A Wicked Wager (Avenging Lords 2)

“You do not have to tread lightly around me, Juliet.” He glanced up and dismissed the footmen. “Say what you will and accept that I will do the same. That way, there can be no misunderstanding between us.”

Guilt flared. Honesty had its limits. How could she tell him she was sent to spy?

“Then I must ask you two questions.” She would ask the easiest question first. “Is it not a waste for the kitchen to prepare so much food when an army of men would struggle to eat such a quantity?”

He scanned the table and shrugged. “The staff know little of my current tastes and needs. And for a reason I am yet to fathom, they are too nervous to broach the subject. But I agree it is excessive.”

“Then I shall speak to Cook and Mrs Barbary in the morning and make alterations to the menu.”

His lips curled into a sinful smile as he raised his glass in salute before downing the contents. “And your second question?”

Juliet glanced at the wedding band gracing her finger. “Tell me about the ring. How is it you bought my exact size when I have unusually small fingers? When I was not your chosen bride?”

Mr Drake swallowed deeply. She saw the same look of surprise in his eyes as she did when he realised he’d bought a perfect fit.

“There is only one possible explanation, only one answer to your question, Juliet.”

“And what is that?”

“I was meant to marry you.”

Their gazes locked. The power of his words struck her heart. If he truly believed what he said, then there was hope for them yet.

“But I did not choose the ring,” he reminded her.

“No, your friend Mr Dariell did.”

“Indeed. Dariell has the gift of insight, the gift

of intuition. The man has a way of seeing the truth while those around him are oblivious. Don’t ask me how he knew of this odd turn of events. He simply insisted I make the purchase, despite the fact it is a rather unconventional design.”

Juliet held up her hand and admired the pretty pattern. “I think it’s the most enchanting thing I’ve ever seen. It conveys a certain mystique. It draws the eye and holds one captive, although I think that has something to do with how the glass petals sparkle in the light.”

Mr Drake cleared his throat. “They’re not glass. They’re diamonds.”

“Diamonds!” She could not contain her surprise. “Diamonds? All of them?”

“All of them.”

“Oh!”

Good Lord. It must have cost a king’s ransom.

“I would never permit my wife to wear cheap imitations.”

The sudden rush of excitement coursing through Juliet’s veins was tempered by the fact he would have given the ring to Hannah had their father not played his ace card.

“You would have had to tell my sister about the diamonds before you attempted to force the ring on her finger else she would never have agreed.”

Mr Drake opened his mouth to speak, paused for a second and then said, “I had no intention of giving Miss Bromfield that ring.”

“You didn’t?” Confused, Juliet shook her head and frowned. “But you purchased it for your wife.”

“And my wife is wearing it.”

Perhaps she had drunk too much wine. Perhaps the trials of the day made it impossible to form rational thoughts. “You are not making any sense,” she found the courage to say.

“The thought of giving your sister that ring filled me with loathing.” He shifted uncomfortably in the chair, hesitated before speaking again. “I purchased a plain band to use in its place.”