The Scoundrel's Wager (Tricking the Scoundrels, #4)

by Laura A. Barnes

  Kathleen had found a coin like the one she searched for now, when Mama gave her a box of her father’s things. Mama thought she would enjoy having a few trinkets to remember Papa by, mementos of her father. Contained inside the box was a deck of cards they used when they played whist. When Kathleen dumped the deck onto the bed, a token slid out. She flipped it over and over, trying to discover the purpose behind the token. She stared at it for hours, imagining what Papa used it for. Frustrated, she delved into the box searching for any more clues to what it might be for, and she came across a promissory note. It was a receipt for a large sum of money that Papa owed to none other than Devon Holdenburg. Included on the receipt was the name of the establishment where Papa lost his money. The Wager.

  So, Kathleen, naïve that she was, attempted to gain entry with the coin, only to be refused at the door. A giant of a man commanded the doorway, regarding her with indifference before he took the coin and slammed the door in her face. Kathleen didn’t know if his refusal had anything to do with her dressing like a boy and looking like a young pup trying to gain entry into the gaming hell. Either way, the brute never answered after she pounded on the door for half an hour. Feeling bummed, Kathleen kicked the door one last time and wandered down the alley. When she'd heard the rumble of carriage wheels, Kathleen peeked around the corner, watching two gentlemen exit their carriage and proceed to the door. The door opened to them, and they flashed their tokens. When the guard looked the tokens over and they passed inspection, the gentlemen gained access to the establishment. Kathleen stayed in the shadows, watching the comings and goings for the remainder of the afternoon. She observed the many ladies and gentlemen who visited. Masks, hoods, or veils hid the ladies’ identities. Kathleen gained a sense of how she needed to proceed with her plan. She'd acted rashly before realizing the bigger picture. Kathleen continued home to alter her strategy to make Devon Holdenburg pay for her father’s demise.

  This was how she came to be searching in her brother’s study for a coin to begin her revenge. At that moment, Kathleen realized Rory wouldn’t hide the coin in his office, and she had an idea where the coin might be. When they were younger, and Rory wanted to hide his treats or toys from Kathleen, he would put them in a secret place. It wasn’t until Kathleen became older that she discovered Rory hid them in plain sight. She would search everywhere for them, only to find his hiding places were in the nursery where she played.

  The token must be in the nursery.

  Kathleen hurried to the nursery. She ran upstairs, excited with the knowledge on where the token might be. Reaching the room, Kathleen came to a halt when she overheard her name mentioned. Not only her name, but that scoundrel, Holdenburg too.

  “They would be perfect for each other.”

  “I agree, dear. But they have many obstacles to overcome before their relationship can flourish,” Mama said.

  “Yes, I understand. Rory forbids Holdenburg anywhere near Kathleen. While I don’t agree with my husband, Holdenburg still has his work cut out for him.”

  “Yes, I explained to Devon that he would need to show patience with Kathleen. But he fears Kathleen’s anger towards him will never diminish,” Mama said.

  “My heart goes out to him. I wish him the best of luck and I will aid him in any way I can. His offer of friendship during our courtship endeared him to me.”

  “I am truly sorry for that ordeal, my dear. Holdenburg holds guilt over one of my late husband’s indiscretions. While I never faulted Devon, I took advantage of him by asking him to court you. I only meant to draw my son toward you. In the end, it all worked out fine.”

  Dallis laughed. “Yes, it did. What are our plans for throwing those two together? Sophia and Sidney wish to help.”

  “Yes, I thought they might. The duchess also wishes for Devon and Kathleen to make a match. She knows her son yearns for my daughter and is more than pleased to offer assistance in any way she can.”

  “Well, with all this help, Devon should be able to charm Kathleen off her feet in no time. Do you know what his next move might be?”

  “He plans to ...”

  “Please excuse me, Lady Kathleen.” The maid spoke from behind Kathleen.

  “Kathleen, dear. Have you decided to join us after all?” Mama asked.

  Kathleen tamped down her annoyance while she followed the maid into the room with the tea tray. They meant to throw Kathleen at Holdenburg’s feet. Over her dead body. There was no way she would succumb to his charm. And to think they were her family. Kathleen should have known better. She had watched her mother’s devious tricks when trying to match Rory with Dallis.

  With a calm face Kathleen replied, “Yes, Mama. I thought I would rearrange the books and toys on the shelves for the baby. It has been awhile and some toys need to be repaired or thrown away.”

  “What an excellent idea. I was just reminiscing with Dallis about the wonderful times you children shared in this nursery.”

  “Oh, were you now?” Kathleen muttered under her breath.

  “Remember the time, Kathleen, when Rory and Devon hid behind the curtains while you were playing with your dolls. Then the boys started making strange noises and whispering your name. You ran to your father’s study, shaking in fright. He carried you upstairs, trying to calm your fears by telling you there were no such things as ghosts. Your cries only grew louder the closer you came to the nursery. I rushed above stairs and you held onto my skirts when father went in to inspect the room. And there behind the curtains, Rory and Devon rolled around on the floor, laughing on how they scared you.”

  “Yes, and then Papa, my hero, grabbed both boys by the ears and scolded them something fierce. Then he made them play dolls with me for the rest of the afternoon. They had to follow whatever I wanted to do. When they tried to sneak away, Father sat in the rocking chair, reading his book, making them obey his wishes.”

  “There were never more two miserable boys than that afternoon. I do believe after that day they never picked on you again.”

  “So they would have led you to believe, Mother.”

  “Yes, they were ornery. Still are, I think.”

  “Mmm.” Was the only reply Kathleen would allow her mother.

  Kathleen picked up her cup of tea and carried it across the room to where the books rested. She'd learned Rory had a secret book where he hid smaller items. He hollowed out a book with a gory title. Anything gothic always scared Kathleen, so she avoided these. She only discovered the mystery when it fell to the floor while she tried to pull out a book she wanted. When the book fell open, her brother’s treasures spilled out. They were his toy soldiers that Father had taken away from him for being naughty, because Rory wouldn’t share with Kathleen. Rory had stolen them back and hid them away in the book.

  Since Rory wasn’t at home, Kathleen had played with the toy soldiers during the afternoon before she put them away. She pretended to be innocent of his hiding place and every time he wasn’t around, she would open the book to discover what new treasure he hid away. Every toy she played with, without his knowledge. When Rory hid candy, she would sneak a piece for herself. Kathleen smiled to herself with these memories. She sipped her tea as she read the titles of the books. The same titles Rory would read to her on rainy afternoons. He was an indulgent older brother. Although there were the times Rory pretended she was a nuisance, especially when Holdenburg was present, for the most part he was the best brother any girl could ever have.

  She would repay his kindness with her own, with his children. She planned on doting on her niece or nephew when they were born. Kathleen’s excitement mirrored Rory and Dallis’s happiness for a new baby in the house.

  Kathleen moved a book here and there while she searched. She wanted to portray to Mama and Dallis that she was indeed organizing, even though she searched more than anything else.

  When her fingers pulled the next tome out, Kathleen found what she searched for. The book was light and gave a tinkling sound as something slid back and forth in
side. With a glance over her shoulder, she saw Mama and Dallis with their heads bent together, admiring the fabric of a quilt.

  Kathleen opened the book. What she searched for laid resting inside. A token. However, it was a different color than her father’s. This one was red and on the front were two boxers inside a ring. Whereas her father’s coin had been green and depicted a hand of cards. Kathleen didn’t think the different coin would matter when she presented it to the guard. Especially when the next time she arrived, Kathleen would be dressed as a lady in disguise. Once she presented the token, Kathleen held faith she would be permitted to enter. Kathleen hid the coin inside the folds of her dress. Sliding the book back into place, Kathleen continued to straighten the titles. She then moved onto the toys to inspect them. Kathleen didn’t want to draw any suspicious attention. Once she finished, Kathleen joined the ladies to discuss further plans for the nursery. A smile of satisfaction graced Kathleen’s face when she realized she could start her plan of action into play this evening.

  After the Camville Ball.

  Chapter Five

  Devon searched the ball for Kathleen. He'd obtained knowledge on good authority that she would be present this evening. He must proceed with caution. After the park, Devon knew he confused Kathleen. Tonight would be different. Devon would act the perfect gentleman, even if it took everything out of him. He needed to charm Kathleen. Why was it so bloody hard with her? With the other silly debutantes or old matrons, it came easy. Especially the widows, he never had a problem charming them. But Lady Kathleen Beckwith was different.

  He found her. She stood next to her family, talking with Dallis. Her face lit up with a smile. She looked lovely. Lovely was too soft a word. She was magnificent. Her long luxurious black hair was bound in curls atop her head. Pearls were interwoven between the strands, making them shine. Her gown of pale pink flowed around her body. But the fabric wrapped around her middle gave him pause. A dark sapphire-blue ribbon graced her narrow waist. Did she wear it for him? Could he hope that pursing Kathleen would be easier than he thought?

  His eyes continued their perusal clear down to her slippers and back up again. The bodice of her dress was prim and proper, and tight. While a gentleman couldn’t look down her dress, it left the imagination plenty. Silk tightly encased her breasts. The shape of them leaving many wondering what charms lay underneath her virgin pink. Holdenburg remembered the pleasure of caressing them. If he brushed his thumbs across her nipples right now, would they harden? What shade of pink were her buds? He ached to stroke his tongue across them. His pants tightened, and he realized he needed to rein in his thoughts. It wouldn’t do to become aroused in the middle of a ball. Not when he tried to play down his scoundrel image.

  Devon sighed and walked outside for a breath of fresh air before he made his way to Kathleen. Leaning over the balcony, he drew in a deep breath. After he brought his body under control, he turned to make his way back inside. However, he was halted by the very man he hated more than anybody he knew. Lord Velden.

  Devon already knew what the overbearing ass would ask. Hell would have to freeze over before Devon gave into the lord’s request.

  “I see the lady of your winnings is present this evening. Such a lovely creature. I might request her hand for a dance.”

  Devon remained calm and tried not to rise to Lord Velden’s comments.

  “What do you want, Velden?”

  “A chance to replay our game. That way I don’t have to play this cat-and-mouse game of courtship with Lady Kathleen. I have decided I still wish for her to be mine. And if my sources are correct, then her brother would approve of the match, considering their financial situation.”

  “Your sources are wrong. With Beckwith’s marriage to Lady Dallis MacPherson, their family is stable. And you are forgetting one detail.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Beckwith is well aware of all the players involved in the game with his father and he would not let you pursue his sister.”

  “Yes, well, what the brother doesn’t know until it is too late won’t hurt him.”

  “Lady Kathleen would never give you the time of day.”

  “It would appear you have gained no favors with her yourself. Anyway, I like a challenge. And she seems like she would be worth the extra effort.”

  Devon could do one of two things. He could threaten Lord Velden, which would only entice the man to chase Kathleen more. Or he could pretend indifference and hope Velden ceased his pursuit. Either way, Devon was damned. Lord Velden would no more abandon his plan until he achieved his goals, than Holdenburg could control his temper.

  “Do not go anywhere near her,” Devon growled.

  “And if I do?”

  “Then I shall destroy you. Which I should have done that night.”

  Lord Velden laughed. “Then the card game is a no?”

  Devon scowled and stalked into the ballroom. The lord’s comment didn’t warrant an answer.

  Devon noticed Kathleen standing next to a gaggle of girls and approached her for a dance. He should wait for his temper to calm, but the fear of Lord Velden requesting a dance from Kathleen prompted him to hurry.

  This ball bored Kathleen to tears. The young debutantes, whispering in the corner about the scandalous lords they wished to ask them to dance, grated on her nerves. The silly chits didn’t realize those lords would only ruin them in the gardens. Those gentlemen never danced, only seduced. Even the very lord who stalked towards her. She needed to avoid him at all costs. The more time she spent in his company, the more she fell for his charm. But she was too late.

  Devon saw Kathleen trying to run from him, only there was nowhere for her to go. He had her trapped. The pale pink of Kathleen’s gown blended in with the other girls, but the dark blue sapphire ribbon tied around her waist stood out in a crowd. Devon saw it as a sign of Kathleen’s devotion to please him.

  “You look like a swirl of pink candy in your dress, Lady Kathleen. I am honored by your choice to please me with your ribbon.”

  “Wipe the smug smile from your face, my lord. My mother left me no choice. It was either wear this ribbon or help cook scour pots. You can see which choice I have taken.”

  “All the same, it pleases me greatly.”

  Kathleen chose not to respond. Let Holdenburg believe what he wanted to; it made no difference to her.

  “May I ask for your hand in the next set?”

  “I am sorry, my lord, my dance card is full.” Kathleen held the card for him to see.

  “My unfortunate luck for not requesting sooner. I hope you enjoy your evening, my lady.”

  Kathleen felt disappointment when he didn’t linger to bait her like he normally did. When he continued onto the simple misses and asked one of them for a dance, Kathleen frowned. Why did she let herself believe that his request for a dance was special? Maybe because it was his first attempt.

  When Kathleen’s dance partner approached, they moved to the center of the ballroom floor. Once the music started, Kathleen saw she would have to dance along with Holdenburg. The first twirl around he never spoke, only holding her hand as they moved amongst the dancers. On the next turn, his fingers caressed hers. Each twirl enticed her to his seduction.

  On the final twirl, he whispered, “You look sweet enough to taste.”

  Kathleen tripped, and Holdenburg steadied her, never missing a step, passing Kathleen off to her partner. After the dance concluded, Holdenburg escorted his partner onto the terrace. It would seem the silly twit got her dance from a scoundrel, now she would get her ruination. Kathleen followed them, but the pressing crowd held her back. When she finally made her way onto the balcony, Kathleen found it deserted. Holdenburg must have lured the girl into the gardens.

  Kathleen continued down the stairs and along the well-lit path. With each turn of the maze, she ventured deeper into the darkness. She couldn’t find them. When Kathleen came to the middle of the maze, she found Holdenburg lounging on a bench by the fountain. Alone
. No innocent miss held in his clutches. Kathleen didn’t know whether to feel relieved or angry. She wanted to find him deflowering an innocent to prove to her mother and Dallis his scandalous nature. Both women thought him a saint and bowed to his charm. However, Kathleen knew different. Rory knew the man to be a ruthless scoundrel and kept her away from him. Now she was alone with him in the middle of the garden. Kathleen didn’t want to understand why she felt relief. Her emotions rose too close to the surface.

  The darkness only emphasized his masculinity. The shadows played tricks on her imagination. Holdenburg sat with one leg propped on the bench with his elbow hanging across his knee and his hand dangling in mid-air. Nonchalant, so very like the man himself. His dark suit blended in, but the starkness of his cream-colored cravat stood out. A lit cigar dangled between his fingers, the smoke curling in the air. He lifted it to his mouth and took a long drag. Holdenburg didn't speak, just watched Kathleen, waiting for her insults.

  Kathleen didn’t know if it was the privacy of the garden or his sensual gaze that lowered her inhibitions. Perhaps it was his whispered words from the dance. They held the same effect as his kisses in the park. Each time enticing her to explore the passion radiating off him.