“Since you have already decided I would be the perfect spinster, I assume you have also selected the rake I am to kiss?”
“We would hardly allow our sister to kiss someone we did not approve of,” Jasper said with a great show of indignation.
“How comforting to know I can count on your diligent vigilance of both my person and reputation,” Meredith said. “It warms a sister’s heart to know how highly she is regarded by her brothers. So who is it to be?”
Her expression remained frozen as she jerked her head back and forth to stare at the men seated on either side of her. They both looked sheepishly back.
“Dardington proposed the terms of the wager,” Jasper finally replied. “We thought it only fitting he should be the man who is kissed.”
“Very clever.” Meredith sniffed in a most unladylike manner, hardly surprised by the answer. “I applaud your ingenuity. If Dardington is the man kissed, there shall be no quibbling over the completion of the wager. I was wondering how you were going to prove the task had been accomplished, but frankly was afraid to ask.”
She sucked in a painful breath. “However, I feel compelled to mention some flaws in your otherwise sterling idea. For example, what if I object to kissing Dardington?”
Jasper and Jason’s immediate scowls gave Meredith a wicked sense of satisfaction. Apparently this contingency had never even been considered.
“He is a very handsome, well-turned-out. gentleman,” Jason sputtered. He looked at his brother in confusion.
“I’m sure you would like him,” Jasper added.
Meredith tilted her head to one side as if she were carefully considering the matter. “And if I do not?”
“I suppose you could chose another man,” Jason replied slowly. “But he must be a rake. Are you acquainted with any?”
“Gracious, how and where would an old, on-the-shelf spinster such as myself have the opportunity to meet a gentleman with an unsavory reputation?”
There was no mistaking the embarrassment etched on Jasper and Jason’s faces. Yet their clear discomfort did not completely ease the hurt she felt.
“You have made your point, Merry,” Jason declared stoically. “We apologize.”
“As well you should.” Meredith bristled as she arranged and then rearranged the folds of her skirt. She tried holding on to her anger, but their guilty remorse ate at her conscience.
Their plan might be outrageous, but she had done far worse than kiss a gentleman of questionable reputation over the years to shield and protect her brothers.
“Instead of going through with this ridiculous scheme, why don’t I purchase the bays from the marquess? I’m sure he will accept a fair price for them.” Meredith suggested. “I will, of course, retain ownership of the animals so the poor creatures cannot again be used as gambling collateral, but would keep them here in London, at your disposal, to be used whenever either of you wished.”
The twins looked appalled at the notion. “The horses are part of a standing wager. You cannot simply buy them.”
“Why not?”
“It just isn’t done,” Jasper insisted.
Meredith shook her head in puzzlement and rose to her feet. As far as she was concerned the discussion was ended. In a moment of weakness, she had offered to acquire the horses her brothers seem to covet so keenly, but they had rejected her offer in favor of some antiquated male code of gambling honor she could not begin to understand.
Meredith strode to the door, then paused to look back at her brothers. “I politely suggest you both now turn your efforts toward a way to legally obtain the coin needed to cover this bet. For it seems rather certain that despite yourflawless planto emerge victorious, you shall instead be the losers in this wager.”
Three
“What are you doing?” the sultry redhead asked as she turned her head languidly on the pillow.
Trevor Morely, Marquess of Dardington, stiffened slightly at the sound of her voice. Yet he never hesitated as he tugged on his black evening trousers and began to calmly button them, half hoping if he ignored her, she would remain silent.
“Darling, come back to bed,” the female voice insisted. “It won’t be light for hours, and my dreadful husband never returns until the dawn has broken.”
Trevor lifted his head and gazed with a practiced eye at the naked woman sprawled among the bed linens. Lady Melody Ramsey was a sight to behold, with her tousled red hair, flushed face, and creamy white skin. It was rumored among thetonthat she was able to do most anything a man could want or even imagine. After tonight, Trevor could testify that claim was not an exaggeration.
Lady Ramsey’s expertise in the bedroom went beyond mere skill. She was inventive, aggressive and incredibly lovely. So why was he donning his trousers instead of removing them?
“ ’Tis late, Melody.” He smiled gently, hoping to avoid a scene. “And I’m tired.”
