Page 18 of A Game of Hazard

She glared at him, huffed out a breath, then sank into the chair behind her desk.

“So, what exactly do you propose to do?” Her voice held no emotion.

“I may well do what you hoped and court Miss Isaacs. But as I said before, that will happen according to my agenda, not yours. And I hope she’ll be a willing participant, not one whose hand has been forced by a cheat.”

Lady Osbourne’s bosom heaved. “You dare call me a cheat, sir?”

He smiled grimly. “Only because it’s true. But I think that fact may be to my advantage. Now, Miss Isaacs will be joining us shortly. Before she does, I’d like to borrow your dice.”

Her ladyship gaped for a moment, then shook her head, reached for the dice shaker, and tipped its contents onto the table top.

“No—not those. The ones in the drawer in front of you.”

The atmosphere in the library became icy. After a brief battle of wills, she unlocked the drawer and pulled out the two dice they’d used for their game of Hazard.

He tried not to gloat. He’d never have known about the cheating if not for a quirk of Fate.

“Now, perhaps you should go into your withdrawing room and call for tea—you’ll be receiving your visitors very shortly. Please detain Mrs. Isaacs, and send her daughter to me. We won’t want to be disturbed.” He still wasn’t certain what he meant to do, but he knew for sure it must be done in private.

“You are no gentleman, sir!”

“Perhaps not. But you must have thought me a gentleman before because you knew I would honor my word when you pressed me into that dice game. I’m too much the gentleman to suggest that you are no lady—for all I know, many gently-bred ladies think it acceptable to cheat at the gaming table. However, since I may gain from this affair, I bear you no grudge.”

“Pah! You would never even have met the chit were it not for me. You’ll soon learn how capable a matchmaker I am.”

Maybe he would. But there was still a lot to play for. He stood and opened the door for her, and after a loaded pause, she stalked out, her expression as dark as a thundery sky.

There were more important matters to deal with than Lady Osbourne. There was his unexpected, visceral reaction to the supposed death of Alexandra Isaacs, his exultation at discovering it wasn’t true, and the thrill of delight that pulsed through his body whenever he touched her.

Right. He must carry out his plan and pray for success. He rolled and tapped the dice several times to insure he understood how they worked, then penned a note to Lieutenant Willmott and bribed one of Lady Osbourne’s footmen—handsomely—to deliver it without his employer’s knowledge.

Outside, in the walled garden beyond, a blackbird broke out in optimistic song. Giles strolled to the window, and gazed out.

“Well, my fine feathered friend, you’ve left it a bit late in the season to proclaim your territory and attract a mate. I sincerely hope that I’ve not left it too late myself.”

His future now hung on the fall of two dice. This was not a happy situation for a man who disliked gambling, but if the prize was to be Miss Alexandra Isaacs, it was worth whatever he had to give.

CHAPTER 9

Alex had never imagined that she’d miss the presence of Captain Giles Harewood. But miss him she did. She’d adored the way he stood up to Lady Osbourne. Such quiet command! How many men could silence someone like her?

It was very proper that he’d been made a captain—he had not only the air of command but the wit as well. She wondered what his next assignment would be and whether his life would be put at risk. And discovered that she cared very much that it should not be.

Her heart had beat a rapid tattoo in her breast whenever he touched her, especially when he made such brazen use of her body. She ought to hate him for it, but she was as excited as a maid at her first ball, fluttering her fan at the most handsome man in the room.

Well—as far as she was concerned, Giles would be the most handsome man in the room. Incredibly, he seemed to see past her flaws and blemishes. Indeed, it even looked like he’d forgive her for her criminal activities.

But should she trust him? She didn’t even trust herself. She was still feeling giddy from the laudanum and the wickedly intrusive touch of Giles’s hands and lips. A flame had been ignited inside her, and the excitement that sparked through her body refused to die down. The feelings he incited were so heady, that she was eager for more.

Having washed and dressed in a fumbling rush, Alex hastened to the coffee house where she downed three coffees in rapid succession. She barely gave Mama time to finish just one cupful before hurrying her off to Lady Osbourne’s.

But when Alex was escorted into the library, she felt a flutter of alarm. Oh, that dreadful moment, when Lady Osbourne had caught her tasting the brandy! Her heart had almost burst in horror.

As she gazed at Giles Harewood, her heart began pounding again. He came out from behind the desk to kiss her hand, and his smile sent heat cascading through her. She tilted her chin, desperate not to be overthrown by his charm—he represented the law, and she had too much to lose.

She took the chair offered to her, sat down, and folded her hands coyly in her lap. “I believe you have some manner of proposal to make, Captain. Proposition, I mean.”

She felt heat steal into her cheeks. Proposition sounded even more dangerously tempting!