Page 101 of A Gentleman's Wager

Could she sneak in and out without disturbing him?

Heavens she would go insane if she didn’t have something to engage her thoughts this dreary afternoon. Bella and Lord Marlinscar weren’t expected to return from Mrs Castleton’s until after dark.

“Bella has accompanied Lucerne on a visit to Mrs Castleton, so you won’t find her in here,” Vaughan remarked the moment she crossed the threshold. Clearly, he had the senses of a fox.

“Yes, I know. I’m sorry to disturb you. I only wish for something to read.”

He waved her toward the numerous shelves.

Louisa hurriedly crossed the carpet.

“Something in particular?”

She glanced back. He had risen to his feet. “Um, a novel, I suppose. I should prefer that to a treatise on sheep farming.”

He moved towards her; arm outstretched. “Perhaps I might suggest.” He waggled a volume for her to take.

Louisa cautiously accepted the slim volume. “Novella Justine. What is it about?” She turned to the title page. “The Misfortunes of Virtue. I do not think this will be—”

“Trust me, it’ll be educational.” He smiled archly. “That is, unless you’d prefer that I do the teaching.”

“Um, no.” She retreated a step, only for him to follow. When she took another, her back hit the shelves.”

“Oops.” Vaughan grinned. “Trapped.”

Louisa quaked. The shelves dug into her back. She began to say something then changed her mind and stared at his chest. Vaughan planted a hand to the right of her ear.

“You look worn out.”

“Do I?”

“Yes, Louisa, you do.” He traced the dark ring below one of her eyes, then tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. She ought to push him away, but all her strength seemed to have seeped out of her toes and into the carpet. “It must be thoroughly exhausting existing in a state of perpetual fright.”

“Well, you frighten me,” she blurted.

That only made him chuckle. “Only because you’re afraid of the unknown. If you would just let me…” He broke off, held the pause. “Well, perhaps we won’t go into that. But tell me, Louisa, did you sit up much of last night.”

She bit her lip. “How did you know?”

“It’s not like you to rise quite so late.” He bowed his head toward her ear. “When you finally slept, did you dream of me? Of what villainy I might have engaged in should have I chosen to?”

She didn’t reply but was certain her expression told him everything. What had he done? She knew he’d been in her room. He’d left both window and door open so that she’d know it.

“B’gad, madam. I won’t deny I’ve been a scoundrel once or twice, but I prefer my lovers willing. Do you think me so despicable as to force you?”

“You took advantage before,” she snarled, finding her voice at last.

“Hm, I believe we’ve been over that already. You used me as readily as I used you.” He pushed away from her. Turned on his heels, making the skirt of his coat swirl. It caught the light—gleamed, azure and sapphire. He stopped when he reached the far side of carpet, about turned and came towards her again. “Indulge me. What did you imagine me doing in that dream of yours?”

As if she would ever put such thoughts into words. Her skin burned at the very notion.

“Did I kiss you, caress you. Arouse you with mouth and hands? Suck your nipples? Frig your pearl?”

“I don’t know what you are saying?”

“Did I fuck you, Louisa?”

A scandalised gasp escaped her.