Page 14 of A Game of Hazard

Well—there was one way to find out. He traced a line from the hollow of her throat down her breastbone, then fanned his fingers over her breast.

The nipple quickened beneath his touch and he allowed himself a satisfied smile.

That wouldn’t happen if she were dead, would it? He’d stake his life on that. Grinning broadly, he brushed her breast again, then gave it a gentle squeeze.

After that, everything happened very quickly. The ‘dead’ woman reared up, slapped his face, and shouted a string of invective he would never have expected to hear from a gently-bred young lady. At the same time, Mrs. Isaacs aroused herself from her grief and took a swing at his head with a nearby vase.

Fortunately, he sidestepped this, but as the vase contained both flowers and water, his waistcoat was soaked.

He couldn’t contain his laughter. The windows literally rang with it. But he barely had time to enjoy his triumph before both women launched themselves at him, and he was forced to take each of them by the wrist and push them onto the bed.

“Miss Isaacs. I’m glad to see you so well recovered. Mrs. Isaacs—you can dry your tears and cancel the undertaker. There’s no point in the unnecessary expense of a coffin now.”

He shrugged out of his jacket, unbuttoned his waistcoat, and flung it over the back of a chair.

“While that dries, I mean to have a frank and honest discussion with your daughter, Ma’am. There’s a good deal that needs to be sorted out. I promise that I will take no legal action regarding your deceit, although I’m certain you must’ve broken some law or other by pretending to be dead. However, what I do in the long run remains to be seen.”

“You are abominable, sir.” Alexandra had found her voice at last.

“And so are you. Mrs. Isaacs—please leave us now. No one is to set foot inside that door without my permission. And I beg you—don’t attempt to contact anyone or leave the building until I’m done here. Fear not—you’ll be included in our negotiations in due course.

Goodbye.”

As soon as the door had closed behind a very unwilling Mrs. Isaacs, Giles pulled Alexandra into his arms and kissed her soundly.

CHAPTER 7

Harewood’s kiss left Alex limp and full of yearning. She shook her fuddled head. No—it couldn’t be the sensation of his hungry mouth on hers. It must be the laudanum making her weak at the knees, snatching away all willpower. The room swayed.

“Whoa!”

She was caught up and pressed against a sturdy chest.

“Unhand me, you unmannerly lout!” Her words were slurred—she sounded as if she’d just reeled out of some country tavern, totally intoxicated. Curse it!

She pushed at him, but made no headway, and when she lifted one foot to attempt a kick, she lost her balance and collapsed against her foe.

Help was needed. Desperately.

“Mam—”

“Hush.” The captain pressed a finger against her lips, and the heat in his gaze quelled her. If she tried to cry out again, that look told her, he’d kiss her into silence. If she let him do that, she’d be utterly lost. No—she was lost already. Her body simply refused to fight him.

When he settled himself into a chair with her in his lap, she didn’t even try to wriggle free. Well—there was no point in hurting herself, was there? She’d only fall if she attempted to run away. Part of her knew that this was not a safe position for an innocent young lady, particularly one wearing nothing but a nightgown. Another—more treacherous—part of her relished the delicious wickedness of being in Harewood’s lap.

“Here.” He reached for the washcloth, dipped it in the bedside basin, and handed it to her. “Wipe that stuff off your face. It tastes foul, and I can’t imagine it’s doing you any good. Or would you like me to do it?”

She lifted a limp hand, then groaned. “You do it. If you must.”

As he smoothed the cloth across her face, she noted that his touch was surprisingly gentle for a man of the sword. He wiped her throat as well but ventured no lower—he had some decency left, then.

“I’m so sleepy. Can’t I go to bed?” Her voice still sounded slurred. Wherever had she found the energy to slap his face? Why had she been unable to find the strength to resist his lips?

“Not yet. First, you’re going to tell me all your secrets.”

Couldn’t she just go to sleep now? Her head felt so heavy—too heavy. She could feel herself drooping.

“Poor darling. You’ve tried so hard.”