Bride for a Night(88)

Turning back, the woman approached him with a smile of pure invitation.

“You have changed your mind?” she purred, her hands skimming over his jacket. “You will not regret your purchase.”

He lightly grasped her wrists, preventing her skillful touch from heading ever lower.

“I have a small task I wish you to perform.”

Her chuckle was perfectly pitched to stir a man’s deepest fantasies.

Or at least most men, he ruefully corrected.

He had already discovered that his interest in women, no matter how lovely or talented they might be, had been restricted to dark-haired gypsies with emerald eyes.

“I shall be pleased to perform any tasks you desire.”

“That will not be necessary,” he said, firmly putting her at a distance.

Her smile never faltered as her hands shifted to the velvet ribbon that held her nearly transparent gown together.

“You prefer that I…”

“No,” he hastily reached to grasp her hand before she was standing stark naked.

She frowned. “Then what do you desire?”

With a tug on her hand, he positioned her near the trellis, pointing his finger at his brother.

“Do you see the young gentleman standing near the roulette table?”

“Monsieur Richardson?”

His jaw clenched at her ready recognition. Obviously Harry was a regular customer.

“Yes.”

“Of course.” She tossed him a smug smile. “He has often wished to spend time in my company, but he must content himself with the less expensive companions.”

“Then it would appear that tonight his luck is about to turn,” Gabriel murmured. “Do you have a room near?”

Monique waved a hand toward the stone staircase. “On the top floor, the third door on the left.” Her eyes narrowed. “But if there are to be two gentlemen then I will demand double the price.”

Gabriel shrugged. “I will happily double the price, but all I ask of you is your assistance in luring the gentleman upstairs without revealing my presence and then the opportunity to speak with him in private.”

“And what of me?” she asked with obvious suspicion.

“You will have the luxury of enjoying an hour or so of peace.” His gaze studied the perfect oval of her face, noticing the fine lines that were just beginning to frame her eyes. “Surely a preferable means of spending your evening?”

Surprisingly the woman stepped close enough to brush her full breasts against his chest.

“It would be preferable on most evenings. However, tonight I believe I would rather have company, so long as it is you.”

He shook his head, once again pushing her firmly away. “A charming notion, but I have pressing business with Monsieur Richardson.”

Monique pouted at Gabriel’s discreet rejection. “If he owes you money, then I fear you are to be disappointed,” she warned. “He is heavily in debt to Francois.”

“Francois?”

Her lips twisted with disgust. “The owner of this charming establishment.”

“Of course.” He shook his head at Harry’s dismal predictability, even as he grimly reminded himself that yet another gambling debt was the least of his concerns. “It is a personal matter.”

Perhaps sensing his smoldering fury, the whore gave a lift of her brows.

“You do not intend to kill him, do you?”

“If I do, I promise to remove the body.” Reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, he removed several bank notes and held them in the light that spilled from the brightly lit torches. “Can you convince him to join you?”