Wicked Wager (12 page)

“So, that’s your secret? You refuse to get caught up in the moment, to lose control?”

Marcus nodded and took another bite of his fish. He didn’t like talking about these things. While he had no fear she would turn his methods against him—it was unlikely they’d ever play cards together—he was still uncomfortable revealing his methods.

She gave him an arched look. “Given your skill, I’m not surprised you won Horngate from Adrian. My cousin has always been one to lose his head.”

He nodded, thinking she didn’t like her cousin much. He couldn’t blame her. Withersby was a bastard. He needed to move the conversation in a different direction. But what should they talk about? No wonder he’d never associated with women in situations where he would be required to converse with them. This was dashedly hard work!

They ate in silence. As the footman brought the meat course, Marcus tried again. “Did you enjoy yourself today?”

At last, a bit of a smile. “Yes, I did. I liked Hyde Park especially. All the trees and flowers. I’m afraid I’m already homesick for the country.”

“You didn’t care for the rest of it, the Carlton House and the other fine buildings?”

“I’m afraid not. Of course, merely driving by, I’m certain I didn’t get a true sense of the real splendor of the city.” She paused, then added, I would still like to attend some balls or soirees. I must take advantage of my new wardrobe.”

At the mention of her wardrobe, he immediately glanced at her décolletage. She caught his gaze and frowned. What had he done wrong now? Given that she was wearing a gown that revealed a good portion of her bosom, he didn’t understand her reaction. Unless she was remembering what happened in the carriage.

Oh, damn, that was it! Recalling the curt, almost rude way he’d addressed her, he gritted his teeth. He must make it up to her. Treat her like a lady, rather than an object of his lust. It wouldn’t be easy. But he had to try.

He took another swallow of wine. “I’m certain we can find some sort of social event where you can make use of your new wardrobe. Although I’m not invited to many functions these days. Most of the society matrons have given up on me.”

“Oh, why is that?”

“I suppose in the past I so seldom accepted invitations that they’ve written me off as hopeless.”

“You don’t like parties or balls?”

He hesitated. While the fact was, he hated them, it was probably unwise to tell her this. Given that she’d just expressed the desire to attend one of these functions, it would be quite rude of him to make his real feelings known.

“It’s not that…exactly. It’s more…I suppose I’ve always been so occupied with pursuing business matters that I’ve ignored the social opportunities that have come my way. But now that I have Horngate, it would behoove me to mingle more in society. After all, we’ll need to find buyers for the horses bred at the farm.” He shot her a smile as he said this. Surely this would please her. She’d have an opportunity to enjoy London society and at the same time, talk about her beloved horses.

Again, she reacted unexpectedly. She gave him a look that could only described as hostile and responded in clipped tones. “That sounds delightful. And of course, I would also like to go to Covent Garden and the theatre. I’ve heard the shows are something to see.”

“Indeed.”

What the devil did she want! The woman was impossible to please!
He took a deep breath and focused on the trifle the footman had brought. The next month would be grim indeed. Especially if he didn’t find a way to take her to bed. His attraction to her hadn’t ebbed, but had grown fiercer. Perhaps it was the wine. In his distraction, he’d drunk his first glass quite quickly and already started on a second. She’d hardly touched hers. He definitely needed to get her to imbibe more.

As the footman cleared away their plates, Marcus said, “Perhaps we should take our wine into the library.”

What a surprise, Penny thought sourly. He was actually going to spend time with her, rather than abandoning her as soon as he’d fulfilled his minimum obligation! Could it be he was warming to her?

She should be pleased, but she wasn’t. She was still furious about the way he’d talked about finding buyers for
her
horses. No matter how she sought to distract him, Horngate always remained on his mind. The man was as cold and single-minded as James had portrayed him! Their whole conversation during dinner had been a disaster. She’d had to struggle not to snap at him as he gloated over the success of the horse operation.

But now she had to get hold of herself and remember her goal. This was it, her chance to seduce him.

Revington called Bowes and asked the butler to prepare the room for them. A few moments later, they both rose from the table, and Revington escorted her to the library. Although the fire had been lit, it was still a bit chilly. She couldn’t quite suppress a shiver as they entered. He apparently noticed, for he said, “Here, drink some of your wine. It will help warm you.”

He held out her glass, which he’d carried along. She accepted it and took a quick swallow. He was right. The ruby red liquid burned a pathway of heat down to her stomach. She took another swallow, gradually getting used to the taste. Wine wasn’t a beverage to which she was accustomed.

“There. That’s better, isn’t it?” He was watching her intently.

Her anger and determination vanished, replaced with a sense of panic. He was so close. The expanse of the dining room table had served as a comfortable barrier, but now there was nothing between them. In many ways. She was uncomfortably aware of the sheerness of her gown. It made her feel vulnerable, like helpless prey.

****

She was driving him to madness.
His cock was rock-hard and his whole body on fire. To be so close to her…to the alabaster perfection of her skin, her slender and yet sensual body. Her sweet mouth. Those huge blue eyes.

With effort, he forced himself to glance away. He took her glass from her and went to pour more wine from the bottle Bowes had brought in. “Have a bit more. It’s a fairly good vintage.” He carried the glass back to her.

She nodded and obediently took a swallow. He watched, entranced as the dark red liquid stained her lips. By god, he wanted to kiss her in the worst way!

She took another swallow, then looked up and saw him staring at her. “What is it?” She gazed at him, blue eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”

All this polite conversation was going nowhere. He had to act…now!

She drew in her breath sharply as Revington took her glass of wine. His dark eyes focused on her with an intensity that was frightening. He carried both of their glasses to the table and set them down, then came back to where she stood. She was on the verge of again asking what was wrong when he seized her.

His arms surrounded her, pressing her against his hard chest. His mouth came down on hers. Despite the ferocity of his embrace, the kiss was tender. He caressed her lips with his own. Subtle. Sublime. Delicious warmth shimmered through her. Her body seemed to melt. She could smell him. Then, as he coaxed her lips apart, she could taste him. Sweet. Heady. Male.

Unthinkingly, she pressed her body against his. She wanted to be closer. To merge with him. The joining of their mouths sent shockwaves down her body. She was keenly aware of her nipples as hard, aching points. Of a throbbing, yearning sensation in her lower abdomen.

The kiss deepened. She felt his tongue in her mouth and met it with her own. Their tongues danced. Mated. Drowning in a sea of sensation, Penny finally came up for air. As he raised his head, she let out a low moan.

He looked almost savage, ferocious. But she wasn’t afraid. She felt drawn to his wild intensity. He kissed her again, more forcefully this time. His mouth possessed hers. She melted. Dissolved. His hands were on her buttocks, pressing her against him. She could feel the hard ridge of his phallus through the thick wool of his trousers. The sensation made her squirm, wanting, needing, something more.

She was writhing against him, begging for it
. He felt almost dizzy with desire. Her ardent response almost undid him. But he reminded himself she was a gently reared virgin. He must slow down if he wanted to make it good for her.

He raised his head…and nearly lost control again. She looked so beautiful. Her eyes were deep blue pools of yearning. Her lush pink lips parted in invitation. Her expression was not one of innocence, but frank sexual need. Somehow he had to satisfy her and yet not fall into the abyss of his own arousal.

With trembling fingers, he slid down the strap of her gown, exposing one of her breasts. He cupped her opulent, creamy flesh and lowered his mouth to taste her delectable pink nipple. Suckled. Nibbled. Caressed her sweet delicate flesh with his teeth. Then, adjusting her dress, he transferred his attentions to the other side. She sighed and let out a soft moan.

He was intoxicated, overwhelmed with desire. But some part of his mind remained aware, reminding of him of the lack of privacy. With great effort, he drew away and murmured, “We should go upstairs.”

She was frowning. Damn! When faced with the reality of what they were doing, she seemed to have lost her nerve. He shouldn’t have broken things off, but just laid her down on the settle and had her. Bowes would never have dared disturb them and it wouldn’t have been too awkward. But, strangely, he didn’t want it to be like that with her. That was something he would do with Elizabeth—tumbling her on the floor or a piece of furniture. Penny deserved more care and consideration.

****

With effort, she fought off the mind-numbing haze of desire. He wanted to go upstairs. Once they did that, there would be no turning back.

Not that she wanted to turn back. Her whole body ached with longing and unfulfilled desire. But her mind remained wary. Did she really want to do this—give herself up to this man who affected her so intensely? It seemed dangerous to lose control, especially with someone she was trying to manipulate. What had he said about winning at cards, that the important thing was not to get carried away emotionally?

Penny turned away from him. Was there some way to let him know she desired to continue things, but not yet? She could hardly tell him she wanted to wait until they were wed. That would ruin her whole plan. She must be careful not to give him that idea. There was nothing she could do except go upstairs and continue.

Steadying herself, she turned to back to him, smiling sweetly. “Yes, we should go upstairs. That’s exactly what we should do.”

Chapter Eight

Revington stared at her a moment, then gestured toward door. “After you.”

She left the library. Revington followed, carrying their wineglasses and the half-empty bottle. She was grateful for his foresight. They might both need to imbibe more spirits to get through this.

Her heart raced as she went up the stairs. The dazed, almost trance-like state she’d experienced had been replaced by a mixture of terror and excitement. Her breasts and private parts tingled with longing, but the idea of what would happen next panicked her. If his kisses and caresses could cause her to slip into a kind of wild delirium, how would actual consummation affect her? Would she would lose all sense of reason and completely forget the plan? She dreaded being so vulnerable. But what choice did she have? She could scarcely back out now.

****

He decided that having Penny walk upstairs ahead of him had been a bad idea. A very bad idea. As if he wasn’t aroused enough, the sight of her pert little bottom swaying provocatively nearly pushed him over the edge. He loved her slender elegance. Her tall graceful form perfectly rounded in all the right places. Her sheer gown revealed much of those delicious curves, while his memory of her in riding breeches supplied the rest. Soon he would be able to see all of her. How would he maintain control?

He took a deep breath, glad his hands were occupied with the glasses and the bottle. He must focus on practical things. Hopefully, his bedchamber would be warm enough without a fire. Should he start undressing immediately? Was she ready for that? He was unsure how to go from making polite conversation to making love. In the library, he’d simply grabbed her and kissed her. Such blunt behavior showed a lack of finesse. But he didn’t know how they’d ever get to the next step unless he took direct action.

The problem was, he didn’t know her. They’d exchanged superficial information about their lives, but never revealed themselves to each other. In playing cards, discretion and secretiveness were essential, but it didn’t seem appropriate in a marriage. He didn’t want to always be guessing what she was thinking, to never truly know her mind.

But maybe sexual intimacy would lead to more openness between them in other ways. Even as his mind worried over these things, his body had no such qualms. He wanted her as badly as he’d ever wanted a woman.

When they reached the bedchamber, he put the two glasses on the small escritoire and quickly poured them each a substantial portion of wine. It was clear she was nervous. She stood by the bed, looking like a startled deer, set to flee at any moment. Indeed, she had the same delicacy and ethereal beauty as a lovely doe: long legs, graceful neck, wide, expressive eyes. Although hers were deep blue rather than brown.

But as he approached and handed her the wine, he was keenly reminded that she was a woman, not a hind. His eyes lingered on her décolletage, remembering how those softly rounded, luscious breasts had felt in his hands. The taste of her tender pink nipples.

With effort, he returned his gaze to her face. As she took a swallow of wine, he was overwhelmed with the memory of kissing her. The splendor of her mouth. The feel of her body in his arms. He took a sharp breath, struggling against his almost painful arousal. He couldn’t endure this much longer.

Finishing his wine, he reached for her nearly empty glass. She handed it to him, and he set the two goblets on the table. Returning to her, he smiled. “Now, where were we?”

You were kissing me senseless,
was the response that sprang to Penny’s lips, although she didn’t speak the words. In a heartbeat, he closed the distance between them. He took her face in his hands. The tenderness of the gesture shocked her. She could only wait helplessly, silently begging him to bring his mouth to hers.