Dancing with the Devil: The Devilish Donovans

By Emma Brady

1890 New York

 

He returned to New York with more muscles, more money and a taste for revenge…

Robert Donovan left New York as a broken-hearted boy. To avoid scandal ruining his older brother's engagement, Robert was packed up and sent out West to live with his uncle. He spent his time there wisely, growing into his good looks and gathering money at the card tables. His plan was return to New York a most desirable man, to catch the eye of the woman he had loved all his life and who hadn't returned the feelings. Then he could turn the tables on her and make her feel the kind of loss he suffered.

Becca O'Hare had grown up with all three of the Donovan brothers, but it was the middle son Brandon who stole her heart. He left shortly after announcing their engagement, to pursue a lead for the family business, and never returned. Now, five years later, her family is pressuring her to move on and find another suitable husband. She can't help but notice how much Robert has changed. From his muscled body in a suit to his fancy hotel business, he has become the type of man any woman would want.

Can Becca let go of her guilt and let her heart fall for the new man Robert has become? Will Robert go through with his plans for revenge if she does? Or can the two of them find a new future together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emma Brady
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215247006

Book preview

Chapter 1

1890 , New York City 

The dazzling lights from the new Donovan hotel could be seen miles down the street. They were almost blinding as Rebecca O’Hare stepped from her carriage. She pulled her woolen shawl tighter around her bare shoulders as she felt the chill of the April air against her skin. She pretended that was the reason she was feeling goosebumps. 

Becca, she heard the gruff Irish accent of Sean Donovan, matriarch of the family and father of the new hotel’s owner. Come, quickly, or you will get lost in the crush.

It was the hotel’s grand opening, and it appeared as if the entire city of New York had turned out. Only the elite had been given invitations to the ball inside, but that didn’t stop people from crowding the sidewalks outside to watch. The masses of people were enough to cause trouble for the carriages attempting to travel the streets, and the police were trying their best to control the situation. 

Robert did always enjoy making a spectacle of things, said Sean, his cinnamon-colored mustache twitching at the mention of his youngest son. 

It had been five years since Becca last saw Robert, but that was an accurate description of the boy she remembered. He had always been the most dramatic of the Donovan boys and prone to causing mischief. The last night she saw him he had attempted to ruin her engagement party to his brother. 

He has certainly outdone himself tonight, Becca answered the older gentlemen, who took her by the arm and was attempting to help guide her to the hotel entrance. It must have cost him a fortune.

He can afford it. 

Did he make that much money out west? 

When Robert was sent away for embarrassing the family at the young age of nineteen, he went to go live with his uncle on a ranch in Kansas. Since then, Becca had only heard bits and pieces about his life from his mother, who was best friends with her mother. No one knew how he found the investors he had recruited to build this hotel, but rumor was they had very deep pockets and had been generous with their young partner. 

He did far better than expected, his father said with a grunt. 

Becca tried not to frown at that comment. The family and society had always expected so very little from the youngest Donovan boy. Even as children. Christopher was expected to take over the family business in the railroad. Brandon was the adventurer and was going to help them expand into shipping. Robert was the one that thought would never find a good work ethic and simply live off the family name. He had proven them wrong. 

I didn’t think he was going to come back, Becca confessed to the man. After what happened that night at the party, I thought he might be too embarrassed to return home.

It was not my intention to banish him from the island, just to teach him a little humility. It appears I failed. 

Sean looked upwards and when Becca followed his gaze, she saw the brightly colored sign with flickering lightbulbs spelling out the name Donovan. 

He’s not good at subtlety. 

Sean continued to push their way through the crowded lobby and back toward the grand ballroom. Becca could feel her mouth drop open as she looked at the luxurious inside of the hotel. It felt modern, with all of the electric bulbs, but also classic in the taste of the rugs and furniture. This was an establishment intended to please the wealthy. 

My wife is waiting inside with Christopher, Sean told her. I thought it best if I came outside to meet you. We were so glad that you accepted our invitation. We have missed seeing you recently. 

Becca didn’t know how to answer. She had been in a mourning period the last six months, since Brandon’s ship was found, or what was left of it. He had been lost at sea for years, but she always held on to hope he would be found. Instead, all the found was the shipwreck on the coast of Mexico. He had been declared legally dead, even without a body, and she was devastated about losing her fiancé. 

We were shook up about the news as well. My poor wife barely wanted to leave the house. To lose such a vibrant young man...

She could hear him beginning to choke on his own words and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. It had been a hard blow for both families. 

Becca, darling! That was the exclamation of MaeveMaeve Donovan, Sean’s wife.

MaeveMaeve was wearing a dark gray satin gown with red roses embroidered across the top of it and along the neckline and down her left side. She was tall for a woman, coming close to six feet, which might explain while all three of her sons were so tall. Sean was at least a half foot taller than his wife, making Becca feel small at her simple five and a half feet. MaeveMaeve was well-known for the dark auburn color of her hair, which she passed to all three sons, unlike their more strawberry blond father. She had that glorious hair pulled up into an intricate style that fell down her left shoulder. Although a smile graced her lips, it didn’t reflect in her emerald green eyes. 

I’m so glad you came. Christopher was certain you wouldn’t. 

Becca looked up at the Donovans’ oldest son and had to hold back a gasp. She had forgotten how much he resembled Brandon. Seeing that hair and those dark eyes they got from Sean made her remember her lost fiancé. There was a sharp pain in her chest. 

I simply told mother that you might not be ready for this kind of madness, so close to losing to Brandon.

It’s been six months, following five years, so it didn’t just happen. 

Maeve wasn’t saying that to be cruel, she was saying it to remind herself of that fact. Becca had watched the woman slowly fading away as Brandon remained lost, but not gone. The two of them had shared that feeling. 

Besides. Becca hardly has any warm feeling toward Robert, considering what he did to her in the past.

That was a long time ago, no one hardly remembers.

Becca locked eyes with Christopher, knowing that wasn’t true for either of them. 

I’m just grateful to have one of my sons returned to me. 

Maeve said that with a watery voice, and Becca put a hand on her arm for comfort. She understood what the dear woman meant. Coincidentally, Robert had been forced to leave town only a few days after Brandon chose to. Both had been gone for so long, and only one of them had made it back. 

Where is the prodigal son anyway? Christopher asked.  I can hardly identify anyone in this crowd.

I will go try to find him, Becca offered, having her own reasons to search for an escape from the crowds. 

Nonsense, you are our guest, said Sean, although he didn’t appear ready to volunteer to look in her stead. 

It’s no trouble. I’m curious to get a good look at the place.

I should accompany you... Christopher started to offer, but her hand stopped him. 

I’m not a young girl anymore, she said. I have grown quite capable since Brandon left. I can find my own way. 

Becca moved through the crowd toward the lobby, moving against the flow of people. She was glad she let her mother talk her into selecting a new gown, as she looked at the other guests in wonder. She had spent the last six months wearing mourning gowns, in only the darkest black since she found out that Brandon was dead. Her other gowns would be out of fashion, since she bought them even before that. While waiting for her fiancé to return, she never felt the need to buy fancy gowns or spend much time in society. Her heart disappeared when he did. 

Ms. O’Hare? 

She heard the voice but couldn’t see who was addressing her. She tried not to look for the face in the crowd, hoping she could pretend not to hear her name. She just didn’t feel she had the nerve to face many people tonight. 

Becca O’Hare. This time the man stepped directly into her path and she couldn’t avoid him. 

Stephen Connolly, she said, giving him her best fake smile. What a surprise. 

That was the truth. Stephan had been one of her suitors before her engagement, but he left the city before the announcement. He might have had a chance if he had been more dedicated to the pursuit. He was tall and slender, with a charming smile and a witty sense of humor. Dark hair and eyes, with that thin mustache made the girls giggle at the parties. He chose to travel Europe, giving fuel to a rumor that he would be returning with a foreign bride, but he never did. 

I should have expected you to be here. I know how close your family is to theirs. 

Becca didn’t know if he meant that with good humor or not. 

Have you kept in touch with Robert since... he left? Stephen added. 

She knew he was alluding to the incident at the engagement party. He might not have been there, but it made all the papers. No doubt it would have crossed the ocean as well. 

Not as much as I should have. She didn’t want him to think there was any bad feelings between them still. Better to crush those rumors now. 

He appears to have done very well out west.

He had a strong family to live up to.

Of course he will never be a match to his eldest brother. Christopher puts most gentlemen to shame. I’m not sure how he finds time to sleep, said Stephen with a chuckle. No wonder he hasn’t found time to pick a wife yet. 

Christopher was being groomed to take his father place as head of the family business. That was a great deal of pressure, but he handled it with grace. 

He just needs to find the right woman. He needs someone with the energy to keep step with.

Don’t we all. 

She found she was feeling more relaxed in Stephan’s company. She had felt anxiety about facing people from her past, but he made her feel at ease. 

Will you be coming out more this season? he asked with a smile. I would love that chance to speak to you again. 

Becca had avoided the social season since Brandon left. She felt it was improper of her to enjoy it when he was missing. Even more so now that he was gone. 

I’m not certain, she said, not wanting to watch his disappointment if she said no. I’m afraid I must finish my errand. I do hope you enjoy the evening. 

He nodded her head and stepped to the side to give her room to walk past him. Becca went to the front desk where she found a smartly dressed gentleman in a uniform standing behind the counter. 

I’m looking for Mr. Donovan, she said. Mr. Robert Donovan.

Everyone is looking for him, the man replied in a smart tone. He’s the man of the hour who has yet to appear. You will just have to wait like the rest of them. 

Becca gave him a slow smile, folding her hand demurely in front of her on the counter. 

Did you not see me arrive with Mr. Donovan’s father? Did you not see me being personally escorted in to join his mother and brother? I am part of the family and they sent me to find him. Do you want me to tell them you were the reason I could not? 

She gave him a moment to go through the expression of shock, then panic, then resentment. He knew better than to anger the boss’s family. 

He is upstairs, the man said. Room 203.

She started to turn away but felt his hand on her shoulder stopping her. 

You will need this. He might be in bed. 

The bellboy offered her a key attached to a heavy room number. She didn’t think she would need to sneak in on him, but decided to take the key rather than argue. 

Upstairs there was much less noise. The soft rugs on the hardwood floor muffled her steps as she walked. The folds of her skirt rustling and the beating of her own heart echoed in her ears. She wished she had accepted Christopher’s offer of company now that she found herself alone. Finally, she reached the correct door and gently knocked on it, but there was no answer.

She knocked again and still there was no answer. She looked down at the key the bellhop had given her, wondering if Robert might have fallen asleep in there. If so, he wouldn’t want to sleep through his own party. She should go in and make sure he was awake. 

The key slipped in so quietly she could hear the tumblers move as she turned it. There was a click as she opened the door and Becca held her breath, waiting to hear something from the other side but nothing came. She poked her head in first, turning it around to see the lavish sitting room in the suite. 

Becca had never been allowed to travel outside New York, so she had never needed to spend time in a hotel room before. She wondered if they were all as nice as this one, but suspected not. 

One slow, quiet step at a time, Becca moved from the sitting room toward the open door to the bedroom. She didn’t know why her pulse was racing the way that it was. She heard the rustling of fabric and wondered if it was the bedsheets. Of course Robert would be taking a nap during such an important event. 

She pushed gently on the door, letting it glide open silently. The sight that found made her breath catch. A woman in an elegant dress was seated on the bed with her skirts bunched up around her waist and her head thrown back so that Becca couldn’t see her face. A man was kneeling on the floor in front her, between her open knees. His head was bent down toward her...

Becca took a step back in shock and the floor creaked. The man must have heard the noise and she saw his back tense inside the crisp white shirt he wore without a jacket. His head slowly moved up, as if he was being pulled away from what he was doing. Behind the bed there was a mirror and in the reflection, she could see Robert’s face. Before he had the chance to see her, Becca turned and raced from the room. 

Chapter 2

The crowded ballroom was exactly as he had hoped. Robert Donovan stepped into it with a confidence he didn’t have before he left New York. The last time he attended a ball in this city it had ended badly.

Mr. Donovan, said a deep, brusque voice to his left.

He found Mr. Quincy standing there, looking very uncomfortable in his formal attire. The cattle rancher wasn’t accustomed to such fancy events. His sandy blond hair was slicked back, with a few patches sticking out on the sides. Dark sun spots freckled his face, and the wrinkles around his eyes were like worn leather. He was the one who insisted on coming to the grand opening of his investment, but he looked