Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,37

attention. ‘We need not play for money.’ He glanced up and down the staircase. They were alone. ‘I will wager my diamond pin against...’ He paused.

‘Yes?’

‘Dinner,’ he said at last. ‘You will join me for dinner at York House on Thursday night.’

Chapter Seven

Madness.

Susannah wanted to shake her head, to tell him she would not countenance such a wager, but her eyes were fixed upon the diamond. It winked at her. It was worth a king’s ransom. It would more than pay for the repairs to Florence House. She could recover the jewels she had sold today and there might even be sufficient to cover the running costs of the house until she came into her inheritance. She was silent as they made their way to the top of the stairs and when they reached the landing she allowed him to draw her to one side.

‘Well, madam, will you accept?’

She ran her tongue over her lips.

‘Dinner, you say?’

‘Yes.’

‘Alone?’

‘Of course.’

It was not to be thought of. To have dinner with him, unescorted, would ruin her reputation.

Only if it was discovered.

As if reading her thoughts he continued, ‘You need have no fear. The hotel is very quiet at present and you may come veiled. My man will serve us and he is very...discreet.’

‘It seems you have thought of everything, my lord.’

‘I like to think so.’

‘If I win you will give me the diamond.’

‘I will.’

‘And if I lose, I will have dinner with you at your hotel. Nothing more.’

‘Nothing more.’

‘We will play the best of three games,’ she declared.

‘If that will suit you.’ The viscount bowed.

‘Perfectly.’ Having made her decision, she led the way into the drawing room and headed for the empty table in the corner, collecting several new packs of playing cards on her way.

* * *

Susannah unwrapped the first pack, thankful that she had taken only a small glass of wine with her supper. She drew the low card and shuffled, holding out the cards for the viscount to cut. She could do this. It was merely a case of steady nerves and keeping a mental note of all the discards. She had done it hundreds of times before. As dealer she knew she must be on the defensive in the first game, but she had a strong hand and after making her discards she was slightly ahead on points when play started. Her optimism was dented when the viscount won the final trick.

‘You were unlucky.’ He reached for a new pack. ‘But you showed some skill. You may do better this time.’

‘I shall indeed.’

She studied her hand and chose her discards carefully. By the time play started she felt sure she had the stronger hand. Winning the first trick boosted her confidence and she played with conviction, narrowly winning the second game. The third, however, started badly and ended worse. The viscount won every trick.

‘Capotted,’ she declared, carefully putting down her cards. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip. She must admit defeat gracefully. ‘Congratulations, my lord. You have won.’

‘You play very well, Miss Prentess. I think you deserve one last chance.’ He drew the diamond pin from his neck cloth and placed it on the table between them. ‘What say you we play one more game, winner takes all?’

She laughed. It sounded a trifle reckless, even to her own ears.

‘What do I have to lose?’

She reached out to take the pin between her thumb and finger. The viscount’s hand closed over hers. A sudden flicker of candlelight made his eyes gleam with a devilish glow.

‘There is one minor alteration to the terms of our wager.’ His voice was smooth, as cold and deadly as steel. ‘If I win this game you come to the hotel for dinner and you stay. All night.’

With a gasp she drew back. Unmoved, he continued.

‘You have my word I will not seduce you. I will not even touch you without your permission. But you will stay in my rooms until morning.’

‘What is the point of your assurances?’ she challenged him. ‘I shall be ruined whether you touch me or no.’

‘Only if word of it gets out. And I shall tell no one.’

She sat up very straight, staring at him.

‘Why are you doing this? Why force me to dine with you and stay in your rooms if you do not want to...to seduce me?’

His smile sent a shiver running down her back.

‘Oh I want to seduce you, madam, but I have never yet forced any woman to accept my advances. So what