Page 84 of A Gentleman's Wager

“You’ve a lewd mind, my lord.”

Lucerne snorted softly. “As have you, to know what I was thinking.”

“Me?” Bella retorted, feigning outrage. “Why I tell you, I’m the very epitome of sweetness and light, pure innocence incarnate.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, causing him to splutter his drink. He waggled a finger at her, before laying down another card.

“I think you must be speaking of Miss Stanley.”

“You don’t believe in my innocence?” Bella clutched a hand to her heart, which also had the side-effect of drawing his attention to her breasts. The squared neckline barely skirted the tops of her nipples, and she’d worn it without the lacy fichu her maid had tried to cover her with on the grounds it was frightfully itchy.

“Only if you wish me to believe you the biggest she-noodle in Christendom.”

“Hm.” She pressed a finger to her lips to consider. “I think I should prefer you thought me incomparable.”

“Incroyable,” Lucerne suggested.

“Does that distinction not only pertain to men?”

She did not miss the flick of Lucerne’s gaze over to Vaughan. “You were incredible,” he said. It was difficult to know if he was speaking of her or the marquis.

“Why such fascination, Lucerne?”

He was quick to respond. “You don’t know him as I do, Bella. He’s different to how you think.”

“He is cruel. He has said some unspeakable things about me. Done worse, not only to me but to others too.” Yet, there was something about him that drew her like a moth to a flame, even knowing that every time she would get her wings singed. “You don’t condone what he did to Louisa, do you?”

“What did he do, Bella? If you know something I don’t then speak it.”

“At the ball, he—”

“Maintains that she invited his attention, and she has not claimed otherwise since. Not to me.” They both turned to look at Louisa. She had her head down, focused on her fingers rather than the sheet music before her. The white sprigged muslin she’d chosen for the evening did little to alleviate the ashen colour of her complexion. She’d barely eaten at dinner and spoken barely a word to anyone all day, but none of that was down to Vaughan’s actions, much as Bella wished to heap the blame on him. Wakefield was the one who’d crushed her soul, although, she hadn’t exactly said that to Bella either.

“And do you truly believe that?”

Lucerne met her challenge with a sigh as he played another card. “I believe you want me to see the worst, but you can’t even convince yourself of it. If he were really so bad, then you would not have engaged with us last night. You are no timid mouse like your friend. Some part of you wanted it, even if you cannot fathom why.”

“I wanted you, Lucerne. And what we did last night doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to teach him some manners.”

Her grumbling was met with a tired smile. Hating the disappointed sagging of Lucerne’s shoulders, she turned her head to glower tigerishly at Vaughan instead. It seemed impossible that he could fail to notice her animosity, but he didn’t look up from his correspondence, not even for a second.

“I’ve a better idea.” Lucerne waved a hand before her face, breaking the link between her and the marquis. “Why don’t we go somewhere I can bend you over a chair and give you a swift hard ride. I’m told it’s a great mood improver.”

“Lucerne, I was being serious.”

“As was I,” he said, voice husky. He met her gaze with a roguish grin. “Forget Vaughan for a while.” He reached out and caressed the inside of her wrist. Desire immediately coiled in her abdomen. “Allow me to invade your thoughts.”

He turned yet another card and bust. “Ah!”

“My win,” she claimed, drawing her winnings to her. They were playing for buttons, so it was no great triumph, but Lucerne had kissed each one before laying it down and promised her kisses equal to their number if she won.

“I endeavour to pay promptly,” he said. “Are we done here? It is your game also, I believe.” He set down the remainder of his hand. “I must congratulate you on your tactics, Bella. All your wild talk completely distracted me, and now that I have proved I am thoroughly bad at cards—”

“My wild talk? Twas you who turned the conversation in such a direction.”

“But you who brought up poles. To which I might add, mine is thoroughly risen. Shall we stroll?” He offered her his hand. Bella allowed him to aid her to stand. While it was tempting to run from the room with him, hand in hand, she still possessed some modicum of sense. Therefore, she took the time to pull her wool shawl around her shoulders, before taking his arm. Lucerne had them perambulate around the room two turns, before he guided her into the corridor. Neither Vaughan nor Louisa paid them the slightest attention.

Twenty paces along the corridor, Lucerne pushed her into a recess, almost upending a bust of the first Viscount Marlinscar in the process. They both cringed as it wobbled, releasing sighs of relief when it stilled instead of tumbling. Lucerne pushed her up against the wall. “So, shall we call this an encore?”

“As long as it doesn’t necessitate Pennerley’s involvement.”