Page 8 of Wicked Rivals
When Mr. Reed spoke again, his voice was low and he leaned close. “You must not tell him that I betrayed his confidence.”
“We shall not. Now,whohas told you not to allow any credit extensions? I assume someone ordered that, correct?”
“Lord Lennox.”
It was the name Rosalind had dreaded to hear. Hearing her worries confirmed sent spirals of panic through her. So Lennox was finally making his play, after a month of letting her believe she was safe following that night in the theater.
“Thank you, Mr. Reed.” Emily glanced toward Rosalind.
Pembroke looked horrified. “Wait a minute. Lennox is trying to stop you from obtaining credit? Whatever for? I know him. He’s a ruthless man of business, but not to ladies.”
With a mirthless laugh, Rosalind fisted her hands in her skirts. “It seems I am to be the exception.”How fortunate am I?Her inner voice was a tad impolite, but who could blame her? Lennox had her back against a wall, and she wasn’t handling it very well.
“Lady Melbourne, I was advisednotto give you details. However,” Reed said, glancing at Emily again, “I’ve been informed he also bought the debts you have and will be sending demand payments through proxies this afternoon.”
Rosalind sank in her seat. That was far worse than the gold demands she’d been expecting, but it was oh so clever as well. A personal touch, to let her know exactly who had bested her.
“Why that pompous, bloody bastard!” The curse did not come from Rosalind, but Emily. “Justwaituntil I get my hands on him. He’s supposed to be the most gentlemanly of the League.Ooh!” Emily’s hands were curled into fists, and anger sparked in her eyes.
Pembroke growled and looked at the two ladies. “That is indeed a very low thing to do. If you give me the nod, I’ll have half thetongive him the cut direct by this evening, and he’ll be tossed out of his club.”
“Thank you, James, but that won’t be necessary. I’ve a better plan in mind to deal with our misbehaving friend.”
Rosalind laid a hand on the duchess. “Please, Emily, you need not get involved—”
“Nonsense. That ispreciselywhat I must do. But first, we have to get you home, Rosalind.”
“But I need to handle the notes—”
Emily smoothed out her skirts. “Let me see to that. You must handle Ashton.”
“How on earth do you suggest I do that?” She had her own ideas, of course. Strangulation being at the top of her list. But she was also curious as to what Emily might say.
“You are rivals, correct?” Emily asked.
“Yes.” Lord help her if they were rivals in anything besides business.
“And how would you handle a business rival?”
Finally Rosalind felt like smiling. “By finding his weakness. Breaking him down from the inside.”
“And do you know any weakness you might exploit?”
Her thoughts went back to the theater. One heated encounter in that alcove and he’d lost his control, but she’d kept hers. She’d won.
And I can win again.
Emily clapped her hands at the sight of Rosalind’s cunning smile. “See, you have the right of it. I’m certain you can use that to your advantage. Now let’s get you home so you can change into something more suitable for seduction.”
The banker sputtered in shock, and Pembroke covered a laugh with a polite cough. “Allow me to escort you ladies to your coach.” Pembroke nodded his goodbye to Reed.
“Thank you, Lord Pembroke,” Rosalind said, but her mind was still reeling.
Seduction? She hadn’t necessarily thought of that sort of plan, but there was logic to it. If it could get her back what was hers, her life, her independence, then she would play him like a fiddle if she must. But she’d only ever been with one man before, her late husband. Sweet and gentle in bed he had been, but his touch had neverburnedthe way Ashton’s had, nor had her entire body felt as though it was on the edge of something dark and wild when they had kissed.
But she detested Lennox. He knew just how to prod her until her barely leashed temper snapped. How was a woman to enjoy herself in bed when she wanted to strangle the man with his own bedsheets? Was he evencapableof being seduced? She doubted he ever let himself be free enough to fall completely for a seduction, but what else could she try?
By the time she finally parted ways with Emily and Lord Pembroke, she had become thoroughly agitated. No, that was not nearly a strong enough word, but the words that came to mind were most unladylike.
