The Wild Belle (6 page)

“His names not Earl, it’s—” the Colonel began before Andi interrupted him.

“I know what his name is! Earl is just his title,” she stated smugly knowing how this group of men disliked the English. Most had either battled, been captured, or lost family members during the War. A supercilious smile crossed her face as she tossed her head and walked out the door.

“Ya titled, too?” the Colonel stated, echoed by Stephen’s, “You’re a lord?”

Michael sighed in frustration. Just what this group of individuals needed, more ammunition against him. He could sense their hatred towards England. “No. I do not have a title. My father is an Earl, yes. And his title will go to my oldest brother, Eli. But he is not very welcome in England since he only occasionally attends the meetings at the House of Lords and never makes appearances at any social functions.”

Before anyone could reply to his statement, Andi called, “If you’re comin’, then come on. Or do I get to tell everyone that you cheated and were afraid of a rematch because ya know you’ll lose.”

“I’m comin’, Andi. Christ. Don’t get yerself all riled up,” Higgins answered. Standing, he walked towards the back, the other patrons following on his heels.

“Come on. This I’ve got to see,” Stephen told Michael as he followed the group.

When they exited the back of the tavern, Michael noticed two wooden boards set up in the back. Each board had the back end elevated and a hole cut near the top of each board. He watched Andi bend over and her brown pants pulled tight over her backside. He swallowed hard. She was a tantalizing woman. She picked up four black bags and tossed them at Higgins.

Stephen walked over to Andi and leaned over. He whispered low into her ear, so no one could hear, “Thought you were tending Nellie?”

She turned and smiled sweetly at her soon-to-be brother-in-law. “Just an excuse. Sally told me the Earl was comin’ for supper and I don’t want to socialize with him.” Her green eyes darkened a shade. “Can you believe that my parents have me engaged to him?”

Stephen looked at her with confusion in his eyes. “I think you’re mistaken—”

“No! I know who he is. Now, I must make myself as unappealing as possible so he will not want to marry me.” She turned away from Stephen and picked up the remaining corn-filled bags.

Stephen smiled maliciously at Andi. If she thought Michael was the Peterson’s nephew, he was not going to correct her. She had teased him mercilessly and pulled too many pranks on him for him to forget. Now, it was time for his revenge. He looked Michael’s way. In no way did that handsome man resemble the Peterson’s homely nephew.

He walked away and stood with Michael. He wanted to see this rematch. Higgins always won at cornhole. Stephen knew that Andi had been practicing. He would watch the match and then escort Michael back to the
Double Oasis
. Then maybe sneak a visit with his lovely fiancée.

Chapter Seven

Michael watched the lovely blond-haired woman. She took a slow, deep breath and held it, and with an underhand toss, sent the tan corn-filled sack sailing towards the wooden plank. The sack hit with a loud rattling thud and slid into the hole. A cat-like smile crossed her sensuous lips. She tilted her head cockily towards her opponent and held up her final sack.

“That slider makes us tied. And I have one bag left,” she taunted arrogantly.

“You’ll miss, Andi. Ya always do,” Higgins countered.

Andi just smiled sweetly at the man. Turning to face the board, she took another slow deep breath, concentrating on the task at hand. She drew her arm back to toss the sack, but Higgins began coughing loudly. She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. He continued coughing. She turned her head towards him.

“Are you quite finished?” she asked, annoyance apparent in her voice. Higgins grinned sheepishly at Andi and nodded his head. “Oh, and, Higgins, if you cheat, it’s an automatic win for me.”

Higgins loudly groaned while Andi took her position. Bouncing the sack several times in her hand, she accustomed her reflexes to the weight. She took a breath and tossed the sack. It landed on the board and slid past the hole towards the edge. Andi cringed as she watched her sack slide towards the edge and then stop just before sliding off. A triumphant smile flashed across her face.

“I believe that point makes me the winner,” she said proudly, looking at Higgins.

“Rematch,” Higgins retorted.

Andi shook her head. “Oh, no, but I’ll take what you owe me,” she said as she walked over to Higgins and looked up to him.

“Awww now, Miss Andi. Are ya really holding me up ta that ol’ bet we made last month?”

“Yes. Now go on. I’m sure the fellas would love ta see it, too.”

“Ya know I’ll get even with ya fer this, right?”

“Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you make a bet with me. Now, if you please . . . ,” Andi said as she gestured towards the center of the circle.

Higgins took a frustrated breath and walked into the tavern. Michael watched with avid curiosity as the scrawny man disappeared into the building, wondering what was going to transpire. A few minutes later, Higgins returned wearing a bright pink dress over top of his dirty clothing. He had his face painted gaudily with makeup, and his long greasy black hair was pulled up with purple ribbons on each side of his head. Glaring at Andi, he walked past her.

“And, Higgins, make it a happy tune, too,” Andi yelled at the man.

Whistles could be heard coming from the prostitutes out of the upstairs window. The group of men tossed names at him, some gave catcall whistles, but all were laughing.

Higgins stood in the center of the group and began singing a song and dancing like a ballerina. He twirled one direction, then the other. His performance lasted several minutes. As soon as it was finished, he tossed the dress off and stormed back into the tavern mumbling under his breath. The group of men followed after him, teasing him about his performance.

Michael watched the last man enter the tavern and turned to find Andi had not followed the group in.

“That was quite an interesting wager you had there,” Michael said, approaching her.

Michael’s comment caused her to jump and drop the sacks she had collected from the ground. “Oh, uh . . . yes, it was,” she replied while she continued to pick up the sacks, attempting to avoid talking with the man.

“I’m curious. If he had to dress and act like a tavern wench for losing, what would you have had to do?”

Andi stood up and turned to face the man. His handsomeness caused her to momentarily forget where she was. Never in all her years had she seen a more attractive man. The light from the lanterns set up around the boards caused shadows to dance over his silhouette. A breeze caught a lock of his hair and blew it over his forehead. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

“The same,” she replied.

“That’s hardly fair.”

“No, it would be the same humiliation. These boys know I don’t like dresses and most have never seen me in one,” she said nonchalantly as she walked over to a small wooden box by the door and dropped the corn sacks inside.

Michael bent over and picked up one of the sacks that she dropped and tossed it her way. “So what type of woman wears trousers, prowls the woods looking for people to view unclothed, and hangs out in taverns?”

Andi lowered her gaze to a slit and pivoted swiftly around to face him. “Just what are ya insinuatin’, your lordship?” she piqued.

“I’m not implying anything. Just trying to figure you out. Are you a local tavern wench or just a farmer’s daughter looking for excitement?”

“Why, you arrogant beast!” she shouted and picked up a corn-filled sack and threw it at him. He ducked and easily missed the projectile. She marched over to him and began poking him in his chest with her long dainty finger. The corner of his mouth curled with humor. She was taller than most women, but she still barely came to the top of his chest. Her demeanor made it clear his height did not intimidate her in the least.

“I’ll have you know that I am none of those things. But you’ll find out soon enough just who I am. And I’ll have ya know this is how I act
all
the time, sa don’t go about tryin’ to change it with your fancy-smancy English lord rules.”

A confused looked crossed Michael’s face. “What on this earth are you talking about?”

“What? Didn’t your uncle tell you? We’re engaged, so don’t go about tryin’ to change me either.”

“Engaged?!” Michael rebutted with shock. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else.”

“Are you or are you not an Earl?”

“I am not.”

“Really. So no nobility in your bloodline anywhere?”

“My father is an Earl, but I am not.”

“See . . . you’re an Earl,” she angrily spat.

Michael looked deep into her eyes and could see her fury. She obviously was against this marriage she was referring to. But how was he going to convince this woman that she had the wrong man.

“Andi, I believe you have mistaken me for—”

“No, I have not. And let me remind you again that I will not change for you or for any man.”

“Let’s bet on it.”

“What?”

“It’s obvious that you like to make wagers.” Michael walked away from her and headed towards the wooden crate. He bent over and picked up one of the corn-filled sacks. “If you hit the hole, then I will let you carry on as you are accustomed to.”

“And if you hit it?” she asked cautiously.

“Then you kiss me.”

Andi’s eyes grew wide. “What?”

“Well, it’s only fair, Pixie. After all, you did trick me into getting out of that lake unclothed.”

“Have you ever played before?”

“Never.”

“Deal,” Andi replied cockily. She walked over to Michael and took the sack out of his hand. She walked over to the side of the opposite board and tossed the sack. It landed and slid towards the hole. It did not go in. It stopped barely hanging on the edge but blocking the hole.

“That’s a perfect blocker if I have ever seen one,” Andi bragged.

Michael just looked at her and then the tossed sack, unsure of the terminology she was using. He bobbed the corn sack up and down in his hand, becoming familiar with its weight. He stood on the opposite side of the board of Andi and stared intently at the target. Taking a slow deep breath, he tossed the corn sack. It sailed over top of Andi’s and landed straight into the hole. A satisfied grin crossed Michael’s face.

“Not too bad for my first try.” He turned towards Andi and noticed her face grow red with anger. She did not like to lose. “Now, time to pay up.”

Andi looked nervously around. “Not here, everyone will see.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well, yeah, my parents would skin you alive,” she replied, storming over to a large pine tree in the far corner of the cleared lot.

Michael followed her. He watched her backside sway from side-to-side in a tantalizing manner and wondered if she was doing that on purpose. His eyes traveled upward and noticed that her hair was mid-way down her back and was swaying with her hips.

She looked over her shoulder and ordered, “Well, hurry up and get this over with. Ya think you’d had plenty of kisses with your looks, but I guess not if you’re wantin’ to kiss me.”

Michael gave a chuckle as he passed Andi and pulled her to the tree. He held her fast in his arms. She tried to pull free, but his muscular arms held her fast.

“I have had many kisses, but none from lips quite as sensuous as yours.”

“I think the colonel spiked your drink.”

“No, my dear. You see, your lips beg to be kissed and kissed often. Have you had many kisses yourself?”

Andi just stared at the handsome man. Truth be told, no one had ever tried to kiss her. They were afraid of her or put off by her outgoing nature. That thought put sadness in her eyes. She looked up at Michael and her heart began to flutter. This handsome man wanted to kiss her. Before she could respond to his question, he leaned down.

“Let me show you,” he whispered against her lips.

His lips gently came to hers, and Andi felt her pulse quicken. He placed several butterfly kisses on her lips until she began to respond back. Her hands moved around his neck, holding him closer. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss. Andi felt her knees grow weak. Never in all her wildest dreams did she imagine a kiss could affect one like this. She was breathless. All thoughts and reasoning left her mind. All she could think of was exploring this man’s kisses even further.

Their kiss became more passionate and Michael could feel himself beginning to grow hard. He abruptly ended the kiss and looked down at Andi. His deep breathing was matched by her own. Her green eyes had darkened with passion. Her tongue darted out and licked her lips. Closing his eyes, he took several controlling breaths. Neither one spoke. As he opened his eyes, Michael saw reality suddenly strike Andi. She pushed against his chest with her hands.

“I have paid my debt, now please release me.”

Michael released the beauty before him and watched her run towards the tavern. She darted quickly around the building. He took several more deep breaths in an attempt to control his body. Never had he had a kiss affect him the way this one had. Her kisses were intoxicating and he craved more.

“Michael!” Stephen yelled from the back door of the tavern. “Miiiiiichaelllll!” Stephen yelled with a drawn out slur.

Taking another controlling breath, Michael exited his hiding spot and walked towards the younger man.

Stephen’s hands were to his mouth as he began yelling again. “Miiiii—ah, there you are. What were you doing back there? Oh, never mind.” Stephen’s words were slurred.

“You’re drunk.”

“Yes, I am,” Stephen answered, stumbling towards Michael. “Now to get you back to
Double Oasis
before Ott sends the sheriff out looking for us.”

“I don’t think he would do that,” Michael said. He placed his arm around Stephen in order to keep the younger man from falling.

“Naw, he wouldn’t. But my mother would. You know I have two sisters.”

“That’s quite all right. I am not interested in marriage.”

“Ya sure?” Stephen asked. Before Michael could respond, he continued, “Well, too bad, because I’d love to marry them off to someone.” Stephen laughed overly loud. “Now to escort you back.”

“I think you are the one in need of an escort.”

“Quite right, my friend, but I have been drunker than this and managed to find myself home.” A thought then crossed Stephen’s mind. “Aw, I was planning on sneaking into Abigail’s room tonight.” He stumbled into Michael again. “Miss Mandy would smell me before I reached the front gates.”

“I believe your assumption is correct.”

“Guess I’ll escort you to the gate and then go to my home. I’ll have to make my lover’s rendezvous some other time. Please give Abigail my excuses.”

Michael gave a chuckle. “It’s late and I don’t think that would be appropriate, especially if Miss Mandy found me.”

Stephen’s eyes grew wide. “By George, you’re right! Then they would demand you . . . ,” he said as he poked Michael’s chest with his index finger, “you marry my sweet, sweet Abigail. You know to tell the truth, I originally wanted to court Andrea. That was my whole intention when I started visiting the
Double Oasis
. But when I spied Abigail picking apples with the sun shining in her hair, I knew she was the one. Besides, who wants a wife who dresses likes a man.”

“Let’s get you home. I believe ‘soused’ is an understatement of your present condition.”

Stephen made a funny face as Michael tossed him into the saddle. He sat upright with his lips still puckered, resembling a duck’s beak.

“Do you know what it’s like to want a woman so badly and not be able to bed her? I’ve tried many times, but Mandy has spies
everywhere
,” he said, moving his hand in an outward direction. “Only three more weeks.” He held three of his fingers up on his left hand. As he studied his fingers a perplexed look crossed the younger man’s face. He took his right index finger and counted the fingers. “There are three of them up, right?” Michael didn’t have time to answer before his inebriated companion continued. “Yes, I believe there are. Three weeks. That’s what I have to keep telling myself. Just three more weeks.”