Wicked Wager

by Mary Gillgannon

  Where was he? With Elizabeth Valant? Bitter jealousy clenched her jaw. How dare he treat her like this? She was his fiancée. She deserved some respect and consideration. The next moment, her anger slipped away and she felt almost despairing.

  Disgusted with herself, she left the library. Bowes was in the foyer. “I’m going to bed, Bowes.”

  “Very good, miss.”

  As she started up the stairs, her fury returned. Did the whole staff guess Revington had bedded her and then left like a man fleeing for his life?

  Thinking of the staff made her remember Maggie. She could certainly use some company now, not to mention some advice. Returning downstairs, she asked Bowes, “Is Maggie still up?”

  “I’ll go and see. Should I send her up if she is?”

  “Yes, but if she’d gone to bed, don’t wake her.”

  She went back upstairs and changed into her nightrail. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the bedchamber door. “Miss? Did you need help undressing?”

  She opened the door and Maggie entered. Penny stared helplessly at her a moment, then said, “I did what you suggested. I seduced Mr. Revington.” Maggie gave her a startled look, and Penny felt her face flush with embarrassment. Turning away, she began to pace.

  “Afterward he left. Ran out of here like a man fleeing for his life. And he hasn’t come home yet.” She again faced Maggie. “What do you make of that?”

  “Perhaps he remembered some sort of business he must attend to. His behavior might not have anything to do with you.”

  “You don’t truly believe that, do you, Maggie?”

  Maggie looked thoughtful. “I suppose not. But even if he left because of you, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. He might have been so affected by what happened between you that he needed to get away.”

  “I suppose it’s possible.” Penny recalled the expression on Revington’s face immediately after they’d made love. The look he’d given her had been almost tender. But for all she knew, she’d imagined it. She sighed. “The thing is, where do I go from here? What do I do now?”

  Maggie gave her a tentative smile. “He’s bound to come back some time, miss. When he does, you can insist he spend time with you, take you around the city. He did promise he would.”

  Penny nodded. Maggie’s advice was sound. Even if their first experience of lovemaking hadn’t affected him, that didn’t mean all hope was lost. The real problem was, by the time she’d broken through his cold reserve, she feared her own emotions would be in tatters.

  ****

  “Marcus! What the devil are you doing here? It’s nearly midnight. Why aren’t you with Penny?”

  Marcus grimaced as James greeted him in the library of his townhouse. “I spent the day with her! That should be enough.”

  “Testy, aren’t we?” James responded. “What did she do—insist you go shopping with her?”

  Shopping—if only that’s all they’d done. Heated memories filled Marcus’s mind. Penny lying on the bed, naked. The feel of her skin. Her taste…

  No. He wouldn’t think about it. Moderating his voice to blandness, he said, “Obviously, I can’t spend all my time with Penny. I have to earn a living.”

  James arched a brow. “I just don’t want you to forget the terms of our wager. You did promise to behave like a proper fiancé.”

  Dash it all! Why had he ever agreed to this? He could easily afford to pay James to manage his affairs. There’d been no need to make this ridiculous wager. It was only that he’d been so certain he’d win. Now he wasn’t certain of anything any more.

  “Lord Wendover is having a party tomorrow night,” James added when Marcus didn’t answer. “I’m sure Penny would enjoy the opportunity to experience the London social whirl firsthand.”

  Marcus wished he could say he hadn’t been invited. But he knew that was unlikely. Despite what he’d told Penny, every week he received a half-dozen invitations to soirees, routs, and other gatherings. As a single man, he was in great demand by hostesses eager to balance out their guest lists. Of course, he wasn’t a single man any more, or he wouldn’t be as soon as he and Penny were married.

  Attending the ball wouldn’t be so bad. There’d be such a crush he’d scarcely have to speak to Penny. Indeed, taking her out in public might be the ideal solution to his dilemma. He could appear to be spending time with her, and yet keep things formal and distant.

  “Of course, I’ll take her. We have to make a public appearance at some point.”

  Chapter Nine

  Here they were again, Penny thought glumly. Sitting across from each other at a meal, this time in the breakfast room. And things were even more awkward than last night. She found it difficult to eat. Her stomach seemed tied in knots, and every time she looked at him, the memories rushed in like a wild tide that threatened to capsize her. It was unfair. How could he appear so remote and detached? Didn’t what they’d shared have any effect on him?

  Of course not. He was a man. He probably couldn’t even remember all women he’d taken to bed. And most of them were likely experienced seductresses like Elizabeth Valant, rather than awkward virgins like her.

  Stop it! You can’t let self-pity interfere with your goal. There had to be some way to crack that formidable reserve. She just needed to use her wits, rather than acting like a sniveling milk and water miss.

  Penny was so caught up in her agonized thoughts, she started when Revington cleared his throat and spoke, “Lord Wendover is having a ball tonight. I was wondering if you’d like to go.”

  He was actually suggesting they do something together. She’d better take advantage of it! “Of course, I’d like to go.” She gave what she hoped was a winsome smile.

  He nodded, looking utterly unmoved. “Very good. I’ll let Maggie know we won’t be here for dinner. Instead, she can spend her day helping you get ready. Is there anything you need for a formal affair like this? Perhaps another visit to Madam Dubonet is in order.”

  She certainly wasn’t turning down an opportunity to get out of the townhouse. “I think I have a gown that might serve. But I could use some new slippers and a reticule to go with it.”

  She expected him to look pained at thought of her spending more of his money. But he merely nodded. “Maggie can escort you. I’ll have the barouche brought around after breakfast.”

  ****

  She and Maggie were nearly finished shopping and had just left a milliner’s when a familiar voice called, “Penny, what are you doing here?”

  Turning, she faced her cousin. “I’m shopping, Adrian. That’s what people normally do on Bond Street.”

  Adrian approached, his eyes narrowing as he looked her over. “I’d never have guessed that London would turn you into a fancy slut.”

  Maggie gasped. Penny took a deep breath before responding. “What exactly do you mean, Adrian?”

  He motioned to her new pelisse. “All done up like a society miss, aren’t you? And here I thought you actually cared about Horngate and the horses.”

  Penny took a step toward him, glaring. “I do care about Horngate and the horses. How dare you imply otherwise?”

  Adrian shrugged. “Looks to me like you forgot them as soon as Revington offered to buy you some new clothes.” He drew near and lowered his voice. “I thought we’d agreed you were going to convince him not to marry you.”

  “I’m doing my best!” Penny snapped. Then remembering herself, she added in more discreet tones. “My original plan wasn’t working, so I had to come up with another scheme.”

  “This one had better succeed,” warned Adrian.

  “Or what?”

  He leaned so close she could tell he’d been drinking spirits, gin most likely. “Once you’re married and he has control, Revington will sell off all the horses like that!” He snapped his fingers.

  Although she realized he was probably right, defiance caused her to say, “Are you certain? You hardly know him.”

  Adrian shook his head, his expressio
n implying she was an utter fool. “Do you really think a London gamester like Revington is going to settle down in the country and raise horses?”

  “But I could take care of the horse business on my own. He wouldn’t have to do a thing.”

  “Oh, indeed. Revington’s going to let his wife run around in trousers and spend all her time in the stables with a bunch of rough, hired men. Even if he doesn’t care a jot for you, he has his reputation to uphold. He’s an arrogant bastard.”

  She took a deep breath, fighting for calm. Adrian, curse him, was right. If she didn’t find a way out of marrying Revington, she would lose everything. Still, she wasn’t about to let Adrian see her distress. Facing him with a haughty expression, she said, “I told you, I have a plan. Now, if you would be so good as to let us pass, I’ll carry on with it.”

  Adrian gave her a sneering look, but finally stepped aside. As they passed, he muttered, “You’d better not fail me, Penny.”

  “What was that all about?” Maggie asked as soon as they were down the street.

  Penny shook her head in exasperation. “My wretched cousin. He’s the whole reason I’m in this mess. He lost Horngate in a card game with Revington, even though it wasn’t his to lose. Now I have to find a way to get out of marrying Revington or I’ll lose everything I care about—my home, my horses, my freedom.” She let out a sigh.

  Maggie stared at her, her pert, freckled features scrunched into a frown. “I don’t understand, miss. I thought you said you wanted Mr. Revington to come to care for you. Now it sounds as if you don’t want to marry him.”

  She’d been caught out. Oh, dear. Could she trust Maggie? She gave the maid a searching look.

  “What is it, miss?” Maggie asked.

  “You have to understand. The horses, the farm—they mean everything to me. I can’t bear the thought of losing all that.”

  “But why should you lose it? If the horse business is prosperous, I can’t imagine that Mr. Revington would sell it off.”

  “He may not sell it off, but I doubt he’ll let me have any involvement with it once we are wed.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because he won’t want his wife to spend her time in the stables.” Penny gave a frustrated sigh. “You should have seen him on the way to London. We stopped at an inn, and I went out to see the horses. When he found me there talking to the stablemen, he was livid. And if he was angry then, I can’t imagine he’ll be willing to let me do such a thing when I’m his wife.”

  “Perhaps he was jealous to find you talking with a group of men. That might be what upset him as much as anything.”

  “Jealous? But why? He scarcely knew me back then.”

  “But he knew he intended to marry you. So, for him to find you talking to other men, regardless of their social class, it probably made him feel a bit possessive.” Maggie frowned at her. “I still don’t understand, miss. If you don’t want to marry Revington, why are you trying to get him to care for you?”

  Penny chewed her lower lip for a moment and then said, “Mr. Revington made a wager with his friend James that he won’t fall in love with me, even after a month in London. If he does fall in love, then he has to ask me to marry him in the proper way, and if I refuse, he must abide by my wishes. Regardless of any arrangement he may have made with my guardian, he’ll have to give up Horngate.”

  Maggie raised her auburn brows. “So, you’re hoping to get Mr. Revington to fall in love with you?”

  Penny nodded.

  “And then you’ll refuse to marry him?”

  Again, she nodded.

  Maggie shook her head, copper curls bobbing. “I’m sorry, miss, but I can’t approve of your plan. To deliberately make Revington fall in love with you and then refuse to marry him seems quite cold-hearted.”

  Maggie was right. Her plan did seem very unkind. But was it any worse than what Revington had done to her? He’d given absolutely no thought to her feelings when he sought to take over Horngate. At no point had he asked if she wanted to marry him. All she was doing was paying him back in his own coin.

  She shrugged and gave a light laugh. “Honestly, Maggie, I don’t see why you’re so worried. I’m not going to break Mr. Revington’s heart. You know as well as I that he’s quite unlikely to fall in love with me. A man like him…well, he’s hardly the romantic sort. I can’t think I’m going to sweep him off his feet, no matter what sort of provocative attire I wear. My plan is likely futile. But the thing is, even if Revington wins the wager with James and I end up marrying him, it won’t hurt if he softens a bit toward me. If I can get him to at least see me as a woman rather than simply an inconvenience, then that’s all to the good, isn’t it?”

  “I suppose so,” Maggie agreed, although her expression remained dubious.

  “So, you’ll help me?”

  Maggie sighed. “Aye. I’ll help you.”

  Chapter Ten

  “You look lovely,” Marcus said as he met Penny in the foyer. That wasn’t the half it. She looked beautiful. Simply beautiful.

  “Thank you.”

  “Ready, then?”

  She nodded. He took her arm and led her out to the waiting barouche.

  Once inside the vehicle, Marcus struggled to think of a topic of conversation. Being around Penny seemed to reduce him to the level of a green boy, so overcome with longing he was tongued-tied. He’d avoided her all day, hoping that by keeping his distance he’d get over this wild infatuation. But the moment he saw her tonight, everything came rushing back: The way she’d felt beneath him. Her scent. Her taste.

  He took a deep breath. Somehow he had to regain his composure and behave like a civilized man, rather than a lust-crazed fool. With effort, he cleared his throat and said the first thing that popped into his mind. “Did you have a pleasant day shopping?”

  “Why, yes. It was most pleasant. And you, sir, how did you occupy yourself today?”

  “Business, of course. I’m trying to tie up things here in London so that once we’re wed I can focus my attentions on Horngate.”

  “I see. And what are you plans for Horngate?”

  He hesitated. The last time he’d discussed the estate, she seemed to grow angry. But having brought up the topic, he had no choice but to respond. “The estate seemed a bit rundown. I’d like to make some improvements.”

  “I’m glad to hear you’re planning ahead,” she said. “But tonight I’m not interested in discussing Horngate. My thoughts are on the upcoming party. I’m curious about our host. Is Lord Wendover an important man?”

  There was something in her tone, a kind of forced cheerfulness. He wondered what she was really thinking. Grateful for a safer topic, he said, “I suppose you could say Wendover is important. He has some political clout, if not much money.”

  “If he hasn’t much money how can he afford to give a ball?”

  “Lots of the nobility live beyond their means, incurring bills they have no intention of ever paying.”

  Penny looked startled. “And people find this acceptable?”

  “I’m sure the shopkeepers don’t care for it. But even so, ignoring your debts is fairly common. If a man, or woman, has a lofty enough title, no one refuses to do business with them. The Prince Regent is thousands of pounds in debt, but no merchant would ever turn down his business.”

  “That seems so…dishonest.”

  She was naïve. Which was part of her irresistible charm. He smiled. “After you’re in London a while, you’ll learn the usual rules of behavior don’t apply to members of the ton. If the man is important enough, he can get away with almost anything.”

  “In your business dealings, do you ever have men refuse to pay you?”

  Why was she asking about his business again? It made it uncomfortable. “Not often. Although the Quality may not pay their bills or loans, gentlemen are expected to pay their wagers.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  Was she referring to his arrangement with her cousin? And where was tha
t leading? If she hoped to soften him up regarding the wager, she was wasting her time. “If the risk of social ruin isn’t enough, I have other means of forcing men to honor their debts.” Shrugging, he added, “If you think me harsh, consider that I’m quite careful about my gaming associates. I don’t play with green boys or men too inexperienced to realize the stakes involved. And when the wagers go beyond a certain point, I always give my partners a chance to get out. Your cousin, for example. I warned him he was getting in over his head. But he was too arrogant to heed me.”

  “That sounds like Adrian,” Penny answered.

  ****

  So, Adrian wasn’t lying. Penny leaned back against the squabs of the carriage, feeling unsettled. If she refused to marry Revington, he intended to make her cousin pay. Even if Adrian deserved whatever happened to him, she didn’t want to see him physically injured.

  She shot a glance at the man across from her. Was Revington truly ruthless enough to do something like that? The idea made her repress a shiver…and also heightened her determination. Somehow she had to cause Revington to lose his bet with James. Somehow she had to get him to fall in love with her.

  The idea wasn’t completely ridiculous. Revington must feel something for her, or he wouldn’t have made love to her so passionately. But since then, he’d gone back to dealing with her with the same cool detachment he’d exhibited when they’d first met.

  She must do something drastic. Maggie had suggested the way to recapture Revington’s interest was to make him jealous. That meant at this ball tonight, she should seek out the company of other men and flirt with them.

  The idea of flirting made her uneasy. Especially given the gown she was wearing. If anything, it was even more scandalous than the mauve one from yesterday. She’d worried Revington would make her change if he saw her, so she’d worn her pelisse downstairs. But at some point she would have to take it off and then everyone would see her dress, or lack of it.

  She bit her lower lip, telling herself she had to do whatever was necessary to save Horngate and her horses.