Page 19 of A Game of Hazard

Giles seated himself opposite and gazed at her. His eyes twinkled with mischief, but she could not tell if he was laughing at her or at himself. All she knew was that the effect made him even more compelling. Damn the man!

“I think you will appreciate it if I speak freely, Miss Isaacs. Or may I call you Alexandra?”

“Miss Isaacs will serve for now, sir.” She sounded as prim as a schoolmistress.

“Please be sure that I’d be very happy to make you my wife, but I’m prepared to embark on a regular courtship to insure we’ll suit. However, there’s one point which will always come between us and ruin our chances of happiness.”

She knew what was coming next, and her heart sank. It looked like she wasn’t about to enter the marriage mart, after all.

“I cannot wed someone involved in smuggling. I need you to desist immediately.”

Her heart pressed against her ribs. It sounded so stark, so uncompromising.

She licked her lips. “And how do you propose I do this—even if I were interested in a proposal from you?” Which, of course, she wasn’t. Was she?

“Let Mr. Prowse have what he wants—sell him the enterprise. He won’t have long in which to enjoy it because I shall capture him and claim the reward money.”

The idea of Prowse running the Dorset Circle after what he had done to undermine her was anathema.

She shook her head. “He can’t be trusted. He’s not my father’s equal. Nor am I, but at least I play fair and would never endanger the men’s safety.”

“Whether you marry me or not, you must abandon this enterprise. I cannot bear the thought that you’re putting yourself in danger. Trust me—you’ll be caught in the end and the punishment will be harsh, perhaps execution. Even if we deal with George Prowse, there’ll be some other man in your crew who hates being governed by a woman and is ready to betray you.”

It was a mad idea, but the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. “As I said before, you could take over, but as my husband. That was what Lady Osbourne suggested to me. She said that even if I were not respected, my husband would be.”

His expression was grim. “I don’t know her motives and I don’t trust them. And nor should you. She put us both in an untenable position, and I’ll not forgive her for that. But you may take my word for it—I’ll never take up smuggling. If Fate still decrees that our paths are entwined, I want our lives together to be long, happy, and secure. I’m not against a little danger or adventure, but selling contraband? No.”

She had come so close to loving him. If only he wasn’t as stubborn as a mule and high-and-mighty with it. She forced her voice to remain steady. “Then I can see no hope for us.”

He leaned across the desk. “Would you be prepared to put yourself in the hands of Fate, Miss Isaacs?”

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Will you stake all on the throw of the dice?”

“Do you mean—play for it?” Was he crazed, as well as stubborn?

“Exactly that. It’s how Lady Osbourne overcame my resistance.”

He reached for her hand and stroked his thumb across her palm. She quivered at the contact. The scoundrel—how dare he vanquish her resistance so easily?

“What happens if I win?” She must assume there was something in it for her.

“Should that happen, I promise to deal with George Prowse in such a way that he never troubles you again. I’ll get a transfer and give up my pursuit of the Dorset Circle. Does that sound worthwhile?”

It definitely did. Just as long as he kept to his part of the bargain. “And if I lose?”

“You give up smuggling and become a respectable married woman. Married to me, of course. Let’s make that absolutely clear.”

She had to admit—it would be splendid not to have the responsibility. The element of danger had made her feel alive—it was true—and the wearing of men’s clothes thrilled her because it was forbidden. However, she sensed this man could offer equal danger, equal excitement, but of a very different kind.

Perhaps she should do as he suggested and put her future in the hands of Fate—clearly, she hadn’t done a terribly good job of things herself. If only Mama hadn’t been too genteel to step into Papa’s shoes! Perhaps the two of them working together might have managed it better.

She made up her mind. “Very well. What shall we play?”

“I think it appropriate that we play Hazard, the very game in which Lady Osbourne ensnared me.”

Giles pushed a dice cup into the middle of the desk. “There. Shall I be Banker?”