He slowly smiled. "Ah, you should have determined the precise nature of the wager before ac-cepting our bargain."
She wanted to be furious at his audacity. To be able to wound him with the sharp edge of her tongue. But it was utterly impossible when she was shivering at the temptation that swirled thickly through the air.
"Mr. Valin, I warn you that I will tolerate no foolishness," she forced herself to mutter.
The golden brows lifted as his fingers daringly stroked the modest neckline of her gown.
"What shall it be, Miss Kingly? I have no need for coin, nor do I care for trinkets, although ..." His gaze slowly lowered to where the golden amulet lay against her white skin. "I must confess a fascination with the Medallion that you wear about your neck."
Muddled by his proximity, and not at all prepared for his sudden interest in the amulet, she instinctively lifted her hand to clutch the necklace.
Having become accustomed to the strange weight of the amulet, she rarely recalled the encounter with the old gypsy woman. She had been on her way home from visiting the small farm where she placed those women willing to leave the streets, when the gypsy had suddenly stepped before her carriage. Afraid that she had been hurt, Jocelyn hurriedly climbed down to tend to the old woman.
What followed was oddly difficult to recall, although she did clearly remember the gypsy placing the amulet about her neck and telling her that she must never give it to another. She had warned that a gypsy gift was both blessed and cursed, and that she would receive happiness beyond measure if she carefully guarded the necklace from all others.
Jocelyn, of course, was far too sensible to believe in such nonsense. Gypsies were notorious for spreading such tales. Still, she discovered herself unwilling to part with the bauble. It had become almost a part of her now.
"No," she denied with a shake of her head. "It was a gift."
"Ah. From an admirer?"
"Actually it came from a gypsy."
"A gift from a gypsy." His fingers brushed over the amulet and Jocelyn gave a small jerk at the tiny prickles that seemed to come from the warm metal. "Is it blessed?"
Feeling rather foolish, she gave a lift of one shoulder. "If you believe in such things."
He held her gaze for a moment. "Oh, I believe, as should you. Such a blessing can be a powerful force against evil."
There was something in his tone, some dark quality that made Jocelyn feel a shadow fall over her. "Evil?"
His features became stark, the golden eyes darkened with some inner thought.
"It exists, make no mistake about that, my dove," he warned in husky tones. "And it is closer than you ever dreamed possible."
She shuddered at the words. "What on earth do you mean?"
"You must take great care. A shadow moves through London."
Jocelyn briefly thought of poor Molly and the note that had been left in her dead hand. A prick of dread touched deep in her heart.
"Are you attempting to frighten me?"
Easily able to sense her rising anxiety, Mr. Valin allowed his distracting smile to return.
"No, I only offer a warning. Keep the amulet close to you and give it to no one. It might very well save your life."
Jocelyn stilled at his soft words. It seemed impossible that he would echo almost precisely the same warning as the old woman.
"That is what the gypsy told me. Do you know something of this amulet?" she demanded in suspicion.
"Perhaps." His voice lowered and his accent was more noticeable as his fingers stroked over her skin. "But at the moment I am more interested in my prize."
Jocelyn was w.ell aware that he was deliberately attempting to distract her. Unfortunately he was succeeding all too well. She could think of nothing beyond the delicious feel of his touch.
"Mr. Valin..."
"Let me see," he teased softly. "We have ruled out money and trinkets. What do you have left to offer?"