Wagering for Miss Blake

by Callie Hutton

  As much as he’d wanted to stroll up to her, she’d been conversing with Lady Hawkins and, rather than interrupt them, he’d decided to wait until they arrived at the village, at which time he planned to stake his claim.

  And stake it he did. He withheld his grin when she scowled as she took his hand and stepped from the carriage. It was obvious she was going to attempt to thwart him, but he would not allow that.

  “The Roman wall is a short walk from here.”

  Suzanna glanced at the crowd, as they broke up into clusters of three or four. “Perhaps we should stay with the rest of the group.”

  “No. I think everyone has different interests. Hawk has asked us all to gather around four o’clock for tea at The Rose and the Crown Inn.”

  As he spoke, the various groups wandered in different directions, leaving the two of them standing alone together. Perfect.

  “I do wish to see the wall, but I think I prefer to start at the bookstore. Lady Hawkins mentioned that it had a fine selection for such a small village.”

  He bowed slightly and extended his arm. “The bookstore it is, then.”

  “We should not be going off by ourselves. It is not proper. Lady Montford has joined the group headed to the old church.”

  As much as he wanted her to himself, he knew she was right. It would not do her reputation any good if others knew they’d spent the afternoon alone. “I bow to your concerns, Suzanna—”

  “—Miss Blake.”

  “—you are correct. If we hurry, we can catch the group headed toward the gardens.”

  They turned the opposite direction to follow Lady Penrose, Cam, and Lady Honora. Giles slowed his steps to accommodate her. “Perhaps when the tour of the gardens is over, we can persuade them to join us at the bookstore.”

  “Yes. That is an excellent idea.” She looked up at him. “Do you read much, Mr. Templeton?”

  “Giles.”

  Her raised eyebrows brought a smile to his face. “I won’t give up, you know. But to answer your question, yes, I do read. A great deal, in fact.”

  “What sort of books?”

  “I read everything, and my library at my estate has more than a thousand books. Many of them were there when my grandparents deeded the estate to me, but I have purchased hundreds myself. I have books on science, poetry, farming, history, war, just about anything you could think of.”

  “Novels?”

  “Oh, yes. My decadent pleasure. You might be surprised to know I enjoy all of Miss Austen’s works.”

  “Truly?”

  “Indeed. Hadn’t you guessed by now that I’m a romantic at heart?”

  Suzanna rolled her eyes, and they continued on their way, joining the others headed to the gardens. The pleasant weather made for an equally pleasant stroll. Spring had arrived in full force, with a warmer sun on their backs. The ladies all whipped their parasols over their heads to keep their creamy English skin freckle-free.

  Lady Honora, being very familiar with the village, gave the tour, pointing out flora unique to the area. As interesting as Giles found the tour, he was much more taken with the lovely woman on his arm. Her soft scent wafted to his nose every time a light breeze blew in his direction.

  The time passed quickly, with Giles thoroughly enjoying the time with Suzanna by his side.

  “These are truly lovely gardens, Lady Honora. Thank you so much for the interesting tour.” Suzanna looked at the rest in the group. “I was hoping to visit the bookstore before we have to meet the others at The Rose and the Crown Inn.”

  “Oh, dear,” Lady Penrose said. “I had hoped to make a stop at that lovely church two streets down.” She grinned at the group. “I have a morbid interest in cemeteries, and there is a very old one attached to the church.”

  “I love old cemeteries,” said Lady Honora. “And that is a fascinating one. Since I can visit the bookstore another time, I believe I will go with Lady Penrose.” She turned to Cam. “Well, Lord Campbell, it appears we are splitting in two. Would you prefer the church or the bookstore?”

  “Cam loves cemeteries, and takes every opportunity to visit them, don’t you, Cam?” If his friend was as smart as Giles thought he was, he would pick up the hint.

  “Ah, yes. Cemeteries. My favorite new thing to view.” He held his arms out to Lady Honora and Lady Penrose. “Lead the way, ladies.” He looked over his shoulder at Giles and Suzanna. “Enjoy the bookstore.”

  Suzanna stared after the group as they continued down the street. “Well, now we are left alone again.”

  “But we are headed directly to the bookstore and will meet the rest of the group in a short time at the inn for tea.”

  “This is not a good idea.”

  “Please, Suzanna, do you really think I plan to ravish you behind the bookshelves?”

  She raised her chin. “It is all in how it appears, Mr. Templeton. You know that.”

  “Giles,” he returned. “No one in the group seemed to think there was anything wrong with leaving us by ourselves. You are making far too much of this.” He placed her arm in his. “Come. The bookstore awaits.”

  …

  Although concerned about being left alone with Mr. Templeton, his observation was correct. No one seemed surprised at leaving them alone to go to the bookstore, and he could not very well do anything improper with other patrons there, coming and going.

  A slight jangle from a small bell over the door frame greeted them as they entered Twin Brooks Village Bookstore. A rosy-cheeked middle-aged woman, as round as she was tall, greeted them with a bright smile. “Mr. Templeton! We haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss Andrews. It is wonderful to visit your fine store again. How is your sister, Miss Eloise?”

  “Not too well. I’m afraid. Thank you for asking. The doctor thinks a trip to Bath for the healing waters might do her good. Our brother plans to take a trip there with his family and will bring Miss Eloise along.”

  “I’ve heard many people have been helped by the waters—if one can stand the smell, that is. Please give her my regards, and I wish her well.” He pulled Suzanna forward. “Miss Blake, may I make known to you Miss Andrews.” He turned to the store owner. “Miss Blake is a guest at Hawkins Manor this week.”

  Miss Andrews made a slight dip. “Good afternoon, Miss Blake. Thank you for choosing our store to visit. I hope you find it to your liking.”

  Suzanna immediately liked the woman. Her demeanor was quite pleasant, and she reminded her a bit of Cook at her family’s estate. “I am sure I will, Miss Andrews. I love books and I am looking forward to browsing your shelves.”

  The woman’s cheeks grew even rosier at Suzanna’s words.

  After Miss Andrews described how the bookstore was laid out and where they could find various subjects that might be of interest to them, Suzanna and Giles went their separate ways as they began to examine the numerous shelves. She was in her glory with all the books around her. There were so many subjects to choose from, she didn’t know where to start.

  No more than five minutes later, she looked up to see Giles heading toward her. “Here is another Jane Austen novel.” He held out a book to her. Persuasion.

  “I thought Miss Austen died?”

  “Yes, she has passed. However, oftentimes a publisher will release a book posthumously if an author had written it before her death.”

  Suzanna took the book from his hand and opened it, turning the first few pages. “I will definitely buy this one. I’ve loved her other novels.” Before the words were barely out of her mouth, Mr. Templeton bestowed her with a lazy smile and rested his shoulder on the bookshelf, crossing his arms over his chest. His warmth and clean linen scent drifted toward her. She was taken again with the gold flecks in his light brown eyes. His nearness had her heart thumping and her mouth drying up. Of course, he would not kiss her right here in the bookstore, but the look in his eyes was wreaking havoc with her mental state. She raised her chin. “What?”

  “Nothi
ng, I just enjoy watching you.”

  “I doubt there is anything about me to garner such interest.” A slight tingling between her legs made her uneasy and she shifted. She attempted to move away from him but was blocked by the wall behind her and a very large and most tempting Mr. Templeton in front.

  “Ah, not so, Miss Blake. I find everything about you of great interest.”

  She sniffed. “At least you’ve remembered my proper name.” Although she tried for the words to come out with strength and conviction, she sounded like a tired squeaky mouse.

  “I would never forget your name, Suzanna. ’Tis something I think of all the time.”

  He was blocking all her air—that had to be the explanation for the rapid rise and fall of her chest. All she could see, hear, and smell was him. She had to get away or she would likely swoon like some foolish debutante. “Sir. I believe I have found the book I wish to purchase. If you will allow me to pass, I shall proceed to the front of the store.”

  He grinned. “Well done, Suzanna.”

  “Miss Blake. And you are much too close. Are you daft? Someone might come by, and how would it look?”

  He reached out and touched her cheek, running his long finger down until it stopped right above where her bodice met her skin. “Yes, daft. You make me daft.” He slowly, oh so slowly, ran his fingertip along her neckline. “So lovely. One day I will view with a great deal of pleasure all the beauty that hides beneath your clothes.”

  Aghast, she dropped the book and stepped aside, making a quick escape around him. Turning, she stopped and smoothed her gown. “I can assure you that will never happen, Mr. Templeton.” Still a bit unstable, she stumbled away from him.

  From temptation.

  From possible scandal.

  From her mother’s wrath.

  Chapter Eight

  The drawing room at Hawkins Manor, where the guests had gathered after dinner, mimicked a ballroom. Deep red-and-black silk paper covered the upper half of the walls above dark cherrywood wainscoting. Candelabras dotted the room, and fires burned brightly in the two fireplaces on either side of the massive space, the warmth needed with spring temperatures still chilly.

  Giles leaned against the wall, sipping from his glass of brandy, as Lady Honora held center stage to explain there would be card games set up on the south wall of the drawing room, the billiard room was open, and for those who did not wish to play cards or billiards, parlor games would keep them amused.

  Lady Hawkins announced she would lead the group to play cards, while Hawk stated the gentlemen interested in billiards could join him.

  Still holding the brandy in his hand, Giles wandered from the sideboard and wove his way through the crowd to Suzanna’s side. She’d been avoiding him since they’d left the bookstore earlier. He hadn’t followed immediately, giving her time to calm herself. Then he’d purchased the copy of Persuasion for her and followed her down the street.

  Once they’d reached The Rose and the Crown Pub, she’d immediately latched onto Lady Montford without giving him a second look. He’d sat with Hawk and Cam and the other gentlemen and had tried very hard to forget the nearness of Suzanna and the creamy skin he’d touched, lest he’d be unable to rise from the table with dignity when it came time to depart.

  Giles walked up to Suzanna where she stood with Lady Penrose and Miss Granger. “Have you had a chance to begin Persuasion, Miss Blake?”

  She regarded him coolly and shook her head. “No, not yet.”

  “Oh, I just read that book last week,” Lady Penrose said. “It was very good. Probably one of Miss Austen’s best.”

  “I really liked Pride and Prejudice, myself.” Miss Granger put her hand over her heart and sighed. “Mr. Darcy was so very romantic.”

  “Indeed. One wonders how Miss Austen could write such romantic figures, given her spinster state.” Giles took a sip of his brandy and watched Suzanna over the rim of his glass.

  As expected, she rose to the challenge and regarded him through narrowed eyelids. “An author makes up stories, Mr. Templeton. That is why it is called fiction. Do you think a writer who pens a murder mystery must commit murder to write about it?”

  He grinned, happy to rile her. “Good point, Miss Blake. I bow to your superior intellect.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen. Once the card players and billiard aficionados have departed, we will begin our games.”

  “Which is it for you, Miss Blake? Billiards, cards, or parlor games?” Giles placed his empty brandy glass down and smiled at her.

  “What is your preference?”

  “Ah, no you don’t. I asked first.”

  Lady Honora turned to Suzanna. “Oh, Miss Blake, you must join us in the parlor games.”

  Suzanna stared at Giles, who adopted a very innocuous expression. She sighed. “Yes, I would be happy to join you in parlor games.”

  “Wonderful, I would enjoy some parlor games, myself.” Giles grinned at Suzanna’s scowl. Score one for him.

  They ended with three men and four women. Not to be deterred, Lady Honora scoured the room until she managed to pry Mr. St. Vincent from the card-playing group. “That’s perfect, now.”

  “The first game is very simple. Each man will take a woman partner for this game.” Before she even finished speaking, Giles had moved next to Suzanna.

  She stepped away.

  He stepped closer.

  She moved again.

  So did he.

  “Stop,” she snapped.

  He regarded her, his eyes wide. “What?” Before she could answer, he turned to Lady Honora. “Miss Blake and I will partner for this game.”

  She clapped her hands in delight. Hawk’s sister was so easily pleased. Too bad the woman of his affections was not.

  Within minutes, everyone had a partner, and Lady Honora explained the directions. “Each couple will walk slowly past the table of items laid out. Every item begins with one letter of the alphabet. Once you have passed by, you must sit together and write as many items you remember. The couple who correctly identifies the most wins.”

  Giles leaned toward Suzanna. “I’ll take the first half of the alphabet, you take the second.”

  Suzanna smirked. “Do you always make the decisions for everyone?”

  “No. Only for you and me.”

  “There is no ‘you and me.’”

  He hesitated and grinned. “There will be.”

  She tried to hide it, as she swallowed and blinked several times. But he noted a distinct shiver at his words. Good. Reaction was what he strived for.

  Lady Honora directed them to a table in front of the window with a tablecloth covering the items. “Here we are. Please line up and one couple at a time should walk past the table. The others must stay far enough away that they cannot see the contents.”

  Giles and Suzanna took their place in line behind Miss Fenster and Mr. Davies. Miss Fenster turned to them. “I just love these games, don’t you, Miss Blake?”

  “Yes. I do. I have quite the competitive spirit.”

  Miss Fenster looked up at Giles. “And you, Mr. Templeton?” The girl batted her eyelashes. “Are you competitive, as well?”

  Giles squeezed Suzanna’s elbow. “I would say I rarely lose when I set my mind to something.”

  Miss Fenster blushed and fanned her face with her colorful fan. “Oh, my. That sounds so…bold.”

  “Miss Fenster, Mr. Davies, it is your turn,” Lady Honora called to them from the table.

  As the couple stepped up to the table, Giles whispered, “Do you think my statement bold, Miss Blake?”

  “Foolish, perhaps.” She shook her head and pulled her elbow from his hand. “Overconfident. Brash. Presumptuous. There are several other words, but I think you understand me.”

  “Indeed, I do. You have made me quite cognizant of your feelings. However, in all fairness, I must impress upon you that I still have every intention of prevailing.”

  She adopted a bored expression and glanced around the room.
“So you say.”

  …

  It didn’t work. Suzanna tried to ignore Mr. Templeton, tried very hard to pretend her heart wasn’t taking extra beats, her stomach had not been invaded by butterflies, and her nose did not smell the familiar and comforting scent of bergamot and him.

  If this kept up, she would lose her heart to him, and end up married to one man while in love with another. Because she could not marry Mr. Templeton. If he didn’t leave her alone, she was headed for heartbreak. Many years of heartbreak.

  “Your turn, Miss Blake and Mr. Templeton.” With a wave, Lady Honora beckoned them forward.

  “Which letters did you say were mine?” she whispered. Lord, with him right alongside her, she couldn’t remember anything.

  As they reached the table, he said, “The second half of the alphabet. That would mean N through Z.”

  She huffed. “I know the alphabet, Mr. Templeton!”

  He offered her his lopsided smile, and what he’d just said flew right out of her head. Taking a deep breath, she replayed his words in her mind, studying the objects on the table, and repeated to herself N through Z, N through Z.

  They took a slow walk past the table, and she tried very hard to concentrate. Her eyes darted from object to object. Napkin, toast, salt, plate, water—or was that glass?

  Once they made their walk, they both hurried to a vacant settee, and Mr. Templeton pulled out the paper and pencil they’d been given and began to write furiously, saying the words out loud. “Apple, biscuit, cheese, dates, eggs, feather—”

  “Wait! Did you remember them in alphabetical order?”

  He looked at her and frowned. “Of course. How else would I do it?”

  Yes, how else would he do it? Her shoulders slumped. Now she would look like an idiot. She’d just scanned the table and tried her best in the short period of time allotted them to even attach a letter to the various items displayed.

  While she mused, he continued to write and recite. “Jacket, key, lamp, monkey.” He looked up, pencil poised. “All right. Now it’s your turn.”