The Debutante's Wager (The Curse of True Love Book 4)

by Donna Cummings

  What a kiss it had been. Tess had been completely unafraid to exhibit her passion while in his embrace. She had spurred him on with her pleasurable sounds and wordless urgings for more. His desire for her had not abated since that night. He doubted it ever would. The mere thought of having his lips against hers once more…

  Tony tried to loosen his cravat. If he kept with this line of thinking, he would need to loosen his breeches as well.

  He grinned at his reflection in the mirror and then headed downstairs to the dining room, eager to see what his bride had in store for him.

  He might have a few surprises for her as well.

  ***

  Tess held her breath. Would Tony enjoy the surprise she had planned for this evening? She could barely eat a morsel of dinner, although Henri had outdone himself, as usual.

  "I am grateful that Henri offered to come to my household," Tony said. His voice caressed her, and fortunately he had agreed with her suggestion that he sit near her, rather than at the other end of the long table. "He has a way with pheasant."

  "Felicia said your chef has been on an extended vacation. And Henri was practically weeping at the sight of your neglected kitchens. I am not certain I could have kept him away."

  "It is an agreeable arrangement for us all," Tony said.

  He kept his eyes on her the entire time he spoke. Tess shivered slightly, although the room was overly warm. So was Tony's gaze. She thought she had become accustomed to having his undivided attention, but it was quite different when they were the only ones in the room, save for the footmen attending them. Still, while the servants remained quiet, giving the impression they were invisible, Tess was well aware they were not.

  And her husband was doing his best to make her forget herself.

  "If you are feeling chilled," he added, "I can have a shawl brought for you."

  "I am quite fine. An errant breeze must have come through." She nearly shivered anew at what she had planned once dinner was over. Did she still possess enough nerve? She was fairly certain he would be amenable. But what if he were not?

  She nearly laughed at her wildly vacillating thoughts. It had never occurred to her how difficult it would be to make her husband fall in love with her. But it was only because she wanted him to fall before she did, and he was equally determined that she be the first.

  What a muddle they had created.

  "And what has you smiling so secretively?" Tony inquired. "Is it something I can share with you?"

  "Yes, but not until later. Much later."

  His eyebrows shot up. Tess loved the look of expectation he tried to hide. He was definitely intrigued. She almost asked to have their dishes cleared, so they could commence things a bit earlier, but anticipation was the ultimate aphrodisiac. It would be senseless not to utilize it to its utmost.

  The trouble was, her husband was utilizing it as well.

  His eyes twinkled with mischief when he brushed his fingers against hers where they rested on the tablecloth. "I am quite intrigued to learn what you have planned for this evening. I trust I shall find it…pleasurable?"

  She was in the midst of swallowing when he lingered on the last word. She managed to keep from choking, but her eyes watered at the effort.

  "I hope you find it pleasurable," she said. "Although I understand not everyone enjoys choral productions by amateur musicians."

  It was his turn to choke. "You had led me to believe I should anticipate something different."

  Tess laughed. "You could attempt to guess at my surprise, if you wish."

  She saw Tony flick a glance at the stoic footman nearby. Would his presence keep Tony from being outrageous? Or would it merely spur him on?

  "I believe I will hazard a guess," he answered. He tilted his head closer to hers, lowering his voice to a seductive whisper. "I wonder if you plan a daring dance, for me alone, with music only we are privy to."

  She took a sip of wine, feeling her face heat, probably to the same color of the claret she drank. "I had considered it," she said, "but worried it might tempt you to fall instantly in love with me."

  He grinned. "So you chose to discard that idea? Perhaps a wise choice."

  "Only because I decided on another in its place. While I wish for you to fall in love with me, per our wager, I do not wish it to occur so quickly that it proves embarrassing for you."

  He tilted his head back and laughed. "You are a wicked one, Tess. Very wicked indeed."

  "I consider that high praise." She gave him a sly wink. "I hope to receive a similar compliment at the conclusion of this evening's festivities."

  ***

  She was driving him mad. Utterly stark raving mad. Tony was tempted to sweep the dining table free of everything—the plates, the candles, the exquisite food—and place his even more exquisite wife upon the mahogany surface. He suppressed a groan at the thought of laying her back against the table, watching her expression as he lifted her skirts, smoothing his hands up and up until…

  A discreet cough tore him away from his fantasies. "The next remove, your lordship."

  "Of course," Tony answered, though his voice was a little hoarse. Thankfully the footman was well trained and ignored it, though the man was certain to know where Tony's thoughts had traveled. Tess was always incredibly beautiful, yet tonight she was even more so. Her cheeks were flushed, maybe from the wine, most likely from their flirtation, or maybe it was her anticipation of her plans for them this evening. Her eyes sparkled too, and her lips were lusher, more kissable.

  What man could hope to resist her? He was glad that she was his bride. He did not need to worry about any other man attempting to win her.

  He chuckled to himself at her innuendo from earlier, about him finishing too quickly. He was about to unman himself now. He could only pray he had the fortitude to withstand whatever lures she had in store for him. If not, he would have to cry forfeit to their wager.

  Perhaps he should anyway. Except he enjoyed her pursuit of this bet. He relished her attempts to woo and seduce him. He had had women try their wiles on him, but compared to Tess, with her wit and intelligence and delightful wordplay, the other women in his life had been clumsy.

  As much as the anticipation made him want to groan with unmet need, he relished these moments with her. Now he had to come up with something just as delicious, just as tempting, in the hopes it would cause her to succumb before he did.

  When the last course was removed, and the dessert placed in front of him, he smiled at Tess's selection. "Ices? Henri continues to outdo himself."

  "I wished to assure you were not overcome with heat. It would not do for the evening to end before it has scarcely commenced."

  He took a spoonful of the dessert. "I am not so fainthearted as that, my lovely bride."

  "That is excellent news," she replied.

  Chapter 9

  Tess paced in her bedchamber. She had told Tony she needed a few moments to prepare his surprise. Yet she actually needed time to bolster her nerve. She had never been a seductress, but tonight she had to do her best to become one.

  It was clear that her husband admired her, and even desired her, judging by the way he gazed at her so intently at dinner. She was gambling that their attraction for each other would lead to love, just as the mystery woman had assured her it would.

  Tess hoped it did not lead to heartbreak instead. That would be another sort of purgatory, being wed to a man she loved, but who merely had a fondness for her.

  No, this was not a time when she could afford to come in second place.

  Tess double checked her clothing in the cheval mirror. The dress was suitably sheer, which was perfect for her purposes, as were the chemise and the fichu and the pantalettes. They might be considered shocking, but so was her marriage. The ton would have swooned en masse if they had learned of the wager between her and her husband, both before and after their wedding.

  She lifted a nervous hand to tuck an errant curl back into the headband she had donned.
It was not her usual style. Still, she liked the look of it. And the drop earrings were a perfect accent, as was the cameo necklace she had added. Perhaps a bracelet too? She rummaged through the contents of her dressing table until she realized she was stalling.

  "Time to enter the fray, Tess," she said to her reflection. She headed toward the door. A shawl. She needed a shawl. She spun around and found one in the clothespress, a lovely Paisley wrap that would keep her warm.

  At least for as long as she was permitted to wear it.

  ***

  Tony had strode over the Aubusson carpet so many times, he wondered if there was any sole remaining on his shoes. He had told Tess he would await her here in the drawing room while she took the time she said she needed to prepare his surprise.

  Fortunately the room was empty, save for him and the bottle of port he had sampled. He grinned. He had not been entirely sure she was teasing about the amateur musicians until he had entered the room and found himself alone.

  He stopped his pacing and stood next to the fire surround. Tess had asked him to ensure the fire was blazing, which it was. What did she have planned? He could not remember the last time he had been so filled with anticipation. Most likely it was during an unexpected winning streak, but that had been so long ago, he could not remember when it was.

  How unusual that his wife heated him in the same way that gambling had done previously. His blood constantly ran at a fever pitch. He was always primed for whatever his bride had in store for him.

  Was it any wonder he had no interest in going to the gaming hells or sporting events that had been such a large part of his previous life?

  A betting man would say she had completely replaced his desire for gambling on an uncertain outcome. Probably because he never knew what Tess might say or do, and he had never felt so exhilarated in his entire life.

  Tony tapped his fingers against the mantel. He nearly laughed at his visible impatience. The drawing room door opened just then, and he turned to watch Tess enter the room. His chest tightened, and he drained his glass, to ease the ache at her exquisite beauty.

  "My lord," she said. "I hope you have not grown tired waiting for me to return."

  "It was worth the wait, I can assure you. Besides, it gave me a chance to take stock of the port. Which I have not done for some time."

  "You know, I think I should like a glass. If you do not mind."

  He raised his eyebrows slightly. "You may find it a bit strong."

  She laughed. "Compared to the more ladylike beverages? I expect it will be. Which is what I am after."

  "You have the need to fortify yourself? This surprise grows more intriguing by the minute."

  Tony thought she murmured, "You have no idea", but did not answer since he was intent on retrieving a glass for her. When he handed it to her, he added, "Does this mean the amateur musicale will commence soon? If so, we may need to procure another bottle or two to make it bearable."

  She laughed before taking a measured sip. "Unfortunately, the musicians were unable to attend this evening." Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "But you are welcome to sing a cheerful tune if you like."

  He grinned. "Ahh, do you mean singing your praises, as when you win this wager?"

  "Perhaps I merely wish to discover if my husband has any hidden talents."

  "I have many talents, yet no need to keep them hidden."

  For some reason, she seemed to choke on her drink. She raised a hand to signal that she was fine, although there were two delightful rosy spots on her cheeks. His bride was bold, yet still possessed of an innocent nature. Such a beguiling combination.

  He opened his mouth to ask what was next for the evening, but a discreet knock at the door halted him. A footman entered, carrying a silver tray. To Tony's surprise, it contained several decks of playing cards. The servant set them on the table, bowed, and then left without a word.

  "A card party. This is indeed a surprise," Tony said. "Shall we be joined by others soon?" He did his best to keep the disappointment out of his voice. He quite enjoyed having his wife to himself. Especially in this quiet, intimate setting.

  "No, it is only you and me this evening."

  Her eyes sparkled, which meant he must have inadvertently displayed his relief. If he were not careful, he would completely lose his gambling sang froid. Although sometimes he wondered if there was any disgrace in losing this bet to his lovely wife…

  "And you are in the mood for a game of whist."

  "Not quite," she said softly. "I thought we might make a small wager, to increase the enjoyment."

  "I cannot wait to hear the details." His heart sped up, making it difficult to keep his breathing at a normal rate.

  "The loser of each hand will be required to divest themselves of an article of clothing."

  He bit back a grin. That explained the excess of jewelry she had donned since dinner.

  "This is indeed a delightful surprise. Though I cannot decide whether I wish to be the winner or loser now." His eyes raked over her, relishing her pinkened cheeks and the bold gaze she returned. "I suspect I shall be happy no matter what the result may be."

  Tony led Tess to a red brocade sofa, and once she was seated, he made himself comfortable on a settee across from her. Tess began to deal the cards between them, though her hands trembled slightly. He found himself wanting to reassure her. She was clearly worried he would best her, since he was the lifelong gambler, and she would be sitting in their drawing room wearing nothing but—

  He shook his head to clear his mind of such delightful thoughts. He had to concentrate on his game. If not, he would not be able to see his delectable wife in a most alluring dishabille fashion.

  ***

  "You are a veritable card sharp!" Tony exclaimed.

  Tess laughed at his dismay. He was quite adorable, frowning at her so fiercely while he tugged his shirt loose from his breeches and deposited it on the pile of clothing next to him. She caught her breath when his chest came into view. There were many muscles on display, proving he did not spend every waking moment in game hells. No, he was not merely a spectator when it came to sporting events.

  "Perhaps I am merely in the midst of a winning streak," she offered.

  He gave her a mock glare, glancing at the only item she had discarded—her shawl. "You only shed that because you were too warm. While I am like to catch a cold."

  She clucked her tongue. "We can call a halt if you prefer."

  "No! No, that is not what I meant." He raked a hand through his dark hair. "I pray you can forgive my ungracious behavior. I am not accustomed to losing. Perhaps my luck will turn soon."

  She allowed her gaze to roam over his exposed skin, feeling quite daring. "I almost hope it will not."

  "You are wicked, Tess. Much too wicked." He took another slug of port. "Not to mention much too covered with clothing. We must remedy that."

  She dealt out another set of cards for both of them. "Let us see who Lady Luck favors."

  ***

  Tony grinned while Tess decided what she should remove next. She had already discarded both earrings, and the necklace, and the headband—an item he had never seen her wear before this evening. Clearly she had donned as many items as possible. Her gloves had been added to the heap of clothing after she had lost twice previously, and her shoes were not available since those had been the first to go.

  "I would be happy to assist you," he offered.

  She narrowed her eyes. "I have no need of your assistance. I am merely resting for a spell."

  He barked out a laugh. "You are stalling, Tess. Hoping this winning streak of mine will cool down, turning the tide in your favor before you have to disrobe entirely."

  "I am not stalling." She sat back against the sofa, her eyes gleaming as she watched him. In the next instant, she extended her leg and then raised her hem, slowly.

  Tony gulped. He was accustomed to seeing his wife's bosom, thanks to the low-cut fashions she wore, and even the delicate skin of h
er arms was on view most days. But he had never had occasion to see her ankle prior to this evening, and he found it the most hypnotic thing he had ever lain eyes on.

  She continued to raise her muslin skirt, at an infinitesimal pace. If only she would lift it at the same speed in which his heart pounded. The minx kept her movements deliberately slow, however, well aware of the effects of the increased anticipation.

  Tony forced himself to act unaffected, leaning back against the settee while he watched as if this were the most common of occurrences for him.

  Finally, she halted, and then smoothed her hands over her leg.

  He almost groaned aloud. He wished his hands were touching her in that fashion.

  "My lord, I seem to be having some difficulty." He expected her to demur, saying she had reached her comfort limit, and he could not blame her. Instead, she added, "Could she please assist me in removing my garter?"

  He was instantly lightheaded. As if this was the first woman he had ever helped out of her garters! What was happening to him? He finally managed to recover his aplomb.

  "I would be delighted to assist you." Tony pushed himself off the sofa and then knelt in front of her. She smiled at him, and he had to fight off the urge to pull her into his arms for a long, heartfelt kiss. He would have, except she lifted her hem, along with her eyebrows.

  He could not deny the lady's request.

  He smoothed his hands over the arch of her stockinged foot, gliding upwards, over her ankle. He heard her startled intake of breath, and it gave him an immense measure of pride knowing his hands were the first to touch her so. A burst of manly jealousy insisted his be the last to caress her this way as well.

  If he needed any further motivation to make her fall in love with him…

  He moved his hands up farther, over her calf, until he reached her knee. Her breathing was unsteady now. His was as well. He locked eyes with her, and then shifted her hem until her knee was exposed. He deposited a kiss there, watching her the entire time.