Bargaining With a Rake (A Whisper of Scandal Novel) (15 page)

“Anxious to capture your quarry?”

“You know how we women are,” she
snapped, meeting his steely gaze. “It’s one thing, as you well know, to capture
a man’s lust, but it is quite another to entice him into marriage.”

“True. If you do not make Sutherland
a good wife, I’ll make your life miserable.”

She didn’t doubt him for a moment. “I
swear I’ll be devoted.”

* * *
* *

Alex looked away from her shining
eyes. He believed she was sincere. And it angered him. Why the bloody hell
would that anger him? He should be glad she wanted to make his friend a good
wife.

He had to snap out of this. The first
part of his revenge was within his reach. Westonburt would be deprived of
Gillian as his wife—a goal Alex knew the man coveted above all else. All he had
to do was help Gillian capture Sutherland’s attention enough to get the man to
marry her.

The task would be simple. Sutherland
wanted a beautiful wife who could brave America. Gillian was the perfect match,
the answer to all his problems. Alex stared at his hands and tried to order his
thoughts. Why was he so bothered that Gillian was the answer to all
Sutherland’s problems? Simple selfishness.

He glanced her way. She stretched her
arms out to the side, parting her jacket and revealing thin white material
stretched across her swell of breasts. An emerald broach pinned above her right
breast caught his eye. Without consideration, he reached out and touched the
cool stone.

She drew back, a frown marring her
beautiful face. “What are you doing?”

“Obviously not thinking.” He smiled,
trying to lighten the moment, but she did not return his smile. “I’m sorry.
Your brooch caught my attention. It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. It was my mother’s. It’s
the only thing I have left of hers.”

A slow, dull anger mounted in his
gut. “The only thing?”

Gillian nodded. “My father got rid of
everything but this. He wanted to wipe her memory away, but of course fate had
the last laugh.”

“How?”

“I look just like her. And he
couldn’t rid himself of me.” She touched the brooch. “Until now.”

Alex wanted to hit the duke. The duke
had tried as best he could to rid himself of Gillian—devil take the man. That
explained why Gillian was forced to eat alone. The duke had wanted her out of
his sight. And now she was trying her hardest to give her father his wish.

How could he make her pain better? He
didn’t know any way but the physical one he’d been relying on to wipe away his
own pain for years. Without hesitation, he laced his hands through her hair and
brought her lips close to his. She gasped and tried to pull back, but he held
her firmly.

“Sometimes,” he said, by way of a
preemptory apology against her anger, “it’s better to ask forgiveness than
permission.” He swooped down and claimed her mouth, releasing himself to the
kiss and the small tug of strange need her soft lips awoke in him.

Alex’s gentle kiss shocked Gillian
more than his earlier plundering one. His lips brushed over hers, teasing,
leading and showing her the promise of how he would be as a lover. A lover?
Dear Lord above, what was she thinking? She shoved him back and scrambled to
her feet. “I’m sure everyone must be looking for us.”

“I doubt it,” Alex said as he stood
to face her.

“You swore you wouldn’t kiss me again
unless I asked.”

“I’m a rake, my lady. Don’t believe a
word I say.”

“I’ll second that,” a voice said from
behind her.

She whirled around at the familiar
voice. “Trent!” she exclaimed, her gaze going immediately to the coat she wore.
“I can explain.”

He cocked his eyebrow up in a way
that could only mean disbelief. “This should be interesting.”

“It’s not,” Alex said blandly. “We
followed one of the foxes, lost its trail and then got caught in the
thunderstorm.”

“You expect me to believe that? I may
have been gone for a year to Paris, but I didn’t leave my memory there.” Trent yanked
Alex’s coat off her shoulders and threw it at Alex. He caught it mid-air and
slowly put it on before facing Trent with the casual air of someone about to
discuss the weather.

His ability to appear so blasé about
Trent’s anger impressed her. Her heart thundered in her ears. Trent could ruin
everything. She cast Alex a pleading glance, which he returned with a wink. “I’m
not trying to seduce your cousin.” Alex flicked a grin her way, which made her
breath catch. “Well, not anymore, anyway. She informed me rather blandly that
she wished to be married and not seduced. A desire I’m afraid I cannot change
nor fulfill.”

A smile pulled at Gillian’s lips. Lord
Lionhurst was full of surprises.

The material of Trent’s jacket, which
pulled tight across his shoulders, relaxed as Alex’s words took effect. Gillian
breathed a sigh of relief.

Trent rubbed his hand over his brow. “So
you two weren’t just—”

“No!” Gillian interrupted, scrambling
forward. “We were not
just
anything.” She slanted her eyes at Alex,
daring him silently to contradict her white lie.

“I may have had designs on your
cousin―after all, who wouldn’t?― but she―”Alex waved a hand
toward her― “has her sights set on my partner.”

Gillian groaned at Alex’s admission,
but he took little heed of her annoyance, choosing instead to keep spouting her
secrets like water bursting from a busted dam.

“In fact”―Alex rocked back on
his heels, surveying her―“she means to marry Sutherland. Believe it or
not, which you may not since I’m still having a hard time believing it, I’ve
agreed to help her with her suit.” He appeared proud as a peacock as he
finished his sentence. Did the man actually think he’d just done her a favor?

“Men are obtuse,” she grumbled before
turning to Trent. “Before you think to unleash the tirade on the tip of your
tongue, let me tell you something. Father has gone and betrothed me to Lord
Westonburt against my loud protest. I’ve tried to reason with him, but he won’t
listen. Now, I’m forced to drastic measures.”

“Good God, that is awful, since Lord
Westonburt is already married,” Trent replied with a snicker.

“It’s not funny,” Gillian snapped,
irritated that Trent was not taking her seriously. “The former Lord Westonburt
has passed away, and his son―you may remember him as Mr. Mallorian―now
carries the title.”

With a frown, Trent turned to Alex. “Is
this the chap who tried to worm his way into your shipping business?”

“How the bloody hell did you know
about something that happened while you were gone? Especially since I can count
on one hand those privy to that information.”

Gillian was all ears for what either
of them might let slip next. Trent appeared to be holding his own full bag of
secrets, and Alex had failed to mention he had multiple reasons for wishing
revenge against Lord Westonburt. She studied the angry set of Alex’s jaw and
his narrowed eyes. What else had he forgotten to tell her? Typical English
know-it-all bull of a man.

“What have you been up to in Paris,
Trent?”

“Let’s all keep our little secrets,
shall we?”

“That sounds perfect to me,” she
snapped. “Don’t you dare say a word to Father or anyone else, and I won’t
question you, or better yet, I won’t whisper in Auntie’s ear that she should be
questioning you.”

“Deal.” He stuck his hand out and for
the second time today, she sealed a bargain with a man. “Now, where can I find
Mr. Sutherland?”

Trent smirked at her. “No doubt with
your sister.”

“Why are you smirking at me?”

“While you were idling your time away
here with Lionhurst, the man you’ve set your sights on has set his sights on
your sister.”

“What?” She could not have heard
correctly.

“Yes, indeed. I’d say Mr. Sutherland
is fairly bewitched by Whitney. Of course, who wouldn’t admire a girl who
cleared the jump over the fence with the grace that Whitney exhibited and then
plucked off her jacket and stockings to wade in a stream, showing her ankles to
the drooling men blessed with her company?”

What in the world was Whit up to? Gillian
whirled away and ran toward her horse. She yanked the rope away from the tree.

“Where are you going?” Trent called
merrily behind her.

She swung up into the saddle, not
bothering to respond. She didn’t know whether to be worried or grateful. Was
Whitney trying to help Gillian’s plan or hinder it?

Gillian’s horse had galloped halfway across
the stream by the time Alex caught up with them. He yanked Braun’s reins to the
left and brought his stallion up next to Gillian’s horse. Reaching over, he
snatched the reins out of her hands with his left one and gently urged her horse
to a stop.

Her thunderous face did not surprise
him in the least.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Saving your arse, my lady. You’ll
look the fool if you go charging in there and demanding your sister keep her
hands off your future husband. You’re already betrothed, if you care to pause
and remember.”

“Oh, I remember,” she mumbled darkly.
“It’s not possible to forget. And you needn’t worry that I would have made a
fool of myself. It’s not as if I planned to charge in screeching.”

“What is your plan?”

“I was working on that.”

“Then let me be of service.”

A smirk quirked her lips and her gaze
wandered to his mouth before darting away. “I think I’ve had enough of your
personal services.”

“I’m sorry. I was definitely out of
line. I swear it won’t happen again.”

“I’ve heard that from you before.”

He laughed. “You’re absolutely right.
But I swear it won’t happen again.” It couldn’t. It wasn’t his place to want
her or soothe her. She incited his lust, but he could control himself. Regulating
his emotions was his life.

“Trent.” She waved a hand at her
cousin.

“Remarkable timing as always, Sin,”
Alex said.

“Have you two worked everything out?”

Gillian shot Alex a narrow-eyed look.
“We were just discussing Whit and what she might be up to with Mr. Sutherland. What
do you think?”

“Whitney probably doesn’t want you to
leave England. Maybe she thinks she can sabotage your plan.”

“She knows I’m planning on taking her
with me.”

“Maybe
she
doesn’t want to go. Perhaps she has
concluded there is a better man to help you get out of your unwanted engagement.”
Sin leveled Alex with a fierce frown.

“Quit glowering at me,” Alex snapped.
“I offered to provide Gillian enough money that she need not marry any man and
could move to America and live exactly as she pleased.”

“Did you?” Surprise resonated in
Sin’s voice; then his face darkened. “Why the hell would you do that? You don’t
even know my cousin. Have you―”

“I have not,” Alex interrupted. He
knew exactly what Sin was going to ask. “Gillian is still perfectly innocent.” Except
for a few kisses. “I already told you I
tried
to seduce her. The money I
offered was in hopes of enticing her to agree to my plan.”

“What the hell is going on here?” Sin
roared.

Alex explained quickly. And when he
was finished Sin stared at him with his mouth hanging open. “By God, you should
put a bullet through Westonburt’s heart.”

“I want to,” Alex said, feeling that
dark hole opening up in his chest, “but I’m no murderer.”

“Morality is tiresome.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Sin moved to stand directly in front
of Gillian. “Is it so bad here that fleeing to America seems the only option?”

“It’s worse than bad,” she replied,
her voice quavering.

Something inside Alex’s chest tugged.
He shifted uncomfortably.

“Let me talk to Uncle.” Sin said.

“No!” She gasped. “Don’t you dare. It
won’t do any good. He’d simply have me married off within a week by special license.
Promise me.”

The vehemence in her voice and the
stark whiteness of her skin surprised Alex. It was as if she feared Westonburt
or her father. If she did, she no doubt had good reason.

“No one will say a word,” he said,
hoping to soothe her.

“Did Westonburt harm you?” Sin
demanded. “I’ll kill him today if he did. I don’t give a damn about my mortal
soul. It’s already tarnished beyond salvation.”

Alex surveyed his friend’s unblinking
eyes and tense face. “Later, we need to talk about Paris.”

“Much later,” Sin snapped, not even
sparing Alex a glance. “Did Westonburt harm you, Gillie?”

She shook her head. “No. But I’ve
heard rumors of things he’s done to other women.” A shudder ran through her
body and her gaze darted to Alex. “More women than just your sister.”

Alex nodded. He suspected she was
speaking of the serving wench. The black hole in his heart opened wide. He
wanted to kill Westonburt.

“Surely, if you tell Uncle―”

“No.” Gillian interrupted Sin. “I
won’t live here the rest of my life. I can’t. I…I can’t stand it. I’m done
discussing this.”

Alex had seen enough of the woman to
know simple rumors would not drive her away, but who was he to question her?
“She’s right,” he said. “If we don’t move soon, the hunting party will notice
us missing. This is what I propose you should do, Gillian. Jump the fence,
fumble a fake fall and let Sutherland race to your rescue. He loves to be the
hero. Once you are comfortably ensconced in his arms, turn on all the feminine
charm you possess. I’ve experienced a bit, so he should be yours in no time.”

Hell, had he really just said that? Alex
took in the two openmouthed stares. Yes, he’d said exactly what was in his
thoughts. What a damned stupid thing to do.

“Um, er, thank you, Alex,” Gillian
stuttered, blushing furiously.

“I always compliment where it’s
deserved. Now, then,” he said, working to turn the conversation away from his
idiocy, “in case you don’t capture Sutherland this week send your social
calendar to Sally, and I’ll make sure Sutherland is everywhere you are.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Gillian said. “But
what if I need you this week and beyond for interference and what not?”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Alex
scrubbed his hand over his face. He didn’t care to stick around and watch the
seduction of this woman by his partner, or would it be the other way around? It
didn’t matter who seduced whom; he’d rather not be a witness. Yet he needed to
be here to ensure all went as planned. “I’ll be wherever Sutherland is, don’t
worry.” What the hell was he getting himself into?

“Perfect.” Gillian offered a slight
smile.

“Get going.” He slapped the hindquarter
of Gillian’s horse. “We’ll be right behind you, putting on a big show to make
everyone think the race is still on between us.”

Gillian nodded and sped off in the
direction of the fence. Alex moved to go, but Sin gripped his arm.

“Do you think she’s hiding something?”

“Hell yes,” Alex replied, grasping
Braun’s reins. “What do you plan to do?”

Sin gave Alex a strange look.
“Absolutely nothing. I’ve a feeling it will all work out.”

“You’re just going to let her go? Run
off to America?”

“Why do you care?”

The question slammed him in the
chest. His brother had asked him the exact same thing the day Robert had shot
himself. Alex ground his teeth. He knew better than to meddle in anyone’s life.
“I don’t care,” Alex finally replied, tapping Braun’s reins to gallop away.