Scoundrel of My Heart (Once Upon a Dukedom #1) - Lorraine Heath Page 0,50

her ear, stirring her curls, causing a delicious shiver to race along her spine. “What do you see? What do you not see?”

The game she recognized. It was the one she played at the Elysium. “There are no chips. No token, no coins. No wagers being made.”

“Wagers are being made, but not for anything that can be stuffed into pockets.”

She lifted her gaze to him and found he was closer than she’d realized, and everything about him seemed more focused. The blue in his eyes was richer, the silver brighter. His golden lashes were a darker hue than she remembered—but then she couldn’t recall if she’d ever truly noticed them. They were long. Would rest on his cheeks when he slept, or when he closed his eyes as his lips met hers. “What are they wagering?”

“A touch . . . a whisper . . . a kiss. Perhaps more. Something that can’t be given in this room, in front of others.” His voice was raspy, raw, and sensual. What would he whisper in her ear, along her skin?

“Glance slyly at the couple in the far corner,” he continued. “I would say at some point he wagered his neckcloth, and she the pins in her hair.”

Doing as he bade, she saw the gentleman shrugging out of his coat while the lady opposite him smiled in triumph. “How far will they go?”

“As far as they’re comfortable. Then perhaps they’ll move to a private room to finish the game.”

She jerked her attention back to him. “Is it a game?”

“Only they know.”

“What if he misreads her intent?” It seemed a dangerous gamble. “What if he takes advantage? Or hurts her?”

“Then he’ll answer to me—and it will not be a pleasant experience for him.”

“Did you tell him that during the interview?”

“I showed him. I have a little wrestling match with prospective male members.”

She was rather confident he was attempting to be subtle in his boasting. “And you won.”

“I always win.”

She didn’t know why she suddenly felt an immense amount of pride. “I wasn’t aware you wrestled.”

“I didn’t until recently.” He backed out of the doorway. “There are other rooms.”

A small ballroom. She was tempted to ask him to take her on a turn about the floor, but she refrained. He seemed intent on ensuring no portion of him touched any portion of her. Not so much as his small finger gliding along her elbow.

A dining room in which only candles provided the light that created an intimate setting. Perhaps some of the couples at the linen-covered tables had wagered in the cardroom on having dinner together.

A billiards room. A dart room.

Then he led her into a smoking room, where men and women had gathered. Some stood, some sat, but it was obvious they were enjoying each other’s company. In the finest of houses, ladies were never allowed into the smoking room. How often had her father taken their male dinner guests to his private domain so they could puff on cheroots while the ladies sipped tea elsewhere?

“You’re putting women on equal footing with men, giving them access to what they are usually denied.”

“Don’t give me too much credit. The choice was between having smoking in here or embroidery.”

She laughed lightly. “Did you think the men might not enjoy spending their time as we do?”

“There is a library farther down the hallway. On the floor below is a recital room. I would have shown it to you, but the door was closed, indicating a private performance.”

Pride caused her chest to swell. “You adopted my suggestion regarding a pianoforte.”

“I favor a woman being comfortable enough to do as she will with her fingers.”

Her eyes widened at that. “You do encourage naughtiness.”

He shrugged. “No one is forced to come here. Those who do are old enough to know the risks and to be responsible for themselves.”

“The women have to be twenty-five. I’m not.”

“I know. Not until August fifteenth. I made an exception for you.”

“You know precisely when my birthday is?”

He didn’t say anything, simply studied her with that intense way he had developed, as though he now possessed the ability to mine souls. What path had he traveled since that fateful night when his family’s world had come undone?

But this room, with its rich tobacco scent was not the place to make inquiries, to delve for answers, no matter how badly she wanted to know all his life had entailed since she’d last seen him. She doubted he would tell her anyway. So instead, she asked, “May I