Since he couldn’t very well tell her he’d been about to break into her grandfather’s study, he fished for an excuse. “I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d look for something to read.” He spotted the half-empty glass on a nearby table, and his brows inched upward. “Brandy?”
“I couldn’t sleep either. I thought brandy and billiards might help.” She wrinkled her nose. “If I go to bed now, however, I’ll just have nightmares about that missed shot.”
He stifled a smile. Her competitiveness was damned cute.
“You can’t make an accurate shot when you’re off-balance,” he told her.
“I wasn’t off-balance. My height makes it necessary to lean on the table.” Her gaze narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re an expert at billiards?”
Billiards had nearly funded his education at Cambridge.
He shrugged. “I’ve played.”
Her brows lifted. “Care to go a round?”
Her invitation surprised him. Accepting it, he knew, would be extremely ill-advised. The smart, rational thing to do was to turn around and leave.
On the other hand, he’d never in his life backed down from a sporting challenge.
He inclined his head. “All right. One game.”
Tessa managed to keep her expression calm while excitement tumbled through her.
Being no fool, she was certain that Bennett had been behind the exploding fountain. She had to admire his ingenuity: rigging a fountain was no small feat. One that required more expertise than even her bucket-over-the-door gambit. The fact that he’d taken the pains to set up the elaborate prank filled her with hope.
Could he be interested in me? Even a little?
Lying in her bed, she’d come to a realization: she wanted Bennett. He was the man she was supposed to spend her life with. He was her lightning, and she’d been struck. Of course, this led to some problems. Her grandfather wanted to marry her off to Ransom, and there was the matter of securing Bennett’s affections. She’d deal with the former when necessary, and as for the latter…
Blacks never gave up without a fight. They didn’tmopebecause of one rejection; they dusted themselves off and went another round. And another and another, as many as necessary to achieve their goal.
Since her goal was Bennett, she would have to fight to win his heart (and other body parts).
The truth had been dazzlingly simple. And contemplating matters further, she’d recognized that she hadn’t exactly done a stellar job of endearing herself to Bennett. What man would want a woman who served him salty tea, embarrassed him in a tea shop, had him nearly arrested for theft, and destroyed his favorite boots? Then, to top it all off, she’d thrown herself at him without any warning.
Crikey, she needed to work on her flirtation skills. She’d decided to turn a new leaf. Her new strategy was this: instead of plaguing Bennett, she would try to act in a more pleasing manner. To be more accommodating and biddable, more in the usual mold of females.
Now she had the unexpected opportunity to try out her plan.
Anticipation squeezed her lungs; it felt like the whole room was holding its breath.
Bennett crossed over to the collection of billiard accessories hanging on the wall. She watched, captivated by the care he took choosing his instrument. His long fingers glided over the sticks, testing each for balance and weight, and she shivered, imagining that masterful touch on her skin.
His final selection was a cue of polished ash. She, herself, preferred playing with a mace, a shorter, carved stick with a small shovel-shaped block at the end.
“What shall we wager?” she said.
“I don’t take money from ladies,” he said dismissively.
Asifyou’d beat me.She managed to bite back the rejoinder. Men, she knew, didn’t like being bested; if she meant to flirt with Bennett, she should probably let him win.
Drat. Flirting wasdifficult.
Then an inspiration hit her. Flirting was about getting to know one another, wasn’t it? If she wanted to ascertain Bennett’s feelings, there was one sure way to do it.
“Let’s play for something more interesting than money,” she suggested.
His brooding look was a bit too penetrating. “Such as?”
