She gazed down at his hand. One hundred pounds. And she had but to refrain from spending?
“You mock me, Lord Rockwell.”
“I rarely jest on such matters.”
His hand dipped beneath her décolletage and cradled a breast. She closed her eyes. His touch was exquisite.
“Do you make a habit of such outrageous propositions?”
“Would you believe me if I said I did not?”
“No.”
He kissed her lightly upon the neck. “Then why ask?”
She sighed. Exasperating if not clever man.
He whipped her around and pressed his mouth full upon hers.
“Come, I dare you to accept the wager,” he murmured against her lips.
Chapter Three
The warmth between her legs flared once more, but she forced her mind to the task. “You have me at a disadvantage. I have but your word that you will honor both the word of safety and your wager.”
He pulled back and stared deep into her eyes. “Your dilemma is understandable. I can only ask that you trust me.”
Her heart throbbed with excitement and fear. Thriving in a gaming hell necessitated the constant assessment of character, and her instincts gave no alarm with Lord Rockwell. She wanted to place herself in his hands, but she barely knew the man. And yet she had never felt more at ease in a man’s company.
A hundred pounds. It was too grand a sum not to take the risk.
“Very well, Lord Rockwell, I accept.”
His smile reached his eyes and she sensed her relief reflected also in him.
“I promise you will not rue the hand you lost at vingt-et-un.”
He led her to a mirror and stood once more behind her. It was most disconcerting for she knew not what he would do, nor could she read his countenance.
“Tell me what arouses you,” he instructed as his hand brushed the skin above the back of her bodice.
“You are most forward, Lord Rockwell, and I have no intention of giving you any assistance in winning your wager.”
She saw his smile in the mirror.
“Touché. I will discern the answer nonetheless.”
He began to unbutton her gown.
Dialogue could prove a good distraction, she decided. “How many women have you entertained in this chamber of yours?”
The answer should dampen her lust.
“You are most forward, Miss Herwood.”
She could not help a grin at his response.
“I have not kept count.”