Page 55 of Wicked Rivals
A rap of knuckles on the open door announced a footman with a bottle of wine.
“My lord.” The footman held the bottle out to Ashton, who gripped it by the neck.
“Thank you, William. Fetch me a chessboard from the drawing room, would you?”
He closed the door and gestured for Rosalind to sit in a chair by the fire. He joined her and set the bottle of wine on the table between them.
“The terms, as I understand them, are thus. If I win, you will marry me straightaway. I’ll obtain a special license in London. If you win, I will transfer your debts to the party of your choosing and tell the banks to open your lines of credit again by the end of the week.”
Rosalind’s hands curled into fists. “Ifwe marry, I suppose you will let me live where I choose and we need not bother each other except a few times a year for appearances?”
Ashton leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over his knee. “Absolutely not. If we marry, we live together, share a bed, share alife. If there is one thing I don’t wish to be scandalous about, it is my marriage. My wife living apart from me would be a scandal. I’ve done my poor sister enough harm with my lifestyle to date. For my family’s sake, I wish this one thing not to be tainted.”
Share a life with Ashton?Strangely that thought didn’t frighten her, not as much as she thought it would. The only thing she didn’t want was a man who controlled her. She wanted a partner, not a gaoler. But how could she trust that he wouldn’t be the thing she feared most—a man just like her father?
“Ashton, you must promise me that you don’t…you won’t…” She held her words inside until they threatened to choke her.
“Won’t what?” He leaned forward. “Tell me, Rosalind. There should be no secrets between us. I want you to always feel free to talk.”
She could see the sincerity in his eyes.
“I could not survive in a marriage where I was merely a pawn to be moved about without a thought. I need you to promise me that we would betruepartners in our shared life.” She prayed he would understand. He had to.
Ashton uncrossed his legs and then very slowly reached across the small table and cupped her chin.
“The only place I would dominate you would be in bed…to our mutual pleasure. In all else, you will be my equal. You have my word.” His thumb caressed her bottom lip, the sensual touch also tender as though he wished to reassure her.
Dominate her in bed? Rather than be frightened by the thought, she was entranced. It was not a threat, but a promise of ecstasy, of things she had never experienced with her first husband.
With a shaky breath, she nodded. “Then I agree to your terms.”
Ashton did not release her chin even when the footman returned with the chessboard and pieces.
“Bring it here, William.” Ashton finally let her go and tapped the table with his fingers. The young footman set the board down, and Ashton began to arrange the pieces, then paused as he made a mistake in the placement of the king and queen and fixed it. The mistake made Rosalind relax.
“Why don’t you finish setting it up? I’ll pour us some wine.” He stood and went over to his dresser, where two glasses sat next to the bottle of wine. He picked up the glasses and set them on the table beside the board. Rosalind finished placing the last few pawns on the board. As Ashton poured their drinks, the crimson liquid splashed against the glasses. The wine bouquet was sweet, with a hint of cherry and oak.
“Now, drink up. We’ve one more thing to discuss.” He sipped his wine and walked over to his bedchamber door and slid the lock into place.
“I’ve already agreed to your terms.”
He held up a hand. “This isn’t about terms—it’s about rules. It’s simple enough. To even the odds, we will play the game as follows. After each of us makes a move, whoever loses a piece to the other must also sacrifice an article of clothing.”
Her pulse hummed and her face flushed. “What?”
“Each of us must strip down as we lose. It will distract us both.”
“How is this an advantage for you?” she demanded. “I could have you naked in a dozen moves.”
The wicked little grin made her shiver. “That would be far more of a distraction foryou, I assure you. I’m more comfortable in my skin than you know. I doubt you would be as confident in nothing but yours.” He raised the glass in salute and took another sip.
“I refuse. This is beyond inappropriate.”
“I’m afraid I must insist. Come now, Rosalind. We are behind closed doors, and everyone we know is still at the ball. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t find some satisfaction in embarrassing me by stripping me bare? Assuming you can, of course.”
Rosalind’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t say a word, but in her glare she accepted his challenge.
He rotated the board so the black pieces faced her. “Ready to play?”
