Page 6 of Wallflower Games: Lady Be Vengeful
“Then why haven’t you asked?” Blake had never been so confused.
“Because maybe I don’t want to know. If I asked her and she told me something I didn’t like, then what would I do then? Would I stop them from what they have planned? Does it even matter?” He sighed. “I’m not a fool. That whole mess with Lady Daisy Allen—I knew then that they had been scheming. It was quite obvious. If they hadn’t, I might not have Lilah for a wife now. That other harpy might have gotten her way.”
“Would you have married her?” Blake asked. He was a little surprised at the direction this conversation had turned toward.
“I would not have wanted to.” Harcrest picked up his brandy once more. “Her father is a duke. He’d have ruined me. I have Emma to consider.”
Blake nodded. “Perhaps it is best if you do not ask.” But that did not mean that Blake had to remain in the dark. He wanted to know what they planned. “I’ll leave you to your ledgers. We can talk more later.” He set his brandy down, unfinished. He had some planning of his own to do, starting with how he would corner Emma and discover all of her secrets
Three
All the guests had arrived, including her extra-special invitees—those summoned for reasons beyond a mere Christmastide house party. The next fortnight would be filled with merriment, games, and tricks…with a touch of revenge sprinkled in for good measure. Today, she was planting seeds and gathering conspirators—albeit unknowingly. They would agree to little favors without even realizing what she had asked of them. If all went well, they had soon be acting on her behalf.
She strolled into the parlor, ostensibly for games—the official reason for the gathering. But she had other diversions in mind, and none involved cards.Emma glanced around, searching for her first target, er, guest. Spotting Viscount Clouston alone, she grinned. Perfect. She navigated through the guests, then pretended to stumble, letting him reach out to steady her.
“Pardon me, my lord,” she said, glancing up at him from beneath her lashes. The viscount had sandy-brown hair and eyes that matched. Ordinarily, such coloring might seem dull, but on him, it added to his allure. He had been one of the gentlemen who had caught her eye at her debut. His high cheekbones and full, very kissable lips framed his striking brown eyes, giving him a dreamy, almost poetic look. “I do not know what happened.”
“I am certain the fault was mine,” he replied earnestly, though she doubted he believed it. “Are you all right?” She nearly sighed. He truly was a gorgeous man, though she also knew he could be cruel; she had felt that sting firsthand.
“I assure you, my lord,” she replied with a coy smile, “it was a mere moment of clumsiness. Something must have caught me off balance, that is all.”
“Then allow me to escort you around the room,” he suggested, his lip curving into a decadent smile. “It would ease my mind to be near, should you takeanother tumble.” The expression only enhanced his appeal. It might have sent a lesser woman’s heart aflutter, but Emma was made of sterner stuff. She had plans for this man, and they had nothing to do with seduction. At least, not her own.
“I could not possibly ask that of you,” she demurred, giving a shy smile. As a confirmed wallflower, she wasn’t supposed to possess any charms, and she played into Lord Clouston’s expectations.
“I insist,” he said. “It is the duty of a gentleman.” If he were a woman, he might have fluttered those perfect lashes coquettishly.
“Very well,” she agreed softly. “I suppose it would not hurt to have a gentleman such as you by my side.”
He fell into step beside her as they made their way through the room. She said nothing at first, letting him grow comfortable in her presence. She matched her tone and manner to his, mirroring his actions until he began to see her as someone familiar, someone he could trust. Only then would she begin the rest.
They reached the far side of the room, stopping by a group of gentlemen engaged in whist. Clouston frowned as he met the gaze of another player. “I say,Marlinton,” he began. “Should you really be playing whist? You are dreadful at it.”
The Earl of Marlinton rolled his eyes. “Not that dreadful, I assure you. Honestly, Clouston, you are supposed to be a friend and support me in my endeavors.” Where Clouston was dark and brooding, Marlinton looked like a golden god, with blond hair that gleamed as though kissed by the sun, and eyes so blue they reminded Emma of the Serpentine on a hot summer’s day. They were inseparable, and wherever one was, the other was never far behind.
“I am a friend,” Clouston replied with a laugh. “Which is why I am reminding you of your limitations.”
Emma patted his arm playfully. “You are a true friend, my lord.” She turned to Marlinton. “You should heed his advice.”
Marlinton narrowed his gaze. “And who the devil are you?” Where Clouston acted the gentleman, Marlinton was all bluntness, a pretty face with a streak of impertinence.
“Surely you remember Miss Emma Collins,” Clouston chided his friend.
Emma held back a grin. Everything was falling into place. Both gentlemen would soon be playing their parts, though neither would realize it. She wasin no hurry; this was a long game, and she had no intention of rushing her plans.
“Miss Collins?” Marlinton tilted his head thoughtfully. “Yes, I believe I do.” He didn’t remember her, of course. The only reason Clouston did was because her brother hosted the party.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again, my lord.” She smiled at him with a touch of mischief. Knowing Marlinton’s preference for the bold, she allowed her teeth to graze her bottom lip as she gazed at him—a carefully crafted blend of sin and innocence. She knew her targets and wanted them willingly compliant. They were not her true enemies, after all. They were merely pawns in a game where she was the queen, and by the end of this house party, they would unknowingly help her topple her adversaries.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Marlinton said, setting his cards down. “Surely there is something more diverting to be found than this?”
“I would not know,” she replied, casting her gaze about the room. “I did promise Lady Harcrest I would help with the parlor games.”
“But what fun is that?” Marlinton leaned in, meeting her gaze with a daring glint. “Let’s find something more entertaining.”
Feigning hesitation, she glanced at Clouston. “Shall you join us, then?”
“Of course,” he replied, smiling. “I promised to remain by your side.”
