Page 20 of The Rakehell's Seduction
Alex had a sneaking suspicion he’d read the betting books as well. She may have been innocent in many ways, but she wasn’t an idiot. Viscount Darlington’s unexpected arrival in the quaint village of Lothbrook wasn’t a coincidence. Whatever Ambrose had mentioned in the books had to do with her. Darlington likely had intentions to make a play for whatever the wager involved. She only feared what that wager would be if it worried a rakehell like Ambrose Worthing.
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Chapter 8
“What brings you to Lothbrook, Lord Darlington?” Alex asked, keeping her tone deliberately cool. She could feel the heat of Ambrose’s body directly behind her, reminding her of what Ambrose had said about him being dangerous. If Darlington had showed up here of all places, it had to be for a specific reason—such as to win a wager in a betting book.
She was suddenly very glad that Ambrose was here. He may be a rake, but so far he had been an entirely honest one. This Lord Darlington, she sensed, would be quite the opposite. He had eyes made to hold secrets and lips that seemed made to speak sweet lies that would woo an innocent maid into a bad position. Ambrose was no less dangerous, but he never seemed to hide his desires or his intentions, and she respected him and trusted him on that alone.
“Oh, the need to bask in the idyllic countryside. London has grown tiresome, wouldn’t you agree, Worthing?” As he spoke, his penetrating eyes darted away from her face to settle upon something just over her shoulder. His entire demeanor cast off a seemingly bored exterior, as he if couldn’t bother to be here or rather anywhere at the moment, and Lothbrook would be as fine as any place.
Alex resisted the urge to follow his gaze. She knew instinctively that Darlington was looking at Ambrose.
“I disagree—London hosts many entertainments. Perhaps you are missing out on them and ought to return?” Ambrose suggested, his tone carrying a slight edge that went unmissed by Darlington.
The tension between the two men became noticeable enough to draw the focus of Perdita’s mother and a group of other ladies standing not too far away. The distant twitter of the matrons had ceased as they turned their focus on Alex and her small group.
“I hate to interrupt,” Perdita whispered, “but the dreaded mamas are watching. Might we sit and drink some lemonade?”
“An excellent idea, Miss Darby. I shall accompany you,” Darlington offered, all politeness as he held out a hand to Perdita. She hesitated briefly, blushing as she finally put her arm through his. The moment Darlington had his back turned, Ambrose grasped Alex by the hand and tugged her closer to him, leaning his head down close to her ear. She glanced nervously about, but since Darlington had walked toward the lemonade tables, he and Alex were no longer as interesting to watch.
“Alex,” he whispered, “that man is dangerous. Stay away from him. Do not let yourself be alone with him. He will ruin you.”
Alex opened her mouth to speak but then nodded. There was a feral desperation in Ambrose’s eyes and face that frightened her. If he, a hardened rakehell, was worried about a man like Darlington and his motives toward her, that was… She didn’t know how to describe it, but a deep fear clawed at her insides, making her tense all over and a little light-headed. For the second time, she wondered if Ambrose knew exactly what the wager was in the betting books about her and if Darlington was somehow involved.
“Good.” Ambrose relaxed a little. “Good,” he repeated.
Perdita and Darlington were standing there, lemonade glasses in hand, watching them. Alex swallowed and tried to smile.
“Everything all right?” Darlington asked, his eyes moving between her and Ambrose.
“Of course,” they replied in unison, which drew the attention of both Perdita and Darlington.
Her friend, always so astute, didn’t miss Alex’s silent warning glance and immediately distracted Darlington.
“How long will you be staying with us, Lord Darlington?” Perdita asked, raising her glass of lemonade and taking a sip.Of the four of them, Perdita appeared to be the most composed. Alex noticed Ambrose’s wolfish expression and Lord Darlington’s leonine relaxation, and she was confused.
Something wasn’t right about Darlington’s unexpected arrival, and she hadn’t forgotten Ambrose’s warning that she was in the betting books of a gentleman’s club. That was never a good thing. But what could she do about it? Ladies had no control over what happened in clubs. Whatever was going on was more than just Ambrose being wary of Darlington over whatever might be in the betting books. The looks being exchanged between them—Ambrose’s scowl and Darlington’s amusement—felt too…personal. It unsettled her.
“I thought I might stay until I wore out my welcome,” Darlington replied, still watching her and Ambrose.
“Then that might be a while. My mother is quite delighted you are staying with us.” Perdita finished her lemonade and then glanced at Alex. “Alex, dear, I’ve a mind to get another glass. Wouldn’t you like another?”
Alex stared down at her own still-full glass of lemonade, and both Ambrose and Darlington noticed, Ambrose with a frown and Darlington with a knowing smirk.
Alex let Perdita tug her to the lemonade table, and they bent their heads together.
“Lord Darlington’s coming here was clearly not a coincidence,” Perdita whispered.
“No, I fear not. Ambrose warned me to stay away from him, and I think…” Alex bit her lip before continuing. “I think that it’s something to do with a wager in the betting books at one of the clubs in London.”
“What?” Perdita hissed, her eyes wide in shock. “You are in a betting book?”
“Shh!” Alex warned her friend as a few ladies nearby looked their way.
“What sort of wager?” Perdita asked as she and Alex drew deeper into the gardens. Perdita was pale, and she licked her lips. “Alex, this isn’t good that you’re in the books. Do you have any idea of what the wager entails?”
“I don’t know. Ambrose wouldn’t tell me.” Alex was startled by her friend’s reaction. “What’s the matter?”
