Wicked Wager

by Mary Gillgannon

  Revington greeted several acquaintances, but it was so crowded he had no chance to introduce Penny, although several times she heard him murmur, “my fiancée.” More than a few people gave them curious glances. Penny could tell they were surprised to see Revington here. One man leaned near to Revington and muttered, “My wife dragged me here, but I didn’t expect to see you. Gotten yourself leg-shackled, have you?”

  Revington nodded curtly, then led Penny on, firmly guiding her through the crowd. They finally found seats halfway back from the stage. Penny sat, sighing in relief. “All these people…it’s a bit overwhelming.”

  “I agree, but most of the people here aren’t bothered by the crowds. In fact, seeing who is here and who they’re with is the main reason many of them come.”

  The orchestra quieted, the curtain rose, and the play began. But all around them, people continued to talk, making it difficult to hear the performance. Even so, Penny enjoyed watching the actors with their extravagant costumes and their ability to make a character come to life with their voices and movements.

  Following the shorter play after the main performance, they rose to leave the theatre. Once again they were borne along with the mass of people. Penny felt like a sheep in a large herd. The air was thick with the odors of various perfumes, not to mention less appealing smells from so many people crowded together. It was a relief when they reached the fresher air outside.

  Revington said, “I told Jeremy to bring the coach around, but I don’t know how close he’ll be able to get.” He stood on tiptoe and strained to see down the street. Turning to Penny, he said, “Wait here, I’ll try to find him.”

  Although she felt uncomfortable with people all around, Penny nodded.

  Gradually, the crowd thinned, and she became aware of a man and woman arguing nearby. The woman sounded so distraught Penny couldn’t help moving closer. When she saw the woman was carrying an infant, she drew even nearer.

  “You bastard!” the woman cried. “How dare you suggest the child belongs to someone else? You’re the only man I’ve ever been with. You knew I was a virgin and still you ruined me!”

  “The brat’s not mine!” the man retorted. “And if you don’t get away from me, I’ll take drastic action.”

  “She is yours,” the woman persisted. Her eyes were wild and her face tear-streaked. She took a step closer. The man responded by striking her with his walking stick. The woman cried out and fell backward.

  Penny pushed her way through the crowd. Reaching the woman, she helped her to her feet. As soon as the woman and child were righted, Penny whirled to face the man. “What sort of beast are you, striking a woman holding an infant!”

  “Meddling, interfering bitch! This is none of your affair,” the man sneered.

  The cold hatred in his eyes made Penny’s breath catch. Her heart pounded with dread. Would he strike her? Despite her fears, she held her ground. “It is my affair. Even if no one else cares about this woman, I do.” As she spoke, she shot an outraged glance at the people standing around, seeking to shame them into action.

  All at once, the man seemed to realize the scene he was making. He flushed crimson and took a step nearer and spoke so only Penny and the woman could hear him. “I’ll make you pay for this, you worthless whore…and your little brat, too. As for you…” His gaze alighted on Penny. “Mind your own business, you meddling bitch.” He stalked off, the crowd parting to let him pass.

  Penny turned her attention to the woman. “Are you hurt?”

  The woman shook her head. Her face was tear-streaked, her eyes bleak. Penny felt a desperate urge to do something for her. “My fiancé should be back soon. He has a carriage. Is there somewhere we can take you?”

  “I’ve nowhere to go. My family has disowned me. I used my last shilling to come here, to try and get him to help me.” The woman gave a convulsive sob.

  Although she wasn’t certain Revington would agree, Penny found herself saying, “You can stay with me…at least for now.”

  The crowd drifted away and eventually Revington appeared. “I found the carriage. It isn’t far.” He took Penny’s arm.

  “Can we take this woman with us? Please?”

  “Of course,” Revington responded. He inclined his head politely to the woman. “Madam. Where can we convey you?”

  Penny put her hand on Revington’s arm. “I’ve asked her to come back to the townhouse with us. She has nowhere else to go.”

  ****

  As they rode home, Marcus felt a sense of disbelief. Seated across from him was a woman with an infant in her lap. What had happened to his comfortable bachelor life? First, he was engaged to be married. Now it looked as if he was going to have a woman and a baby staying in his home. He couldn’t imagine where he would put them. There wasn’t another spare bedroom. But he could hardly say no to Penny. Or leave this young woman—Penny said her name was Lily—and her baby in the street. Especially not after Penny explained what had happened.

  What sort of man struck a woman, especially one holding a baby? He had half a mind to call the bastard out. But an unprincipled blackguard like that wouldn’t necessarily behave honorably in a duel. Marcus had heard stories of men getting killed because their opponent shot too soon. Although he considered himself a decent and compassionate man, he didn’t fancy getting killed over a woman he scarcely knew.

  He would have to investigate this man, Brakestoke, and find how dangerous he was. He’d have James get started on it first thing tomorrow.

  James! Of course. That’s where this woman and her child could stay. James’s townhouse was quite spacious, and fully furnished.

  His mind made up, he rapped on the carriage roof. Jeremy halted the vehicle, climbed down and opened the door. Marcus announced, “Take us to Mr. Ludingham’s townhouse.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  When Penny gazed at Marcus in surprise, he motioned to the woman. “Lily will be safe there. James has plenty of space. She’ll be quite comfortable.” When Penny still looked dubious, he continued. “I think we all need a good night’s sleep. First thing tomorrow, we’ll put our heads together and decide how to deal with this.”

  “Thank you so much, sir,” Lily murmured. “I’m ever so grateful.”

  “You’re welcome.” Seeing her desperate gratitude, his anger returned. Brakestoke was truly a monster.

  When they reached James’s house, Marcus helped Penny and Lily from the carriage and escorted them to the door. He rapped loudly. James’s butler, Vincent, opened the door.

  “Is James still up?” Marcus asked.

  “He’s in the library. Please come in and I’ll fetch him.” Vincent shot Lily and the baby a curious glance as he left them in the spacious foyer.

  A moment later James appeared. He greeted Marcus and Penny, then turned expectantly to the young woman.

  “Lily, this is James Ludingham,” Marcus said. “James, this is Miss…”

  “Wilson,” Lily supplied.

  “Charmed, I’m sure.” James inclined his head.

  “Lily is in rather dire circumstances. I was hoping she could stay here for a day or two.”

  James’s eyebrows shot up. “Here?”

  “Yes. I really don’t have room at my townhouse.”

  James frowned. He shot a glance at Lily, then looked back at Marcus.

  “I’ll explain in a moment,” Marcus said. “For now, perhaps you could have Vincent show Lily…Miss Wilson, upstairs to one of the bedchambers. I’m sure she’s quite dead on her feet.”

  “Of course.” James turned to the butler standing nearby. “Vincent, if you could be so good as to take Miss Wilson to the blue bedroom.”

  As soon as they were out of earshot, James said, “What the devil is this all about, Marcus?”

  Marcus looked at Penny and realized how pale she was. “Let’s go into the library. I could do with a brandy, and I suspect a small glass might be just the thing for Penny as well.”

  ****

  Penny sip
ped her brandy as Revington explained to James everything that had happened at the theatre. As she watched Revington, she was keenly aware he was exhibiting the behaviors that both attracted and unsettled her. On one hand, she was impressed by how he’d taken charge and gone out of his way to help Lily. At the same time, she was wary of his forceful, controlling manner.

  He hadn’t asked James if he was willing to have Lily stay there. He’d simply made it happen and then set about convincing James he had no choice. She supposed that since James was—in a sense—employed by Revington, maybe Revington’s behavior wasn’t quite as high-handed as it appeared. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for James. Whether he wanted it or not, he was suddenly stuck with houseguests, including an infant.

  At one point, she’d almost suggested Lily and the baby stay in her room. But that meant she either slept on the settle in the library or shared Revington’s bed. She was fairly certain he wouldn’t allow her to sleep in the library, and although the thought of sharing a bed with him was tantalizing, it also terrified her. She needed some distance from this man, some way of staying aloof from him. As it was, her resolve to convince him not to marry her weakened every day.

  She was impressed he hadn’t hesitated to help Lily. Of course, the idea of having a baby in his household had clearly given Revington pause, which was why they were here. He’d found a way to keep Lily safe without being inconvenienced himself. But at least he’d done something. He hadn’t walked away.

  And it was obvious from the way Revington was talking to James that he felt genuine compassion for Lily. He wasn’t merely doing this to please Penny, but because he believed it was the right thing to do. James had put up only a token defense, quickly agreeing that Lily and the baby could stay at his house and then shaking his head in dismay at the thought of someone striking a woman carrying a baby.

  “Brakestoke’s a real piece of work,” James was saying now. “From what I’ve heard, this isn’t the first time he’s done something like this. He has a reputation for debauching young women.”

  “Someone should make him pay for what he’s done,” said Revington. “While it horrifies me to think of Miss Wilson being married to such a man, Brakestoke should at least be forced to make some sort of settlement to care for the child.”

  “How are we going to manage that?” responded James. “Since he’s a peer, he thinks he can get away with anything. He probably can, too.”

  “There must be some way to force him to do the honorable thing,” Revington mused. “I’ll have to think on it.”

  “In the meantime, what do we do with Lily?”

  “I thought we’d agreed she could stay here.”

  “For tonight, yes,” said James. “But this will take some time to sort out. While I’m as compassionate as the next fellow, I really don’t think—”

  “I’ll compensate you financially, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Revington broke in. “Although I can’t imagine that a young woman and an infant can cost that much to maintain.”

  “No, I don’t suppose so.” James was still frowning. “But the idea of it…a young unmarried woman staying with a man she doesn’t know?”

  “I hardly think we have to worry about her reputation,” said Revington. “Once a woman’s ruined, she can hardly be ruined any further.”

  “I suppose not.”

  Penny sensed James was coming around. Revington obviously knew what to say to sway his friend.

  “It’s settled then.” Revington rose. “I’ll be around tomorrow to discuss this further.”

  James also rose, looking panicked. “You mean you’re leaving now?”

  “Well, yes. It’s been quite a night. I think it’s time I got Penny home.”

  James shot Penny a frantic look.

  “It will be all right,” she told him. “Just pretend Lily is your sister. I’m sure you’ll get on perfectly well.”

  They returned to the carriage. Revington appeared deep in thought as they rode back to the townhouse. Penny asked, “Are you trying to decide what to do about Lily?”

  “I’m thinking about Brakestoke. The man’s an unprincipled villain. Someone needs to make him face up to his responsibilities.”

  The next moment he seemed to shake off the mood. He turned and smiled at her. “Tonight didn’t exactly turn out as planned. I’d hoped we would have a pleasant evening at the theatre and then return to the townhouse for a relaxing dinner. We’re rather late. I hope it isn’t ruined by now.”

  “I’m sure Maggie kept the food warm.”

  “It’s not Maggie who’s preparing the meal, but the new cook. Bowes finally hired someone. Now Maggie can concentrate on waiting on you.”

  Penny nodded. Revington seemed to be going out of his way to please her. His solicitousness made it even more difficult to harden her heart against him. As always, his mere physical presence made her long for him to make love to her. Although she was a bit hungry, what she really wanted was to skip dinner and indulge another sort of appetite. She wondered if there was some way to convey this, to make him realize how much she desired him.

  ****

  As they rode home, Marcus told himself he had to stop obsessing over Brakestoke. There was nothing he could do this night, and he should be concentrating on Penny. He cast a surreptitious glance at her sitting across from him, wondering what she was thinking. As always, the mere sight of her aroused him. She was so beautiful. So provocatively lovely. Just a glance made him yearn to return to his original plan for this evening. After indulging her wish to go to the theatre, he’d hoped she’d be eager and willing to let him make love to her.

  They arrived at the townhouse. He helped her down from the carriage and took her arm to escort her into the house. The feel of her slender body so close to his was almost tormenting.

  Bowes greeted them at the door. “Have you eaten, sir? Miss?”

  “Not yet.” Marcus turned to Penny. “Did you want to freshen up before we dine?”

  She touched his arm. “Perhaps you could escort me.” Her manner seemed somehow seductive. He told himself he must have imagined it. But when they reached the bedchamber door, she did it again. Her eyes were wide and yearning as she said, “Perhaps you could come in and undo the back of my dress.”

  Feeling slightly breathless, he followed her into the room. She stood by the bed and turned away from him. He undid the hooks on her dress, his gaze taking in her long elegant neck, the delicate tendrils of hair curling at the nape, the smooth ivory skin of her shoulders. He wanted to kiss and caress every inch of her.

  As soon as he’d undone the hooks, she turned around. Her blue eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed. With a faint smile, she said, “I don’t think I’m that hungry after all.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Although he was on fire with arousal, Marcus wouldn’t allow himself to touch her. Not yet. First he wanted to feast his eyes on her. To drink in his fill of her beauty.

  Either she guessed what he wanted, or she was desperate, but when he didn’t immediately reach for her, she drew down the top of her gown. Another subtle movement…and the garment slid to her waist.

  She was wearing a zona, the strip of thin muslin fabric wrapped tight against her breasts. Although it was sheer enough that he could make out her nipples, he still wanted to see her naked. Again, she either guessed his unspoken desire or she was yielding to her own, for she turned around. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

  He unfastened the hooks of her undergarment. It fell to the floor. Very slowly, she turned back to face him.

  His breath caught. She looked good enough to eat. To devour. Softly rounded breasts, their exquisite delicate shapes tipped with pale pink nipples, as enticing as some sweet, creamy confection. His gaze took in her graceful shoulders and arms, slender waist. His eyes were drawn back to her breasts. He was on the verge of giving in to his urge to kiss and suckle when she let out harsh, impatient breath, then grasped her gown and slid it down her body, wrig
gling her hips to pull it over her pantalettes. She stepped out of the dress and Marcus watched entranced, staring at the thin fabric that shielded the shadowy triangle of her maiden hair.

  ****

  She couldn’t believe she was being so bold. So shamelessly seductive. But the fact was she simply didn’t have the patience to wait any longer. She knew he wanted her, could tell he was enjoying every moment as she revealed herself to him. His gaze burned streaks of fire into her flesh.

  Yes, this was what she wanted. To be alone with him, to have him touch her, kiss her, make love to her. Her hunger for this was much greater than for food. All day there had been this tension between them, this yearning. Now her longing for for him had become an almost painful ache, pulsing through her.

  The delicious throb of desire, the craving, was keenest between her legs. When his gaze caressed her there, his eyes focusing on the burning core of her, she felt as if she might burst into flame.

  Slowly, breathlessly, she drew down her pantalettes and stepped out of them. She could feel the wetness between her legs. He could take her now and she would be ready. But would he? Or, would he stand there, fully dressed, and stare at her until she succumbed to madness? “Please,” she whispered.

  He nodded, his eyes dark and gleaming. She waited for him to begin to undress. Instead, he reached for her, pulling her against his fully clothed body. His mouth came down on hers. Firm. Insistent. She opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue. The slightly rough feel of his clothing against her body enflamed her. She rubbed her taut, aching nipples and her hips against him, seeking, seeking… Would he never touch her, never soothe her agonized need?

  Finally, when she could bear no more, he slid his hands down her body and cupped her buttocks. His hands gripped her sensitive flesh and pressed her even more tightly against him. She broke off the kiss to let out a moan. His fingers followed the cleft of her bottom and finally reached the excruciatingly tender place between her legs. She let out a frantic cry of delight. Burying her face against his shoulder, Penny dissolved into whimpering moans as his skilled fingers teased, tantalized and finally found the perfect rhythm. She gave into the wild pleasure whirling around her, sucking her down into a violent maelstrom.