Games (Timeless Series)

by Loyd, Sandy

  ~~

  Giselle stretched. Her body tingled and every part of her wanted to smile, even her toes. She opened her eyes right then and caught Simon’s pleased, contented look.

  She laughed. “I would not seem so satisfied if I were you. You lost the bet. Now you have to let me help you with your case.”

  Simon grinned, pulled out of her, and headed for the washroom, chuckling the entire way. When he returned, he had a wet cloth in his hand. She sat up, wondering what he was about.

  “Let me tend to you. Here, lie back down.” She complied and he continued speaking while gently wiping her virgin’s blood from her body. “Giselle, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. You are not helping me with my case.”

  “But you agreed and you lost.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m not budging on this.” He finished and put the cloth on the nightstand. Then he got back into bed and pulled her toward him.

  “I won,” she said, pushing up on her elbows. “I did nothing to coerce or tempt you.”

  “Just being in that chair was a temptation and you well know it.” He nestled her head atop his shoulder and closed his eyes. “Let’s try and get some sleep.”

  “Non!” She sat up, pulling out of his grip. “I cannot accept that, Simon.”

  “Fine. Come back here, and we’ll discuss it in the morning. I have a busy day tomorrow and I need to get some sleep.”

  Not yielding, she crossed her arms. “We will discuss it now, or I am leaving.”

  “Suit yourself.” He rolled over. “You might want to put something on before you leave, though. There’s a chill in the air.”

  “I cannot believe you are being so vile.” When he ignored her comment, her anger ignited. She bounded from the bed in an outraged huff. Throwing her gown over her head, she hissed, “I should have known better than to trust you.”

  Her only answer was his soft snoring. Fuming, she stormed out of his room and back to her own. Since it was cold, she quickly got under her comforter. After such a wonderful experience, her thoughts were a jumbled mess that needed sorting out. One thing she felt certain about, she was determined to help Simon with his case whether he wanted her to or not.

  ~~

  Simon sat at the breakfast table and took note of Giselle’s breezy entrance.

  “Good morning,” she said, moving to the sideboard.

  Dressed in a yellow riding habit, she presented the look of sunshine. He had to admit her smile did brighten his day. She served herself a hefty helping of eggs and ham, before pulling out a chair across from him.

  “I trust you slept well?” Grinning, he watched her closely while she sat down.

  “Of course.” She flashed a return smile. “And you, sir? How did you sleep?”

  “Fine, except I got a little lonely for a brown-eyed siren who went missing from my bed.”

  “Humph. I doubt that. You were so lonely, you could not wait to fall asleep.”

  “That’s because you drained me.”

  She almost choked on her food. A blush crept up her face and she quickly leaned forward. “Shush. You need not tell the world.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. Minnie and Maizie are with the children in the nursery.” His grin was back. “Your secret’s safe with me. Even though your smile promises it, no one but me knows what a tiger you are in bed.”

  “Will you stop! That was an indiscretion and it will not happen again.”

  Simon’s grin stretched. “Care to make a bet?”

  “Non!” she huffed indignantly. “I have definitely learned my lesson on that score. I will not make one more wager with you. You do not honor them.”

  “Are we back to that?”

  “We never left it,” she stated in a clipped tone. “You merely fell asleep in the middle.”

  Chuckling, he said, “It was either that or be coerced into something I didn’t want to do.”

  “I want to help you. Just give me the chance,” she pleaded, using those doe eyes of hers to beg.

  “Don’t you already have a job?” He went back to his food, trying to ignore their effect.

  “Yes, but with winter almost upon us, it does not require much time on my part. Please, Simon. Surely there is something I can do.”

  Simon sighed. Eyeing her, he determined the tenacious part of her wasn’t going to back down. He might as well give in now, or else she’d just badger him into it eventually. Besides, he had taken her virginity. Giving her a task to keep her out of the way seemed the least he could do to compensate, especially since he wasn’t offering marriage.

  “Maybe there is something that isn’t too dangerous for you to do.”

  “Really!” Giselle squealed excitedly. “You mean it?”

  “Yes, why not?” He stopped for a few minutes, thinking of some innocuous chore to occupy her time. Coming up with an idea, he asked, “How friendly are you with the hands around here?”

  “Friendly enough.” She shrugged. “Some more than others. Why?”

  “I’d like to know more about one of the new hands without him knowing I’m asking questions. Maybe if the questions came from you in a roundabout way, I’d learn more.”

  Her smile brightened. “Oh, I understand now. Just like you did the other night. Keep the conversation going without volunteering anything. You really are good at that.”

  “It’s a handy skill to have at times,” he said, chuckling at her perception.

  “And something I can mimic, I am sure.” Her ardor for the task was apparent in the statement. “Just tell me who you are interested in and I will do my best.”

  Simon shook his head, not wanting to be amused by her enthusiasm.

  “Well? Are you going to tell me or not?”

  The stubborn tilt to her head drew his attention, and noting the determination in her expression, all amusement fled. My God! He’d taken leave of his senses and was actually giving in to her.

  “Giselle, if you do this, please be careful,” he warned. “It is a game, but I wasn’t kidding when I said it can be deadly.”

  “Simon, trust me.” She waved off his concern. “I am Marcus Franklin’s daughter.”

  “Oh? And you think that will keep you safe?”

  “Non. But what he taught me will,” she stated boldly, meeting his worried expression.

  Simon raised his eyebrows, totally unconvinced. “What he taught you? Pray, enlighten me.”

  Giselle heaved an unconcerned shrug. “When Marguerite and I were younger, he made sure we could defend ourselves in case we ever got into a situation we did not want to be in.”

  “Really?” he asked, his amusement returning. He’d all but stopped eating at this point, more interested in what she was saying. “So you think his lessons will be enough to keep you safe from hardened men who think of killing in the same vein as spitting?”

  “Since I have never met anyone quite so nasty, I cannot say. He taught me enough to keep my head and do my best to use my wits to stay alive.”

  “You aren’t going to need those skills because you’re not going to be in any danger.” He met her gaze. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?” he said firmly. “Ask questions. Nothing more.”

  “I am not an idiot, Simon. Of course I understand.” She dismissed his warnings with a shrug. “So, who are you interested in? Let me guess. I bet it is Black, the new guy. I have heard he is a bit of a rough character.”

  “What have I gotten myself into?” He rolled his eyes heavenward, counting to twenty. Ten wasn’t near enough. “Giselle, look at me.”

  “What?” She met his stern gaze with a defiant one.

  “I need to know you’re taking this seriously, or you can forget about helping.”

  “Of course I understand. I do take it seriously and I will help you, I promise. Have a little faith, will you?”

  “Not when I see that scheming look in your eyes.” He heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m responsible for this case, and I’m not about to let anything happen to you because
of it.”

  “You really are worried about me?”

  Simon grunted. “I’m worried because I’m beginning to know you.”

  “That is so sweet.” Giselle smiled warmly, patting his hand. “And since you are so worried, I promise all I will do is ask questions, innocent ones at that. It will not be any harder than flirting,” she assured him.

  His gaze stayed fastened on hers. What he saw eased his mind, and he went back to eating.

  “So, tell me a little about the case,” Giselle said. “Then I can think about what kind of questions to ask in order to help you.”

  Simon shrugged and brought her up-to-date on all that had been happening. Before he finished, he gave her a rundown on his suspicions about Black and why. He ended by warning her to be careful once again.

  When Simon stopped talking, Giselle got up from the table.

  “Well, I have a busy day planned and I am late getting started,” she explained when his eyebrows rose. On her way out of the room, she paused. Another beautiful smile lit her face. “Thank you, Simon, for allowing me to help you. You will not regret it.”

  She then came around the table and bent to kiss him on the cheek before hurrying out of the room.

  Stunned, Simon stared at the empty doorway. Her scent still hung in the air. Shaking his head, he wondered what had gotten into him. Giselle Franklin was like no other woman he’d ever met. She could be beguiling and flirtatious one minute, and unaffected and innocent the next. She was a fascinating woman/child and his attraction to her was stronger than ever.

  Putting his hands on his face, he rubbed, working to clear the memory invading his brain, the one of her in his bed last night. He should stay away from her. She was enticing him further into her trap. Despite enjoying the experience, he had no intention of finding himself locked in to something he couldn’t get out of. He was smarter than that, for God’s sake. He’d resisted women’s lures before. He’d simply do it again.

  Simon finished his breakfast, more determined than ever to quickly resolve his case and get the hell off the farm and well away from the tempting woman. Thank God he had enough to keep him busy from sunup until sunset for the next few days. He’d use the time to both distance himself from Giselle, and to solve the case.

  Chapter 15

  Giselle rushed up the stairs, excited to actually be involved in Simon’s case. She was determined to make a difference in its outcome. Upon entering her room, she went over to her bureau and opened the top drawer. Lying neatly inside was a small handgun, a derringer her father had taught her to use so many years ago in Paris. She picked it up along with several bullets and placed them in her pocket. Next to a scarf was a sharp nail file, which she also stuck into her pocket.

  After a glance in the mirror to make sure she was presentable, she headed outside.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gus and veered in his direction.

  He grunted and looked up. “You’re later than usual today. Is everything all right?”

  “Things could not be better, why?”

  His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. “You seemed a little put out the last time I saw you.”

  She tendered an unladylike snort. “I was not happy about riding with Simon at first, but we worked it out.”

  “Ja?” Gus wiped the sweat off his brow, seeming relieved. “That’s good to hear. I didn’t mean to push him in your path if you didn’t want him there.”

  “How sweet of you, Gus,” she said with a smile. “You need not worry about me. He is a bit irritating at times, but nothing I cannot handle.”

  “Figured as much, but I needed to make sure. I’m glad things worked out. The horses got some exercise and Simon got his questions answered.”

  Giselle bit her cheek to keep a straight face. Gus had no idea of the questions that had gotten answered in the last twenty-four hours.

  “Ja,” Gus went on. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so rattled, Giselle.” His lips curled at the edges. “I’d be wary of Simon Harrington if I were you. He’s not someone to trifle with. He’s nothing like those other young wastrels who come pounding at your door.”

  “What are we doing today?” she asked, changing the subject, not wanting him to know she had already figured that out.

  “I thought we’d exercise all of the thoroughbreds this morning. Run them around the track a couple of times each. The weather can’t hold much longer. Might as well make use of it. Since Libby’s not here and we’re only exercising, not training, I’ve asked a couple of the other hands to help out. They’re meeting us at the track.”

  A surge of anticipation swept over Giselle as she followed him. Her opportunity to do some sleuthing just got easier.

  At the track, Giselle walked over to the group of men standing around, talking and joking while waiting for direction.

  Without raising any suspicions over her behavior, she teased and flirted with the four fellows, hoping to loosen their tongues during the session. She knew each of them well enough, so none would suspect her actions.

  After a few comments back and forth, the talk turned to the poker game three of the men had participated in the night before.

  “You played poker last night,” she asked innocently.

  “We do most every Saturday and Sunday nights, Miss Giselle,” said Bucky Hill, a good-natured fellow who got his name from breaking horses on a Texas ranch.

  “I bet you’re all great poker players,” Giselle said in her sweetest voice. “Did you win?”

  “No. We all lost money to Black last night. He sure was on a winning streak.” This comment came from José Herrera.

  Giselle caught the name. “He is the new man Gus hired, right?”

  José nodded. “He’s been here about a month now. Been keeping us entertained, too.”

  “Oh? How so?” she asked, more intrigued than ever.

  “Usually he loses and loses big. At least from what I hear. I don’t play much, just listen to all his complaining,” said Jamison, also part of the group.

  “Yet last night he won?” Giselle inquired mildly, trying to keep the interest out of her voice.

  “Yeah, the only one who did.” José spit out a stream of tobacco juice. “The rest of us won squat.”

  Shaking his head, Jack Paulson chimed in. “I sure as heck ain’t seen nothing like it. He couldn’t lose. ’Course, his winnings’re just a drop in the bucket compared to what he’s lost these past weeks.”

  She gave an indifferent shrug. “Maybe he was just lucky because it was his turn to win. I wonder where he gets his money, though, if you say he loses all the time.”

  “I dunno where he’s getting his coin, but he’s always got some to lose lately. And we sure like winnin’ it.”

  Gus walked up and barked, “Quit your yammering and get to work.”

  All five jumped and spread out to do his bidding.

  Giselle worked side by side with the men and flirted whenever she got a chance. At lunchtime, she walked back to the main house with the four, who were on their way to the bunkhouse.

  When they neared the stables, Giselle noticed two men in deep conversation.

  Turning to Bucky, who was closest to her, she asked, “Who is that over there? I have never seen either of those men before.”

  Bucky looked to where she pointed and squinted.

  “That’s Black.”

  She shrugged. “Humph. He does not look like he is smart enough to take all your money at poker. You fellows must have been having a bad night.”

  Bucky grunted. “I just hope it doesn’t happen again.”

  Nodding, she asked nonchalantly, “Who is he with?”

  “Some fellow who’s workin’ on the new railroad tracks in Lou’ville. But I don’t know why he’d be here on a Monday.”

  “They look like they are good friends. Maybe he is working here now.”

  “I don’t think so, else I’d a heard about it.”

  “How do you know he works on the tr
acks?”

  “He’s a friendly sort and told us so. He’s sat in on the poker games once or twice. We don’t mind ’cause he’s as big a loser as Black is. And when I see Black in town, the fellow’s like his shadow, always around.”

  He stopped talking and she changed the subject, unwilling to let him think she was too interested in Black and his friend.

  When it was time for her to turn toward the house, she halted and smiled sweetly, adding a touch of Southern honey to her voice. “I had fun with y’all.” The four stopped their progression and she noted that each and every one of them was not immune to her smile or charm. “Maybe sometime you will let me sit in on one of your poker games?”

  “Any time, ma’am.” Tipping his hat, José added, “Just let us know so we can clean up a bit.”

  She laughed. “I guess I had better bring plenty of money. You fellows sound good and I am not. But I would love to learn.” She waved. “I will see you all later. Have a good lunch.”

  All four shouted their good-byes before disappearing through the door.

  Just as she turned toward the house, she caught a glimpse of Simon mounted on a horse. She happily changed direction and sauntered over to him. “You should be happy to know I have been busy.”

  Though his shrug appeared indifferent, his scowl did not. He turned his mount in the direction of the road. “I can see that,” he said over his shoulder.

  Disappointment surged through her. Bewildered at his curtness, she stood rooted to the spot as he rode away.

  “Humph.” His foul disposition would not spoil her mood. She had gotten some very interesting information during the morning and she could barely wait until Simon returned so she could gloat about it to him.

  ~~

  Simon’s disposition was exactly as Giselle had described it—foul. He’d observed most of her walk back with the men. The green-eyed monster named jealousy surely mocked him. The memory of her practically purring about playing poker with them made him want to yank her back upstairs and wipe that flirtatious smile off her face.