Surrender to a devil, p.1
Surrender To A Devil, page 1
SURRENDER TO A DEVIL
WENDY VELLA
CONTENTS
SURRENDER TO A DEVIL
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
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SENSING DANGER
Wendy’s Books
About the Author
SURRENDER TO A DEVIL
By Wendy Vella
From USA Today bestselling author Wendy Vella comes a sizzling series full of passion, scandals, and intrigue. Tasked with protecting the King, the Deville brothers are part of a secret alliance forged centuries ago, but when it comes to affairs of the heart, they are yet to be tamed.
He does not believe himself capable of love.
Forrest Howarth did not have the capacity to love a woman. His daughter, yes, and the cousins who had welcomed him when he’d arrived from India, but a woman, no. Joining Alexius and using his knowledge to protect the Monarch was the next step he needed to take in his life. But before he does that, Forrest must find someone to educate his daughter. Miss Ruby Knight seems just that person.
The problem with having Ruby in his household is she intrigues him. She hides behind her clothes, and the need to ensure she sits well below him on society’s ladder. But she was up to something. He just hadn’t worked out what. No one has ever muddled his thoughts like his daughter’s tutor, so when he gives in to the inevitable and kisses her, he realizes there is no going back.
Too late, he realizes that his mission with Alexius and Ruby are connected, and he must use all his skills to keep her safe.
She will do what it takes to keep her brother alive. Even betraying the man she loves.
When Ruby finds work in the Deville household, it is the answer to her prayers. What she hadn’t planned on was a sweet little girl, and her cold, aloof father tugging her heart strings.
When her world is threatened by those that want her to spy on the Deville family, she knows she must do so, or her brother will be harmed.
She cannot allow her heart to beat faster when Forrest Howarth is near. She cannot allow herself to fall for his child, and yet how can she stop it from happening when she must see them each day? How is she to keep them and her brother safe?
Too late she realizes what is in heart, but she cannot act on it. Sacrificing her brother for the love of Forrest and Ella is not something she can contemplate.
He will give his life to protect his child as she will her brother. But can they together fight the danger that threatens to destroy them.
The Deville Brothers Series
Seduced By A Devil
Rescued By A Devil
Protected By A Devil
Surrender To A Devil
Unmasked By A Devil
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For that teacher in high school who wrote in my
school report that I was clueless when it came
to creative writing.
Thanks for the motivation.
Wendy x
PROLOGUE
The year was 1709, the monarchy was under threat, and the queen’s advisers worried. Danger came from many different quarters, and something had to be done. A council was formed by Anne, Queen of Great Britain, and she gathered ten of her most powerful nobles. Men she trusted to pledge their allegiance to her and none other. Each was given a ring, the gold band forged from goblets said to be used by William the Conqueror in 1066 when he won the Battle of Hastings and took the throne. The men would protect the ruling monarch, and the council would be known as Alexius. The Defenders.
Over the years their numbers would grow as members would be enlisted for courageous acts undertaken or loyalty to the throne. Others inherited the position. Brothers, cousins, all united in their quest.
Veritas scutum tibi erit would be their pledge. The truth will be your shield.
CHAPTER ONE
The hackney smelled of a combination of odors; none of them were pleasant. Forrest Howarth tried not to think about where they had originated. He was on his way back to his family’s townhouse. He’d left the musicale early, insisting his cousins stay, as Ella, his daughter, was sick. He wanted to check she was well, even though he had left her in the capable hands of her nanny.
Life had taken an unexpected turn for Forrest when he came to London—for the better. Society wasn’t something he enjoyed overly, but as he owed his family a great deal, he went to balls, musicales, and other events to thank them for their support of him when he’d believed he was raising his daughter alone.
The hackney stopped suddenly. He had no time to brace himself and went flying. Staggering upright, he wrenched open the door and stepped down.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“A woman, sir, and a cripple. They got in me bleedin’ way!” The driver was standing, waving his fist.
Walking to the front of the hackney, Forrest saw a woman crouched on the street. He moved to her side and dropped to his haunches.
“Are you all right, madam?”
She didn’t reply, instead focusing on the boy lying on the road before her.
“Open your eyes for me now, brother.” Her voice was gruff with emotion.
“Did the hackney strike him?”
“Yes. We were crossing the road, and my brother cannot move with speed. Your hackney did not slow and knocked him to the ground.”
Forrest looked around and saw two crutches a few feet away. He found two large bags also, and what appeared to be a hatbox. There was no one else with the woman and her brother.
“’Ere, you need to move it along!”
Forrest rose and faced the driver.
“I will pay you to shut your mouth and wait. Have you no kindness or decency in your soul? Your vehicle struck this poor boy.” The words came out in a deep growl, and the driver must have heard the warning in Forrest’s tone, as he sat back down and folded his arms.
Grabbing the crutches, Forrest returned to the boy. He crouched opposite the woman now.
“He is waking,” she whispered.
Her cloak was black, hood raised. The bonnet beneath was also black. He had yet to see her face. Small, he thought—slender, he amended, looking at the gloved hand that touched the boy.
“Wh-What happened?” The boy’s eyes flew open.
“You were struck by my hackney, sir.”
The eyes went from the woman to him.
“I apologize. May I assist you to where you need to go?”
“Are you badly hurt, brother?” The woman ignored Forrest and addressed the boy.
“Help me rise.”
“You were knocked unconscious.” Forrest pressed a hand to his shoulder.
“Don’t touch him.” The woman snarled the words at him, reminding Forrest of a tiger protecting her young.
“I mean him no harm.”
“Leave now. I will get my brother to safety.”
An odd choice of words, and delivered in a voice that would not be out of place in his world.
“Safety or home?”
She lifted her head, and he had a fleeting glance of a thin face, wide eyes, and soft, pouty lips, and then she looked down once more. He wanted to rub his chest, as suddenly he felt a burning sensation there.
“Help me rise,” the boy rasped.
Forrest rose and then bent at the waist. Grasping the boy, he lifted him to his feet and held him until he steadied.
“My thanks, sir,” the boy said.
“Are you hurting?”
“His head is bleeding.”
“Ouch,” the boy said as his sister inspected the wound.
Pulling out his handkerchief, Forrest handed it to her. She took it with a muttered, “Thanks.”
“Hold it there, brother, while I gather our things.”
She turned, gasped, and ran to where two men were stealing their belongings.
“Stop!” Her scream didn’t stop them, so she set off in pursuit.
Forrest followed. “Halt!”
They turned and saw him advancing. Both men dropped the woman’s things.
“Come at me then,” one of them said, raising his fists. “I’m happy to take on a nob like you.”
“Easy pickings,” the other snarled.
“You are thieves!” The woman came to his side.
“Get back.” Forrest tried to push her behind him, but she would not budge.
“I will not! Those are our belongings. I will not have two unscrupulous scoundrels stealing them.”
The men advanced. Forrest nudged her sideways, then crouched as his cousins had taught him and prepared to fight.
“He can’t e
Swinging his leg, he struck out and dropped the man. The next ran at him, so he jabbed him in the face, then swept him from his feet using his leg.
The men did not get up.
Forrest stepped over them and collected the woman’s belongings.
“Take the hat box.” He handed it to her and held the other bags in a hand, then grabbed her elbow and marched her back to the hackney where her brother waited.
“You can take my hackney to your lodgings,” Forrest said. “I will find another.”
“But they will come after you,” the woman said, shaking free of his grip.
“As you have already noted, I can look after myself.” Pulling out some money, he moved to the driver and held it up to him. “Take them wherever they wish to go.”
“As you wish.” He shrugged.
“I do wish. And I wish for you to show them some respect,” Forrest snapped.
The driver looked to where the two men were getting to their feet. Unsteady and wobbling slightly, they were soon running away.
“As you wish.”
The boy had picked up his crutches and was now leaning heavily on them.
“I have paid the driver enough to take you where you wish to go. In you get now.” Forrest loaded the bags into the hackney.
The couple had yet to move.
“It’s dark and late. The air is cooling, madam. Your brother likely needs that cut on his head seen to. Get in the hackney, otherwise you may yet face more of what you just experienced.”
It wasn’t a voice he used often, but when he did, most people did as he bid. Forrest expedited matters by leading the boy to the hackney. He was shivering and unsteady. Gripping his waist, he lifted him inside and helped settle him on a seat.
“You next.” He faced the woman, who had just finished instructing the driver where she wanted to be taken. She was hiding in the hood of her cloak, and he had the ridiculous urge to pull it back to get a better look of her.
“I have sounded ungrateful, sir, and am sorry for that. It has been a long and trying night.”
“It’s all right. In you get.” He lifted her gently inside. She stood hunched in the doorway, her face in the shadows.
“I can never thank you enough for your kindness to my brother. I doubt we would have made our destination had we not met. Your actions have saved us this night.”
“Two years ago I had a very trying day, in fact month,” Forrest said. “Someone came to my aid when I most needed it. It changed my life. I’m not saying a ride in a hackney will do that for you, but perhaps it will bring a little light into your long and trying day, madam.”
One of her gloved hands rose, and he heard the sniff.
“Thank you for your kindness.” She leaned forward, and he had a fleeting image of pale skin and wide eyes. He forgot everything when her lips touched his cheek.
He felt like she’d branded him. Then she moved away and took her seat.
“Good evening to you both.” Forrest nodded to them and then shut the door and stood back, watching them roll away.
He stood there until the hackney disappeared from sight, his hand cupping his cheek.
CHAPTER TWO
Six months later
Mr. Forrest Howarth looked at the woman seated across from him. Her mouth was in a straight, unsmiling, tight line. The dress and bonnet were black, with a lace edge that presumably was from the cap beneath. A round face was flushed, no doubt from the cold that had suddenly descended on London yesterday.
“And do you believe a young girl should have a knowledge of historical events and computations?”
His cousin Gabriel, Lord Raine asked the question. They sat side by side in Gabe’s office. Beside him was his wife, Dimity, due to have her baby soon. Her hands were resting on top of her protruding stomach. He’d asked them to help him today, as the task of finding his daughter a tutor was becoming herculean. She had a nanny, who she loved, but now he wanted someone to teach her to read and write. Someone to help her fall in love with different languages and history.
His cousins did not question his need to have both a nanny and a tutor for his daughter, even though he knew some would.
“There is no need for such things. A young lady needs to learn only how to be a young lady.”
“And that is what, Mrs. Crabtree?” Gabe asked in a ruthlessly polite voice that appeared all that was interested. He was not. In fact, he was getting angry. The signs were there for those who knew him.
Mrs. Crabtree moved in her seat, and the black bombazine of her stiff skirts rustled. Forrest thought she looked like a large hen roosting.
“Stitching and watercolors. Also, learning to sing and play the pianoforte.”
“Tell me, Mrs. Crabtree,” Dimity made the surname sound like an insult, “why did you apply for this position if you do not believe a woman, or in this case, child, should be educated?”
His cousin was an earl, the eldest of the four Deville brothers. Noble, intelligent, and one of the best men Forrest knew. A man who was born knowing one day he would hold the title he now did. His wife, however, had led a different life. When Forrest first met her, she’d been a piano teacher.
“There are many types of education.” Mrs. Crabtree raised her chin. “A girl should know her place when she lives with men such as Lord Raine and Mr. Howarth. She must know how to behave with deference and humility. To be seen but not heard. She must be schooled in what is expected of her when she weds. Nothing else is necessary.”
“But what of fun?” Forrest asked politely.
“Fun,” Mrs. Crabtree said, as if the word meant the opposite of what it actually did. “A child can play for a small allotted time each day, but only then. I—”
“I’ll stop you there.” Dimity raised a hand.
Forrest watched Gabe place a hand over the one Dimity had clenched on the desk.
“That will be all, Mrs. Crabtree. I’m afraid you are not suitable for this position,” Gabe said, rising. He then opened the door and ushered the woman through it before Dimity could launch a verbal attack on her.
Forrest slumped back in his chair.
“I see now why you asked Gabe and me to help you in finding a tutor for Ella,” Dimity said. “Have all the applicants sent to you by the Eddison Agency been like that one?”
“Most of them.”
“The others?”
“Were worse.”
Dimity exhaled. “Well, we will not give up. There will be someone out there.”
The Countess of Raine was a woman who knew her mind. Strong-willed and beautiful with her porcelain skin and thick black hair, she was Gabe’s equal in every way. Born to French aristocracy, she was smuggled out of France during the revolution. It was only when she met Gabe her past was uncovered.
Today she wore pale peach, the dress cut in simple lines to flare out over her stomach, but on her looked anything but. She was a friend to Forrest and someone his daughter loved.
“Am I wrong to want this for my daughter, Dimity? Perhaps I should just teach her.”
“You are not, and I wish more fathers were like you, Forrest. And no, you cannot teach her, or you would end up doing exactly as she wished all day.”
“True. She does seem to get me to do her bidding.”
“And her uncles. It is just Freya, Beth, and I that limit her intake to one peppermint stick instead of four.”
He snorted. His daughter was a delight, but she lived in a world where everyone adored her. That had not always been the case; however, he hoped she never remembered the last year they’d spent in India.
