by Dawn Brower
Lord Whitewood was quiet for several moments. Was her explanation too much? She didn’t think her desires were too much to ask for. There was no other reason for her to tie herself to a man. It was love or nothing.
“So,” he began. “If you find this paragon of love and he’s penniless, you’ll still marry him?” His voice held an edge of cynicism. So he didn’t believe love was possible? A lot of people didn’t, but Elizabeth wouldn’t let that deter her.
She smiled warmly. “I’ll never want for anything. My father has seen to that.”
“Spoiled, are you?” he asked mockingly.
Elizabeth didn’t think so, but she supposed in a sense she was. She’d always had everything she needed. Her parents took measure to ensure it. “I’ve had a privileged life. I don’t make any excuses for it. I am who I was raised to be. That life has given me the opportunities others are denied. I’m sorry for their misfortunes, but I won’t apologize for the benefits mine has bestowed upon me.”
“I must say, Lady Elizabeth, you’re not at all like most of the ladies I’ve encountered over the years. You’re quite unique.”
She hoped that was a good thing. Different was not always better. “I try to remain true to myself. My mother has always said a woman shouldn’t be defined by her gender. She’s quite brilliant.”
His lips twitched. “Are you sure you’re not prejudiced in her favor?”
Elizabeth thought about that for a moment. She did adore both her parents, but she didn’t think she was blind to their faults. “Not at all. My mother would be the first to tell you she’s not perfect. That doesn’t negate her innate intelligence.”
She didn’t mention how her mother came from the twenty-first century and had more education than any other female of her acquaintance. She’d been trained as a doctor and was a fine surgeon at a prominent hospital before she fell through a time hole and the Duke of Weston, her father, found her on the beach near their home. Not once had her mother wished she could return to her time and explore her career. She’d instead chosen to use her knowledge and skills for the good of the family. Her medical expertise had saved her father’s life at least once when he’d been shot.
“I’m not debating that fact with you,” he replied. “How about a test of your own skills and wit.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Elizabeth was intrigued. Plus, it might give her an excuse to leave the room. She hated socializing and wanted to learn more about him. It had become hot and stuffy while they conversed—which couldn’t all be attributed to her reaction to the duke. She tilted her head up and met Lord Whitewood’s gaze.
“The one game guaranteed to keep us both completely enthralled and at our best.”
She scrunched her nose upward. Did such a game exist? It appeared as if she was about to find out. “Lead the way, Your Grace. I admit my interest is piqued.”
His lips tilted upward and he held his arm out for her. She looped her arm into his and deftly escorted her from the room. Elizabeth should stop a moment and question the intelligence of leaving with him. He must think her quite the idiot for willingly following him into a fox’s den, but she couldn’t stop herself from it if she tried.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jack led Lady Elizabeth out of the parlor and to the library. He recalled seeing exactly what he had in mind there the last time he was in the room. The game was, indeed, one of skill and intellect. A good game took hours to complete, and since he had a hard time pinning down Lord Clifton, he might as well enjoy the blasted house party in other ways. The solitary thing that would be preferable was Lady Elizabeth naked in his bed. Something that didn’t have a chance in hell of happening... Not unless he intended to marry her.
If he convinced her he loved her though she’d be more than willing. Her earlier remarks about soul mates told him a lot about her. She was a dreamer, but soul mates didn’t exist. Some people were lucky enough to find love, but not many. Love was a foolish concept he’d never found to be especially heartening.
He stopped in front of the game and gestured toward it.
“Chess?” She quirked a brow.
“Indeed,” he replied. “It is challenging and a puzzle all in one. It’s up to the player to unravel its secrets and lead the pieces to victory.”
“I’ve always been fascinated by the pieces on a chessboard, but I must admit to never discovering a particular love of the game.”
Jack grinned. She was a novice then. How could he use that to his advantage? It was part of who he was. He’d had to fight for everything he had, and he saw a weakness and pounced. The lovely Elizabeth didn’t know what she’d given away with her statement. It was a gift, and he didn’t turn away from a blessing of any kind.
“Then you’ve played before?”
“I have,” she admitted. “Though always with much reluctance. Tell me, Your Grace, why should I do so now with you?”
She was baiting him. Normally he’d not succumb to so obvious of a ploy, but for more time with her he’d comply. Lady Elizabeth was special, and he had a need to discover exactly how much.
“You’ll not stay for the pleasure of my company?”
“That’s hardly an incentive.” She lifted her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Otherwise, it would work when one of my brothers used it. They seem to think their company is desirable as well.”
Jack suppressed a smile. She wanted to stay. He’d stake everything on it. She was playing hard to get, as females often did. It was her right to do so, and he’d allow it—for now. When he believed she was ready for more he’d play his cards differently. At the moment, he had to think of a way to gain her acquiescence to play a round of chess.
“If you insist, we can make it interesting,” he replied. “Name your terms.”
She tilted her head upward and met his gaze. The dark blue irises appeared to gleam with excitement. So the lady enjoyed a challenge of different means. He’d keep that in mind for their future endeavors. He planned on meeting with her at every opportunity while he was at this infernal house party.
Originally, he planned on meeting with Clifton and leaving with all due haste. Now though, he discovered a reason other than the earl to enjoy the event. He’d successfully avoided Lady Clifton and her machinations. The countess was aware of his desire to evade marriage at all cost. She hadn’t taken it well, but agreed to give him his space.
Elizabeth intrigued him enough for him to want to engage in other activities. Chess was only one part of what he’d like to participate in with her. Maybe, if he was lucky enough, she’d want to explore all the possibilities.
Elizabeth turned her head and glanced at the chessboard. “We can place a wager of sorts,” she replied.
“And what would we gain with this wager?” He lifted a brow. Jack was even more interested than he’d been before. She was constantly surprising him. What would he uncover next? “What is it you’d like to win from me?”
He hoped she was after a kiss. Jack found he wanted to kiss her rather badly. Elizabeth was firmly in the do-not-touch column of his life, but if she asked him to kiss her—who was he to deny her that pleasure? Perhaps he was a fool for wanting something he couldn’t have. It was his lot in life and quite familiar to him. He was used to being unwanted. First his father, and not long after, his mother had abandoned him as well. He fully blamed his father for the path his life had taken. His mother had unwisely fallen in love with the man, and Jack had been the result. How she’d not realized his intentions from the start, Jack would never know, but he’d never do something so imprudent.
Elizabeth believed in love. A completely foolish idea she must be disabused of at some point. Lust was recognizable and something achievable. They could explore each other and find pleasure in each other’s arms. Love led to hurt and disillusionment. That was something Jack sadly discovered firsthand on his mother’s knee. His father, the arse, had thrown them both aside without a second glance.
Elizabeth glanced at him and sh
rugged. “Nothing so illicit as your tone is implying.”
“Then why don’t you clarify it for me, love.”
She narrowed her gaze. “I told you to not be that familiar with me. Don’t use an endearment you don’t mean.”
“I apologize,” he replied. “It’s a slip of the tongue.”
He’d like to do a whole lot to her involving that particular appendage. Jack dared not say such words aloud. She was right though. The endearment was something he said all the time. It came naturally to him, and he couldn’t help it from entering into a conversation with a beautiful woman.
“You’re forgiven. For now anyway.” She smiled. “Now as to our wager. We’ll play a version of twenty questions. For every chess piece we each capture we can ask the other a question, and it must be answered.”
He wasn’t sure he liked that game. There were parts of himself he didn’t exactly want to reveal. Jack wanted to learn a lot more about her though, so perhaps her concession would be useful. He’d have to make sure to win more pieces and not allow her to ask too many questions. “And what does the winner gain in the end?”
She bit her lip and tilted her head. “What would you like?”
He’d like a lot from her but wouldn’t push her more than she was willing to go. She might one day end up in his bed, but he wanted her there with the full realization she was being led to her own downfall. Jack would never marry. A lover, on the other hand, was perfectly acceptable. He kept telling himself not to touch her—but it was getting harder and harder to remember why. Maybe it was time to abandon that notion and acknowledge the inevitable.
“Why don’t we agree to give the winner a boon of their choosing at whatever time they so desire?
Elizabeth brought her hands together and fidgeted. What was making her so nervous? “Anything?” she asked.
“Whatever your heart desires,” he agreed. He planned on winning either way. Whatever she wanted didn’t matter. He’d be getting the boon to use as he saw fit.
She remained quiet for several excruciating seconds and then nodded in agreement. “What color would you like to be?” She gestured toward the board.
“Lady’s choice,” he said.
Jack was quite good at chess, so it didn’t matter if he began or not. He had strategies in place for either occurrence. He’d studied chess in his spare time and watched other players when given the chance. His innate ability to guess a person’s move helped him to anticipate what he should do and when.
“In that case,” she replied as she sat. “I’ll take black. I think white rather suits you.”
He’d never thought so. When he had earned his title—in the unconventional way—he’d thought it odd. Jack was used to it now, but Whitewood implied an innocence he’d never had. He was far more cynical than to ever be so pure.
Jack sat opposite of her in front of the board. “What do you know about chess?”
She folded her arms together in her lap and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. He could look upon her for hours and not grow tired. She licked her lips and then smiled softly. Jack froze and stared at her dumbly for a moment. His body was responding, and if he didn’t tamper down his desire she’d see far more than her innocent eyes should. “Do you mean the history of it, or the concept?”
“Both,” he replied, curious about her response.
“The history on it is quite obscure. It’s not known precisely when it came about, but most suspect it was around six hundred A.D.”
He’d not quite learned that much about the game. Jack studied strategy, but Elizabeth would have looked beyond the game. She seemed rather efficient that way. “And do you know much about the concept?”
“There is one principle that a person playing chess must follow—win by whatever means necessary. Rules are in place for a reason, and the first person to capture the king or puts the king in check wins.”
That was the simple answer to what the game was about. It was, of course, more complicated than that. The game had phases and each phase depended on the skill of the player. Reaching the end phase was the goal, or as Elizabeth said, capturing the king. Jack fully intended to be the one to do that in as little moves as possible. The sooner the game ended, the quicker he could gain his boon.
“You said your brothers liked to play,” he alleged as he moved a pawn two spaced forward. “How many of these brothers do you have?”
“No cheating, Your Grace.” She moved a pawn two spaces on the other side of the board mirroring his move. “No questions can be asked unless you capture a chess piece.”
“My apologies,” he replied. “What shall we discuss until then?”
He didn’t want to waste his questions on her family. Elizabeth was the one he wanted to become better acquainted with.
“Tell me about Pride and Prejudice. It’s always nice to hear about it through another’s discovery.”
Jack moved a rook. “I didn’t think I’d like it. I must admit, I’m finding Mr. Darcy an interesting fellow. He’s quite harsh and doesn’t know how to loosen up and have a spot of fun. He must live a boring life.”
Elizabeth chose to move a pawn again. “He’s brave in his own way. It’s not always easy to have the responsibility of so many on one’s shoulders. A lot of people have preconceived notions about others. It is human nature.”
That was something he could relate to in a far different way. In some ways, it was another lifetime. That ragged child people had snubbed on a regular basis. The look of pure disdain in his father’s eyes the first time he’d seen him—people were judgmental first and some didn’t bother to ask questions later. They just assumed that with one glance they gained all the information they needed. Darcy at least had money to fall back on when he’d been misjudged. Jack had only his wits and willingness to do whatever it took to gain a better life. Pirating worked for the most part. He’d learned to stomach the harder parts of that life, but he hadn’t actually enjoyed it much. Jack moved another piece. Elizabeth swiftly captured one of his pawns. “Ah, I’ve earned a question.”
“So you have,” he agreed. “What would you like to know?”
“Hmm,” she made a noise. “I’m going to hold onto it until the end and ask all my questions at once.”
Jack didn’t like that idea at all. “That’s not what we agreed upon,” he said irritatably.
“It’s not what we didn’t either,” she said triumphantly. “It wasn’t specified.”
He opened his mouth to argue and thought better of it. So what if she held onto her questions like a bounty gathered in a pirate’s chest. It was her winning; she could do what she wanted with it. He moved another pawn. “You would consider Mr. Darcy an acceptable mate?”
She scrunched her nose. “I’m not Elizabeth Bennet, Your Grace, and Mr. Darcy is a fictional character.”
Jack didn’t accept so bland an answer. He wanted to understand what his Elizabeth sought. What the fictitious Elizabeth Bennet wanted didn’t mean anything to him. He moved a rook and claimed one of Elizabeth’s pieces. He’d not hold his questions back. “That didn’t answer my question. What are you looking for in a husband, and do not tell me it is love. That is a side effect, not the deciding factor in a relationship.”
She smiled lightly. “Lord Whitewood, do you even know what love feels like?”
“Do you,” he countered.
Her smile waned slightly. “No, I don’t suppose I do. I’d like to think I’d recognize it if I felt it. That’s probably not the answer you were seeking. I’m sorry, but it’s all I have.”
“Accepted on one condition,” he replied.
“And what is that?”
“Tell me what it is you’re looking for besides love.”
He had to believe there was something he could offer her other than that weak, useless emotion. The more he played, the more he wanted from her. She was in a lot of ways his ideal. Marriage had never been something he’d sought, but for her perhaps he should consider the possibility. Elizabeth was d
ifferent—special. But he couldn’t offer her love. That wasn’t in him to give, but he could be everything else for her. Once she explained what she wanted, perhaps he could devise a plan to win her. She’d have to understand love wasn’t part of the bargain though. Some marriages were built on less than what he did feel for her. In time, she could come to see it was enough to build on. Elizabeth was worth trying to win over.
“I want respect,” she said boldly. “Someone who sees me and understands there is more to me than what’s on the surface. The man I decide to spend my life with will recognize my flaws and want me not despite them, but because of them. As I mentioned before, people are flawed. There are people out there perfectly suited for each other though. That’s what I seek for in my ideal match—my equal.”
While he pondered that, Elizabeth made another move and he followed. They parried back and forth several times before she moved a knight, bouncing it over his rook and placing it direct line of his king. Her soft spoken, “Checkmate.” Threw him into a bit of shock. Bloody hell, how had he lost?
“Oh, goody, I won the boon.” Elizabeth clapped her hand in excitement. “Don’t worry, I won’t claim my winning tonight. But I do want to know one thing before this evening is done.”
Jack looked up, still slightly dazed at his loss. “How did that happen?”
“What?” she asked. “Oh, my winning. You were overconfident and assumed I didn’t know much about the game. Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean I don’t understand all the nuances of it. Plus, you insisted on conversation, and that’s always a good distraction if applied correctly.”
Damn. She was brilliant. If love were possible, he’d fall head over heels for her. Thankfully, he hadn’t completely lost his mind. “What question did you want to ask?”
“What is your full name? I know your title, but that’s it.”
“You wish to be on an intimate basis with me?”
Her cheeks pinkened at his words. It made her even more delectable to behold. She licked her lips and he repressed the urge to push the chessboard to the floor and pull her into his arms. The desire to kiss her was strong. Luckily, Jack had more control than to give in to his baser instincts.