“I am not a schemer,” she protested.
“The Chuddums love potion? The escape from the caldarium?” He raised his brows. “Our midnight rendezvous?”
“While I may possess a certain ability to make things happen?—”
“Aye, and you’re a masterful schemer at that.” He chucked her under the chin. “I should know, since like recognizes like.”
She cast her gaze heavenward. “There’s no point in arguing with you.”
“Because I’m right.”
“Do you want to hear what I did or not?”
“I’m listening.”
“Since no one could get through to Ethan, I decided to take matters into my own hands.” Seeing Conrad’s smug look, she sighed. “Fine, I came up with a plan to get the family together again. I staged a situation at a ball. Nothing too scandalous, but enough so that I had an excuse to leave London and seek out Ethan.”
Conrad angled his head. “What was this situation?”
“I told Ethan I was accidentally cornered by a fortune hunter in the garden without my chaperone. But the truth is I went out there on purpose. I knew the fortune hunter was lying in wait, but I didn’t plan to stay long enough to get compromised; I just needed a whisper of gossip to justify seeking out my brother.”
“Hold up.” He drew his brows together. “You deliberately risked your reputation?”
“It was a calculated risk. The fortune hunter was in his fifties and rather podgy. I didn’t expect him to give chase?—”
“The bastard chased you?” Fury flashed in Conrad’s gaze. “Give me his name.”
“It’s irrelevant. I engineered the situation. Moreover, nothing happened because I was faster than him, even if I did trip and tear my dress in the process.” Seeing the gathering storm in Conrad’s expression, she said hastily, “Do not make me regret sharing this with you. The point is that you said I’m a good girl, and I’m not. At least, not always. I misled Ethan so that he would let me stay.”
“Did your ploy work?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “Ethan took me in. James, my eldest brother, came to visit too. I wrote my parents, who brought Owen. Soon we were together again and more like we used to be. The moment I came to Chuddums, I knew there was something healing about the place.”
“There is something healing about you.”
“I wish that were true,” she said wistfully. “My family still has conflicts. But at least we are together and not facing troubles on our own.”
“No one could feel alone with you in their corner.”
The longing in his voice stirred her own.
“And yet my family doesn’t always accept my help. Even when I offer it.” She studied the baize. “They love me, but to them I’ll always be the baby girl who must be sheltered and protected. They do not seem to realize that I am an adult.”
“You should be protected.” Conrad tipped her chin up. “But you should also be respected for who you are and all you have to offer. I meant what I said before, Gigi. You have courage in spades and the spirit and competence to take on anything.”
“Thank you for listening. For…for seeing me,” she said tremulously. “You’re the only one I’ve shared this with.”
“I am honored.”
Her eyes heated, and he gave her a handkerchief and a moment to recover herself.
“Do you wish to continue the game?” he asked.
Their intimacy was so enchanting that she’d forgotten they were playing. Never one to quit before a winner was declared, she nodded. Drawing a breath, she surveyed the table, calling and scoring another cannon.
“Tit for tat.” Wanting to lighten the mood, she said, “Tell me something wicked you’ve done. Something you’ve never shared with anyone.”
He canted his head, and his slow, sensual smile made the tips of her breasts tingle.
