“That’s two problems and, really, both are worth ignoring.”
“You have that smug look on your face again, Bellamy. I suspect you are making plans in that head of yours. I wouldadvise against it lest it make your head explode and ruin your hair completely. I like it in that style—new valet?”
She hadn’t removed the rod from her back completely, but she was at least a little more bendable now. In fact, she was endearingly flexible in all the ways that mattered.
“Your concern for my hair is admirable. I think I like this kind and concerned side of you.”
“Well, I do not want to spoil my dress, do I? That kind of stain just does not come out.”
He threw his head back and laughed. He had an overwhelming urge to turn this expensive gig around and head for the nearest stand of trees. Just so he could ravish her most thoroughly.
She was laughing, too.
They traveled slowly, stopping to acknowledge the braver passersby every now and then. Lisbeth had been biding her time, waiting for the right time to ask him something which had been playing on her mind for a while.
“Bellamy, why haven’t you been collecting on your wagers?”
He looked sharply at her, his eyes like amber in the afternoon light. “What do you know of it?”
“I know you haven’t collected one shilling. It was part of our agreement. I want you to collect the winnings.”
“Was it Rollands? Your butler is far too sneaky.” She watched as he contemplated the ribbons in his hands. “It’s not as simple as you make it sound.”
“It is. You are making it more complicated. I wish you would not worry so much about your pride. Pride before a fall makes for a long drop, Bellamy.”
“And you an expert on pride.”
What was he trying to say? “I’ve had to swallow my fair share.”
He frowned. “So you have.”
They traveled a little farther, the slow pace grating on Oliver’s nerves. This all felt like a pointless exercise to him.
“I want to see it,” she blurted out when they had stopped again.
He raised a brow. “I beg your pardon?”
“The list. The list of wagers. I want to see it.” She held his gaze. He couldn’t decide if she was the bravest woman he had ever met or the most foolish.
“You already have it.”
She crossed her arms. “The proper list, Bellamy. One I can read, if you please.” She held out her hand, palm up.
He took her hand and kissed it. “I think not, Countess.”
Her expression was puzzled. “Why? Are they so terrible? So unimaginative you had to write them down in code?”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Unimaginative? Ha! You have no idea how depraved theton’sgentlemen can be.” He took her hand and placed it back in her lap. “Half the wagers were committed to various betting books when the men in question were foxed. Do you really think they would put down nice, civilized things like have a picnic in the park, or stroll down Bond Street? For all your Black Raven reputation you really are naive, aren’t you?”
Her beautiful mouth formed a perfect O, but she recovered quickly. He felt regret for having to be so blunt with her, but she had to realize that if she insisted on this farce, what exactly she was likely to discover. He didn’t want to put her through that, if he could avoid it.
Now her lips were pressed together, and he knew he had lost his fight to protect her and instead brought out her fierce need to know everything.
“I still want to see it. I think I have a right. They are about me, after all.”
He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t suppose I can talk you out of this?” She shook her head. “Fine!” He pulled the phaeton over onto the grass and out of the way of the other traffic. “Here, read them for yourself,” he said, handing her the list from his jacket pocket. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She took it from him, biting her lip in indecision.
