Page 65 of A Gentleman's Wager
“Yes, but why if all is well were you out walking in it?”
“I…” She stuttered, not sure what to say. Should she really confess that she’d gone out to the stables because she’d spent the whole night fixated on the notion of him swiving her alongside his friend? That would inevitably lead to her having to lie about what had happened there. Dash, it was probably best to remain altogether vague. “I wanted some air. I’m not a stay at home miss. I’m used to being outdoors.”
“Right,” he said, clearly not believing her. “It wasn’t because—do you want a drink?”
He dashed over to a side-cabinet and produced two glasses and a decanter. After throwing back a thimble of brandy, he poured another two measures, and returned to her side. “Here, it’ll warm you.”
“Thank you.” Awkwardly, Bella sipped the fiery liquid. This was the first time they’d been entirely alone together since their brief interlude in the church. Then, they’d been at ease with one another. Now, they were like two hedgehogs trying to embrace without getting a bristle in the eye.
“I…” Lucerne dithered. “Can I sit?”
“It’s your sofa.”
“Yes,” he agreed, fanning the tails of his coat out behind him so that he could perch facing her. “I just… I hope it wasn’t anything to do with my behaviour yestereve? That is, I hope I didn’t upset you with my larking?”
“I’m sorry, your larking?”
“Yes.” He was regarding her curiously, the skin around his eyes wrinkled, as if he feared generating further offence with this conversation. “It occurred to me, when I realised you were missing, that perhaps… That maybe my actions had given offence. So, I just wanted to reassure you, that it was nothing more than a bit of silliness. What you witnessed between Pennerley and me.”
Oh, he was worried about that.
“I wasn’t offended, Lucerne.” Far from it. What she witnessed had lit a bonfire under her bottom, one she hadn’t yet managed to put out. Bella forced herself to meet his gaze. She dug her teeth into her lower lip, as her grin stretched broad. “If you mean to say that you are concerned you upset me by…” Dammit, she’d never been any good at obfuscation. She believed in plain honest speech like any other Yorkshire lad or lass. “By kissing the marquis, then yes, I’m afraid I must report I’m thoroughly outraged. You didn’t kiss me half so well.”
It took Lucerne’s expression a moment to catch up with his comprehension. “Ah.” He chuckled. “That’s certainly ill done of me. Amends ought to be made.”
“Definitely. And will you do that right now, or must I wait?” She puckered her lips ready for a kiss.
“Minx.” Lucerne tapped her on the nose. “I made a promise to your brother.”
“As did I.” Though not the same one. “You ought to have thought it through better before making yours. You’ve hog-tied us both.”
“Perhaps. Joshua did rather put me on the spot. But, it was the right and honourable thing to do. I intend to do my best to warrant his trust.”
“Gah!” Bella flopped against the sofa back. Wondering if it would be expedient to ride into town and drag her brother home. Except, what was to say that Lucerne wouldn’t have second thoughts about dallying with her then too? “What about what you owe me? Am I supposed to grow old waiting? Really, I have to say you’re proving to be rather too big a dullard to qualify as a rakehell. I was expecting a lot more debauchery, especially after your very promising start back at the tail-end of summer. You realise, I may have to see if the marquis will indulge me if you continue to hold out.”
That got his attention. Probably for the wrong reason, but nevertheless it worked. Lucerne cradled his brandy glass, eyeing her over the rim. Bella was tempted to steal it from his grasp and down it for good measure. The earlier draft sang in her veins, spreading warmth from her belly to her fingertips.
Lucerne put the glass aside. “You realise I couldn’t possibly allow that to happen.”
“Hmm!” Bella goaded. “Indulge my curiosity, however would you stop it?” He didn’t need to know that it had already occurred. “A rake of his reputation, skills honed amongst the ton’s mamas. I think he would outwit you easily if he had a mind to.”
In a show of self-awareness, Lucerne agreed. “I daresay you’re right.” He scratched his chin. It remained yellowed with bruising. “What you’re not considering is his natural contrariness. Vaughan rarely complies with what’s expected of him. Never presume his cooperation. In truth, I expect you’d find him even less forthcoming than I. Not that you ought to be contemplating such wickedness anyway. Really, what sort of romp are you, Bella Rushdale? I thought I’d invited the daughter of a gentleman to stay, not someone from the buttonhole factory?”
“You’re the one who just invited me to your boudoir without a chaperone.” She let him consider that a moment before adding. “To answer your question though, a horny one.”
Lucerne covered his face with his hands and laughed. “I should be scandalized that you know what that means.”
“But you’re not.” She leaned over to press a hand to his chest. Lucerne fell back against the arm of the sofa. A position that was both louche and put him on display in the most appealing manner. Seeing an opportunity, Bella followed him into a horizontal position, leaning over him so that she was looking down into his eyes. “In fact, my lord, I think you like my company precisely because I’m no delicate flower. If you wanted genteel refinements and simpering ninny-headedness, you’d have stayed in London.”
“Is that right?”
She straddled his hips. Lucerne pulled her fast against his loins, though made no further move to touch or disrobe her.
“I’m not actually averse to refinements.”
“Ah, then I should warn you that my embroidery is mediocre, I know precisely three pieces on the pianoforte, and I sing as tunefully as a magpie. However, I am an expert in the saddle, and… Oh, my!” She made her eyes wide and round. “My lord, what a big prick you have.”
“Flatterer,” he laughed, and bucked his hips so that she could feel the swell of him more prominently.
