One Wanton Wager

by Amanda Mariel

  He moved his mouth closer to the shell of her ear. “You know you want me. Say yes.”

  She notched her chin up as she pulled away from him. “I want you about as much as I want a rash.” Daphne spun on her heels and started moving away, her steps hurried.

  “Prove it,” he called after her. “Place a wager with me.”

  She didn’t miss a step as she continued marching away from him, her spine straight and shoulders squared.

  “Win or lose, I will fund Henry’s education.”

  Daphne stopped mid-step, whipping around to face him. Her eyes narrowed. “Go on.”

  He strode toward her as he spoke. “I’ll wager that if you allow me the opportunity to spend time with you, you’ll come to like me—maybe even welcome me into your bed.”

  She laughed, low and melodic. “Never.”

  “Then you have nothing to lose. Let me attempt to woo you. When the time comes for me to return to London, I will provide for Henry’s education.” A skeptical look overtook her face and he quickly added, “Whether or not you have come to desire me.”

  “What’s in it for you?” she asked, her stance seeming to relax a fraction.

  “I get the chance to change your mind.”

  She stared at him, the blue of her eyes darkening. “Is that all?”

  A slow grin spread across his face as he studied her. He did need some kind of insurance that he would make headway with her for his ultimate goal remained the same—to bed her. “You must allow me one kiss,” he gave a lazy grin, “on each occasion we spend time together.”

  She pressed her lips into a tight line and averted her gaze.

  “Surely one kiss a day would not be overly disconcerting, not when you have so much to gain?” He brought his hand to her cheek, gently stroking his fingertips over her silky flesh.

  “One kiss, but no touching,” she said as she swatted his hand away.

  He chuckled. “As you wish.”

  “And, I will be the one to initiate them.” Daphne spun on her heels and marched away.

  Alex leaned against a nearby tree and watched her fade into the horizon, the sway of her hips beckoning him to recapture her.

  Patience, he reminded himself, it is a virtue.

  Chapter Five

  Daphne stood near a large floor to ceiling window, watching Phoebe play the pianoforte. She flipped open her fan with a sigh and glanced around the brightly lit room. A crush of guests filled the space for Lord and Lady Chesterfield’s musicale. The Chesterfields were to have a picnic after the concert and, even now, the lawn beyond the music room was peppered with Turkish mats, tables, and chairs.

  Her gaze halted where Rebecca and Camden sat nestled together on a sofa with Lady Chesterfield. There was still no sign of Lord Bedford. Daphne could only hope he would remain elusive. Much to her dismay, she’d arrived late to the gathering and hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca before the entertainments began.

  Irritated, Daphne waved her fan a bit faster. She did not care for the way Lord Bedford affected her. She should not give a fig whether or not he arrived. They had a bargain—she’d agreed to the terms—now she must fulfill them. Still, if he stayed away, it would limit the amount of time she had to spend in his company and the kisses they would share. Which suited her perfectly, so why was she upset?

  Phoebe played the final notes then stood and curtseyed. Daphne clapped, along with the others, before moving to her side. She smiled at Phoebe. “You played beautifully as always.”

  “Thank you. But I must confess, I’m glad to be done.” Phoebe turned toward the window. “I wish to be outside enjoying this glorious day.”

  “Indeed,” Daphne agreed as she followed the direction of Phoebe’s gaze. Fluffy white clouds drifted across the cerulean sky and the sun shone brightly while a gentle breeze ruffled the curtains. No doubt the late afternoon air would be refreshing.

  “Let us gather outside for the picnic,” Lady Chesterfield said as servants opened the terrace doors.

  Daphne needed no further invitation. She hooked her arm through Phoebe’s and, together, they made their way down to the lawn.

  “Let us join Rebecca and Camden.” Phoebe nodded to a large lime tree where the couple stood beneath the shade of its branches.

  Daphne nodded, her stride matching Phoebe’s. She glanced about the expanse of lush green grass and frolicking guests, looking for Lord Bedford. Still no sign of him. Perhaps, he would not come at all. Regardless, it was a glorious afternoon and she meant to enjoy herself.

  Camden bowed as she and Phoebe approached. When he straightened, he said, “I was about to fetch a lemonade for Rebecca. Might I get something for the two of you as well?”

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Daphne grinned.

  Phoebe sidled up to Rebecca then gave Camden a nod. “Lemonade is perfect.”

  “I’ll be back in a trice.” Camden turned and walked toward the refreshment tent.

  Rebecca lowered herself to the woven mat spread out under the tree. Daphne and Phoebe did the same. Once settled, Rebecca angled her head toward Phoebe. “It seems Mother outdid herself this year. Has any gentleman captured your notice?”

  A light blush filtered into Phoebe’s cheeks. “I find several to be handsome.”

  “Anyone in particular?” Rebecca asked.

  “Lord Hughton is rather dashing, but I haven’t captured his notice. I do hope to dance with him at the ball.”

  Rebecca gave a teasing grin. “Then you shall, and perhaps by nights end, he will be courting you. Just imagine, you the wife of a marquess.”

  “Hush before you are overheard.” Phoebe swatted Rebecca with her fan. “Camden is coming and Alex has joined him.”

  Daphne glanced up. Her gaze collided with Alex’s, and her stomach tightened into a knot. He gave a roguish grin that quickly transformed the knot into butterflies. Despite telling herself that she didn’t wish to see him, she was delighted by his presence. Dratted rogue!. Her hand went to the ribbons of her bonnet and she fiddled with them as the men joined them.

  Camden handed Phoebe and Rebecca each a lemonade then sat beside Rebecca.

  “You are looking lovely today,” Alex said as he handed Daphne her drink. He lowered himself to the mat and placed a tray of finger sandwiches and fruit in the middle.

  Daphne’s cheeks warmed. “And you as well,” she replied, returning the compliment. Then she quickly added, “Handsome that is.” She averted her gaze to the tray. Why did he unsettle her so? Was it simply because she knew the danger he presented or was it something more?

  Phoebe reached for a plump strawberry then popped it into her mouth before turning to Camden. “How are the repairs coming?” she asked.

  “Very well, indeed,” Camden said, then nodded at Alex. “He has been a great help. In fact, he was late arriving because he stayed behind to supervise the builders.”

  Phoebe twirled one of her curls around her finger. “It is wonderful of you to help, and most unusual considering your station. I cannot imagine that you often work with your hands.”

  “On the contrary.” Alex took a sip from his glass. “I do not care for idleness.”

  “How refreshing.” Phoebe smiled at him. “Though I imagine you take a lot of chiding from your peers.”

  Camden poked a teasing elbow into Alex’s side. “My cousin has never much cared for what society dictates.”

  Daphne could not stop herself from studying Alex during the exchange. Surely, there must be some good in a man who was willing to get his hands dirty for those he loves. After all, Phoebe was correct. It was most unusual for a lord to do physical labor and very much frowned upon.

  She studied him from the corners of her eyes. Somehow, it did not surprise her a bit that Alex did as he pleased in all aspects of his life. A part of her envied him for his devil may care behavior.

  She nibbled on a finger sandwich as they continued to chat. Her gaze wandered across the lawn to where a group had collected
for a game of lawn bowls. As she watched them play, she relaxed, allowing herself to enjoy the picnic. Though, Alex’s closeness was never far from her mind. It did her good to put her focus on something else.

  Rebecca stood, pulling Daphne’s attention away from the game. She glanced from Phoebe to some point near the house. “Come along, Sister. I’ve spotted someone we simply must greet.”

  Phoebe followed her direction, her cheeks turning pink once more. Then she stood and the pair of them sauntered off.

  Camden smoothed his cravat. “If you will excuse me, I’d like to speak with Lord Chesterfield.”

  “Of course,” Alex said.

  And just like that, Daphne found herself alone with the rogue. Her mind raced as she searched for a reason to excuse herself. She averted her gaze back to the group playing lawn bowls. “I think I should like to join a game.”

  “That is a fine idea. Tell me which game interests you and I shall play, too.” Alex’s smooth baritone washed through her.

  Daphne sighed. “I was thinking lawn bowls but it looks as though the game is full. Perhaps, I should join Lady Chesterfield and see if she requires any assistance.”

  Alex leaned closer, sending her belly into a fresh round of flutters. “Or you could honor the bargain we made and allow me some time in your company. I hear the gardens are rather impressive.”

  Daphne flushed, her neck and face growing warm. She should have suspected that he would see through her thinly-veiled excuses. Begrudgingly, she turned to him. “If that is your wish, I’d be happy to.”

  Alex stood then reached a hand out to assist her. “Come along. I promise not to defile you.”

  “What a ghastly thing to say.” Daphne shook her head but placed her hand in his all the same. He merely chuckled at her reproach as he led her toward the garden path, her hand looped around his elbow.

  She slanted a glance toward him. He strolled with a relaxed confidence she only wished she felt. But how could she relax knowing that he would soon want to collect his kiss?

  More importantly, why was she fretting so much? It was not as if she had never kissed a man before. She’d been married for Heaven’s sake. A few kisses would not scandalize her.

  Desperate for a distraction from her current thoughts, she swallowed past the dryness in her throat, then said, “Did you mean what you said before about being idle?”

  He looked over at her as he turned them down a path lined with flowering bushes, “Indeed, I did. I cannot tolerate sitting around doing nothing.”

  She was not surprised by his answer, though her curiosity grew by leaps and bounds. “How did you learn the necessary skills for building?”

  Alex drew her to a stop near a hedgerow and turned to face her. “As a boy, I spent most of my time outside. I had a curious nature and often followed around servants as well as contractors on my father’s estates. By the time I completed school, I was well adept at both managing and caring for estates.”

  “And your parents did not mind?”

  “They did not know. Neither of them was overly concerned with my pursuits.”

  Daphne gave a nod. His words explained far more than he’d likely intended. Perhaps his parents’ lack of concern led him to become the rakehell he was. She touched her hand to his shoulder. “I am sorry.”

  “There is no reason for sympathy. I had the freedom to do as I pleased outside of the house. All children should be able to follow their passions. It was not as though I lacked for affection. Mother doted on me and father thought of me as his prodigy.”

  “Oh.” All at once, Daphne felt foolish for her assumptions and pleased that she’d pried. She dropped her hand from his shoulder and nodded down the path. “The fountain you spoke of is straight ahead. Let us continue. While we walk, you can tell me how you keep busy when you are in London or at your estates, for I must admit that I find your desire to work fascinating.”

  She often worked in the garden alongside the gardener. Not quite the same things Lord Bedford seemed to do but, all the same, she enjoyed getting her hands dirty. Something that she’d often been reprimanded for, though to no avail.

  Aside from herself, she’d rarely met anyone of the gentry who did not turn their noses up at the mere mention of physical labor. Even Lady Chesterfield had cautioned her to refrain from, as she liked to call it, playing in the garden during the house party.

  Alex strolled beside her as he spoke. “I often work alongside my tenants repairing their cottages, digging irrigation trenches, planting or harvesting crops. Repairing fences seems a never-ending task, and then there are disputes to hear and settle as well as working on my estate books. Even when in London, I usually have some sort of estate business to manage along with my house there.” He grinned. “Of course, I find an ample amount of time for pleasure as well.” He punctuated his words with a devilish wink.

  She could well imagine what pleasure he referred to. Her cheeks warmed once more, her belly tightening. She averted her gaze to the fountain they were approaching, choosing to ignore his inappropriate comment. “There it is.” She sighed as her gaze roamed over the twisted roses to the spot where water flowed out to cascade back to the pool below. “Lord Chesterfield had it handcrafted as a wedding present for his wife.”

  “It is a wonder.” He strolled closer, then locked his hands behind his back and studied the fountain. “Very intricate. It must have taken countless weeks to complete.” He locked his green eyes on her. “What do you see when you look at it?”

  She arched a brow in confusion, thinking it a rather silly question. “A fountain, of course. Or more specifically, vines and roses wound together to form a heart over a pool of water.”

  “Humm…” He turned his attention back to the fountain.

  Curiosity brought her closer to his side. “What do you see?”

  “Lovers. The vines are tangled together like two lovers swept away with passion. When they separate to form the heart they are reaching toward the top where they find their mutual release.” He pivoted to face her, his gaze smoldering. “I could show you what I mean.”

  Daphne notched her chin, fighting the images forming in her mind. How dare he say such outlandish things to her? The man had no scruples. “I should like to return to the party now,” she said.

  “You are forgetting something.”

  “Am I.” She narrowed her gaze.

  “Did you wish to kiss me in front of the guests?” He stepped closer.

  Daphne froze, her spine stiffening as her heart beat wildly. How had she forgotten the dratted kiss?

  “Of course, if that is your wish, who am I to deny you?” Alex said, his tone teasing.

  “Do not be daft. I’ve no wish to be ruined.” She took a step, then hesitated as she stared at his full lips.

  “Perhaps I should sit so that you can reach my lips easier?” His eyes glinted in the sun.

  Her throat went dry as she squinted up at him. “Yes…and place your hands at your sides.”

  He did as she bid, propping himself against the edge of the fountain, then pinned his gaze to hers.

  Daphne hesitated for another moment before stepping into the opening of his thighs. “Close your eyes,” She ordered.

  “I would rather not.” He raked his gaze over her. “But you are welcome to close yours.”

  The devil she would. Her pulse quickened as she leaned closer to him. She pressed her eyelids shut and brought her lips to his. A quick press of their flesh to flesh, then she jerked back as though her soul had been scorched.

  “Is that all?” He leaned forward. “I’ve kissed my mother with more fervor.”

  Daphne shook her head. “That is all you deserve.” She turned and started down the path, finding herself more than a little unsettled from their chaste kiss. Had he experienced the same spark of desire?

  More importantly, how many of his kisses could she endure before she gave in to his true wish and joined him beneath the sheets? Or worse, gave him her heart?

 
; Perhaps their bargain had been a foolish endeavor. She should put an end to it before things went too far. No. She could not do that. He would be gone before long, certainly by summer’s end.

  She could remain strong.

  She had to for Henry.

  She’d simply keep reminding herself that Alex was a rogue—treat their kisses like the unpleasant tasks they were and remember that, in the end, he would fund Henry’s education.

  She would protect her heart and ensure her son’s future. She had to.

  Chapter Six

  Henry leaped back then lunged forward to clash his stick-sword against Alex’s in a perfect execution of the move he’d just taught the boy. “Excellent,” Alex said, then retreated as Henry beamed at him full of satisfaction.

  “May we do it again?” Henry asked, returning his sword to the guard position Alex had demonstrated before.

  “Very well, but I’m giving you no quarter this round.” Alex squared his feet and lifted his makeshift sword.

  Henry lunged, his eyes narrowed in concentration as his stick knocked against Alex’s. With a chuckle, Alex leaped back, immediately lunging forward to lock his sword with Henry’s. The two of them thrust and lunged as they circled one another, neither giving in and neither getting an opening to win the pretend sword fight.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Alex spotted someone watching them. He pivoted and struck, allowing himself a better view of the spectator while still defending himself.

  Daphne.

  She stood just inside the gate, her hand on her hip and a half-smile pulling at her bow-shaped lips. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, sending a thrill through Alex that broke his concentration.

  Henry lunged, bringing his stick-sword against Alex’s side and calling out in victory, “I win!”

  Remembering himself, Alex clutched his side and fell to the ground, pretending to be wounded. He rolled around a bit and groaned for added effect before going still and shutting his eyes to half-slits.

  Henry released a peal of laughter as he leaned over Alex’s prone form. “You’re not truly dead, Alex. It was only a stick.”