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

by Laura A. Barnes

  “Hello, Lord Holdenburg. To what do we owe this early morning arrival?”

  “I had hoped you would allow me to explain what you imagined you witnessed at the theater last night.”

  “I have no need to listen to your false excuses. What I witnessed was explanation enough.”

  “They are not false.”

  “Your actions showed your true character, my lord. One that I am glad I witnessed before you spoke to Rory.”

  “Kathleen, you misunderstand.”

  “I misunderstand nothing, Lord Holdenburg. I understand you are a drunken scoundrel who will never find satisfaction with one woman. You will always crave another. Someone who can scratch an itch that I cannot. I no longer wish to associate myself with a gentleman never truly devoted to me. I want a man who cherishes me as his entire universe. And you, sir, are not that man.”

  Kathleen allowed her heartache to speak.

  Devon needed to show Kathleen she was incorrect. He was that man. There was no other but her. And her alone. He slid an arm around her shoulders, bringing her flush with his body. Kathleen held herself stiff, turning her head to the side, refusing to look at him. He twined his finger in a loose curl. Devon itched to release the rest of her hair. To allow the locks to fall over her shoulders so he could run his hands through them.

  “Love, please look at me.”

  Kathleen almost gave in to the desperation in Devon’s voice. His pain echoed in her soul. She only had to turn her head. But if Kathleen did, she would fall for the falsity in his gaze. She refused to believe in him, his searching gaze, his sensual voice, but most of all his touch. Everything there was about him.

  “Kathleen,” he pleaded.

  Devon pulled her closer, his lips brushing the curl. Kathleen closed her eyes. She needed to move away. But the pull of their connection kept her still. Devon laid his head on her shoulder; she felt the dejection. Devon seemed to be sincere. Kathleen almost fell for it. Then she remembered her Scarlet clutching at him. Kathleen remembered what he said to Scarlet as he filled her last night. When he took possession of her body for the final time. His words, “You are the very breath of air to my soul.” His words were spoken to another woman, not her.

  Kathleen stepped back and Devon dropped his arms. While she'd started to soften toward him, at the last minute he lost her. He wanted to say what she meant to him, but she needed time. The events from the previous evening were too raw. Perhaps, in a few days time, he could convince Kathleen of his innocence. In the meantime, he would attempt every day to win her love back.

  “I realize you do not want to listen to my excuses. But I want you to understand how deeply sorry I am, if any of my actions have hurt you. I never meant to cause you any pain.”

  Kathleen wanted Devon to leave. Once again she was numb to her emotions. She didn’t know how to deal with a vulnerable Devon. Perhaps, another day, she could hear his explanations. But for now, she wanted him gone.

  “Please leave, Devon.”

  All Devon could do was to honor her request. When she finally spoke his name, not Lord Holdenburg, it gave him hope that Kathleen still held feelings for him. He wanted to stay and find out. But Devon heard Kathleen’s pain when she spoke.

  “Good day, Kathleen. I will not say goodbye, because I will return tomorrow. If you refuse my visit, then I shall call the next, and the day after that. One day you will speak to me.”

  Devon walked out the door, leaving the woman he loved behind. His heart rate increased as his steps took him further away. He would need to curb his desire to stay, and allow for Kathleen’s heartache to subside.

  Kathleen curled up in the chair next to the window, watching Devon stride down the sidewalk. When he reached his carriage, he glanced back at the house. Without realizing it, Kathleen rested her hand on the window glass as if she were reaching out to him. When Devon took a step forward, Kathleen pulled her hand away. Before the curtain closed, she saw the hurt in his gaze. Devon nodded to Kathleen and climbed inside, driving away.

  Tears streamed down Kathleen’s face as she wrapped her arms around herself. They were a sad replacement for Devon’s arms. She still felt the desperation of his hold. Why did he act so hurt when she was the one who suffered heartache? Kathleen laid her head on the arm of the chair, her feet tucked underneath, pouring her heart out. She missed him already. She could easily forgive him. However, she wouldn’t live her life like her mother. Mother was naïve and hadn’t been aware of Father’s infidelity until his death. The man she loved had fooled her. Kathleen could by no rights enter a union already knowing her husband would stray. She wouldn’t be able to handle the heartache. Kathleen would always wonder whose company he kept. When he was with her, would his thoughts turn to another? Kathleen wouldn’t allow her peers to laugh behind her back or pity her. No, she wouldn’t endure that life.

  “Kathleen, love, are you well?” Dallis spoke near her.

  “Devon was here.”

  Rory said, “Where is the bastard? He dared to step foot in our home after last night?” He turned toward the door, ready to storm after Devon.

  “He is long gone.”

  Rory hunched in front of her, drawing her hands into his.

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “If the pain is so powerful it leaves you numb, then yes, he hurt me. I loved him, Rory. Not the simple infatuation kind of love, but the same love you share with Dallis. The kind where he holds my heart in the palm of his hands and guards it for safekeeping. But he did not hold it carefully enough, for he has dropped it and my heart has shattered to pieces.”

  Rory pulled Kathleen in and held her. She cried out her heartache in his arms. When they were younger, Rory would find ways to torment her. He took great pride in being the older brother who teased his little sister. But if anybody else ever hurt Kathleen, he always picked her up and held her, protecting Kathleen from harm. When their father died, he did everything in his power to keep protecting her. But with Devon Holdenburg he'd failed tremendously. He let Dallis and his mother convince him to allow their relationship to play itself out, and Kathleen came away in tears. Kathleen had fallen deeper in love with Devon over the last few weeks. Hell, he even thought his old friend might harbor the same feelings. But as usual, Holdenburg proved himself to be the scoundrel the ton painted him out to be. Kathleen believed herself in love with Holdenburg in her younger years. She would trail after the two boys, always catering to Holdenburg’s whims. When Kathleen began regarding Holdenburg with hostility, Rory thought she had outgrown her fascination. Kathleen noticed how Holdenburg devoured the women of the ton like they were candy. Then, when he courted Kathleen like a proper gentleman, Rory gave Holdenburg the benefit of doubt that he had changed.

  Hell, Holdenburg courted Dallis better than Rory did. Rory should have known better. As soon as Dallis disregarded Holdenburg, he moved on to Kathleen. Why did Holdenburg court Kathleen? The only explanation that came to Rory’s mind was that Holdenburg meant to collect on that damned bet. Rory would never allow that to happen. Rory considered the bet void on his father’s death.

  Rory tipped Kathleen’s chin up. “You may hurt now, but in time you will forget this brief episode and move on to greater things. I promise.”

  Kathleen hugged Rory. He was her rock. She always depended on him. Every man in her life failed her, but Rory never did. He'd sacrificed much for their family, even his own happiness. Kathleen no longer wished to be a burden on him. Rory carried too many responsibilities in life. Now Dallis and him were expecting a baby. He didn’t need to worry about her. Kathleen needed to reassure him.

  “As always, brother, you are correct. Lord Holdenburg is but one gentleman in a ballroom of many. I shall try to remove him from my heart and open myself to another gentleman more worthy.”

  Dallis watched Kathleen agree with her brother too easily. While she adored Kathleen, the girl would portray to her family that she was fine when she was anything but. The heartache shone in Kathleen’s eyes, a
nd she would never forget Devon Holdenburg. Kathleen only spoke those words to Rory so he wouldn’t go after Devon. That alone spoke how much Kathleen cared for Devon. She lied to her brother to save Devon from Rory’s brutal fists.

  Dallis decided she must talk to Devon. There was a missing plot to this story. The friend Dallis came to know would never have done what Rory and Kathleen accused him.

  After Kathleen assured Rory that she would be all right, Rory left for Lord Hartridge’s. This left Dallis alone with Kathleen, who she regarded with a shrewdness that made Kathleen uncomfortable. Kathleen smoothed her hands down her dress and rose to make an excuse to retire to her room.

  “Before you leave, will you please answer a few questions for me?” asked Dallis.

  Kathleen sighed, she could never deny Dallis anything. When Rory married Dallis, she gained the sister she never had and always wanted. Kathleen suspected Dallis would ask questions regarding Devon. Questions that Kathleen wouldn’t be able to answer with lies. Perhaps she should confide in Dallis about her late night visits and swear her to secrecy? Belle had suggested Kathleen ask her mother about Devon’s character, suggesting that her mother held secrets. But Kathleen refused. Perhaps Dallis would confide in her? Surely, Rory didn’t keep any secrets from Dallis. Yes, Dallis was the key to the answers she needed.

  “What do you wish to know?”

  “What happened at the theater to ignite Rory’s temper? Did Devon betray you?”

  “When I ran back to collect my program, I found Devon holding Scarlet in his arms. She clung to him, wearing nothing but a thin chemise.”

  “And Devon?”

  “I already told you, he was holding her.”

  “Was Devon fully clothed?”

  Where were Dallis’s questions leading? Of course, Devon had his clothes on. There wasn’t a stitch out of place on him.

  “Yes.”

  “And how was he holding her? Were they in a passionate embrace? Were they kissing? Did his hands roam her nearly naked body?”

  The answer to all her questions was nay.

  “No.”

  “Perhaps you are mistaken? Maybe Devon is innocent of what Rory and you accuse him?”

  Was he? Did Kathleen misinterpret what she saw?

  “Can I tell you what I observed last night?” When Kathleen nodded, Dallis continued. “We sat behind you at the theater, and Devon regarded you the same way that he regarded you when he courted me. I watched a man staring at a woman he adored, enjoying her favorite pastime. Then later, the very same man became upset when you had gotten lost on the way to Scarlet’s dressing room. When you waltzed in with Lord Velden, Holdenburg held back from expressing his jealously. Then I saw him stay by your side with a need to not be apart from you.

  I also watched Scarlet shooting daggers at you, her jealously made clear to everybody but you, because you could not see past your awe of her as your favorite actress. She played on your kindness to pretend that she held no ulterior motives when she invited Devon to her dressing room. She was furious that he brought his entire party with him. Her invitation was meant for him alone.”

  Kathleen reconsidered what she'd walked in on. Oh, no she was wrong. Devon was innocent. Now she remembered how Devon didn’t have his hands on Scarlet Nightengale. The actress clung to him, but he held himself stiffly away. The expression on Devon’s face was one of impatience. Kathleen realized what a fool she'd had been. What had she done?

  But still, that didn’t excuse Devon from later, when he seduced her as Scarlet. Devon may not have cheated on her with Scarlet the actress, but he had with Scarlet, the lady from Belle’s.

  “I wronged him by not listening to his explanation. But it does not matter, for he betrayed me later with another lady.”

  “Who and where? How do you know of his betrayal?”

  Kathleen sighed. “Where is Mama?”

  “She is helping Agnes in the kitchen.”

  Kathleen rose and closed the door to the parlor and sat next to Dallis.

  “Will you promise to keep the secret I am about to confide to you? You must swear you will never fill Rory’s ears with it.”

  “I promise, Kathleen.”

  “I have been sneaking out of the house and visiting a brothel with a gaming hell connected to it. The establishment is owned by a lady named—”

  “Belle. Yes, I am well aware of the place. Your brother used to fight there.”

  “He told you everything about the establishment?”

  “Yes, it was hard to keep it a secret when he came home bloody and beaten shortly after we were married.”

  “Yes, well, Belle admitted my entry to the gaming hell. It was my intention to ruin the two men who brought about my father’s demise.”

  “Explain yourself, Kathleen.”

  “I’m not sure of all the details, but Lord Velden and Lord Holdenburg drew my father into a game that made him gamble away his remaining fortune. If it were not for these gentlemen, then father would still be alive. After the game, he turned to drinking heavily, and his heart gave out on him. I intend to make them pay, especially Holdenburg. The last card game, he came away the victor. Holdenburg stole everything from my father.”

  “Then why have you allowed Holdenburg to court you, if your only goal was to ruin him?”

  “Because like every other woman, I fell for his charm. I thought he cared about me, but after last night I realized it was all a pretense. I will never be enough for him.”

  “Kathleen, you must have an honest discussion with Devon. There are many aspects you do not understand.”

  “Do you? Belle suggested that I ask Mama about Devon, but Mama favors him and would never speak ill of him.”

  “No, I do not. When Devon courted me, he hinted of a secret. Rory has never confided in me why he detests Devon. There must be an explanation on what occurred during that card game.”

  “What could that be?”

  “I do not know, my dear, but I mean to find out. In the meantime, please continue your explanation on how Devon could never be faithful to you.”

  “Because I have knowledge that he made love to another woman at Belle’s.”

  “And how would you know that?”

  “Because I am that woman.”

  “Kathleen, please be more specific.”

  “For me to play cards there, Belle gave me the use of her collection of masks to hide my identity. During my time there I went by the name of Scarlet and always wore a mask.”

  “And you think Devon held no clue it was you?”

  “No, he gave no sign.”

  “Mmm.”

  “He didn’t, Dallis. And he pursued Scarlet like he never pursued Kathleen. The passion he showed was nothing compared to the passion we shared. Their attraction exploded with sparks showering them. The feelings of our love could be described as safe and content. While it was pleasurable, it did not hold the adventure I so crave. You should have heard the fervor in his voice as he claimed my soul last night. It tore me to pieces while completing me.”

  “Kathleen, from what I have gathered, Devon has ruined you as not only as Scarlet, but also as Kathleen. Am I correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “You cannot refuse his suit. I will convince Rory of Devon’s innocence. But the next time Devon calls, for he will call again, you must allow him a moment of your time. Forgive him. You are angry at him for loving both of you.”

  “I cannot, nor will I marry him. I realize I have deceived him, but he does not know. I will not marry a man who will betray what our very union would stand for.”

  “But Kathleen, Devon ruined you. If Rory ever finds out, he will force Holdenburg and you to wed. You must accept him on your own terms.”

  “Rory will never find out, will he? You promised your secrecy. Also, I will never marry another man. My love for Holdenburg will never diminish.”

  “Kathleen—”

  “Dallis, I understand you want me to find happiness. However, I only want my
heartache to disappear.”

  “Neither your mother, nor Devon’s, will allow that. How will you explain your change of heart to them?”

  “I won’t have to. In time, Devon will show his true colors. He will find interest in somebody else and I will have their support and sympathies.”

  No matter what excuse Dallis came up with to change Kathleen’s mind, Kathleen would find a reason to refute it. So when Kathleen excused herself to help Mama in the garden, Dallis didn’t protest. Dallis decided to pay a visit on Devon, to hear his side of the story. If Rory wouldn’t confide in her, then she would make Devon tell her the truth.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dallis waited for Devon to join her in the Norbrooke’s parlor. She left the house, hoping upon her return she could convince Kathleen to talk to Devon. With Rory away at Lord Hartridge’s, and Kathleen and Mama working in the garden, it had been easy to sneak away.

  Instead of Devon, the Duchess of Norbooke entered with a maid carrying a tea tray. Once the maid had served them, Devon’s mother relaxed in a chair.

  “Devon is unavailable for visitors today. Can I be of assistance?”

  “No, I must speak with Devon.”

  The duchess arched her brow at Dallis’s intimate nature in calling her son by his Christian name. However, the duchess wouldn’t intimidate Dallis. Devon had become a worthy friend during their courtship, and Dallis always referred to him by his given name. She wouldn’t change her behavior for proper etiquette. Dallis was under the opinion that Devon’s mother liked her. The few occasions they visited, the duchess had shown her nothing but kindness. But now she regarded Dallis with a protective nature.

  “I understand you have developed a friendship of sorts with my son. I am also aware of the time he spent courting you. Lady Beckwith filled me in on how she persuaded Devon to court you to make Rory jealous and to bring him to heel. She also led me to believe that Rory and you held a faithful marriage. You must be aware how improper your actions are to call on a bachelor as a married lady. Any notions you may have of Devon’s affections are for naught. If your visit today was brought to light, and most servants do gossip, then your behavior will cause many problems for you, my dear. Not to mention the strain on both our families with your marriage to Rory, and Devon and Kathleen practically engaged. Devon spoke of his wishes and how they are waiting for Rory to give his permission. You understand, it would be best if you were to leave. Any ideas towards Devon must be forgotten. I will hold your visit today a secret and nobody will be the wiser.”