The Marriage Wager (The Marraige Maker Book 2)

by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

“You have a wicked sense of humor,” he said. "I find that quite compelling."

  Was he flirting with her?

  His eyes dropped to her mouth.

  Good Lord, was he thinking of kissing her? Impossible. They were riding horses.

  “We shall take a respite at the trees up ahead,” Lady Brighton said over her shoulder. “My old bones need a bit of a walk before we turn back.”

  “Of course, Lady Brighton,” Olivia said.

  A comfortable silence fell between Olivia and Frasier, and she wondered what it would be like to sit before an evening fire reading a book in companionable silence with this man. He was young, no more than thirty, she would guess, and charming. No doubt, quite virile. Would a sedate evening at home with her interest him?

  She cast a sideways glance at him and her heart fluttered to find him staring at her. This was ridiculous. A man like him preferred ballrooms and beautiful women who knew how to make love to a man. Heat crept up her cheeks. She had experienced nothing more than a few stolen kisses. He would tire of her inside of an hour.

  They reached the trees and he was off his horse and at her side before she could dismount. Again, he grasped her waist and pulled her from the horse. She grasped his arms, startled by his proximity, and wondered for an instant, when her feet met the ground, if her knees would hold. What had gotten into her?

  Joshua helped Lady Brighton from her horse. "It sounds as if you two are getting to know one another a bit," she called.

  "Indeed, we are, my lady,” Mr. Gordon said. “Lady Olivia is a very interesting female."

  "He makes you sound like a piece of horseflesh he is thinking of purchasing." Lady Brighton gave an exaggerated grimace and Olivia had to laugh.

  "I suppose turnabout is fair play." Olivia cast him a sidelong glance. "Show me your teeth, sir."

  Lady Brighton let out a whooping laugh, and Olivia clapped a hand over her mouth.

  "Oh, my," Olivia cried. "I went too far, didn't I?"

  "That depends. What do you think?" He flashed a brilliant smile.

  What she thought was that her heart betrayed her, for the horrid thing again beat furiously. She looked him up and down. "I think you know very well that you are a handsome man."

  "Of course he does, my darling." Lady Brighton smiled at Joshua. “A handsome man always knows his worth.” She slipped her hand into the crook of the young man’s arm. "Now, my dear boy, you and I will take a walk." She cast a meaningful glance at Frasier. "Mr. Gordon, keep in mind, I shall be just within the cool shade of the trees should you decide to be forward with Lady Olivia.”

  He gave a slight bow. "I shall remain a complete gentleman."

  Lady Brighton and Joshua started away. "A complete gentleman might not be exactly what Lady Olivia wants."

  They disappeared into the murk of the trees, and Mr. Gordon said to Olivia, "Will you sit with me?"

  She nodded, and he unbuttoned his jacket, shrugged it from his shoulders, and placed on the ground. He grasped her hand as she lowered herself onto the coat, then sat beside her.

  “So, what do you think of us marrying?” he asked.

  Her pulse skipped a beat. How did she answer this question? "My father insists my sisters and I marry. Do you know Sir Stirling matched our youngest sister with Baron Delny?"

  He nodded. "Aye, he told me. Stirling says they are very happy."

  Olivia smiled at the memory of their visit with Lucy and her new husband four days ago. She had never seen Lucy happier, and Quinn seemed very much in love with her.

  “I believe they are."

  "Stirling seems to believe that you and I will suit."

  She wanted to ask what he believed.

  Giggling emanated from the shadowy woods. Olivia frowned and twisted to look over her shoulder. More titters followed.

  "What are they—” Olivia broke off at the breathy moan that followed. "Oh my." She jerked her head around and met Frasier's stare. The rogue was grinning.

  "I think we have solved the mystery of why Lady Brighton brought young Joshua along," he said.

  She couldn’t tear her gaze from his face. “I wasn’t wondering that."

  He tweaked her nose. "That, Lady Olivia, is because you are too trusting."

  She frowned. Had he just tweaked her nose? Did he think her a child?

  His eyes darkened and butterflies skittered across the insides of her stomach when he leaned toward her. Their mouths touched. She closed her eyes. He seemed to pause, his soft breath bathing her lips, then he applied a gentle pressure. Olivia leaned into him. His mouth moved on hers. Her surroundings faded away, the chirping of the birds, the intimate moans drifting from the trees, and she knew only the warm mouth pressed against hers.

  He shifted and she snapped open her eyes. He broke the kiss and she started to ask if something was wrong—then he dragged her onto his lap. She should have been shocked. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he again lowered his head toward her. Their mouths met again, and this time she felt as if she melted against him. His arm encircled her, strong, warm…secure.

  He slid his hand around her waist and momentarily hugged her so tight she couldn't breathe. But she liked the feeling. There was something compelling about the possibility that he might want to be inside her skin as badly she wanted to be inside his. He nipped her bottom lip. She started. He gave a low laugh against her mouth, then nipped again.

  Tentatively, she gently bit down on his lower lip. He groaned. She became aware of the hard length pressing against her thigh. A grunt intruded upon the intimate moment. She drew back from the kiss. Another grunt. Embarrassment washed over her. Lady Brighton and Joshua were...were engaging in illicit acts. Lady Brighton was at least forty years old and Joshua couldn’t be much older than Olivia. More grunting. Lady Brighton cried out and Olivia looked up at Mr. Gordon. The intensity in his gaze stole her breath.

  “Sir,” she whispered, “perhaps we ought to—”

  He pulled her close and silenced her with another kiss. His tongue slipped between her lips and her head whirled when his tongue sparred with hers. Warmth pooled in her stomach and traveled downward to the juncture between her legs. He cupped her face with both hands. The warmth of his fingers sent a shiver through her. His left hand slid down her neck. Her heart pounded. He clasped her shoulder and drew her close.

  To her shock, her nipples tightened in a pleasurable discomfort and she wanted very badly for his warm hand to ease the ache. He abruptly broke the kiss and hugged her close, resting his chin on the top of her head.

  “You are far too tempting, my lady.”

  “I am?” She nuzzled closer and inhaled the heady scent of the musky soap he’d bathed in and something else, something she knew had to be his scent alone.

  A twig snapped.

  He drew back from Olivia. “That will be her ladyship returning with her paramour. She might have encouraged a little love-play, but I imagine catching us like this will ensure we marry. He stared down at her. “Do you want to wed a would-be smuggler?”

  Chapter Five

  “A

  unt Rhona is giving me three thousand pounds?” Jessica glanced at Chastity, who sat in the chair beside hers opposite their father’s desk. “I can hardly credit it.”

  Chastity agreed. This meant Jessica wouldn't need Sir Stirling’s help in securing a husband. Would their father agree?

  Jessica frowned. “But why has Aunt Rhona given me money?”

  Their father lowered the hand holding the letter. "My guess is, she thinks it’s time you marry.” Jessica looked at Chastity, and she said, “You will receive the full payment once you wed.”

  Jessica's mouth fell open. "What? I don’t believe you.”

  “See for yourself.” He held out the letter.

  Jessica snatched the paper and skimmed the words. “Bah!” She tossed the letter back onto the desk. “You put her up to this.”

  He laughed. “I did not.”

  “It’s too much of a coinciden
ce that she sends this letter now with this…this bribe. You two are in collusion.”

  “Nae.” He shook his head, still laughing. “It’s just good fortune.”

  “Good fortune? This isn’t at all what I had in mind.”

  “What you had in mind?” Chastity repeated.

  “This is not good fortune for me.”

  “Indeed, it is,” the duke said.

  Jessica flopped back against her chair and crossed her arms over her breasts. “I don't want the money."

  "Why not? Like your sisters, you will marry this month. You might as well be well settled in the bargain.”

  Jessica pursed her lips. “Olivia isn't married yet. She and Mr. Gordon may not suit."

  "I think they will suit quite well.” He shrugged. “But if not, Sir Stirling will find her another man."

  Jessica scowled. "Lord, Papa, you speak as if men are nothing more than bread to be purchased in the market.”

  "Husbands are a commodity just as wives are. The trick is to secure a good one."

  Jessica shook her head. "I don't want one.”

  The duke’s brows rose. “I tell you the same thing I tell Chastity, you will marry within the month, or I will find the first man who will have you and marry you in a handfasting, then give you over to him."

  She pouted. "You will both be sorry."

  He grimaced. "No doubt. But your husband will be three thousand pounds richer."

  Jessica shot to her feet. "You would sell me like… Like a common prostitute?"

  “Not to mention, Jessica’s money instantly becomes her husband’s,” Chastity muttered. “Is it any wonder women don’t want to marry? We replace our father’s rule with our husband’s.”

  "Your indignation is wasted on me—” he snapped his gaze onto Chastity “—both of you. Women today have two choices. Marry well or become some man's mistress. I will not allow that to become your fate."

  "The thousand pounds a year stipend you settle on me will take good care of me throughout life," Jessica insisted.

  "Money alone makes for a hollow existence. Contrary to what you think at this moment, you will want a family someday. I plan to ensure you don't wait until it's too late."

  "Oh, I see. Women aren't happy unless they are serving a husband and a passel of children," she said.

  He threw his hands up in exasperation, and Chastity hid a smile. "God help me." He turned hard eyes on Chastity. "This nonsense is your doing."

  "My doing?" She snorted. "Jessica came out of the womb exactly as she is today. All I did was encourage her to use her brain."

  "Well, she isn't using it now." He gave her no chance to reply, but turned back to Jessica. “You will regret not marrying because no one—man or woman—wants to be alone.”

  “I am only eighteen,” she said. “Many women do not wed until they are twenty. Why are you making me marry now?"

  He scowled. "Three days ago, you refused to let Chastity marry to save you and Olivia from marriage. You swore you would be so unpleasant that no man would want you. You haven’t even seen your plan through.”

  "I will be unpleasant. And whoever Sir Stirling gets for me cannot be told about the three-thousand-pound inheritance."

  Her father regarded her. "I am sorry, lass, but ye are not allowed to change the rules when fortune doesn't go your way."

  Jessica looked at Chastity.

  Chastity shook her head. “I begged you to let me marry Sir Stirling so that you and Olivia would be free from this ridiculous agreement, but you wouldn’t listen.”

  She shook her head. “And I meant it. But Papa will promise this money to some fortune hunter and the man will marry men no matter what.”

  Disgust twisted his mouth downward. "Enough. These accusations end now. If I did marry you to a fortune hunter, it would serve you right. Be gone." He waved his hand. "I have work to do."

  Jessica whirled and raced from the room.

  Chastity released a breath. Her father looked at her.

  "I will marry Sir Stirling if you leave Olivia and Jessica alone."

  He frowned. "Did you see Olivia and Mr. Gordon together? It's obvious even to me that she is partial to him. Would you ruin this chance for her, as well?"

  Chastity didn't break eye contact. "If she wishes not to marry him, you will permit her the leisure to choose her own husband. The same for Jessica."

  He stared at her for several seconds. "If she does not choose to marry him, I will not force her. You, however, will marry Sir Stirling. Then, you will teach Jessica how a lady conducts herself."

  Chastity lifted her chin. "Jessica is who she is. It is wrong to change that."

  "Staying true to oneself is not an excuse for being rude and rebellious. You will teach her etiquette or I'll send her to finishing school, and when she returns, she will marry a man of my choosing."

  Anger bubbled to the top. Chastity pursed her lips, but trusted herself to do nothing more than give a curt nod before she left.

  ***

  Later that afternoon, carrying a tray spilling over with invitations, Chastity knocked on her father's study door, then opened it and peeked inside.

  He looked up from his work and frowned. “If you have come to complain about what a terrible father I am, don’t bother.”

  She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  His gaze dropped to the tray. He frowned. “What is that?”

  “Invitations we have received today. It seems, we have become highly sought after."

  "I wonder if this is James’ doing. Perhaps he intends for Jessica to find her match at a party."

  Chastity set the tray on his desk and sat in the chair opposite. She chose a card from the top of the pile, opened it, and read, "Lady Chalders requests the honor of Lady Jessica’s presence at her party this evening. Her father, The Duke of Roxburgh, and her sisters are invited to accompany her.” Chastity tossed the card back onto the pile. "I marvel at Sir Stirling's ability to create a stir for such a challenging, eighteen-year-old woman."

  "Her hoyden days are over," he said.

  "Grouse all you want, Papa, she is young. A few more years and she will outgrow her headstrong ways. But that is of no consequence,” she quickly added. “While I know Jessica to be an intelligent and kind lass who will grow into a strong woman, she is, as you said, a hoyden. Sir Stirling might pull a match from his witch's cauldron, but I believe this—” she pointed at the pile of invitations “—surpasses even his ability."

  "What are you suggesting?"

  "What I suspect is that my aunt is up to some tricks of her own."

  A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “She has baited the trap and now expects to snare a man for her favorite niece.”

  “That’s my guess.”

  “Who told her of our agreement with Sir Stirling?”

  "Not our agreement. Your agreement,” she said.

  He snorted. “It must be Jessica. This is what she meant earlier when she said, ‘This is not what I had in mind.’ She complained to her Aunt Rhona, and Rhona decided to take action." He laughed and Chastity was startled to realize that he didn’t laugh as often as he used to. “This will teach Jessica to keep quiet," he said.

  "I doubt that," Chastity replied.

  "Choose half a dozen parties and take her and Olivia to them tonight,” he said.

  She scowled. "Why should I be made to suffer along with Jessica?”

  "You are the one who said you wanted to keep an eye on your sisters, and they made it clear that they need no one but you to watch out for them."

  She narrowed her eyes. “You picked a fine time to listen to us."

  He smiled. "I am not as insensitive as you think.”

  Chapter Six

  C hastity knew deep in her bones that her father and Sir Stirling had colluded against her. Though, that came as no surprise, for they had been colluding against her from the moment they agreed that Sir Stirling would find matches for her sisters. The only reason Chastity didn't sna
tch her hand away from the crook of Sir Stirling's arm as he led her toward the teeming dance floor was the warning look her father had given her. She read in his eyes the same threat he'd made these last weeks: defy me and I will marry you to Lord Hathaway. She had no wish to marry anyone, but Lord Hathaway was certainly worse than Sir Stirling.

  They reached the dance floor and Sir Stirling swung her into his arms, while stepping into the rhythm of the music with such ease that Chastity suspectedhe must have been raised by genteel parents. She kept her eyes on the snow white cravat tied around his neck. The man worked outside often enough that his muscled neck was tanned, not white like most of the men who attended these balls. He certainly had a firmer, nicer neck than Lord Hathaway. She repressed a laugh. It wouldn't take much to have a nicer neck than Lord Hathaway. Unexpected anger flared. Her father would marry her to Lord Hathaway without caring how much she despisedthe man. Sir Stirling deftly steered them around a couple who danced out of sync with the orchestra.

  "You dance well, my lady," he said.

  "Thank you."

  "Do you enjoy dancing?"

  She did, but said, "Well enough."

  "Olivia and Frasier seem to be getting along famously," he said.

  "Why not? He is a charming pirate. What woman doesn't find danger attractive?"

  "Indeed?" he murmured.

  She snapped her head up to find him staring down at her, dark eyes intense.

  "Perhaps my mistake has been not showing you how dangerous I can be."

  She started, and stumbled. He yanked her close, keeping them in perfect rhythm to the music in the instant before she righted herself. The pressure of his thighs against her legs as he whirled in a tight circle caught her off guard, and she stumbled again. Her feet left the floor for an instant as he completed the turn, then he slowed when her feet once again touched the floor.

  They were dancing much too close and he knew it. Was this what he meant by dangerous? Oh, she could see how he could be dangerous. How many women had learned thatlesson? How many more would learn that lesson even after he married? For, surely, Stirling James was not a man to keep only one woman. Did he even now have a mistress? He'd said he was in shipping. Was that how her father had met him?