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L aurence did his best to hide his smirk of satisfaction.

He had caught Lady Georgina off guard. Yes…

he knew who she was, thanks to his sister pointing her out.

Luckily Portia and Reginald had also been invited to the house party, which worked in his favor.

Or so he’d assumed, when he’d realized his sister was already an acquaintance with the young lady.

But now he wondered if he should alert his stablemaster that they’d need to find a paddock and stall for his new stallion.

He was going to win this wager for sure.

John had also been correct about the fact that the young woman was indeed beautiful, which did indeed make the wager more enticing to win.

Her blond hair was done up in a pleasing coiffure with a few loose, curled tendrils framing her face.

He couldn’t tell the color of her eyes from the distance that had separated them but he hoped to remedy that soon enough.

From a different pathway in the Brockenhurst garden, he watched her strolling through the gardens and admired her trim figure.

Her pale-blue dress and bonnet were cut in the latest fashion, with a pink ribbon placed directly below her breasts.

Their peaks and cleavage peeked slightly yet enticingly over the square neckline of her gown.

He realized even this had him slightly aroused; thoughts of seeing her naked beneath him would have him visibly so, and he had to shake himself out of such a vision.

That was taking this wager much too far!

Think about the horse you’re going to win.

That seemed to help. A bit.

“Round one goes to you, Your Grace,” John said grudgingly, interrupting Laurence’s thoughts. “You’ve caught her attention much faster than I thought you would. I suppose I might have to do something drastic so the tables turn in my favor. Perhaps I might try to win her over myself.”

The thought of John inching his way between himself and Georgina before he had even spoken a word to her somehow made Laurence feel overly protective of the lady.

He wasn’t entirely certain where or why these emotions were creeping up on him like he was some jealous youngling right out of the schoolroom.

Or a stallion scenting a mare and becoming ready to fight for her.

Either way, he didn’t like the emotions raging through him, and when his John began chuckling, he especially didn’t care for the idea that his friend must be somehow guessing his thoughts.

Even so, he didn’t want to let John try to win the lady over. “We never agreed to such a stipulation in our wager,” Laurence grunted, hearing the annoyance in his voice and hoping John couldn’t.

“If I am to win, then we have to make this somewhat difficult for you. Your title alone is enough incentive for most women to fall at your feet declaring their undying love,” John laughed as they continued their stroll.

Laurence’s annoyance grew. “Which is exactly why I have remained a bachelor thus far. You are well aware how I hate all the scheming from the women of Society. They know nothing of the man and only see themselves as a future duchess. I have yet to find one worthy of even spending the day with, let alone ask to marry me.” Laurence glanced over his shoulder to witness Georgina leaving the gardens and was disgusted that his heart fell along with a dampening sense of disappointment.

God’s blood ! He didn’t even know the girl yet, so why was he having this unusual attraction and reaction to her? What was wrong with him?

He must have been out in the sun too long. Was it too early for a drink?

“Unfortunately, I understand your predicament all too well,” John muttered sourly.

“Having a title may give us all the wealth and prosperity we might ever need in life but it does have its drawbacks.” His voice was somewhat sullen.

“Still…” He roused and clapped his hands.

“I think we should sweeten the pot in order to make our wager more interesting.”

More than a valuable stallion? What could John be up to now? “I’m listening.”

John stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “How about a side bet of who can steal a kiss from her first? It shouldn’t be too unpleasant for either of us, given that Lady Georgina is very attractive.”

A snort left Laurence. “And such an act could land us quickly at the altar for taking advantage of the lady and ruining her reputation.”

“I’m certain we can be discreet,” John said, waving his hand in the air as though it was of no consequence if the lady was ruined or not.

His friend’s blasé attitude caused Laurence to scowl.

He was all for playing along in a harmless wager between gentlemen, but not at the expense of a lady. Especially, for some reason, this one.

“Don’t be an arse, John. Such a ruse is not likely to get you the outcome you want.”

“Ha! I just want to win our little bet. Surely there can be no harm in challenging you to a side bet? No monies or property needs to be exchanged. This can just be a gentleman’s wager to see who comes out first. We can agree between us to take each other’s word that the deed has been accomplished.”

“I’ll think about it,” Laurence replied bitterly before raising his hand to his sister from across the walkway. “Let’s go chat with Portia and Reginald. Maybe they can put a little perspective on just what we are getting ourselves into.”

When they reached Portia, she tilted her head so Laurence could place a kiss upon her cheek.

“Dearest sister,” Laurence murmured softly.

She linked her hand into the crook of his elbow and gave her husband a sympathetic look when he told him, “I hope you don’t mind if I steal Portia from your company for a while. ”

Reginald gave his brother-in-law a pat on his shoulder. “Be my guest. She’s been dying to have a conversation with you since we arrived.” He winked at her.

Laurence gave him a nod and ushered his sister toward the gazebo in which he’d recently seen Lady Georgina sitting with her companion.

Once Portia was shaded from the sun, he sat beside her and they began to watch the people walking by.

Silence stretched between them, interspersed with bird song and quiet conversation from the other guests. Finally, he said, “You look well.”

She glanced around, apparently making sure no one was about who might overhear their conversation. “The morning sickness has been unbearable but I’ll survive. I didn’t want to miss this party, considering the rare occurrence of the Norwoods entertaining at Brockenhurst. It’s an admirable estate.”

“As long as you don’t overdue the activities you should be fine.” He gave her a quick look over. “No one would know you are in a delicate condition.”

“I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible. Reginald is already making plans to keep me hidden as my time progresses,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I’m not looking forward to a confinement but the end result will be worth it.”

“I’m very happy for you and Reginald to be starting your family,” he declared patting her hand and giving her a what he hoped was a bright smile.

She watched him carefully. “I’m surprised to see you here, brother. This is hardly something you might normally attend. What has the marquess gotten you into this time?” she said with a frown marring her lovely brow.

She was too clever by far. “John? What makes you think John has anything to do with my attendance?” he asked, gazing off into the distance.

“I am no one’s fool, Laurence. Call it a woman’s intuition, but I have the distinct feeling you two are up to something.” She watched him warily as one delicate brow arched upward. “Well? Are you going to confess your shenanigans or will you leave me guessing for the entire house party?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I have no intention of telling you anything when there is nothing for me to reveal,” he said, lying to her and hoping she wouldn’t be able to tell.

He paused a moment as another couple strolled past, then broached his concerns.

“What can you tell me of Lady Georgina?”

Her light-gray eyes widened at his words. “Please tell me you are not involving a young innocent in whatever scheme the marquess has hatched.”

“I asked a simple question regarding our hosts’ daughter. Nothing more,” he replied, attempting to hide his grimace. He didn’t like to hear Portia point out that his wager was in bad taste, including the one John seemed determined to win about who might kiss the lady first.

She wagged her finger at him. “You better not do anything foolish, Stonehaven,” she declared with a grimace. Oh no . She’d addressed him by his title. That meant she was cross with him. It made him feel like a boy, and that made him feel more set to move ahead in the wager, ethics be damned.

“Foolish? Me ?” he answered, off-handedly trying to ease his sister’s apparently growing frustration with him.

Portia pointed a finger his way. “Lady Georgina is a fine young lady. She may prefer the country to city living but she is still the beloved daughter of the Earl and Countess of Brockenhurst. Are you interested in a possible union with her?”

“She’s very beautiful from what I could see.

However, beauty fades with time. I have seldom found a woman with a pretty face who is also capable of holding a conversation of any interest other than the latest gossip.

And, as you are well aware, I hardly care about talk of the latest fashion or who has been seen with whom each Season. ”

“Yes, I do know that about you. And you…” Portia gave him a considering look and then tossed her head with a slight laugh.

“I have no idea what plans you have cooking in your head but I think I will say no more where Lady Georgina is concerned. You’ll just have to learn about her firsthand.

But beware… you may just come out on the short end if you cross her. ”

As much as he tried to coax more about the lady from his sister, Portia remained tight-lipped.

Instead, his sister began chatting away with all the activities planned for the next week.

While bored with this discussion, he was still happy to see his sister and, after all, her silence about the latest gossip was surely a first, and most welcome.

He let her prattle and thought about how he just needed to find a way to get Lady Georgina alone.

He’d be damned if he’d ever allow John to kiss the lady first.