As a man who found most people predictable, and whose expectations were rarely challenged, he had to admit his wife surprised him at every turn. How was it possible to convey innocence while employing the skills of a temptress?
Are you attempting to seduce me?
Her words echoed in his ears. The situation was laughable. The only person being seduced was him. Inside, his blood pumped like that of a boisterous pup, desperate to paw her, nip and lick, to get her to stroke him — to capture her attention.
“Shall we take our seats?” His confident tone conveyed nothing of his internal struggle. Tugging on the drawer of the rosewood dresser, he removed a pack of playing cards. “I’m eager to begin our little game.”
With a playful smirk, she slipped off her slippers and sat on the floor in front of the low table. “To make it fair, we should fill our plates with food. After each mouthful, we will play one hand. The game will not finish until we’ve eaten our meal. That way it will prevent the urge to rush ahead.”
After removing his coat and throwing it onto the chair, he sat at the opposite side of the table. “You ask to dance quickly, play cards slowly. A man is left dizzy trying to work out what you want.”
“It is simple.” She ran the tips of her fingers across her collarbone. “While we all crave a thrill, some things are best savoured.”
Bloody hell!
The woman teased him to the point of madness.
“Then you should prepare yourself, for I guarantee you’ll experience both sensations this evening.”
“Only if you win,” Priscilla countered.
“Despite all my honest protestations, I am prepared to cheat to secure a night with you.”
“Perhaps I know a few tricks myself.” The blush colouring her cheeks restored his masculine pride, but there was nothing timid about her response. “Over-confidence is often
one’s downfall.”
Damn the food and card game. He wanted this woman now.
“But as I trust you,” she continued. “You can shuffle the deck and deal the cards.”
Matthew snorted. “You trust a man who admits he’s selfish?”
“I trust a man whose integrity speaks for itself.”
He stared at her, unsure how to respond to the compliment. To fill the silence, he picked up the silver serving utensils and selected a piece of tart, a slice of duck terrine, roast pork, French beans. “Did you have a particular game in mind?”
Priscilla followed his lead, taking small portions and arranging the food neatly on her plate. “We’ll play twenty-one but follow the basic rules.”
“Twenty-one? Do you think it a game of chance?”
“It’s a game of luck that requires an element of risk and some skill.” She inhaled deeply. “Now, as in all card games, we must reveal the stakes before we play the hand. If I win, I want you to tell me about Lucinda Pearce.”
The mere mention of the courtesan’s name made his skin crawl. How the hell did she know of Lucinda? “I have nothing to hide. If you want to know about Miss Pearce you only need ask. But, if we are starting with small wagers then you can tell me why you agreed to marry me.”
“Done.” Offering a curt nod, she dug her fork into an oyster, covered it with her lips and pulled it into her mouth.
To suppress all rampant thoughts, Matthew cleared a space in front of them, shuffled the cards, dealt two each and placed the rest of the pack face down.
“Would you care for another card?” His heart thumped wildly in his chest as she examined her cards and placed them down on the table. “Or are you happy with your hand?”
“I’ll take one more card.”
With the tips of his fingers, Matthew pushed the card across the table.
A smile touched her lips as she lifted the corner. “I’m happy with what I have.”
His cards amounted to eighteen. Excitement flashed in her eyes as he revealed his hand, and so there was no option but to take another card. He drew a five. “That means I’m out.”