Page 187 of From Rakes to Riches

“How were you even gambling at all? You have no money.”

“Cassandra has money.”

He wiped his gloved hand over his face. “I am beginning to think Lady Cassandra is a bad influence. I will speak to her brother at once.”

Fiona stepped toward him. “Please don’t do that. I’m sorry I lost track of time,” she repeated, growing frustrated. “It looked like fun, and I‘ve never played cards before.”

Some heat returned to his gaze. “They would have devoured you whole. It’s good that I interrupted you. Sometimes the ladies can be more vicious than the men.” He closed the distance between them, moving to stand directly in front of her. “Miss Wingate, Fiona, you must stop these…antics.”

“I fail to see how?—”

He held up his hand. “Yes, you fail to see anything of import. Your behavior must be absolutely above reproach. A duke’sdaughter will be excused for things that you will not. Following Lady Cassandra about will only get you into trouble. Then what will you do?”

She blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

“What will you do if your reputation is ruined? You won’t be able to marry. Do you want that?”

“I don’t want to get married.” There, she’d said it as plainly as possible, and it felt glorious. A weight lifted off her chest, and she nearly smiled.

His eyes widened and then narrowed. “You’re being foolish and immature. Youmustmarry.”

“Why, because you say so?”

“Would you prefer to return to Bitterley? I’m sure your cousin can still find you a nice country vicar to wed.”

Her blood chilled. “Still?”

“That was his plan before I wrote to him requesting you come to London for the Season.”

Fiona gasped. Her cousin hadn’t told her that. Her shoulders sagged as the victory she’d felt a moment ago evaporated like steam. “Is it terrible that I just want to have some fun for once?”

Exhaling, he rubbed his hand along his jaw. “No. However, you must choose your fun wisely. Visiting the map room at the museum is acceptable. Gambling at loo during a musicale is not.

“I still don’t understand how that will get me into trouble.”

He leaned toward her, and his masculine scent of sandalwood filled the air around her. “Perhaps it won’t, but you aren’t where you’re supposed to be, and that’s when bad things happen.”

A frisson of awareness danced up her spine. She tipped her head back to look up at him and swallowed. “What sort of bad things?”

“Things like you leaving the card room by yourself and being dragged into a room by a gentleman who wishes to take liberties.” His gaze briefly dipped before snapping back to hers.

Her breath caught as her pulse sped. “Like this?”

“I am not taking liberties,” he said softly, his velvet tone making her think he very well could. “Nor would I. You are my ward. That would be highly improper. But you can see how easy it would be for someone to bring you here and kiss you.”

Fiona swallowed again, suddenly feeling warm. He was embarrassing her again. He was quite good at that. Unless it wasn’t embarrassment. Because the image of him kissing her flashed in her mind, causing another blast of heat.

She was definitely blaming embarrassment.

He thankfully interrupted her wayward thoughts. “Then you’d be compromised. And if the gentleman refused to wed, you’d be ruined.”

“I shall be more careful.” Her eyes met his for a charged moment.

Nostrils flaring, the earl took a step back. “You’re damned right you will. And you’ll marry as soon as possible”

She shook her head. “I won’t.”

“You will. You can either find someone here in London or return to Shropshire and become a vicar’s wife. I’ll leave the decision to you.” He took a deep breath and smoothed his hand over his hair. “Let us attend the performance.” He offered her his arm once more.

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