Tempting the Reclusive Earl (Taken by Destiny Book 2) by Aurrora St. James

Author:Aurrora St. James [St. James, Aurrora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-07-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Dale’s whimper of pain gave Christian some satisfaction, where there was generally none to be had.

“I ting you brog my noz, Hundingdon,” Dale whined. Blood seeped between his fingers as he clutched his nose.

Christian bared his teeth at him. The two men who’d snuck up on them had prodded them onto the path to join Dale, the dandy, and the five other, rough-looking men accompanying him. The moment Christian was close to Dale, he’d stepped forward and punched the man. His knuckles stung, but the pain seemed a small consequence for the gratification he felt as a result. At this point, however, he and Zeph had been forced to their knees and surrounded at pistol point.

The dandy pushed Dale aside with a brief look of contempt as he approached. “I thought perhaps Dale ignored my instructions to come alone. His broken nose indicates otherwise. Who are you?”

Zeph spoke up. “Lael. That’s Huntington.”

“Lael. Why do I know that name?”

A corner of Zeph’s lips turned up.

The dandy studied Zeph, then dragged his gaze to Christian. “Huntington. An earl if I recall? What business do you have here? Or was it simply happy circumstance that brought your fist to Dale’s nose on this particular path?”

“Bathdard,” Dale muttered.

“Dale worked as his steward,” a man said.

Christian’s muscles tensed. He’d heard that voice in his nightmares. He turned his head to see Shelby Wainsright approach, holding Bellamy in front of him.

The chilly night air froze in his lungs.

Both of her arms were behind her back, her body arched against the man. Lines of pain bracketed her wide eyes, and trembling breaths escaped her parted lips.

He lunged to his feet. One of the brutes kicked the back of his knee, sending him crashing back down. Gravel bit into his kneecaps. Christian gritted his teeth but kept his gaze locked on her.

“My, my,” the dandy replied. “Lord Wainsright with a pretty filly in tow. Is there no end to the delights of this garden?”

“Carter.” Wainsright nodded to the dandy in greeting. His gaze flicked over the armed men, then to Dale, Christian, and Zeph. “I would ask what brings you out this night, but it seems my enterprising former steward has found something to pique your interest.”

“As have you,” Carter replied, taking a step towards Bellamy. “Perhaps more than one agreement can be reached tonight.”

White-hot fury burst in Christian’s chest but before he could act, a hard, gloved hand came down on his shoulder and pinched the muscle to keep him in place.

Bellamy’s eyes blazed at Carter. “Lay one hand on me and you’ll wish you looked as good as the guy with the broken nose,” she snapped.

“A beautiful woman with fight.” Carter grinned. “A rarity. You know of my affinity for the exotic, Wainsright.”

Bellamy struggled against Wainsright’s hold and kicked his shin.

He grunted and pulled her arms high until she cried out. “Do that again, and I’ll gladly hand you over.”

Christian struggled forward, but the man holding him pinched harder.

“Move again and I’ll slit your throat,” the gruff man murmured in his ear.

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