Page 10 of A Wager With A Rake (Wicked Widows #32)
Mulgrave might have been a changed man and dared to enter the life of the dutiful husband, but that wouldn’t be Court.
He’d win the wager, thoroughly enjoy every bit of Theodosia’s body several times, and then he’d be free and live as he was always meant to.
And never put himself in the position for anyone to point out his faults and deem him a disappointment again.
He had never cared if he passed on his father’s title, and since his father believed he was nothing but a waste as his own heir, Court would avoid marriage and fatherhood altogether. He was never a disappointment in the bedchamber and that would be enough.
Court and Theodosia moved themselves to the study where the chessboard was. He set up the beautiful wooden board with intricately carved pieces on the table and they settled in to begin the game.
As they played, the tension in the room thickened, each move charged with unspoken desire. At least on his part, but he preferred to believe she was just as affected.
“Your bishop seems rather… exposed,” Court murmured, his voice low and suggestive.
Theodosia’s cheeks flushed, but her gaze remained steady. “Perhaps. But your king will soon find himself in a most compromising position.”
Their eyes locked across the board, and Court felt a jolt of electricity course through him. He forced himself to focus on the game, all too aware of Theodosia’s proximity, everything about her overtaking him and teasing his senses.
As the match progressed, Court found himself genuinely impressed by Theodosia’s skill. Her actions were calculated and decisive. A tendril of worry wormed its way into his mind. Would she actually beat him?
The game lasted for hours and there were long periods of silence as they each focused intently on the game.
Court stared at the board in disbelief as Theodosia finally declared, “Checkmate.”
“Well played,” he admitted, a mixture of admiration and frustration coloring his tone. He wasn’t a sore loser, but did one ever really enjoy losing? Of course he preferred to win. “It seems I may have underestimated you.” Time had changed her from a spirited girl into a cunning woman.
Theodosia’s triumphant smile sent a fresh wave of heat through his body. “A dangerous mistake, my lord. But continue to underestimate me.”
As she rose to leave, Court caught her wrist, his thumb brushing over her pulse point. “The day is still young,” he said, his voice husky. “Perhaps another game?”
Theodosia’s breath hitched, but she pulled away, her eyes glittering with defiance. “Patience, Court. I believe I should like to read for a while. We have days ahead of us for me to best you again.”
After he watched her walk away, his eyes glued again to the sway of her hips, he’d left her alone to read for the afternoon.
Court took advantage of the opportunity to review his correspondence and the ledgers he’d brought with him after his hasty departure from his primary estate.
Although Theodosia was never too far from his thoughts.
That evening, the anticipation grew as the first of their card games drew closer. He hadn’t seen her all afternoon, and then she appeared in the drawing room just as supper was announced. They forwent an afternoon meal to have an early supper so they could focus on their wager.
Court escorted her to the dining room. The room glowed with soft candlelight, casting flickering shadows across the table. He pulled out a chair for her to the left of his and then seated himself at the head of the table.
The first course was placed before them, but Court hadn’t even taken a bite.
He found his gaze drawn repeatedly to Theodosia, her skin luminous in the warm light, her eyes sparkling as she appeared to ponder something.
He loved to watch her mind at work. A realization he just as quickly pushed aside.
“Do you remember that summer when I stayed with Rebecca and you?” she asked, a hint of laughter in her voice. “When you dared us to sneak into the orchard and then we brought back so many apples and gorged ourselves?” She nodded toward the centerpiece on the table, which included several apples.
Court chuckled. “How could I forget? We were sick for days afterward. My mother was convinced we’d all caught some dreadful fever.”
Their eyes met across the table, and for a moment, there was something unspoken between them. Court glanced away and reached for his wine glass, needing something to occupy his hands.
“You were always up for a dare. And you were quite the little hellion back then,” he teased, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. “I see some things never change.”
Theodosia’s cheeks flushed, but her gaze remained steady. “Perhaps you simply bring out the worst in me.”
The air between them crackled with tension. Court leaned forward, drawn inexorably toward her. But before he did something he might regret—like kiss her senseless—he forced himself to lean back, gripping his utensils tightly.
“Or perhaps,” he said, his tone deliberately provocative, “I bring out your deepest desires.”
Theodosia’s breath caught, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Court’s eyes followed the movement, his mouth suddenly dry.
She assessed him, then raised her chin. “And what of your desires?” Theodosia’s eyes sparkled with mischief, and he knew she was teasing him.
“Once I win this game we play, I’ll teach you a thing or two about desire.
” He chuckled to himself when she audibly gasped, before biting into her bottom lip.
He knew he played with fire and scrambled to return to their previous banter before he had her bent over the dining table.
“Surely your late husband set your expectations quite low in that regard. I hear some men struggle to rise to the occasion once they reach a certain age.”
Theodosia eyed him as if he’d grown a second head and then her lips curled into an amused grin as she burst into whoops. “Did you just bring up my dead husband’s cock at the supper table?”
Court took another large gulp of his wine and flashed her a toothy grin. “Of the things I’ve done in my life, that was arguably not all that astonishing. Besides, I can’t help but be curious. Did he at least remove the wig first?”
Theodosia covered her face with her hands, sliding them down her face as she bit back her laughter.
“Would you believe it fell off once? That horrid thing landed right on my breasts.” She shook her head, letting a bit of laughter escape her beautiful lips before she turned more somber.
“And the wig made no difference either way. Spending a moment in his presence, let alone having him in my bed, was dreadful.”
Court’s lips slowly curved downward at the thought of her being in a marriage against her will. Any woman, for that matter. He might be a libertine rake, but women of his company had always done so willingly, as it should be.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his tone firm and serious.
She waved him off. “None of that. Dundas is long gone, leaving me free to do as I please, and we have far more pressing things to concern ourselves with this evening. You should keep your mind sharp and focused on the game ahead. If your chess skill is any indicator, you are going to bed disappointed tonight.”
Given that he wouldn’t yet have her in his bed. He’d be disappointed indeed.