Page 8 of Wallflower Games: Lady Be Vengeful
“And if you don’t—then I win?” she finished.
“Exactly,” he said with a grin. “Now finish your brandy, love. It’s a shame to waste good spirits.”
She shot him a glare. “And if you win, what is it you want from me?”
Blake’s mind conjured a tempting image: her, naked and bound to his bed, where he could explore every inch of her flawless skin and hear her moan under his ministrations. But that was too much to ask outright. She’d never agree. “Let’s keep it simple,” he said. “The winner receives a boon of their choosing from the other.”
“I won’t allow you to seduce me,” she warned, eyes narrowed.
“Sweetheart,” he murmured, leaning close so only she could hear, “I wouldn’t need a wager to seduce you. You’d be in my bed before you even realized it.” He straightened, lifting a brow. “So, do we have a wager? Or should I take my suspicions to your brother?”
“All right,” she agreed with a sigh. “You have your wager.”
“Excellent,” he replied, winking as he stood. “I’llleave you to your eager suitors. Happy scheming, love.”
Blake left her in the game room. He’d discover her secrets soon enough. For now, he had all he needed, and for the first time, he felt himself enjoying this house party—all because of one little vixen he was determined to kiss before the fortnight was over.
Four
Emma had plans. Big plans. And that blasted Marquess of Ardmore was not going to interrupt them. She gnashed her teeth together in frustration. How dare he insinuate himself into her plans. She had depended upon no one noticing what she did. As a wallflower, she should have been able to depend upon that. That sneaky interfering man would rue the day he decided to pry into her activities. It didn’t matter if she found him the most arrestingly gorgeous man she’d ever seen.
She had thought that Clouston and Marlinton had been attractive, and they were, however, they had nothing on the marquess. It was his eyes that did it for her. They were golden and seductive, andshe could easily become lost in them. But it was more than that. He had broad shoulders, and when she was near him, she wanted to beg him to pull her into his arms. Emma had never desired a man more. But like all the gentlemen she’d ever met, the marquess hadn’t noticed her. One of the most notorious rogues in the ton, and she was beneath him. Until now. Now he saw her. Right when she didn’t want him to, he decided to become embroiled in her life.
It was enough to make her wonder what deity she’d angered to have fate decide to curse her. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she had a plan. A good one. It was already in progress. She walked into the breakfast room and made sure she had a welcoming smile on her face. Her facade had to remain in place. It wouldn’t do for them to look too closely at her. All of the guests she had plans for were there. Perfect.
Lord Clouston rose and approached her. He was as handsome as she remembered, but he no longer stirred anything within her. Emma held back a sigh. “Miss Collins,” he greeted her. “Would you care to sit with me?”
Her first response was to say no. But he didn’t. Instead, she grinned. “I would love to,” she said in afriendly tone. “I see Lord Marlinton is already here as well.” Emma nodded in his direction. She wanted to demand that they join him, but then Lord Clouston would realize that she was no longer following his dictates and suggestions. It had to come from him. She glanced at him and lowered her lashes submissively.
“Yes,” Lord Clouston said. “He is.” He smiled down at her. “Would you like me to fix you a plate?”
Emma could fix her own plate. She knew what she liked. “Of course, my lord. I’d like that.” She mirrored his movements and spoke in the same tone of voice. It lulled him into compliance. The man didn’t even realize that he was doing as she wished. Hmmm. All those books she’d read about this type of mind tricks were accurate so far.
“My lord,” she began. “I was wondering if I could ask a favor from you.”
“Of course,” he said.
That easily… What if she asked him to go for a walk off the nearest cliff? What a simpleton. “Would you be a dear and give me an extra sausage?” She gestured toward her plate. “I so adore sausages.”
He chuckled and put another sausage on her plate. They moved down the buffet. She placed a hand on his arm. “My apologies, my lord.” Shenibbled on her bottom lip. “But would it be too much to ask if you went back for one more sausage?”
“One more?” He lifted a brow. There were already three on her plate. She really didn’t like sausage that much. This was a test to see how much he would be willing to do for her. When the next part of her plan moved forward, she had to know what he might or might not do, and this was a simple request. “I do not see why not.” He left her and went and retrieved another sausage for her.
“Thank you so much, my lord. You are a dear for indulging my request.” She smiled as he led her over to the table. She stumbled and he reached out to help her and the plate tipped, with two of the sausages falling to the floor.
He frowned, his gaze fixed on the floor. The crestfallen look on his face was almost endearing. She should take pity on him, but she wouldn’t. “Oh, dear…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I so wanted those sausages.”
She didn’t even have to make the request. The poor sod just walked away and went back to the buffet. He even put a couple of additional sausages on the plate. Perfect. He came back and set the plate down, then pulled her chair out for her. “Thank you,my lord.” She would never be able to eat all the food on the plate.
“Miss Collins,” Lord Marlinton greeted her. “Would you be interested in a walk in the conservatory with us later?”
Emma had something else in mind. “I thought perhaps we could do something a little more entertaining.”
“Oh?” Lord Clouston said. “What would that be?”
“We had a lovely bit of snow fall overnight.” That was a welcome surprise and had given her this idea. “Wouldn’t it be delightful to have a snowball fight?”
“A what?” Lord Marlinton tilted his head to side.
