Wicked Wager

by Mary Gillgannon

  ****

  Her intoxicating feminine scent…The feel of her, soft, wet and eager… His senses reeled. With effort, he shook off the bewitching sexual miasma, released her and began to undress. As he fumbled with fabric, buttons, and hooks, he cursed the social conventions that made men’s clothing so cumbersome and difficult to remove. Freeing himself from each garment, he threw it to the floor: ascot, jacket, shirt.

  For his boots and trousers, he had to sit down. While he fought with leather and wool, she sat on the bed and watched him. The thrill of baring himself for her eyes aroused him even more. By the time he was fully naked, he was near to exploding.

  He’d taken it slowly so far, drawing out their foreplay until they were both mindless with desire. Although he’d given her some satisfaction, he’d had no relief for his own arousal. Now the needs of his body overtook him. He pushed her onto the bed and thrust into her. She lay back, legs spread, hips lifted, meeting him with an eagerness that inflamed him. Her moans and cries echoed in his ears, mingling with his own groan of ecstasy as he peaked.

  Then it was over and they were two people again. Sweaty, disheveled and a bit uneasy with each other. He wasn’t certain what to do. What he longed for was to throw back the covers and climb into bed with her. To lie beside her all night. To have her delicate scent and the sound of her breathing lull him to sleep. But that seemed too intimate. It was presumptuous of him to expect such a thing. They weren’t even married yet. For all he knew, they might never be legally bound. Because the blunt truth was that he’d have to admit to James he had lost the bet and fallen in love with her.

  He could find no other explanation for his irrational actions. The way his response to her veered from exasperation to fury to wrenching tenderness. When it came to dealing with Penny, he’d utterly lost his wits.

  The thought filled him with panic, a breathless dread that propelled him to rise from the bed and begin dressing.

  ****

  He’s leaving. The awareness filled Penny with an aching sense of loss. She wanted him to stay for a while. To have him hold her in his arms so she could savor his nearness. His warm, rich masculine scent. His sleek hard body. To lay her head upon his broad chest and feel safe and cared for.

  What a ridiculous notion. Revington wasn’t the sort of man from whom she could expect cuddling and tenderness. He was a man who maintained his control and reserve at all times.

  Well, that wasn’t strictly true. He’d had little enough control when he pounced upon her a short while ago, thrusting into her with wild abandon. Thinking of it, she felt a twinge of satisfaction, and was forced to hide the smile the memory brought to her lips. Revington might fancy himself in control at all times, but the truth was, she knew how to get past his damnable aloofness, to shred his detachment and interfere with his perfect command of himself.

  Thinking of it gave her a heady sense of power. Too bad that her effect on him was so short-lived. As soon as they finished making love, he returned to his usual cool demeanor.

  Even now he was once again hiding his sensual masculinity behind the stiff woolen garments of a gentleman. Of course, there were little details that gave away what he’d been doing. His retied cravat lacked the elegant perfection of Bowes’s handiwork. And his thick black hair was a bit mussed. She thought of mentioning it, then decided not to. His slight dishabille made her feel as if what had transpired between them wasn’t merely some sort of waking dream.

  Another moment and he was at the door. She expected him to leave without a word, but to her surprise, he turned. There was uncertainty in his expression, a kind of vulnerability. “Dinner’s probably ruined by now, but if you’re hungry, I’m certain the new cook can come up with something.”

  “What of you?” she asked. “Are you planning to eat?”

  His expression softened even more. “I must admit I’m a bit hungry. And since we’ve already gravely insulted the new cook, we might as well complete the business by forcing her to come up with a late night repast.” He grinned suddenly, revealing a dimple on his right cheek she’d noted on a few other occasions.

  “I’d better dress then.” Penny got up from the bed.

  “A pity you have to,” he said in husky, provocative tones. “I’d like to dismiss all the servants and dine with you looking like that.”

  “I hardly think that’s practical.” Although his words tantalized her, she truly was hungry, and she felt certain that if she didn’t get dressed quickly, eating would be forgotten.

  “Probably not,” he agreed. “But sometime I’d like to try it.”

  Penny nodded. This playful side of him intrigued her. She had been wrong. He hadn’t totally reverted to his usual unapproachable reserve.

  She grabbed her gown and began to dress. He watched her, his expression unreadable. As she met him at the door, he said, “I know it’s all the fashion to have separate bedchambers, but I don’t see the point of it.”

  She went out before him, feeling his eyes on her like a caress. With effort, she repressed a shiver of mingled yearning and dismay. How had she come to feel so tenderly toward this man she’d been so determined to reject? She’d once been consumed with getting Revington out of her life. Now the idea of never seeing him again was almost unthinkable.

  Her thoughts were in turmoil as they walked downstairs.

  ****

  She is so quiet! What does that mean? Marcus felt a spasm of anxiety. Once he’d been absolutely confident Penny was going to be his wife. He hadn’t considered she had a choice, and if he had, he would have assumed she would be pleased to be marrying him. Now he was terrified she would reject him.

  No, he told himself. That was ridiculous. He simply couldn’t think like that. He knew he’d pleased her sexually. She obviously desired him. He had to make use of that. By the time she faced the decision of whether to marry him, she would be so eager to continue sharing his bed that she would readily agree.

  Or would she? He might please her as a lover, but maybe she wanted something more from a husband. Obviously, he must continue to woo her. To show his best side and try to make her happy. Unfortunately, he knew little about this sort of thing. He must ask James for advice.

  All at once he remembered Lily and the baby. As they headed for the dining room, he said, “I wonder how James is getting on.”

  “I’m sure James is fine,” Penny responded. “It’s Lily and the baby I’m worried for. What are they going to do? Since her family has turned her out, they have nowhere to go.”

  “I suppose not.” Marcus helped Penny into her seat at the table.

  “Unless someone can force Brakestoke to provide for her. Is there any way to do that? Are there any laws that protect a woman in Lily’s circumstances?”

  “Normally, it would be up to her male relatives to press the issue with Brakestoke. But it doesn’t appear they’ll be much help.”

  “It’s appalling. She said her family acts as if this is all her fault.” Penny shook her head, looking very aggrieved.

  “I can look into Brakestoke’s circumstances. Find out if he has any family members or associates who can be convinced to pressure him to do the right thing.”

  She nodded, then a moment later, frowned. “I’m not sure I want you to pressure Brakestoke after all.”

  “Why not?”

  “If he’s a danger to Lily, he might also be a danger to you.”

  She is worried about me? He couldn’t decide whether to be insulted or touched. While gratified that she cared enough to concern herself with his wellbeing, he wondered whether she thought he couldn’t handle himself in a risky situation.

  “In my business I’ve gotten on the wrong side of some very hardened fellows,” he told her. “The most important thing is to not lose your head. To maintain control and deal rationally with the situation. Also, to make certain you’re not alone with them.”

  She nodded, still looking troubled. He saw merit in her concerns. This wasn’t a dispute over the results of a c
ard game, carried out in a public setting. If he were to confront Brakestoke, he’d probably have to do so in the man’s own home, where he wouldn’t have anyone to back him up.

  “So,” he said, “if we don’t pursue Brakestoke, what other plan would you suggest?”

  “If Lily had family to help her, they would probably find someone to marry her off to, someone who would care for her and her child.”

  “It won’t be easy to find a man willing to take on the burden of a wife and child. Most men of means are looking for a wife who will better their circumstances,” he reminded her.

  “But Lily is quite fetching. It’s not impossible that some man would want her as his wife. It need not be someone wealthy, just a man of moderate means.”

  Marcus regarded her dubiously. He’d forgotten that Penny had been raised in a sheltered world and was innocent of the more brutal facts of life. She seemed to think a pretty face was enough to cause a man to make the irrational decision to marry a woman who would be more burden to him than asset. Her naiveté struck him as charming, but certainly not realistic.

  He said, “I know some of the popular novels make much of love as a reason for marrying, but in real life, that seldom happens. Most men marry to improve their own circumstances, or they marry someone with a family connection. They don’t marry because they lose their heads over an attractive woman.”

  “Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. Obviously, fond feelings and sexual attraction have nothing to do with marriage. That’s strictly business.”

  Clearly, he’d put his foot in it and offended her by the reminding her of his own motivation for marrying her. Well, it was the reason he intended to wed her. That he found her irresistibly attractive was a delightful bonus, but it was not the main reason.

  But in light of her cool response, it seemed he should soften his remarks. “That’s not to say it’s impossible some man might want to wed Lily. But I don’t know quite how to go about finding this individual. We could take her to a few parties and see what sort of man takes an interest in her. But really…” He shook his head. “The men I associate with…I’m afraid it’s very unlikely. What we need is to find someone in trade, a craftsman, someone of more humble circumstances. And I’m not certain how to arrange for her to meet men like that.”

  Penny nodded, chewing her lower lip in the way she often did. At least she no longer appeared angry with him. This was his chance to turn the conversation a different direction. “Lily’s problems aside, what did you think about the play?”

  They discussed the theatrical production as Bowes and Jerome brought in the late supper: cold roast beef, tomatoes and boiled eggs.

  After eating, they started upstairs. As he walked her to the door of what was formerly his bedchamber, he wanted to ask her if he could come inside. But he’d heard Bowes say he was sending Maggie up to help Penny undress. Again he wondered at the conventions of his class that a woman was normally assisted in undressing by her maid, rather than her husband. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and wished her goodnight, then set off down the hall to the spare bedchamber.

  ****

  Penny paused inside the door of the bedchamber, frowning. It was ridiculous. She’d spent nearly all day with Revington and at one point they’d been as physically close as two people could be. Despite that, she really didn’t know his mind at all. Before saying goodnight, he’d lingered near the door, as if he wanted to come in. Was it possible he wanted to make love to her again?

  She wouldn’t have been averse to the idea. Her body yearned for his. It was as if she couldn’t get enough of being close to him.

  With a sigh, she dismissed the idea. A moment later, there was a knock on the door. “It’s Maggie, miss. Bowes sent me up to help you undress.”

  Good thing she and Revington hadn’t yielded to their urges! “Please come in, Maggie.”

  Maggie entered, beaming broadly. Inside the door, she stopped and gestured to herself. “My new clothes came. What do you think? Do I look like a fashionable lady’s maid?”

  “You do indeed,” said Penny, smiling back. The muslin dress was simple but showed off Maggie’s voluptuous figure to great advantage. Instead of her usual mob-cap, Maggie wore her coppery curls swept away from her face and gathered in a knot on top of her head. While she didn’t exactly look like a lady—her many freckles prevented that—she did look very attractive in a wholesome sort of way.

  “I’m impressed,” Penny told her. “I especially like what you’ve done with your hair.”

  “It’s a bit of challenge.” Maggie preened. “Takes a lot of time and dozens of hairpins. But I think the result is worth it.”

  “It is indeed.”

  Maggie approached Penny, back to her no-nonsense self. “Shall I help you undress now, miss?”

  Penny nodded and turned around so the maid could undo the hooks at the back of her dress.

  “So,” said Maggie. “How did your day go? Bowes said you went to the theatre.”

  Sensing the maid’s eagerness to hear the details, Penny described the play and the incident with Lily and Brakestoke afterward.

  Maggie’s cheerful mood vanished. “How terrible! That man actually struck her, even while she carried his babe in her arms?”

  “He did, indeed.” Just talking about it made Penny angry all over again. “Then when I stepped in to defend Lily, I thought he was going to strike me!”

  “He didn’t, miss? Did he?” Maggie looked aghast.

  “No. I think he realized that would be going too far. But he did threaten me. Said he would make me pay for interfering.”

  Maggie gasped. “Does Mr. Revington know this?”

  “No. And I don’t want him to.” Penny gave the maid a stern look. “This man—Brakestoke—I think he could be dangerous. Not merely to me but to Mr. Revington.”

  Maggie frowned. “I think you’re wrong, miss. Mr. Revington strikes me as a man who could take care of himself.”

  “If the conflict was fair, yes. But I very much fear Brakestoke might do something underhanded and devious. A man who would strike a woman carrying an infant obviously has no sense of honor.”

  Maggie nodded. “I suppose you’re right, miss. But I still think Mr. Revington should know this man threatened you.”

  “He probably reacted in the heat of the moment. I doubt he truly means to pursue the matter. If anyone is in danger from him, it would be Lily. And I believe she’ll be safe at James’s.”

  “Mr. Ludingham’s house? That’s where she’s staying?”

  “It was Revington’s idea. He pointed out that James’s house is larger than this one. It makes sense. Lily and the baby need their own room.”

  “I wonder what Mr. Ludingham thought of that.”

  “I think it will be good for James. He’s nice enough, but rather stuffy at times. Having a baby around might help him relax and enjoy himself.”

  “Perhaps that’s what Mr. Revington needs as well. Having a baby around might be just the thing for him.”

  Penny tried to imagine Revington with a baby. It was almost as amusing as the thought of James having to deal with Lily’s child. But maybe she was underestimating her fiancé. She’d never have guessed he was such a skillful and considerate lover. What other ways might he surprise her if she gave him a chance? “Perhaps,” she said.

  She looked up and suddenly realized how Maggie was looking at her. The maid wasn’t talking about Lily’s child, but about her having a baby with Revington. “We aren’t even wed yet,” she informed Maggie sternly.

  “Ah, but you will be. I can see how you’ve softened toward the master. At one time you were scheming every minute, trying to get him to forget about marrying you. Now, here you are, worrying about him.”

  It was time to change the subject. “I’m not the only one who’s distracted by a man these days. I saw you and Jeremy together the other day, looking quite cozy.”

  Maggie blushed so intensely, her freckles almost disappeared.


  Chapter Fifteen

  As she made her way downstairs the next morning, Penny thought about Maggie’s remark. It was true; her attitude toward Revington had changed. Although it had only been a few hours since they’d parted, she couldn’t wait to see him again. Just the thought of being in the same room with him made her breath quicken.

  When she reached the breakfast room and he wasn’t there, she felt a rush of disappointment. Had he already left the townhouse?

  As Jerome helped her into her seat, she asked, “Have you seen Mr. Revington?”

  “No, miss. I’m not sure he’s come down yet.”

  Maybe he’d risen late. He might be tired after everything that happened the day before. She repressed a smile as she recalled their vigorous lovemaking.

  A few moments later, Revington entered the room. She felt ridiculously pleased to see him.

  “Good morning, Penny.”

  “Good morning.”

  He took the seat across from her. As Jerome served them, Revington said, “What would you like to do today? Do you want Jerome to get some horses so we could ride in the park?”

  He was genuinely trying to please her. A great change from the controlling, inconsiderate man she’d first met. She wondered at the reason for his transformation. Was it because of the intimacy they’d shared in the bedchamber, or was it something else? Could it be he was actually coming to care for her?

  “A ride in the park sounds delightful. But I really think we should see how Lily and the baby are faring.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “And James,” Penny added with a smile. “He seemed a bit overwhelmed last evening.”

  ****

  What bachelor wouldn’t be overwhelmed with a woman and baby landing on his doorstep, Marcus mused as he took a bite of egg. Having Penny here had turned his life upside down. He couldn’t imagine how much the addition of a baby would change it. Of course, if Penny and he kept having sex, there was every reason to think they would have a baby to disrupt their lives.