Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 2

    “Hell and damnation,” Johnathan exclaimed, rubbing his stinging cheek that was quickly reddening from the sharp slap he had just received. He turned away from the fuming woman in front of him and quickly made his way across the small room. At a small round table in the corner sat five gentlemen, who were at that moment laughing hysterically. Johnathan approached the table, a scowl forming on his face as he took in his friends, having a gas at his expense.

“Oh Johnathan,” Miles, Earl of Lancaster, gasped between belts of laughter, “You could not have done worse my good sir!”

Johnathan glowered at his so called friend, a low growl rumbling in his chest. This was a first for him, normally any woman would feel lucky just to meet his acquaintance and luckier still to be offered such a high honor that was a position within his bed. However, Cordelia seemed to hold a different opinion, or at least that is the hint Johnathan had gotten when her small delicate hand had made firm contact with his still smarting face.

“Johnny Boy!” Milton, a close friend from Eton chortled, “I cannot wait to tell Thomas about this one.” His face distorted, skin reddened and he struggled to get air between laughs. Johnathan continued to glare at his friends, all still having a laugh at his expense.

“My dear friends, that lady just doesn't know what she is missing, A night in my bed is equivalent to a night spent among the heavens.” Johnathan boasted. His jest making his friends laugh even louder. He grunted, his face souring for a moment before he too joined in their laughter.

“Did you gents see the look on her face?” He chuckled, finding more humor in the incident by the second.

“She was none too pleased by whatever you said to her Johnathan,” Miles laughed harder, his cheeks glowing with humor.

“What exactly did you say to her?” David, Duke of Arrington, asked an amused smile plastered on his lips.

“All I did was politely ask the lady if she would care to join me in my gardens this evening.” Johnathan claimed, “She was agreeable at first, until I suggested she could accompany me to my chambers for a night cap afterwards.”

The table of men erupted with laughter as Johnathan regaled the company with the words he had briefly exchanged with the lady in question.

The only thing that held Johnathan back from fully enjoying the moment was the uncomfortable nagging in the back of his mind reminding him that these freedoms were not for him to enjoy much longer. Soon he would be locked in matrimony, and from everything he knew about Lord Stalwort, his intended's father, this match was not one that he would enjoy. The man who fathered his future bride was a portly fellow, as round as he was tall, his dark greasy hair hung low over his small beady eyes, and a long nose hooked over thin unforgiving lips, and while Johnathan had only met the man's wife once and only for a brief moment, her plain Jane looks where nothing to wonder about.

If he hadn't felt so much pressure recently to find a wife, he would never have agreed to such a ridiculous proposition from Lord Stalwort. What kind of man, father or person in general would give their child away just to pay a gambling debt? Lord Stalwort had heard along with the rest of the meddling ton, that Johnathan was on the marriage mart, looking to provide his Earldom with an heir and so that man had jumped at the opportunity.

While Johnathan was looking for a wife, he was striking out at every turn. His reputation proceeded him and in many ways was over exaggerated. He was not quite the womanizer the mother's of the ton believed. He had, as most other man, engaged in affairs with light skirts and some of the more adventurous widows of London, however, he was not one to deflower young virgins without care. In fact he did his best to completely avoid all respectable young ladies and stuck to ones whose virtue had long been lost. It didn't stop the rumor mill from creating story after story of his philandering ways.

Johnathan sighed allowed, vaguely aware of his friends carrying on in the back of his mind. He twirled his fingers around the rim of the glass setting on the table in front of him, eyeing the deep brown liquid swirling around inside. He had so much to do before the wedding took place. He and Stalwort had agreed on a date about two weeks from now. He should really take a trip to see his mother before the wedding, she will be so happy to hear of his marriage, he might even be able to convince her to come to London to attend the small ceremony. He had agreed to let Stalwort and his wife take care of all the arrangements, Lady Stalwort had insisted that if her daughter was going to be wed without a proper courtship and betrothal, then she should at least have a wedding to remember.

That was it! Johnathan threw back the rest of his drink, swallowing the burning liquid and clearing his throat as his chest and stomach blossomed with heat. He stood quickly, startling his friends.

“Gentlemen, excuse me, but I must make my exit. I have got to get ready for the ball.” Their chuckles followed him as he made his way out of the club heading towards home. Johnathan really needed a break from London, he had two weeks before the wedding so he decided he might as well use this time to take a much needed trip to his country home. He needed to get home to pack and make arrangements before the ball tonight and he would leave first thing tomorrow.

Maybe by the time he came back he would feel a little less dreadful about this marriage.