Annabelle didn’t dare attempt to shake Mr. Harris off. Instead, she swept her earnings into a pile, met her opponent’s eye with a nod, and pocketed her winnings.
“Aw, Mr. Brown, do stay, luv!” pleaded the perfumed lady.
“Next time, Lottie.” Harris brushed the woman off. “Find another guest to entertain.” He prodded Annabelle to start moving, which she did, her head held high.
The moment they left the hall, however, he marched her straight into his office and shut the door behind him, making Annabelle flinch. Only she was not Bella, she was Bart. And Bartholomew Brownfeared no one.
She kept her voice gruff. “What seems to be the matter with my account, sir?”
“Drop the act, Bella.”
“My name, sir, is Bartholomew?—”
***
Harris yanked the cap from her head and pulled her by the scruff of her cravat to within an inch of his face, dangling her another inch off the floor.
She let out a most unmasculine squeak.
“Soot, Bella, really?” His lips twitched. “In a dim lit hall, mayhap, but woman, no amount of ash t’ yer fair face will evoke a man’s shadow.” He broke into a grin before he laughed outright, relaxing somewhat his grip.
She squirmed to escape him but he tightened his hold. “I had the rest convinced.” She met his eyes. “Your ladies even favored me.”
Harris pulled her so close her nose brushed his chest. “Ipaythem to favor winners, Bella. Who do you think alerted me to your table?” The chit really didn’t know a damned thing, he thought, realizing he was gripping an innocent miss rather harshly by her throat. He eased up.
“I did no one harm,” she defended herself. “I let others win too. I played a fair game, so you’ve no right to?—”
“Y’ counted yer way to yer wins, miss, which in my book ain’t fair, ’tis called cheatin’. Moreover, I don’t allow women in me hall.”
“I saw plenty of women in your hall!”
“Like to be one ofthemwomen, miss? Whores who service me tables and then service men upstairs, in bed, fer coin?
Her face bloomed scarlet but he didn’t care. She needed scaring.
“D’you know what might’ve happened had you been found out, Bella dear?Allchance at marriage to any one o’ them gentlemen out there ruined the moment someone pulled yer cap from yer head.”
“I’ve no wish to marry.” She reminded him with force. “I wish to befree.”
“Your freedom is only gained through marriage,” he countered. “It’s either that or sell yer body.”
Her face fell precipitously before it darkened ominously. “Why are you so interested in my well-being, Mr. Harris?” She pinned him with fresh, determined eyes.
“I believeyouapproached me, miss, with yer proposition.”
“Why did you give me your card at my sister’s wedding?”
Harris’s thoughts scrambled.
“Did my brother-in-law put you up to this, sir?”
Fuck.
“Does my sister know about this?”
“Listen, miss, I know nothing at all about yer?—”
“Blast.”She stomped her foot.
