The Danger in Tempting an Earl (14 page)

“Miss Pinket?” Lucien had asked.

“She’s Mrs. Brown now,” Katherine had told him. “I feel terrible for her. Especially if this is indeed Donovan’s doing, for then I am entirely to blame for her loss. Heavens, but she must be devastated, poor woman. I’ll have to find a way to help her through this.”

Lucien had smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure the insurance will cover most of it.”

“Yes, you’re probably right,” Katherine had said, happy now that she’d made that a prerequisite for her investment.

After discussing the matter a bit more, Lucien had finally declared that they should depart for London without further delay. It appeared that Lady Trapleigh’s story rang true and that Donovan was indeed stirring up trouble. With both Katherine and Lady Trapleigh’s son at stake, Lucien didn’t dare hesitate a moment more. He was determined to find Donovan himself and put an end to the man’s deviousness.

Straightening her back, Katherine was just getting started on another daisy when Lucien appeared in the doorway. Heavens, he was handsome with his hair all mussed and his cravat in slight disarray.

“The carriage is ready,” he announced, eyeing the door, which remained ajar. “Do you still wish to come along, or do you think it best for me to go alone? I only ask because now is the time to say so if you have reconsidered. We depart in ten minutes.”

“Do you prefer to travel alone?”

“This has nothing to do with my preferences, Kate. I’m only concerned for what is best for you and for Sophia.”

Warmth enveloped her heart and her worries eased. “Then I shall join you as planned.” She gestured for him to take a seat opposite her own, which he did. Leaning toward him, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’m sending Sophia to Bath with her nanny. My parents are there at present, though everyone believes them to be in Scotland. You see, I wasn’t completely honest with you when you asked about my father’s health. He hasn’t been feeling himself lately, and the doctor believes that taking the waters will help.”

“I’m so sorry, I—”

“Mama insists he will be fine, and I believe her. He simply worries a lot about everything—always has—and I daresay his concerns have given rise to a slight depression.” Unwilling to discuss the reason behind her father’s concerns, Katherine quickly continued. “The point is that nobody is likely to look for Sophia there. She ought to be perfectly safe, or at least more so than she would be with us as we chase after this Donovan fellow.”

Lucien frowned. “Kate,” he began, “I must confess that I was taken aback when Lady Trapleigh mentioned Donovan’s reason for targeting you. It never occurred to me that you would be so successful at doing business—to the point where you would actually be considered a threat to anyone. Forgive me for asking, but how on earth did this come about?”

“After Charles passed away,” Katherine said, “I continued to support his investments and gradually began making a few of my own during the last year, with the help of Mr. Simmons, my secretary.” She then told him of her struggle to understand the ins and outs of the finance world, how to determine risk, and of Mr. Simmons’s unwavering patience with her.

When she finished, Lucien just stared at her, dumbfounded. “And are all of these investments of yours doing well?”

“Remarkably so. The income is enough to sustain Cresthaven, the staff that it employs and whatever necessities I might have.”

“I’m not sure what to say,” he admitted, for it was the truth—she had quite literally struck him dumb.

“You’re surprised?”

“Well . . . yes, I suppose I am. I’m also terribly impressed, if you must know.” She looked pleased by his praise, so he added, “To think of everything you’ve been through—losing your husband and having to raise a daughter immediately after, all while taking charge of Crossby’s affairs. I daresay it’s rather remarkable!”

She was blushing now and looking adorably bashful. “It eased my mind, I think—having something with which to busy myself when I was not with Sophia. The garden doesn’t offer much diversion during the winter.”

Lucien nodded. He understood all too well the need for distraction that followed on the heels of loss. “I don’t mean to rush you,” he said, changing the subject, “but considering our time limit, I suggest we make haste and head to London immediately. Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she said, setting her embroidery aside and rising. He rose as well. “I just need to fetch my pelisse.”

“And Sophia?”

“She and her nanny are ready to take one of my carriages, but nobody, not even the driver, is aware of where they are going yet. They’ll be informed as soon as they’re ready to set out—which they will do before us.”

She looked up at him then, hope brimming in her eyes, as if she longed for him to save her. Her life and trust had been placed in his hands, and he felt both honored and humbled as, seizing the moment, he pulled her against him, enfolding her in his embrace. “It will be all right, Kate,” he muttered, hoping to soothe away her concerns. God help him, but even her touch, separated as it was from his skin by layers of clothing, still scorched his soul.

Swallowing hard, he set her away and took a step back. “I’ll wait for you here while you gather your things.”

“Should I bring a chess set along for the ride?” she asked as she tilted her head, eyes sparkling with mischief while a smile spread its way across her lips.

Struggling to keep his eyes off those lips, Lucien met her gaze. “Only if you promise that you won’t mind me winning.”

Her breath hitched ever so slightly and then she blushed, but before he had a chance to examine her response any further, she swatted him playfully on the arm, which of course threw him completely over the edge. “As if that’s likely to happen.” Her eyes twinkled with merriment and . . . dare he hope . . . a secret promise? Sweeping past him, she headed for the door. “I will return momentarily, and then we will be off.”

S
eated across from Katherine as the carriage tumbled toward London, Lucien quietly watched while she unwrapped a velvet-clad parcel and revealed the chess set she’d spoken of earlier. With her attention fixed on setting up the pieces while the carriage jostled and bounced about, Lucien was granted the luxury of allowing his eyes to roam over her body—a body he’d recently held in his arms. His blood stirred at the memory of it, and he found himself cursing the pelisse she now wore for denying him a proper glimpse of her breasts. Thoughts of what they would look like, feel like, in the palms of his hands were swift to follow. With a muttered oath, he crossed his legs and peered out the window at the passing countryside. Was it possible for a man to go blind from unfulfilled lust? he wondered.

“Black or white?” she asked, requesting his attention.

Abandoning the view, he gave it to her without hesitation, his lips tilting as he took in the chess set that presently sat haphazardly balanced upon her lap. “A lady ought to be afforded the opportunity of making the first move,” he told her smoothly. “I’ll choose black.”

She did not look at him, though he sensed she wanted to, for her head had jerked a little when he’d spoken, yet her eyes had remained on the board and the pieces upon it as if her full concentration had been required to keep them steady. Biting her lip, she selected a pawn and moved it forward.

“When was the last time you played?” He moved his knight.

She shrugged. “I don’t recall.” She was being evasive.

Lucien raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you try?”

Tension built between them, so thick and heavy that Lucien half expected to hear a clap of thunder within the confined space of the carriage. Heart hammering in his chest, he watched as she plucked the bishop from the board and set him on a diagonal path. The game they played was not a simple one but dangerously demanding. Driven by a base desire to claim her as his own, Lucien pushed for honesty, testing her defenses and denying her the comfort that avoidance offered.

“If you must know, I haven’t enjoyed a game in some time. Not since the last time you and I played together.”

Moving his other knight, he asked the only question that seemed important at that moment. “Why?”

“Does it really matter?” Her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke. “After all, it is only a game.”

Something about the way she spoke made him want to toss the blasted chess set aside so he could ravage her right there upon the seat of the carriage.

If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was toying with him . . . speaking in double entendres intended to heat his blood. Surely not. Katherine would never be so bold, but then he recalled the subtle display of her ankles yesterday in the library, the unintentional view he’d been given of her derriere, the accidental brush of her fingers against his, and the thought that she might be threatened to push him over the edge.

Hell, standing on guard in front of her bedchamber had certainly tested his restraint. On more than one occasion he’d considered bursting through the door and climbing into bed with her, no matter her maid or footman.
Christ!
He had to find a way to regain control. After all, he was meant to be seducing
her,
not the other way around.

With a good measure of wariness, he eyed her as she twirled her fingers around the bishop. The motion mesmerized him. She licked her lips. For the millionth time that day, Lucien fought for control. “So, tell me more about your investments,” he said as she abandoned the bishop and moved another pawn instead.

“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t discuss the particulars with anyone,” she said, her hands steadying the chessboard as the carriage hit a hole in the road.

“And ordinarily I’d tell you that you’re wise not to, but in this case, I think you must. Donovan is after you because of your business dealings, Kate. Making me privy to the specifics might help us figure out why. Besides, you know you can trust me, don’t you?”

For the first time since they’d started playing, Katherine removed her eyes from the chess set and looked directly at Lucien. Her gaze was studious, assessing and pensive. Lucien forced himself to remain still, even though he felt like shifting beneath her scrutiny. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes, I do,” she said. She dropped her gaze to her lap. “Your turn.”

Without thinking, Lucien moved his knight straight into the path of her bishop.

“You’re not concentrating,” she chided as she claimed the piece.

No, he wasn’t, but how could he when his body was raging to touch her? “So will you tell me about all of your holdings willingly, or will you force me to squeeze the information out of you?” He was clasping onto a very thin thread, he realized, but if she’d only talk to him about her business, perhaps he could force his torrid thoughts away from the sweep of her neck as she bowed her head and from the oh so tempting wisps of hair that curled against her cheeks.

She chuckled with unabashed amusement. “I’d like to see you try.”

Her words, soft as music, spilled over him, teasing and luring until he felt his resolve waver. God have mercy on his soul, he wasn’t going to make it. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his flesh. Did she have any idea of what she was doing to him? Of course not. She would never be so cruel. “Very well,” he said. “If I win this game, you will owe me three favors, one of which will consist of full disclosure in regard to your investments.”

“You do realize that I’m merely having a bit of fun, don’t you? That I intend to tell you eventually? I’m not a fool, Lucien. I realize that it’s in my own best interest to do so.”

“Nevertheless, I would like to have some guarantee.”

“Very well then.” She watched as he moved a pawn. “What will the other favors consist of?”

“That, my dear, will be a surprise.”

She scrunched her nose. “I’m not so sure I like the sound of that.”

“Afraid of the unknown?” Leaning forward, he hesitated briefly before saying, “You’ve never been a coward.”

Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. “Things change.”

Indeed they did. He could sense her apprehension, her fear of having no choice but to do as he asked, but Lucien wanted answers, and he would not allow her to back away now. “Perhaps,” he allowed, “but you’re still not a coward, or you would have gone with Sophia to Bath while I went chasing after the villain.”

“Maybe,” she agreed.

“So will you rise to the challenge?”

She claimed his bishop, raised her gaze from the board and smiled broadly. “By all means.”

T
here could be no denying the importance of the game, for she felt it in every move she made. She’d never lost a game against Lucien and had always considered herself a superior player. But as the game progressed, she began to realize that he might have been serious when he’d suggested that he would win instead of her. Indeed, she was losing, and she was losing fast, which only served to prove how important winning had to be for Lucien. He wanted those favors, and the anticipation of discovering what the last two would consist of stretched her nerves.

“Checkmate.” The word hung in the air as Katherine stared down at her cornered king.

“Well played,” she said in reply. Raising her gaze, she met Lucien’s. Her mouth went dry. Gone was the tepid look of affection he’d always bestowed upon her. The emotion that shone in his eyes was powerful . . . heated . . . more raw than what she’d ever dared dream of evoking in a man. Her pulse quickened. She wanted him, and yet she didn’t. Heaven above, she didn’t know her own mind!

The carriage jolted, scattering the chess pieces even as she made a grasp for them. It was to no avail. All she had left was an empty board, which was presently being plied from her fingers by Lucien. Katherine swallowed. If only she could still her pounding heart. To think that she’d entertained the idea of seducing him! How naïve of her to think herself sophisticated enough for such a challenge when instinct now told her to retreat. “I believe you wanted answers,” she said, grasping for something sensible with which to steady herself. A serious conversation would do.

“First things first,” he murmured. His hand settled upon her knee and she almost leapt away from him. Except of course there was nowhere to leap to. Besides, she’d longed for this these past few days . . . had no doubt instigated this moment with her suggestive comments. But it was happening too fast. She wasn’t ready. Would she ever be? Probably not, because she was terrified.