the surface. Even his hands, when he had slipped one over hers, were large and corded with strength. Those hands could snap her neck in an instant or… Groaning in frustration, she fluttered her fan faster before giving up and smacking the cooling apparatus onto the stone railing of the veranda.

“Lady Madeleine?” Herbert Mowbray’s voice interrupted her internal tirade.

Madeleine bowed shoulders suddenly snapped erect as she heard his voice and turned to face the interruption. As she did so, she caught sight of a group of older ladies admiring the potted roses on the other side of the veranda. They at least had chaperones.

“My Lord?” she asked politely.

What in the bloody hell do you want, you pompous aristocrat? was the real question she burned to ask.

“Miss Madeleine,” Herbert began again, moving forward to take her hand, “I wish to ask you a question.”

Alarm flared through Madeleine’s nerves as she felt his powdery soft, pale white hand grasp onto hers. Like an animal caught in a trap, she immediately tried to pull away, but despite the limp look of his hands, he was stronger than her and kept her in place with far too much ease for Madeleine’s comfort.

“I have long been an admirer of your grace and beauty,” Herbert persisted, ignoring her startled nature.

He paused to clear his throat then pulled the hand he held to his chest. His smile widened, showing off teeth that looked more horse like than human, and he squeezed her fingers possessively. A chill of disgust ran down Madeleine’s spine as she caught scent of his foul breath, and she looked frantically back toward the roses where the other ladies were now nowhere to be found.

“My father and I have made a decision,” he said, ignoring her discomfort. “We will approach your father for a marriage contract. Congratulations, Lady Madeleine. You are to be my wife.”

Shock coursed through Madeleine’s system as if it were poison, and she was sure her heart had stopped. It was obvious that Herbert was interested in her, but she had thought he would ask to call upon her first at the very least. She had thought she had more time!

“No,” she breathed aloud.

Herbert’s eyes narrowed at her as he set his jaw and took a step toward her.

“No?” he asked. “You truly believe you have a choice? Who else would want you, Lady Madeleine? You had an offer or two last year, yes, but with your rather… unconventional looks and poor behavior, you truly think there will be a better proposal come along?”

Embarrassment and shame filled her as she took in Herbert’s words. It was what she had heard from the whisperings all night, but he was the first to say such things blatantly to her face.

Still, through her hurt feelings, she squared her shoulders and asked, “How is such talk supposed to convince me to marry you?”

“I am merely pointing out the truths of why you cannot refuse me,” Herbert countered, his grip now crushing her fingers. “Now put on as pretty of a smile as you can manage and accept my hand!”

“No,” she screeched in panicked protest. She did not care if what he said was true. She did not care that it was possible that every other gentleman in the ton found her to be ugly or unwanted.

“I do not wish to marry you!” She jerked her hand fiercely from his grasp, feeling the flesh of her knuckles sing with pain as she finally pulled free. “I do not wish to marry anyone!”

She turned, ready to flee, but blackness took up her vision as her nose collided with a solid structure, and she suddenly felt a grip on each of her arms as she was rooted by another’s force to the spot. The hold released her as soon as she was stable, but she still felt the hardened warmth on her arms.

“Ow!” Madeleine seethed, feeling her nose begin to throb as she tried to stumble back.

“Something the matter, Monkey?”

Percy’s deep, familiar voice sent a wave of relief through her, despite her annoyance for his pet name. Madeleine looked up slowly and realized the black wall she’d run face first into was not a wall at all but Percy’s tuxedoed chest. There was no amusement in his eyes this time when she met them, only a look of pure fury that startled her.

“I—”

Percy’s eyes flashed from hers to the man behind her as his grip on her arms loosened, and he moved her behind him, so he could face Herbert.

“Mowbray,” Percy’s stern tone rang out through the lamp lit night in warning. “Whatever made you think you could say such callous things to this poor woman?”

Madeleine gasped with fury.

“How dare you, I am not?—”

“Hush darling, the men are talking,” Percy murmured to her, throwing her a small, wicked grin over his shoulder. He then turned back to Herbert, and Madeleine didn’t have to see his face to know that a snarl had replaced his grin.

“I asked you a question,” Percy barked.

Herbert was not what anyone would call an aggressive man. Pompous, of course. Elitist? Absolutely. But as Percy waited for his answer, the man’s face contorted into a snarl.

“I do not know what you imply, Your Grace,” Herbert replied through gritted teeth, “but it is sorely mistaken! The lady and I are to be married. If anyone has a right to be alone with her it is me. ”

“Liar!”

The word squeaked from her lips like a shrill cry of a mouse before she could help it.

Not looking, Percy reached back for her, and he pressed a quelling hand into her lower belly. She was sure he did not intend for such a hand placement, but through her fury and fear, she felt the warmth of his touch singe through her dress, and she stopped herself from speaking another word.

“I have heard of no wedding announcement from the church,” Percy replied, his tone suddenly bored. “And the lady claims you lie. Therefore, I combat your theory and refuse your claim.”

“She has no say!” Herbert hissed back, raising his hand to point an incriminating finger at Madeleine.

“You will be my wife, Madeleine, one way or another.”

The intensity of which Herbert made his statement sent a tremble down Madeleine’s body, but before she could open her mouth to speak, Percy’s hand was snaking through the air, latching on to Herbert’s pointed finger, and bending it an odd angle.

A squelched grunt of pain left Herbert’s throat as Percy used the hold to bring him to his knees, and Madeleine felt a brief moment of pure satisfaction as she watched his rounded face turn purple with pain and embarrassment.

“Unless you want this broken, I suggest you get ahold of yourself and go inside, old boy,” Percy suggested, his tone eerily calm as Herbert struggled to get away from him. “The Lady is my best friend’s sister and as appealing as she may be to you, I cannot allow you to treat her this way.”

“Let… go… of me…” Herbert hissed through gritted teeth, his free hand now clawing at Percy’s grip.

“Leave the Lady alone?” Percy asked, his brow arching.

For a moment, Herbert only glared back at him as bits of spittle dropped from his gritted teeth.

“ Fine,” he growled at last, his eyes full of pure hatred.

“Good boy,” Percy praised mockingly.

Herbert then let out a hiss of pain, as if Percy had twisted his finger once more in warning, and then he was let go, and he fell onto his backside.

“Cecil will hear about this,” Mowbray growled, cradling his pained hand close to chest. “I shall tell him that you ruined his sister’s last chance at a respectable marriage.”

“That is a matter of opinion,” Percy quipped as he shrugged his shoulders carelessly. “However, I suggest you not speak of this to anyone, Mowbray,” Percy suggested, studying his nails with boredom as the other man struggled to pick himself up.

“And why would I not?” Herbert sneered back, getting back on his feet.

“Because my reach goes much further that yours,” Percy replied simply, dropping his hand as he flicked his eyes back to Herbert. “And I am not a helpless lady. I will come for you, Mowbray. You have heard the rumors about me. You know that it is true.”

Madeleine watched from behind him as he cocked his head slightly, and she could sense the wicked smile forming on his face again. Herbert, though, grew pale as he heard the threat.

“Shall we put it to the test?”

A tense silence filled the air as Herbert tried to step around Percy to get to Madeleine, but like her shadow, Percy moved with her, blocking any chance of the man meeting her eyes.

“Our fathers and I will discuss this,” he warned. “Like it or not, you will be mine. And I will be teaching you those manners you so sorely lack.”

Percy took a quick step toward Herbert, and the man bared his teeth as he took two steps back. Without another word, Herbert fixed his jacket, ran a hand through his thinning hair, and then finally walked away.

Madeleine drew in a sharp breath as he disappeared, and her shivering intensified. As if they were part of some play, the older women that had disappeared were now back and were twittering amongst themselves by the conservatory door, ignorant of what had just unfolded.

Madeleine’s cheeks flushed from the mortification of her situation. Her father would hear of her encounter with Herbert; there could be no doubt on the matter. Panic continued to grip her heart.

“Madeleine,” Percy’s voice broke through the haze of her mind. Not stern, but… agitated? “You are trembling.” He took her hand and led her over to a stone bench by the railing. She eased herself down onto the smooth, cool surface and allowed herself to breathe deeply of the rose-scented air.

“My apologies,” she whispered breathlessly, unable to yet call forth a wittier response. “I was… not properly prepared.”

“It is not you that should apologize,” he hissed, making her jump.

He let out a long sigh as he shook his head, his gaze on the ground as he seemed to struggle to collect himself.

“I, too, have an unwanted and persistent person in my life,” he said after a time with clear distaste. “I understand how… uncomfortable such a situation can become.”

Madeleine let out a hollow laugh.

“You have ladies threatening to make you a husband against your will?” She couldn’t help it. The tease. It was entirely inappropriate, but it flew out of her mouth all the same.

Percy let out a huff of a laugh through his nose, and he glanced up at her.

“In a fashion,” he admitted.

Madeleine studied his expression, taking in the way his thin lips accented his white, straight teeth, how his dark brows and lashes framed those glittering emeralds he called eyes. There was no real amusement in what he was saying, despite the laugh. How many ladies, how many mamas, had tried to trap him the way Herbert had just tried to trap her?

“My father wishes to marry me to the first appropriate nobleman of high rank who asks for my hand,” she found herself saying, coming back to her own problem. “He will not be pleased that I have rejected the Earl of Mowbray’s son and heir.”

“Surely that bloke is not your only suitor,” Percy scoffed. “There will be others.”

“It does not matter,” she replied quickly. “The refusal has been given, and he will be furious with me until I either fix this situation or find someone of higher rank to marry. Something which I will not do.”

“Why not?” Percy asked, shrugging once more. “You could. You are beautiful enough to catch the eye of any man here.” Percy’s hand gestured toward the ballroom beyond.

Madeleine tilted her head as she sat up a little straighter. Did he just call her beautiful? Herbert had as well, and it had filled her with self-loathing, but as Percy said it, warmth gathered in her belly as she felt her cheeks flush red.

Trying to hide her reaction, she shook her head and replied, “I have no desire to marry, ever.”

Percy’s brows shot up in surprise. “Never?”

“Never,” Madeleine adamantly confirmed.

Percy grunted.

“Your father will not be pleased to hear that.”

“No, he will not,” she agreed with a heavy sigh. “This night has turned a nightmare. An utterly destructive nightmare.”

“Now, now,” Percy mocked. “No need to think so negatively, Monkey. You are too intelligent for that.”

Another compliment. Those, combined with the measures he’d used to nullify Herbert; made her draw only one conclusion: the man must be drunk.

“You could pretend to be courted by someone of higher rank. That might buy you some time with your father,” he offered with a careless shrug.

Madeleine looked up at Percy in surprise and nearly laughed. Yes, definitely drunk.

“And who would do such a thing on my behalf, Your Grace?”

Percy shrugged his shoulders carelessly. “Me.”

A jolt of emotion suddenly had her sitting up with a rigid spine. Surely, she misheard.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Me,” he answered quickly with another shrug. She studied his face closely, looking for that mocking glint in his features, but found none.

“You?”

“Me,” he nodded in confirmation.

“Why would you do such a thing for me?” Madeleine asked in consternation.

“Who says it is for you?” he quipped back.

Madeleine let out a bitter laugh and rose from her seat.

“Always a pleasure, Your Grace,” she wearily. “Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go back inside before anything else goes awry.”

She turned to walk up the steps.

“Madeleine, wait,” Percy said. There was no humor in his tone or boredom this time. Instead, pure earnest laced his voice, and she warily turned around to face him.

Annoyance and something marred his expression, as if he were struggling with how to move forward. It was odd, Madeleine realized, seeing him suddenly so unsure of himself.

“I can get away with being unmarried for decades,” he began. “You have another year or two at most. Let us be truthful. Your father will not allow you to become a spinster nor will your brother. This may be the only way to buy you time to find someone better suited than Mowbray and the likes of him.”

“In return, your presence on my arm will stay off the other ladies and their mamas until it is time for me to depart again.”

Though she didn’t know why, Madeleine’s heart twisted.

“You are…” she began. “Cecil said you had moved back to England permanently.”

“To England, yes,” Percy replied. “But to the ton? No. This is a brief summer visit.”

He took a step toward her, and she did not fail to notice the way his eyes swept down to her bosom and lingered there.

“During our time together, I can help you assess better, more feasible suitors, and when we are sure we have a captured your gentleman of interest, I will make it so that you are the poor, darling young lady in need of a white knight, and I am the villain.”

“But that will ruin all of your prospects,” Madeleine argued though she didn’t know why. She could not actually consider this—could she?

“You truly put too much faith in the Ton’s memory,” he retorted dryly. “When— if I come back in a few years, there will have been so many scandals unfolded by then that our little tragedy will be completely forgotten.”

“You are still forgetting that I do not want to be married,” she insisted.

Sympathy flashed through Percy’s eyes.

“I wish we could both pretend that you have that choice,” he said softly.

It might as well have been a slap to her face. That was the truth, wasn’t it. In the end, she had no real choice. Still, she shook her head.

“No,” she replied. “It is too risky. You could change your mind. You could get caught up in a scandal of your own. You could fall in love with someone before our plan is complete, and where would that leave me?”

Percy laughed.

“ Love? You are still so very naive, Monkey. Though the way you wore this dress tonight had my mind telling me otherwise for a moment.”

“I am not that naive,” she whispered angrily.

He chuckled again and shook his head as if he did not hear her.

“I promise you this, my little Monkey, I will never do that.”

“Ever?” Now, it was her turn to ask.

With a small smile, he shook his head.

Madeleine snorted in amusement. “I suppose I could believe that.”

Percy cocked an eyebrow in reply to her response. “And how is that? What is it that you know about me that the rest of the world does not?”

“That you are irritating beyond measure,” she replied bluntly.

Percy laughed. “Is that so?”

“It is. You cause me nothing but irritation and always have. You and my brother have teased me, chased me, and any number of other unpleasant actions throughout our entire childhood. Your presence, then or now, brings me no pleasure at all. I cannot imagine a world in which it ever would.”

Madeleine had not meant to speak with such forceful cruelty, but once she had started talking, she could not seem to stop. The need to protect herself, to protect her heart and mind, drove her to it.

Percy leaned forward, his eyes meeting hers intensely, a spark of challenge in their dark green depths. He brought his mouth to her ear. His breath caressed every whorl and surface. “You have no notion as to the pleasure I can bring.” His lips brushed against the sensitive flesh of her ear, causing shivers to course through her body. Smiling, he leaned back and stood.

“Think about it. We could both gain what we desire,” he advised then turned and reentered the ballroom leaving her to contemplate his words.

The word pleasure hung in the air long after his departure.