Chloé and the Beast

By Kristi Ahlers

Lucian Devon, Duke of Spencer, once a celebrated rogue and legendary lover, finds himself hiding at his country estate shamed and angry. His life of resplendence and social prominence is gone. He is now pitied and that is something he can’t stand. Lucian is now blind, and without his sight, he feels he’s no better than a beast in the wild. So with this thought in mind, he does his level best to keep the well intended friends and those looking for the latest juicy bit of gossip at arm’s length. Thinking he’s been successful, he settles down to feel sorry for himself and live as he pleases. And then his past catches up with him in the most unexpected of ways.

Lady Chloé Rosdale has heard the whispered comments of the mighty Duke of Spencer and how the once handsome rogue now acts more like a beast than man. Once they were childhood friends until they both went their separate ways, but Lucian took Chloé’s heart with him. She goes to Lucian with the hopes of helping him. She’s shocked but not terribly surprised by how he behaves. Figuring it’s up to her to bring him back to the life of the living and showing him he’s more than his eyes, these two spend a great deal of time together. Could it be that love is indeed blind and that from tragedy comes the gift of everlasting love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DCL Publications
• Release date: Apr 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9780985468231

Kristi Ahlers

Kristi Ahlers is a California girl! She grew up in Northern California in a small city called Yuba City. Since then she’s lived in Brussels, Belgium, and England along with a myriad of other locations. A former flight attendant, she was able to continue to feed her love of travel. This has greatly influenced her writing, allowing her to pen stories about places she’s managed to visit and things she’s experienced. Kristi loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [e-mail] or visit her at her virtual home at www.kristiahlers.com

Book preview

Chloé and the Beast

By

Kristi Ahlers

DCL Publications, LLC

© 2012 Kristi Ahlers

All rights reserved

First Edition May 2012

DCL Publications

1033 Plymouth Dr.

Grafton, OH 44044

ISBN 978-0-9854682-3-1

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Annie Marshall and Beyond the Book Productions

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dedication

To my best friend and critique partner Meagan Hatfield. You’re the best ever. No matter how busy life gets or how far apart we live from each other, I know you’ve always got my back. Thank you for that and know I’m always there for you. Wub you tons, Meags!

CHAPTER 1

Evidently the whispered comments down in the village, that the Duke of Spencer had turned into a ferocious beast complete with drooling jowls and horrid temperament, were indeed true. A person could only come to this conclusion if one was unfortunate enough to be standing in the beast’s lair.

Lady Chloé Rosedale fingered the burgundy velvet cloak she wore as she listened to the rather animalistic noises coming from what she remembered as the study. The sound of shattering glass closely followed by a succinct curse had her cringing and wondering about her sanity for even thinking she could help when others had failed. Odd how earlier in the morn this had seemed like a brilliant idea.

In an attempt to distract herself from the commotion, she turned, looking around the vestibule of the country house. Despite the hushed words regarding the state of the man who called this place home, his servants were maintaining the country manor to superior standards. This was no doubt a huge undertaking for the few who remained at the estate, since there had been a mass exodus over the last month from those in service. They left with fantastic tales of horror, abuse and depravity.

Another crash sent Chloé’s temper on edge. This is ridiculous. She untied the wide maroon ribbon that held her cloak in place while she moved to the closed door. Taking a deep breath, ignoring all of the social rules she was about to break, she turned the golden handle and stepped over the threshold into the masculine space. It took her a moment as she stood in complete and utter shock at what she faced. Lucian Devon, Duke of Spencer, stood before her, a disheveled mess, which was a polite way of stating he was a disaster.

Food clung to his shirt, breeches and stockings. His long dark hair hung in a matted disarray. But what stunned her most was the total lack of emotion in his velvet brown eyes. The smiling, teasing boy she once knew was replaced by this furious, angry and totally out of control man.

I told you I’m not home to visitors. Are you deaf man?

Chloé’s first reaction was an overwhelming desire to run and wrap her arms around him. But she knew Lucian. Knew that nothing would bother or anger him more than her pity. Instead, she straightened her spine, ran her hands down the front of her gown, trying to maintain her calm before she spoke. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly trying to come up with something witty but profound to say. Her mind raced with a million things she wanted to utter but couldn’t. Instead she decided to face the beast head on as she’d always had in the past.

No, my lord. My hearing is intact, the butler intoned with respect.

Well, one can only deduce the opposite when you inform me we have a guest. Lucian’s roar was followed by a resounding crash as a decanter of brandy hit the fireplace, showering the expensive Aubusson carpet with the amber liquid and crystal shards from the heavy glass container.

Are you quite finished pitching your fit, Lucian? Chloé asked as she watched the majordomo all but run from the room. A small part of her wished she was close on his heels but she’d never been a coward and refused to start running from Lucian. Especially now that he needed her. Oh he wouldn’t see it that way but he did need her if he was going to return to his rightful place in society and banish the rumors circulating amongst his peers. The ton loved nothing more than a good story and Lucian had unwittingly provided them with enough fodder to fuel an entire season and then some.

Chloé smiled slightly as Lucian jumped back a little upon hearing her voice. He swiftly covered his surprise behind a bored façade but it didn’t matter, she saw what she needed to know, that her friend and the man she loved was still there beneath the hurt and frustration of his situation.

What are you doing here? Leave. Lucian pointed but it was in the direction of the floor to ceiling windows rather than the door.

Lucian’s words were like a fist to the gut. He’d never been so harsh with her. Oddly enough, she’d hoped that their past would provide a basis for this meeting. Since this was obviously not going to be the case, she had to ignore the hurt and realize his anger was coming from frustration. With a deep breath she said, No. With deliberate care she moved amongst the debris of broken furniture, vases, and other unidentifiable objects. In answer to your first question, I’m here because one of my old friends has gotten himself into a rather tight bind and I want to help.

Chloé stepped over to a leather covered wingback chair and dropped her cloak before she moved to the windows. It was so dark in the room and she felt she would suffocate if light was not allowed in the space. With effort, she pulled back the heavy brocade drapes, permitting the bright sunlight to stream into the room. Without thought she moved to Lucian’s side. Now, let me see your hand?

She watched as Lucian narrowed his sightless eyes and gritted his teeth. There is nothing wrong with my hand. And don’t be so informal by calling yourself friend.

I can see we need to start on re-introducing you to your manners since they seemed to have vanished. I dare say your sainted mother would die again if she heard you talking this way. She swallowed hard before she let her hurt of his words get the best of her and instead focused on his wound. And if you’re hand is not hurt then why is it bleeding, hmmm?

Chloé watched as a drop of crimson blood fell from his palm and hit the floor, refusing to acknowledge the pain that cut through her heart at his rejection of her friendship. Society was strict with the rules that separated the aristocracy from the working class but she never thought Lucian would actually hide behind those very obvious lines. He never had before; rather he’d flaunted society’s dictates not allowing anyone to pick and choose his friends. But it had been years since they’d seen each other and things had changed.

It’s not, he grumbled over her head, his voice gruff to her ears. Why are you here? I want you gone! Now!

Chloé