Page 3 of What A Rogue Wants (Lords Of Deception #1)
“Excellent.” He ignored her friend’s outraged huff and Gravenhurst’s indiscreet snickering into his hands.
“There’s much I want to show you.” Grey imagined her excited expression when she saw his collection of archery sets.
Her mouth dropped open. By God, the chit thought he was referring to something sexual.
Her expression of barely contained outrage was priceless and intrigued him all the more.
“What precisely do you think to show me? Are you a collector of art?”
Her tone was brittle as glass. The challenge of making her pliable in his hands was going to be quite enjoyable. For now, it might do her good to wonder what he was about. “I only have one piece of art that’s worth your seeing.”
At that, Gravenhurst started guffawing but stopped promptly when the brunette lady glared him into ashes. The woman’s obvious protective instinct over her friend was admirable, even if he didn’t like her interference.
“I won’t be seeing your art, but I will take your money,” the blond-haired chit replied before turning away, raising her arrow and saying in a loud, confident voice, “I’m ready.”
Romany and his cronies immediately called for last wagers, collected the money, and then a hush fell over the crowd.
Grey moved so he could see the woman’s face.
He was rewarded for his effort. An adorable crease appeared on her forehead as she pulled the bow back with a creak.
Her teeth bit down on her lower lip in concentration, and he could see her doing all the same small calculations he did every time he practiced his archery.
She tested the tautness of her bow, the weight of her arrow, and the direction of the wind.
Her knowledge impressed him. Her weight subtly shifted, but her skirt swished around her ankles and alerted him to her change in stance.
Fascination stilled him. He might lose, but the loss of his money didn’t worry him.
Her fingers lifted off the bow and the arrow buzzed through the air true and straight.
He’d underestimated her. Her arrow sliced down the middle of the other arrow and a collective gasp, followed by cheers and groans filled the air.
He wanted to cheer too, but jaded lords didn’t cheer.
She whooped, her arms flying above her head in victory and her feet leaving the ground with her enthusiasm. He grinned as he watched her. She had real spirit. He no longer gave a damn about needling his father. He wanted to get to know this chit for her sake alone.
She faced him with a grin that lit her whole face. The sight was breathtaking. “I thank you kindly for your money,” she said. He grabbed her arm before she disappeared into the swell of people wanting to congratulate her and those who wanted a chance to earn their money back.
“I’d still love for you to come to my town home.”
“To see your one piece of art?” She tilted her head challengingly to the side.
“No. To see my archery collection.”
“Oh!” The smile on her face filled her eyes and made them shine like polished bronze.
“By God, you’re lovely.” He’d not been so taken with a woman’s beauty since he’d been old enough to understand women used their appearance to scheme and manipulate.
Her light eyebrows tilted into two twin arches as she gently pulled her arm from his grasp. “Thank you.”
“Miss Prattle,” her friend said through clenched teeth. “Our hour is over.
“Tell me your name,” Grey insisted as his intriguing, blonde beauty started backing away from him. He didn’t want her to go. Not yet.
“You already know it.”
“Your real name,” he amended, advancing toward her so she couldn’t simply vanish into the thickening crowd. “I could call on you. Take you to the theatre. Show you things you’ve probably only imagined.”
A lovely pink blush stained her cheeks. “I’ve a great imagination.”
“Then let’s explore it together.” He didn’t give a damn how forward he sounded.
“Enough!” her annoying companion said. “We must go now. It’s been two hours.”
“Two hours!” his beauty gasped. “Dear me. I really must go, but thank you for the offer.”
He sidestepped in front of her and looked down into her upturned face. “Meet me here tomorrow,” he said, desperate to ensure he would see her again. Her indecisiveness showed as she bit on her lip. “I won’t let you leave unless you agree.”
“That’s coercion.”
“Whatever it takes.” He loved the word “whatever”. It left so many intriguing possibilities open to explore.
“Please remember that tomorrow.” She sidestepped around him.
A sense of satisfaction filled him. “I’ll see you at the fountain at ten.”
Already a few steps away, she looked over her shoulder. A frown marred her beautiful face. “Goodbye, Lord Drivel.”
He loved that she was willing to play the game. “Fair well, Miss Prattle.”
He watched her depart, her hips rocking enticingly with each step, until he could see her no more.
If he was any other sort of man, he would have followed her all the way to her carriage just for a few more minutes in her company.
Gravenhurst nudged him in the side. “Do you really think that piece will meet you here?”
“Of course I do. I’d not have let her leave, otherwise.”