An Unsuitable Bride by Jane Feather

Author:Jane Feather [Feather, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: www.dpgroup.org, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781439145265
Google: zfuUIY5-kVEC
Amazon: 1439145261
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2012-07-23T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Alexandra was acutely aware of her companion’s watchful and questioning gaze throughout the meal, although he said nothing and seemed to be eating with enjoyment. Around them, the voices of their fellow diners rose and fell, masking the silence at their own table. The serving wench set down a basket of custard tarts, and Peregrine refilled their glasses as she took away the detritus of the first course.

He leaned back in his chair and smiled at Alex over his goblet. “So, I bethought me of our postprandial entertainment. You owe me a game of chess.”

Alex looked startled. “Do they have a chessboard here?”

“I don’t know. Quite possibly. But I came prepared.” He reached into the deep pocket of his coat and drew out a delicate enameled case embedded with lapis lazuli. He flicked open the little silver clasp with a fingertip and lifted the lid, which revealed a miniature chessboard of black and white ivory.

“Oh, ’tis beautiful,” Alex exclaimed. “May I see?”

The chess pieces were already in place, held onto the board with magnetized bases. “I am very fond of it,” he said. “It belonged to my uncle, Viscount Bradley. He’s something of a collector, although in general, his collection is representative of rather less socially acceptable art forms.” A rather sardonic smile touched his mouth. “But in a most extraordinary fit of generosity, on one occasion, he gave me this.”

Alex lifted the delicately carved pieces reverently. “They’re jade.”

“Yes. Chinese jade. My uncle acquired it on one of his trips to China.”

“A very well-traveled gentleman,” Alex observed, all their previous constraint forgotten as she examined each piece in turn.

Perry chuckled. “He’s certainly that. He’s traded in India, China, and Japan and amassed a vast fortune in the process.”

Alex looked up from the king she was holding and shot him a shrewd glance. “You don’t sound as if you care for him very much . . . or approve of him.”

“That would be an accurate observation,” he said. “But unfortunately, he holds the family fortunes in the palm of his hand.”

“Oh? How so?” She set down the king on its black square.

“He has made some rather eccentric conditions in his will. My brothers and I, if we’re to inherit his fortune, must dance to a distinctly deviant tune.” Perry took a custard tart from the basket and bit into it with pleasure. “Something you might find some sympathy with, I imagine.”

Alex bit her lip. “There is nothing deviant about what I’m doing.” Which, of course, wasn’t strictly true. She was, after all, engaged in something that could be called thievery if you chose to look at it in that light. She quashed that reflection and met his gaze directly.

“Well, I won’t argue with you,” he said easily. “Since I have no idea what it is you’re up to, I’m not in a position to judge.”

“No,” she agreed, setting the pieces up properly on the board. “If this is to be a rematch, I play white this time.”

He shook his head and took two pawns from the board.

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