Wicked Wager

by Mary Gillgannon

“What interests might those be?”

  She sought to pull away from him, but he held on tight. “Why, Horngate, of course. I thought you cared about your heritage. But from the way you’re cozying up to Revington, I’ve begun to wonder if maybe you aren’t enjoying the comfortable life of a fine lady so much you forgot all about Horngate and your precious horses.”

  “Of course, I haven’t forgotten about Horngate! I’d go back there in a moment, if I could. How dare you imply I’d ever forget? It was your foolishness and greed that got me into this predicament in the first place. You have no right to imply I’ve become shallow and greedy!”

  “Well what other reason do you have for throwing in with Revington if it’s not for the nice life that comes with marrying him?”

  She spoke quite precisely: “I’ve found Mr. Revington isn’t quite the villain you made him out to be.”

  Adrian’s fingers tightened on her arm, and his blue eyes gleamed with fury. “If you think you can join up with him and cut me out of everything, you’re very mistaken!”

  “Why? What will you do? You lost any right to Horngate when you gave away the estate in a card game!”

  He leaned nearer. She could smell his breath, rank with the scent of gin, although it wasn’t yet afternoon. “Something could happen to your precious Revington. Not everyone likes the bastard as much as you do. I’m certain I can find someone who would be pleased to help me get him out of the way.”

  Penny felt a sudden frisson of fear. She’d never been concerned for her own safety at Adrian’s hands. After all, it was only through her that he had any claim to the estate. But Marcus was another matter.

  “Penny? What are you doing out here?” Lily stood in the doorway of the modiste’s shop, her eyes wide.

  Adrian’s grip on Penny’s arm immediately relaxed. He stepped back and said in a normal voice, “Delightful to see you, cousin. As always. I’ll be in contact to see how things are progressing.”

  The next moment he was gone, walking swiftly down the street.

  Lily approached Penny. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Is that really your cousin?”

  “Yes…and my guardian. At least until I marry Mr. Revington.” Seeking to lighten the mood, Penny laughed. “He’s a bit of a bully at times, but essentially harmless.”

  “Are you certain?” asked Lily. She touched Penny’s arm in a protective gesture. “I thought the same of Brakestoke. But it turned out I was wrong. You can’t always judge a man based on how he’s behaved in the past.”

  Indeed, thought Penny. This was a side of Adrian she’d never seen before. If he was truly that desperate, it was hard to tell what he might be capable of.

  She turned to Lily and forced a smile. “Anyway, what are you doing out here? I thought you were being fitted for some new gowns.”

  Lily’s face regained its normal color. “I wanted your opinion on this one dress Madame Dubonet was describing. I don’t see that I’ll ever have anywhere to wear something so fancy. But she said you suggested I was to have at least one gown suitable for formal occasions.”

  Taking Lily’s arm, Penny guided her back into the shop. “You never know. Perhaps some night, we’ll get one of the servants to watch Charles and the four of us will go to the theatre.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “There they are!” James jumped up and rushed out of the library. Marcus followed at a more sedate pace.

  By the time he reached the foyer, James was standing next to Lily as she animatedly described the shopping trip.

  “I take it everything went well,” Marcus whispered to Penny.

  “Yes.” She gave him a quick smile.

  “And you were able to have some garments made that properly show off Lily’s beauty?”

  “Yes. I expect Madame Dubonet will work her usual magic.”

  “Madame Dubonet? Isn’t there a less expensive modiste you could have taken her to?”

  “I’m sure there is, but you must consider this an investment in the future.” Penny leaned near and lowered her voice even more. “If our plan works and James ends up marrying Lily, it will all be worth it.”

  Easy for you to say, Marcus thought with a twinge of irritation. It isn’t your money.

  He immediately suppressed the ungallant thought. Penny was right. They had to find Lily a protector. Besides, with James distracted by Lily, he would be less likely to think about the wager.

  Distracted—that was certainly an apt description for James’s current behavior. He was standing close to Lily, seemingly entranced by her description of her new wardrobe. Marcus could scarcely believe the transformation in James. Seeing his staid, practical friend gazing worshipfully at a woman as she nattered on about fabric, styles, and colors was rather amazing.

  He turned to Penny to say something to that effect and discovered her deep in thought, a slight frown creasing her forehead. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she answered. “Nothing at all.”

  He studied her face, searching for some hint of what was troubling her.

  Feeling his gaze on her, she smiled and motioned with her head toward James and Lily. “They make a lovely couple, don’t you think?”

  ****

  What am I going to do about Adrian? The thought weighed on Penny all through the dinner. As Marcus, James and Lily made small talk she struggled to keep her mind on what they were saying. She couldn’t forget Adrian’s threat. He’d implied he was willing to resort to murder to regain his control over her. Adrian was desperate, and desperate men did terrible things. And he was right. In the business he was in, Marcus had undoubtedly made some enemies. If Adrian allied himself with one of them…Someone who had money and resources…

  A shiver went through at her. The next moment she sought to shake off the ominous mood and pay attention to the dinner conversation.

  They were discussing the play she and Marcus had seen. Had it truly been only the night before? Penny said, “Perhaps once Lily’s new clothes are ready, we could all go to the theatre together.”

  “An excellent idea,” said James. Turning to Lily, he asked, “Would you like that?”

  “Of course!”

  In the carriage on the way home, Marcus asked, “What deep thoughts have you so occupied, Penny?”

  She glanced up and gave him a quick smile. “I’m mulling over Lily’s situation, of course.”

  “I thought we’d settled things, at least for now. Although it still angers me that Brakestoke’s going to get away with what he’s done. I have half a mind to inquire around the clubs and find out a bit more about him. The man undoubtedly has enemies, I can’t help wondering—”

  “No! Don’t do that!”

  “Why not? The man’s a monster who preys on young women and ruins them. Someone has to stop him.”

  She reached out and touched his knee. “But not you. You don’t have to be the one to stop him.”

  “Are you still worried Brakestoke is dangerous? I’ve dealt with considerably more treacherous individuals than him. In my business, it’s impossible to stay on the good side of everyone. A lot of people don’t take kindly to losing. But I know how to take care of myself. As long as I don’t directly challenge Brakestoke, nothing’s going to happen.”

  “Do you have a lot of enemies, Marcus?”

  “Not a huge number. But I’m not on friendly terms with every man in London.”

  And it only took one. If Adrian found someone who had a grudge against Marcus. Someone with money and resources…

  Marcus grasped her hand and gently squeezed. “Don’t worry about me, Penny. I can take care of myself.”

  “Of course you can,” she answered. I hope so. I truly hope so.

  What should I do? Should I tell him about Adrian’s threat?

  She couldn’t stop agonizing. If she told him, there was a good chance he would scoff and tell her not to worry. She’d like to believe that was true, but couldn’t convince h
erself. There was something different about her cousin today. A frantic aspect to his manner. Recalling the way he’d squeezed her arm, the wild intensity in his blue eyes, her sense of dread increased. All her instincts told her Adrian would resort to murder to get what he wanted.

  She glanced at Marcus. He was looking at her, his expression tender. She glanced away, her throat suddenly tight with emotion. How had this happened, that she’d fallen in love with this man and begun to worry about him? And now that she felt like that, how could she protect him? There must be an answer, some way of compromising.

  What if she asked Marcus to make some sort of financial arrangement with Adrian so he had an income from Horngate? Would that satisfy Adrian? For that matter, would Marcus agree? He appeared to be quite ruthless about insisting people honor their debts. Would he make an exception in this instance?

  It seemed unlikely. Unless she asked him to do it as a favor to her. Her stomach tightened at the thought. Although Marcus appeared to be developing fond feelings for her, she had no idea how intense those feelings were. She might be in love with him, but that didn’t mean he felt the same. He was a man, and not a particularly sensitive or emotional one. If she’d contemplated the idea of him falling in love with her even a few days ago, she’d have found the idea laughable. It probably was.

  Her thoughts were going around in circles. Thankfully, they’d reached the townhouse. Now she could go up to her room and not have to hide what she felt. Unless he wanted to…

  She shot another glance at Marcus as he helped her out of the carriage. The warm, almost burning look he gave her suggested he had other ideas in mind than simply going off to their respective bedchambers.

  “Tired?” he asked as they walked up to the house.

  “Yes.” Should she have said that? Did she really want to discourage his attentions? Especially if she intended to ask this favor of him.

  “I’m a bit, too. I was thinking of just going up to bed. Or did you want to have a nightcap first?”

  She had a fairly good idea where a nightcap would lead. If only she didn’t feel so nervous and unsettled. “I think I’ll just go up to bed.” She saw the disappointment on his face. Her body responded with an answering regret. But her mind was relieved. She needed to be alone.

  They went inside. Penny greeted Bowes, then quickly said goodnight and started up the stairs.

  ****

  “She’s tired,” Marcus said to Bowes.

  “Of course. And you, sir?”

  “I’m not quite ready for bed.” He motioned to Bowes to indicate he was going into the library, where he poured himself a brandy and sat staring into the unlit fireplace, wondering if he would ever understand Penny. Would it always be like this? That one minute he would think she felt what he did and the next he would be agonized with doubts? Maybe once they were wed, things would be more settled between them.

  But would that ever happen? Eventually James would remember the wager they’d made and call him on it. He’d have to admit he was in love with Penny. Then he’d have to ask her to marry him properly and abide by whatever she decided.

  His stomach twisted. If he couldn’t tell whether she wanted to go to bed with him, how was he to guess whether she would marry him? That she seemed worried for his safety was a good sign. But even if she cared for him, that didn’t mean she wanted to be his wife. She was so independent, so strong-willed. Although he liked that about her most of the time, in this instance her self-sufficient nature terrified him.

  ****

  This isn’t helping. My thoughts are spinning in circles.

  Penny climbed from the bed and fumbled in the darkness for her dressing gown. Finding it, she stripped off the nightrail and pulled on the silk dressing gown. She carefully opened the door and crept out. The hall was even darker than her room—which at least had the summer twilight filtering in through the windows. She made her way by feel to the guest bedroom. “Marcus,” she called softly.

  When there was no answer, she opened the door. A candle burned on the nightstand, but the bed was empty. Chagrined, she shut the door and went the other direction. She made her way downstairs and tiptoed to the library and knocked on the door.

  “Yes, Bowes. What is it?” Marcus called.

  She slipped into the room, closed the door behind her, and locked it. Slowly, she turned to face him. He was seated on the horsehair settle near the fireplace, a nearly empty glass in his hand. His nostrils flared as she approached. His dark eyes seemed to grow darker still, the pupils gleaming in the light from the candelabrum on the table beside the settle.

  “I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

  He placed the glass on the table and got to his feet. She felt his gaze upon her, keen as a caress. As he drew near, her nipples tightened as she realized he could see them through the thin silk of her wrap.

  He halted a few inches away. With practiced fingers, he undid the tie of her wrap and slid it off her shoulders so it pooled on the floor around her. Her breath caught as he cupped her breasts in his warm hands and stroked her nipples with his thumbs. Fire streaked down her body, striking an inferno in the sensitive flesh between her legs.

  He leaned down, and still cupping her breasts, licked and nuzzled first one nipple and then the other. She let out a moan and her knees grew weak. He straightened and drew her into his arms. He kissed her neck and licked her ear. As he thrust his tongue inside the sensitive hollow, she melted against him.

  His clothing felt hard and rough against her nakedness and the sensation aroused her further. She let out a low moan. Still holding her close, he reached down to fondle her buttocks. His strong, firm hands squeezed and kneaded, making her writhe against him.

  When he abruptly released her, she wanted to cry out in frustration. But then she realized he was undoing his trousers. Yes! Yes! Don’t bother undressing the rest of the way. Take me now!

  She thought he would push her down upon the settle, but instead, he drew near and again stroked her bottom. As he lifted her, she instinctively grabbed his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. Holding her tight, he made his way to the table and boosted her onto it. With her balanced on the table’s edge, he stroked her between her legs, delicately parting her soft folds. She cried out and thrust against his fingers, on the verge of begging him to enter her. Then she felt the hot, deliciously plump tip of his phallus replace his fingers. She opened herself to him, letting out a throaty, plaintive cry as he penetrated her.

  He is so deep! I can scarce bear it! Violent pleasure fanned out from the place they were joined. Sizzling. Incinerating. All thought and reason seemed to vanish as she was swept into a wild, churning whirlpool. He rocked against her, thrusting deeper and deeper. She fought the urge to scream. Struggled to remember to breathe. Sparkling lights flashed before her closed eyelids, as vivid as fireworks.

  A final thrust and he let out a husky groan and collapsed against her.

  ****

  Marcus closed his eyes and savored the moment: the feel of Penny’s soft, silky body in his arms, the satisfying sense of being so intimate, so close. She stirred and he realized she must be uncomfortable. He released her and helped her down from the table. As she retrieved her dressing gown, he admired her beauty. Her body so slender and graceful. Her long, loose brown hair gleaming with soft golden highlights.

  After slipping on the dressing gown, she turned to face him, her expression tender and somehow wistful. “I’m going to the necessary. Do you want to meet me in my—” She hesitated and smiled. “In your bedchamber?”

  He nodded, smiling at her. That was exactly what he wanted, to sleep all night with her. To have a chance to hold her close and breathe in her delicate feminine fragrance.

  You are far gone, he thought as Penny left the library. How had he become such a moonsick fool? Men weren’t supposed to fall in love with their wives. But she wasn’t his wife yet. He still had to ask her properly. Then he could go to James and admit he’d lost the wager, but it didn’t
matter because Penny had agreed to marry of her own free will.

  Surely she would say yes, he thought as fastened his trousers. If he felt this way about her, she must have some fond feelings for him. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be so eager for lovemaking. Would she?

  Recalling Elizabeth’s lustful demands, his anxiety returned. Elizabeth was certainly proof a woman could enjoy sex without falling in love. Although it was hard to imagine Penny being as cynical and detached as Elizabeth, he couldn’t be certain what Penny felt for him. She’d put on quite a performance when he first met her. He recalled her attempts to convince him she was a gauche, unattractive hoyden. Clearly, she was capable of subterfuge and deceit.

  As he left the library, he fought against his doubts. Maybe she wasn’t in love with him yet, but there was still hope. He’d simply have to try harder to convince her. With that thought in mind, he started up the stairs.

  When he reached the bedchamber, Penny appeared to be soundly asleep. Although a little disappointed—he’d hoped to hold her and cuddle her for a while—he could see the wisdom of getting some rest. There would be time for more lovemaking in the morning.

  ****

  Penny grasped Marcus’s arm and gently moved it off her hip. When his breathing remained deep and even, she slid to the side of the bed and stood up. The first hints of dawn showed in the window as she tiptoed across the room, ducked into the dressing room and put on her clothing. When she was dressed except for her shoes, she tiptoed to the door, and carrying her slippers and reticule, slipped out.

  She felt a twinge of guilt as she made her way downstairs, through the house and down the additional flight of stairs to the servants’ quarters. She hated leaving him like this, but it was nothing compared to the fear that gripped her whenever she thought about Adrian’s threat. Somehow she had to work out an arrangement with her cousin. She couldn’t live like this worrying Marcus’s life might be in danger every time he went out.

  She found Jeremy and the new cook having a quick breakfast before they started their day. After telling Jeremy what she wanted, she waited nervously outside the door to the townhouse for him to bring the carriage around. Thankfully, she hadn’t encountered Bowes. If she had, she wasn’t certain what she’d tell him. It was too early for shopping and she wasn’t dressed to go riding.