Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 4

Jonathan hated these parties, that was why he rarely attended them. The ladies looked at him as though he was a morsel of the most decadent chocolate that they wanted to lick from their fingertip, while their mothers looked on him as though he were the devil incarnate, ready to snatch their daughters away before their eyes. Though the men, they were the worst. They viewed him as a means to expand their fortunes. He had come into some luck in his most recent investments, and since then, every man in the country was eager to join him on his next business venture. Glad he was, that he planned to check on his property in the country this coming week. A much-needed reprieve from the constant callers, from both men and woman alike.

He could not escape this party fast enough. As soon as was respectable enough, he would make his excuses to leave, there were many pans to be made before morning when he planned on traveling to Banbury, and honestly, he just needed an excuse to not linger. Jonathan sighed, running a hand through his hair, tousling it more than it already was. He scanned the room in search of a friendly face, catching his friend Thomas, the Duke of Arrington. He nodded toward the corner, indicating to his friend that he would meet him there. Jonathan scanned the mass tangle of bodies in front of him, searching for an opening to squeeze through. Once he spotted his chance, he went for it, maneuvering his tall frame through the crowd with some difficulty.

Arrington reached the corner of the ball room at the same time as Jonathan, almost tripping as he swerved to skirt around a small gathering of spinsters tittering away, gossiping about those in attendance.

“My, it seems as though everyone came out for the night!” Arrington exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow.

“I wish I had had the good sense to decline the invitation. I would have had I known what a blasted circus it was going to be!” Johnathan stated sarcastically, since he had originally declined to attend tonights gathering, just as he had declined all previous invitations that season.

“Oh, do be a good sport, my friend,” Arrington laughed, clapping Jonathan on the back, “It is not so bad as that!”

Jonathan grimaced, taking a long draw from his cup, before placing it on the tray of a passing server. How he hated these functions. Arrington knew it too. He was the only reason Jonathan had even made a show at this obnoxious affair. Had Arrington not made the bet that, Jonathan would be unable to seduce the Lady Winterbourne, he would not have had to attend tonight. His payment for his inability to convince the young widow to entertain him for a night was to attend this monstrosity and partake in the revelry, for all his friends knew there was no better punishment for Johnathan, than to be forced into a room with so many members of the upper class at once. The one thing that Jonathan hated more than anything in the world was to be subjected to the whims of the ton. He had studiously avoided these functions for the majority of his life. Once this silly debt was repaid he vowed never to have to attend a ton function again for no reason.

“Think on this my man, as of right now you are one of the most sought-after bachelors of the ton,” Arrington chuckled, “Men want to invest with you, women want to bed you. What more could a man want!”

“Not all women, obviously,” he gestured around reminding Thomas of the bet that landed him here, “and not a bachelor for long, unfortunately.” Jonathan muttered darkly. He was dreading his upcoming nuptials. If it were not for his mother’s recent sickness, he would not have agreed to the match presented to him. His mother’s one and only wish was to see him settled with her long-awaited grandchildren on the way. He was inclined to give her what she wanted, even if she would not live long enough to see the grandchild she craved.

One of the main reasons he was intending to visit his country home was to see his mother and make the announcement of his intentions to marry. She would be delighted, maybe it would even bring some light back into her eyes. Jonathan struggled every time he saw her, she used to be so vibrant and full of life, always gardening or playing games with the local children, but since she fell ill, she does little but sit in the gardens knitting or reading, all of the life drained from her usually passionate personality.

“Is you intended here tonight Johnny boy?” Arrington laughed, clapping Jonathan on the back. Jonathan growled low in his throat, Thomas knew how he hated being called that childhood nickname.

“I would not know, I have yet to see her.”

“You mean to marry the girl without ever setting eyes on her?”

“Precisely,” Jonathan was about to go on when Lord Carver approached asking for audience with Arrington. Thomas shrugged apologetically, Jonathan nodded waving him away. Looking around, Jonathan noticed several eager faces turn towards him, hoping to catch his eye and approach. Quickly he headed towards the center of the crowd, hoping to escape before anyone could catch him. As he darted into the crowd, ducking around small groups of revelers, his eyes fell on a lonely figure leaning against the far wall. She was almost hidden behind a rather large plant, it was most likely not an accident that she had placed herself there. A bored expression in her large almond shaped eyes, yet a wry smile plastered on her face. Her smile was most definitely for show. He studied her from across the room, she was of medium height, probably would not reach past his chest. She was slender, yet well rounded. Her full bosom swelling gently over the line of her gown, which was molded to fit her slender waist before softly falling over the gentle swell of her hips. Her hair was piled atop her head, with a few loose tendrils falling around her face, the bluish black color contrasted with her pale skin, almost translucent in its whiteness.

He stood not moving, just staring at her.

“Your drooling Jonathan.” He started, moving his gaze towards the voice that had interrupted his musings over the beautiful woman.

“Katherine! What a wonderful surprise to see you here!” He grasped the small woman’s hands, raising them to his lips to kiss each one softly.

“How could I miss this, my dear brother,” Katherine pulled her hands from his, “When Arrington told me this was the payment he required after your loss, I had to make my appearance!” She laughed, at the look of disdain on his face.

“He thinks too much of his little jokes.” Jonathan glared down at his sister’s face, but his irritation did not last long, her beautiful smile was too contagious.

“How wonderful it is to see you, truly! I had hoped to come see you before I left town, but unfortunately, business took up much of my time.”

“You are leaving?” His sister looked disappointed in this news.

“I have some business at the country home, and I want to check in on mother. I will return with haste though.”

“Ah yes, I forgot that you are to be married in a few weeks time.” Katherine smiled, “Are you eager to join other poor souls in holy matrimony?”

“Not likely.” Jonathan scowled.

“Not ready to give up your angel, are you?”

“Felicity has nothing to do with my reluctance.” He sighed, knowing full well the rumors circulating about him and the lovely actress, “ I only wish that I did not feel so obligated to do this so quickly. If it were not for mother’s – “

“Do not say it Jonathan! I cannot bear to even think of it!” Katherine’s eyes misted, “First father last year and now mother!” She dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief he handed her.

“Do not fret dear sister all will be well. For once I tell mother of my plans to marry and reproduce, she will no doubt stick around long enough to gain her long-awaited grandchildren.” He smiled at Katherine, hoping to reassure her doubts about their mother.

“Who is that little bird there, you were fair drooling over before I arrived?” Katherine asked, quickly changing the subject. Jonathan’s eyes roved over the direction she had indicated.

“I do not know; however, I mean to find out.” Jonathan laughed, his eyes scanning the wall for the creature, wondering now if she might have been a figment of his imagination.

“Do be careful brother, otherwise you may find yourself in a heap of trouble.”

 “I live for trouble, little one.” Jonathan kissed Katherine’s forehead, briefly, and darted away through the crowd in hopes of making an introduction for himself, even if he was betrothed, he was a man after all and not quite married yet.