Gambling on a Gentleman by Rachel Ann Smith

Author:Rachel Ann Smith [Smith, Rachel Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penford Publishing

Chapter Eight

The soggy ground beneath her feet mirrored Beatrice’s current mood. She ambled along the shore of the pond, next to Richard in silence. He hadn’t attempted to make conversation and appeared quite preoccupied with his own thoughts.

She gave him a side glance and sighed. “Why did you feel the need to tell me about Lord Harlowe’s engagement?”

His long eyelashes fluttered as he rapidly blinked twice before answering. “I… You… I sensed you might hold a tendre for my friend.”

Her gaze may have lingered a second longer on Lord Harlowe a time or two, but she didn’t think anyone had noticed. “Not a tendre. Merely a hope that he…” Apparently neither of them could find the words today. She certainly couldn’t. Especially not after their kiss, and even after a long hard ride, Beatrice was still unable to banish the desire to be close to him again. Forcing herself to take a step closer to the water’s edge and away from the man who tempted her, she stopped short. The water nipped at her feet. Blast it all. Rather than placing more space between them, she found herself wrapped up in Richard’s arms.

“Careful.”

His muscled and warm chest rumbled beneath her palms that lay flat against his velvet waistcoat. “My thanks, my lord, but I wasn’t in any danger.”

Smiling, Richard asked, “And you are in danger now?”

Yes, yes she was very much in danger of leaning into him and seeking the thrill of kissing once more.

“You tell me.” She liked verbally sparring with this man, especially when he looked down at her with the twinkle of mischief and daring in his eyes. “What would you do if we were caught in such an embrace by one of the many meddling matrons in attendance?”

“The honorable thing, of course.” He stepped back and released her. “I’d claim to be the hero. The savior of silk slippers.”

The bubble of laughter escaped her and then reality hit her. He would deflect. He’d absolutely do all he could to avoid marriage. She crossed her arms over her chest. “And if my honor was at risk?”

He scanned their surroundings. “You are safe, Beatrice… safe with me.”

But she wasn’t safe. She had no home to return to. She had no actual means to support her mama or herself. And the only male guest in attendance who might have saved her had gone and got himself engaged to the loveliest individual Beatrice had ever encountered. Lady Daphne was everything she wasn’t: poised, eternally happy and joyful, and possessed of a dowry as large as King Midas’s coffers.

“Aye, totally safe.” Shoulders rolled forward, she let out a sigh. “Everyone knows you are a confirmed bachelor.” A choked chuckle, the complete opposite of the giggle that escaped her moments before, filled the air. “No one would believe a gentleman like you would entertain a courtship, let alone marriage, with someone like me.”

“I beg to disagree.” A deep crevice formed between Richard’s brows. “Pray explain to me, why do you believe it

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.