A moment later, the waiters brought a large screen to shield the contents of the table, allowing guests to walk behind it, one at a time, to deposit their forfeited item.Reaching into her reticule, Hannah chose an embroidered handkerchief, keeping it hidden in her hand.After she passed behind the screen, she added it to the pile of gloves, shoes, jewelry, and cravats.
She took her seat among the other ladies, hoping to see the lieutenant.A glass of sherry was passed to her, and she sipped at the drink.It was smooth and sweet, and she felt herself beginning to relax.It wasn’t nearly as wicked as her mother made it sound.She set it down on a table beside her, feeling her skin flush.
Two of the gentlemen moved the screen away, revealing a large pile of personal belongings.And then, she saw that the lieutenant had indeed joined them, though he stood in the back.
“My friends, I know many of you are familiar with the game of Forfeit,” the viscount began.“However, tonight, I am suggesting that we use this game to raise money for an appropriate charity, rather than strictly for amusement.”
He exchanged a glance with his wife and daughter.“Ladies may bid to win a forfeit from the gentlemen, and gentlemen may bid on the ladies’ items.The winning bidder shall send the promised amount to the poor and orphaned children of London.The owner of the item shall perform a forfeit of the bidder’s choice.”
It was a scandalous game, one that could involve public humiliation or even a kiss.From the way the sherry, wine, and brandy continued to be passed around, Hannah suspected things might indeed get out of hand.
“The winner of the auction will return the item to its owner, after the forfeit is paid.”Viscount Brentford reached behind the screen and picked up a black cravat.He cast a wicked look toward the ladies.“Shall we start the bidding?”
Poor Henry Vanderkind, the owner of the cravat, was forced to crawl about on all fours while singing “Woodman Spare That Tree.”Lady Howard, a widow nearing the age of sixty, howled with laughter and promised to send fifty pounds to the orphan fund.
As revenge, Henry Vanderkind bid thirty pounds on Lady Howard’s quizzing glass and made her bleat like a goat in order to get it back again.
As each item was auctioned off, Hannah found herself wiping her own tears of laughter.She’d lost count of how much sherry she’d drunk, for a waiter kept all of the glasses full.
The room seemed to tilt, the voices buzzing in a haze.She pushed the glass aside, hoping that another headache would not come upon her.Someone passed a plate of cheeses, and she took a slice, thankful for the food to settle her stomach.
At that moment, she caught a glimpse of the lieutenant.He didn’t look at all entertained by the revelry.
But when he caught Hannah looking at him, his hazel eyes narrowed with interest.He rested his hands upon the back of a carved dining room chair, and for a moment, she felt like the only woman in the room.The rest of the crowd seemed to melt away, and her body grew warmer as she met his gaze.
It was improper, certainly, but she couldn’t stop herself from staring back.Her dress felt too tight, her heartbeat quickening.Though she finally looked away, she was aware of him taking a glass of wine.His mouth pressed against the crystal in a sip, and she again imagined his lips upon hers.
The lieutenant crossed the room to stand at the other side, effectively distancing them.Hannah noticed that only two items remained on the table: her own handkerchief and the lieutenant’s pocket watch.
The viscount gave a silent nod to his daughter and lifted the watch.When she glanced at the lieutenant, the tight tension in his face revealed the truth—it must be his.
“The last gentleman’s item is this pocket watch.It’s quite heavy, I must say—no doubt made of the finest gold.Shall we start the bidding at five pounds?”
A flurry of female hands rose into the air, and Hannah saw Michael’s discomfort rising.He held his posture stiff, his eyes staring off into the distance.He had loosened his cravat, while his black cloth jacket was unbuttoned to reveal a bright blue waistcoat.The pocket watch he’d worn earlier was indeed missing.
The bidding rose higher, the women laughing as they imagined a forfeit they would ask.
“With a handsome one like that, I’d ask for a kiss,” one woman remarked.
Another giggled.“I’d kiss him without the auction, if he asked me to.”
Hannah didn’t join in, but neither did she want Michael to pay a forfeit that would embarrass him.From the way he eyed the doorway, it wouldn’t surprise her if he left the room.He didn’t seem to care whether or not the watch was returned to him.It probably belonged to the Graf von Reischor.
When Miss Nelson held the highest bid of eighty pounds, the viscountess shook her head sharply, whispering in her daughter’s ear.Hannah didn’t like the look of it.They were plotting against Michael, she was sure.It angered her, for she didn’t want him to be the target of anyone’s humor.
“One hundred pounds,” she heard herself saying.If nothing else, she might prevent the lieutenant from being made into a fool.
A ripple of gasps resounded through the crowd of ladies.One woman sent her a dark look, as though she wanted to stab Hannah with a hat pin.
“One hundred and ten pounds,” Miss Nelson countered.
“Two hundred pounds.”Hannah didn’t know whether the sherry had loosened her tongue or where this daring feeling had come from.All she knew was that she didn’t want to lose the bidding war.
You can’t have him, she wanted to say to Miss Nelson.But it seemed her bid of two hundred pounds had silenced the young woman.Viscount Brentford asked for any final bids, but none was forthcoming.Hannah rose from her seat, grasping the arms of the chair for support.With a determination she didn’t quite feel, she moved toward the watch.
“What forfeit will you ask from Lieutenant Thorpe?”the viscount asked.
Hannah looked into Michael’s face.His hazel eyes held a rigid expression, his hands clenched at his sides.He didn’t know why she’d bid upon him, and the tension in his stance suggested he had no intention of doing her will.
