Page 1 of Brutal Serpent

CHAPTER 1

St. Erth

It didn’t really matter what my future wife looked like. Even though she didn’t know it yet, I was going to marry her even if she was gnarled and marked up with smallpox. As long as she was a virgin Wendover with a working womb, nothing else mattered. Miss Catherine Wendover was 19 years old to my 36, and she was the final missing piece in my years-long revenge plot.

I watched her across the crowded London ballroom, my eyes locked on my future wife as the dancing couples whirled past. She looked younger than I expected, even though at 19 she was a year past when she’d be expected to marry. The little Miss Wendover was dressed fashionably enough, in a delicate white satin ballroom gown with gossamer golden ribbons.

Fascinating, especially since I knew the high and mighty aristocratic Wendover family were flat broke, and just barely outrunning their creditors. And, thanks to me, they were about to run out of fools willing to loan them money. The Wendovers were betting everything on Catherine’s London season, on their only daughter making a wealthy match.

Good.

Their desperation meant they’d fall into my trap even easier.

Everything else about little Catherine Wendover was unfashionable. She had bright, burnished auburn hair, wound into a heavy updo, a tiny stature instead of tall elegance, and soft brown eyes. Instead of looking eager and happy to dance, she hung back from the crowd that pressed close to the dance floor, looking shy and nervous.

Ordinarily the kind of woman I wouldn’t look twice at.

But she didn’t need the kind of sparkling conversation, elegance, or wit I looked for in my mistresses.

She needed only to be a Wendover. And a virgin. After that, she just needed to be a wet cunt for me to fill, and a healthy belly for me to swell with a baby. Then my revenge against the family would be complete.

It would of course also gain my revenge to marry her and slit her throat after the vows. But that would only be a partial revenge. I had something much worse planned. It would be much more satisfying to force her to bear my child instead.

As my eyes remained fixed on Catherine, I could see others taking notice. I was one of the matrimonial prizes this season. Even the most finicky aristocratic mamas wouldn’t turn her nose up at the great wealth of Viscount Alastair St. Erth. Even though I bought my way into the title Ilookedthe complete gentleman.

Looks are deceiving.

But the Wendovers won’t realize this until it’s too late.

Until their daughter is trapped in my snare.

Some of the other ladies hid their smiles behind their fans, whispering eagerly to each other. I had never singled any London lady out for particular attentions before.

Who was I looking at? Who would I be procuring an introduction to? I could feel the whispers across my skin.

The only onenotlooking at me was little Catherine Wendover.

It was time to make my move, and I didn’t anticipate any problems. I could already see her mother, Lady Julia Wendover, practically licking her lips. I’m new money. I’m the gentleman who bought his title. Bought it with dirty revoltingworkingmoney, made from my enlistment in the navy, and the prizes I seized from rival French ships. I’m not well-born like them, but most of the London Ton is perfectly happy to greet me, invite me, curry my favor.

Begme to marry their daughters.

Especially desperate, dilapidated aristocratic families like the Wendovers.

My long strides were lean and silent as I walked toward Catherine Wendover.

She doesn’t know it yet, but by virtue ofwhoshe is, she’s doomed.

She’ll never have a day free frommywill,mycruelty, ever again.

As of today, she’ll bemineto punish for her family’s sins.

My fury is endless.

My revenge will be lifelong.

She’ll never be able to escape it.

CHAPTER 2

---