The Wager Read Online Free Page A

in such an overt way.
    "I think perhaps you may not be when I
offer you a chance to walk away," he said, noting the way her eyes lit up
with interest. He paused, and her foot began to tap. He regarded it with
amusement. She noticed and made an effort to remain calm. If he hadn't known
her so well, he would have thought she succeeded. However, the signs were
there. The way her fingers ran up and down the stem of the goblet was a
giveaway. To a stranger, it would look as if she was caressing the glass,
almost lover-like. However Brook knew she was imagining her hands around his
neck. Her eyes, usually a dark green, were almost black. He could fancy her
unfashionable deep red hair crackled with her fury. It was enough to make him
chuckle inside. Whatever the outcome, he intended to enjoy himself.
    Brook judged to a nicety, the moment to
speak—just before her temper got the better of her.
    "Your brother was uncaring enough to wager
you, because he coveted my hunting lodge. No."
    He held his hand up, as he saw she was about to
break into a no doubt impassioned speech. "That is the long and short of
it, Catherine. He is greedy, and immature, but also always dissatisfied with
his lot. He needs a stint in the army, or to manage his lands himself to learn how to grow up. Always, I hear him
intimating something is not fair, or that x or y has something he wants. Well
if he did as many others do, and managed his fortune, he could have these
things. Instead he wants everything handed to him on a platter."
    Catherine sighed. "You are correct, and no,
I will no longer make excuse for him. So, my lord, what do you propose?"
    This was it.
    "I won you in a wager. Therefore I propose
a new wager, for you to in effect have the chance to win yourself back."
Her eyes brightened. Aha, so I have
piqued her interest.
    "How?" she asked baldly. She nibbled
her bottom lip. It was enough to harden his body and send tingles of awareness
skittering through it.
    "We dice, as Jermyn and I did. Only this
time, we decide the prize, before we throw. If you win, you may walk
away."
    "And if I don't?"
    "Then my dear, the wager stands. I receive
what I have waited all these years for. I get you."
    With a sudden movement, she stood and paced the
room. Brook watched her walk. Her skirts swished around her legs. One trim
ankle showed as she turned and walked back to him. Agitation revealed itself in
every step as she came back and stood in front of him.
    "When? Now?"
    He shook his head. "Oh
no, my dear. I must extract some amusement from all this. After all, I
stand to lose my heart's desire." Would she realize he was serious? Not
that he intended to lose; he would win the wager in by whatever means
necessary, fair means or foul. "I will escort you home, and send a message
when the time is right. We dice at
Chaloner Court
."
    Puzzlement showed in her eyes as it vied with
temper. He wondered which emotion would be uppermost. It seemed that confusion
won.
    "Why?"
    "Because, my dear, I say so." And it is fitting as it was where you were to be
mistress. "Remember, I could have proceeded with my plans straight
away. Instead I am giving you this chance." He stood and took her arm.
"Let me escort you back to your brother's house. Do you know?" he
said in a conversational tone. "I would not have been surprised if you had
not set up your own household by now. Surely that is possible?"
    He rested his hand for one brief moment across
her back, as he placed her cloak over her shoulders. The faint tremor gave him
heart. For all her previous declarations she was not indifferent to him.
    "Not whilst mama and the children need
me," she said, so quietly he had to strain to hear. "Once the girls
are out, and attached, I will leave. Jermyn can cope with mama and be damned.
However until then, I stay."
    "Unless I win."
    She looked over her shoulder. "I had
thought this was that. You will have me for one night?" Her voice trailed
off.
    Brook opened the door into the long