Page 7 of A Game with the Rakish Duke
What a woman. A lady like no other. A different woman… one who might suit his purposes, and get his grandmother off his back once and for all. “That depends,” he replied slowly,scratching his chin. “Will you agree to marry me if I let you keep the winnings?”
Her jaw dropped in the most comical way. Clearly, she hadn’t been expecting him to say that. He still couldn’t believe he had said it.
“You are jesting, of course,” she said in a puzzled voice.
“I am not,” he assured her, his heart pounding now. “I will let you keep the winnings, even though they are mine, if you agree to marry me.”
She let out a bark of uncertain laughter, her eyes flickering around the room. “No,” she replied eventually, staring at him. “Are you quite mad?”
“I have never been saner in my life,” he declared. “Why not? You get to keep your winnings, which you sorely need… And you will get to marry the most handsome Duke in the ton. Is that not advantageous to you?”
She kept staring at him, completely aghast, her eyes vibrant in the dim light of the street lamps.
“What, do not tell me that you do not find me the least bit handsome,” he said with a smirk.
He took a step closer to her as he uttered the last line, gazing down at her, breathing her in. He heard her sharp intake ofbreath and noticed the way her pupils dilated. He felt a surge of triumph.
So, she feels it too—this incredible pull between us.
Many ladies would drop their gazes, confused by the thick sensuality simmering between them, or take a hasty step back, but Miss Audley didn’t. She tossed back that glorious chestnut-brown hair, raised her chin, and looked him squarely in the eye.
Fearless. Audacious. Courageous. Divine.
“I do not wish to bind myself to any man,” she declared, her voice steady. “I do not wish to be owned by a man… even a handsome one.”
He smiled lazily, reaching for a curl and twirling it around his fingers. Her breath caught in her throat.
“So, you admit that youdofind me handsome,” he teased.
“You are tolerable, I suppose,” she said nonchalantly, tossing her hair back again. “I am certain that many ladies just fall at your feet like limpets, given your appalling reputation.” Her emerald-green eyes glittered dangerously. “But I am not any lady, Your Grace.”
“You most certainly are not,” he breathed. “I have never met a lady like you.” He hesitated. “Go on. You are impulsive, brave and fearless. Take a chance.”
She bit her lip, tilting her head to the side, studying him. He could barely breathe.
“Have you laid down a challenge to me?” Her voice was gaining strength. “Is that what this is?”
“If you want it to be,” he whispered.
“Then I accept,” she said, taking a deep breath. She paused for a moment. “On one condition.”
He felt another surge of triumph. “And that is?”
She exhaled slowly. “I will marry you… if you allow me to keep the winnings, as you have said… but you must also pay off the rest of my brother’s debt.”
He let out a bark of laughter. “You strike a hard bargain.”
“Always,” she said.
Their eyes met and locked. A surge of lightning seemed to pulse between them. He couldn’t have looked away even if he wanted to, which he really didn’t. He didn’t want to be anywhere but here.
“I accept your terms,” he whispered. “Is that it?”
“No,” she said, raising her chin. “If we marry, then I must have your word it is a marriage of convenience only.”
He felt a stab of displeasure. He wanted her. He wanted her very badly, indeed. He couldn’t remember the last time he had experienced such an immediate, overwhelming desire for a woman.
He shifted on his feet, about to declare that wasn’t possible, then stopped again. As much as he wanted her, it would probably be safer to contain his lust. He didn’t want to risk developing feelings for her… and if they made love on a regular basis, that might become a distinct possibility.
