The Earl’s Wagered Bride by Cerise DeLand

Author:Cerise DeLand
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-09-20T19:24:35.908135+00:00

CHAPTER 7

When Griff rose from his chair hours later, he took to his bedchamber. Within minutes he returned with his gold pocket watch in his hand. “Thought I heard the hall clock mark the time. It’s one, not two.”

“You look tired,” she said noting the faint blue around his eyes. “You should go to bed.”

“And leave the field to you?” He grinned, slipping his watch into a pocket in his banyan. “No indeed.”

“You’ve fought long and hard.” She swept a hand toward their board. Their game proceeded, slow as a turtle. He was too good. She, too hesitant. The result was mixed. She had taken one of his pawns with her knight. He’d seized two of her pawns and a bishop. “Why not take advantage of your opportunity to rest?”

“I can sleep the rest of my life, Marjorie. Tonight I am focused on this game.”

She chastised him with a shake of her head. Pulling the collar of her robe up around her throat, she shivered at the sultry lure of his bass voice. Then she crossed her arms.

“Cold?” he asked.

“No.” Tired. Fearing I could lose this game. My resolve to stay away from you.

“I can stir the fire. Or pour you another brandy?” He indicated the tray filled with cold beef sandwiches and French creme pastries that Simms had brought them after Griff had rung and they’d begun to play.

“No more for me.” Her head had swum when she’d drunk the first glass. That was bad enough, she didn’t need anything besides his presence to intoxicate her. He was too appealing, dressed in the casual elegance of his blue-black robe. She—having retreated to her chambers early on to have Mary help her out of her gown and underclothes—did not need any more inducements to relax with him. He was, by one fine move, winning. Not by much, but still, she was aware...all too well aware...of his nearness. And her own vulnerability. Her lack of stays to support her resolve. Her sleepiness. Her enjoyment of the hours with him, uninterrupted. The fact that when he leaned across the chess board, she could inhale his cologne. The subtle fragrance stirred her need to touch him or retreat.

She shot to her feet and strode to the fireplace.

“What’s wrong?”

“My legs are going to sleep sitting in the same position. I need to move.” Put distance between you and me. She stretched her arms toward the crackling flames. Heat from those were safer than being burnt to ashes with her desire for him. “Tell me about Wellington.”

He stood beside her, gazing into the fire. “A good man to work for. A brutal task-master, devoted to details. I know a few officers in the Royal Engineers who have suffered tongue-lashings. Also a few of my colleagues in General Staff.”

“How long will we occupy France?” The allies who’d forced Napoleon from his throne and off to St. Helena had carved up their former enemy into bits for everyone. But she wanted to learn how long Griff would be away from home.

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