Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager(19)

Susannah kept her eyes lowered until he returned and placed before her a plate filled with little delicacies.

‘I congratulate you, Lord Markham. I gave you leave to choose for me, and I believe there is nothing here that I do not like.’

He slipped into the seat opposite and picked up his napkin.

‘I took the opportunity to ask your estimable butler for his advice.’

She chuckled at that.

‘I give you credit for your honesty, at least, sir.’

She applied herself to her food, gradually relaxing. Lord Markham was the perfect companion, asking nothing impertinent, amusing her with little anecdotes. As her nerves settled so her appetite improved and when her plate was empty she looked at the single syllabub glass on the table.

‘Is that for you or for me?’

‘For you.’ He picked up the spoon. ‘But I hoped you might let me share the enjoyment.’

She sat back, scandalised.

‘No, that is an outrageous idea.’

He glanced around.

‘Why? The room is empty at present. Even the servants are not attending.’ He scooped out a small spoonful of the syllabub and held it out to her.

Susannah stared at it. She must not. She dare not. Yet she sat forwards, her eyes on that tempting spoonful.

‘Go on,’ he murmured, his voice low and inviting. ‘While no one is watching. Tell me how it tastes.’

He held the spoon closer and automatically her lips parted. She took the sweet, succulent mouthful, felt the flavours burst upon her tongue. Nothing had ever tasted so delicious. Heavens, was this how Eve felt when she had tried the forbidden fruit?

* * *

Jasper watched, entranced. He saw the flicker of her eyelid, the movement of her throat as she swallowed. She ran her tongue across her lips and he felt the desire slam through him. By God, no wonder Gerald was besotted. He tore his eyes away and sat back. He was meant to be seducing her, not the other way around.

‘Well, Miss Prentess, did you enjoy that?’

She would not meet his eyes. That was perhaps as well. He was not at all sure he could sound so cool if she was looking at him.

‘Yes...no.’

‘Another spoonful, perhaps?’ He dug the spoon into the syllabub again but she lifted her hand.

‘No! There are too many people now. We will be seen.’

‘But you would like to do it again?’

Her blush gave him the answer but she said hurriedly, ‘Of course not. You are quite outrageous, my lord. We will forget that happened, if you please.’

Her voice was perfectly steady but he noted that her hand shook a little as she picked up her napkin and touched her lips. Good. She was off balance, which had been his object. That he, too, was shaken by the moment was unfortunate, but it would not happen again.

‘As you wish. But there is something else I want from you, something that is not at all outrageous.’

‘What is that?’

‘To play picquet with you.’

‘Out of the question. You have already won more than enough from my aunt.’

‘I am giving you the chance to win it all back.’

‘No.’ She rose and shook out her skirts. ‘I must return to the drawing room.’

‘As you wish.’ He held out his arm. The fingers that she laid upon his sleeve trembled a little. He fought down the impulse to put up his free hand and cover them, to protect her. That was not his purpose at all. As they left the room he asked his question again.

‘And shall we now play picquet?’

‘I have told you, no, my lord.’

He threw her a teasing glance.

‘After such a meal do I not deserve some reward?’

The look she gave him was indignant.

‘After such a meal you deserve I should not speak to you again!’

Charles Camerton and Mrs Logan were descending the stairs and they waited to let them pass.

‘We were just coming down to join you,’ Charles addressed them cheerfully. ‘Mrs Logan hopes the luck will change after a break.’

Jasper noted the rueful look the widow gave to Susannah as they passed.

‘It seems your aunt and your friend are not doing so well this evening,’ he commented as they went up the stairs.

‘We shall come about.’

‘You could recoup everything with a single game of picquet.’

‘Or lose even more.’

‘Not necessarily.’ He had her attention. ‘We need not play for money.’ He glanced up and down the staircase. They were alone. ‘I will wager my diamond pin against...’ He paused.

‘Yes?’

‘Dinner,’ he said at last. ‘You will join me for dinner at York House on Thursday night.’





Chapter Seven

Madness.

Susannah wanted to shake her head, to tell him she would not countenance such a wager, but her eyes were fixed upon the diamond. It winked at her. It was worth a king’s ransom. It would more than pay for the repairs to Florence House. She could recover the jewels she had sold today and there might even be sufficient to cover the running costs of the house until she came into her inheritance. She was silent as they made their way to the top of the stairs and when they reached the landing she allowed him to draw her to one side.

‘Well, madam, will you accept?’

She ran her tongue over her lips.

‘Dinner, you say?’

‘Yes.’

‘Alone?’

‘Of course.’

It was not to be thought of. To have dinner with him, unescorted, would ruin her reputation.

Only if it was discovered.

As if reading her thoughts he continued, ‘You need have no fear. The hotel is very quiet at present and you may come veiled. My man will serve us and he is very...discreet.’

‘It seems you have thought of everything, my lord.’

‘I like to think so.’

‘If I win you will give me the diamond.’

‘I will.’

‘And if I lose, I will have dinner with you at your hotel. Nothing more.’

‘Nothing more.’

‘We will play the best of three games,’ she declared.

‘If that will suit you.’ The viscount bowed.

‘Perfectly.’ Having made her decision, she led the way into the drawing room and headed for the empty table in the corner, collecting several new packs of playing cards on her way.

* * *

Susannah unwrapped the first pack, thankful that she had taken only a small glass of wine with her supper. She drew the low card and shuffled, holding out the cards for the viscount to cut. She could do this. It was merely a case of steady nerves and keeping a mental note of all the discards. She had done it hundreds of times before. As dealer she knew she must be on the defensive in the first game, but she had a strong hand and after making her discards she was slightly ahead on points when play started. Her optimism was dented when the viscount won the final trick.

‘You were unlucky.’ He reached for a new pack. ‘But you showed some skill. You may do better this time.’

‘I shall indeed.’

She studied her hand and chose her discards carefully. By the time play started she felt sure she had the stronger hand. Winning the first trick boosted her confidence and she played with conviction, narrowly winning the second game. The third, however, started badly and ended worse. The viscount won every trick.

‘Capotted,’ she declared, carefully putting down her cards. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip. She must admit defeat gracefully. ‘Congratulations, my lord. You have won.’

‘You play very well, Miss Prentess. I think you deserve one last chance.’ He drew the diamond pin from his neck cloth and placed it on the table between them. ‘What say you we play one more game, winner takes all?’

She laughed. It sounded a trifle reckless, even to her own ears.

‘What do I have to lose?’

She reached out to take the pin between her thumb and finger. The viscount’s hand closed over hers. A sudden flicker of candlelight made his eyes gleam with a devilish glow.

‘There is one minor alteration to the terms of our wager.’ His voice was smooth, as cold and deadly as steel. ‘If I win this game you come to the hotel for dinner and you stay. All night.’

With a gasp she drew back. Unmoved, he continued.

‘You have my word I will not seduce you. I will not even touch you without your permission. But you will stay in my rooms until morning.’

‘What is the point of your assurances?’ she challenged him. ‘I shall be ruined whether you touch me or no.’

‘Only if word of it gets out. And I shall tell no one.’

She sat up very straight, staring at him.

‘Why are you doing this? Why force me to dine with you and stay in your rooms if you do not want to...to seduce me?’