Page 50 of Wicked Rivals
He chuckled. “Wayward? Steady on, Lady Melbourne, I should like to prepare myself for your sharp tongue. I was warned by Lonsdale, you see.”
Rosalind huffed. “My tongue is not so sharp. The earl is exaggerating because he enjoys trouble.”
“Andareyou trouble, Lady Melbourne?”
Rosalind stared deep into his eyes. “Not as much as you, I suspect.” And then she let him sign her dance card. It would be the best way to see if Rafe was in fact the highwayman she’d shot in the storm. If he was, she was going to demand her money back, and she wanted to make sure he never stopped another carriage like that ever again.
Her card was nearly full by the time the festivities began. She peeked at Ashton from behind a row of couples set to dance and saw he hadn’t moved from his place against the wall. He was still staring at her.
“Ready?” Pembroke returned to her, claiming her for the first dance, and they joined the others. “I promise you shall have an excellent partner.” He then leaned in to whisper, “Irarelystep on toes.”
Rosalind took her position across from him as the dance started. He was certainly a wonderful gentleman, but each time the dance let her spin to face the wall where Ashton stood, she was momentarily lost in the intensity of his gaze. It pulled her in, promised dark, delicious things. If only she could bed the man and walk away like many other widows seemed to do, but he was marriage-minded and intent on controlling her life.
“He looks very upset, your wicked oppressor.” Pembroke chuckled as the dance ended, and they clapped for the musicians who finished the lively tune.
“Yes, he does,” Rosalind replied, pleased by Ashton’s obvious displeasure.
“This next is a waltz.” Pembroke brushed his dark hair out of his brown eyes before bringing her closer to him. “Shall we make him furious?”
Rosalind placed her hand in his and smiled when he curled an arm around her waist, holding her too close for propriety. But given Pembroke’s motives, she allowed it. She grinned wickedly.
“Let’s make himveryfurious.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lord Pembroke was as good as his word. By the time the waltz had ended, with Pembroke pressing himself as close to Rosalind as he could for every turn, Ashton had pushed away from his wall and was stalking toward her, eyes blazing. But before he could speak to her, Rafe slipped in between them.
“Sorry, brother, but I am next.” Rafe flashed a wolfish smile at his brother.
Ashton attempted to take Rosalind’s other hand to pull her away. “Surely you should not be dancing after your fall.”
“Nonsense,” Rafe replied. “I’ve been resting too long. Some activity will do me good.”
Rosalind bit her lip to hide a smug smile as she walked past Ashton to follow Rafe out onto the dance floor. “I’m sorry you shan’t have what you desire, Lord Lennox.”
Ashton visibly clenched his fists.
Rafe glanced at his brother with a chuckle. “So, Lady Melbourne, tell me, are you going to marry my brother? The talk of the house is that you will, which makes little sense to me. I noticed a tension between you two that isn’t at all bouquets of flowers or kisses in the dark.”
There was little point in hiding the truth. In fact, given his and Ashton’s opposing natures, Rafe might be the sort to enjoy defying his brother and offer her advice on how to escape him. She hadn’t yet given up hope that there could be some way to win her life back without resorting to devil’s bargains and seduction.
“He’s put me in a position of financial ruin in order to obtain me in marriage.”
Rafe’s eyes widened. “Devil take it—that’s low even for my brother.”
“Yes, well, you know what sort of man he is as well as I do. I’ve agreed to marry him, but in truth, I would love to find a way to secure my property and remain my own woman.”
They spun around another couple in the dance and had to briefly separate before they could come back together.
“Lady Melbourne, would you take my advice if I offered it?”
“I may, if your intentions are honorable.”
“Lady Melbourne, you strike my heart with such a remark. Of course my intentions are honorable. I don’t like to see my brother push anyone into doing something they don’t willingly agree to, and I freely admit that I should love to see him punished for his scheming.”
He seemed honest enough with that answer. “Very well. What is your advice?” She had to wait another moment as they stepped back to let two couples dance between them.
Rafe gave a conspiratorial grin as they came together. “Are you any good at games of skill, such as cards, or perhaps chess?”
