Turning, shescowled. “What do you think you’re about?”
Ah, there wasthe woman he remembered from the Pruitt’s ball. “You seem to desiremy attention.”
“Youthink highly of yourself.”
Heshrugged.
“Whywould I want your attention, when you’ve so clearly demonstratedyou don’t wish to give it?”
“Idon’t know. That’s why I asked you.”
She crossed herarms, drawing his gaze to her impressive breasts. They pushedagainst her bodice, full and round and soft. They looked more thana handful, and his palm itched to cover them, to discover if theywere more thanhishandful.
He jerked hisgaze up.
She smirked athim, as if she knew every single one of his licentious thoughts.“And why do you want to know?”
Clearing histhroat, he said, “Because I’ve made a wager.”
She blinked. “Awager.”
“Irequire your cooperation to win it.”
Arms stillcrossed, she studied him. “Perhaps you’d better tell me of thiswager,” she finally said.
“That I won’t fall to your charms.”
Her jaw dropped.“I beg your pardon?”
“TheDuke of Sutton has wagered one hundred pounds I will succumb. Ihave wagered I won’t. It is not a matter of simply avoiding you; Imust be seen to engage with you.”
Expressionunchanged, she stared at him. He had no idea what she made of this.“I mean to win this wager, Lady Seraphina. He then wagered afurther one hundred pounds if I can instead gain your devotion.That two hundred pounds will do more good in my hands than inSutton’s.”
She gave a sharplaugh. “You are to entrapme?”
“AsI said. I did not much like the thought of deceiving you, and thusour conversation.”
Tilting herhead, he could see her considering his words. “The Duke of Suttonmade this wager, you say?”
“Hedid.”
“Howvery spiteful of him.” She exhaled. “I do not know what tothink.”
“Ihave no wish to trick you, or to lie to you. I prefer yourcooperation.”
“Yes, I can see that for myself. Let me think.”
He remainedsilent as she paced, her fingers to her temple.
“What do I have to gain from this?”
“Theknowledge you are doing good?”
“Howam I doing good?”
After concealingthe truth of his philanthropy for so long, he found himself nowwithout words to explain. He stared at her mutely.
She waved ahand. “No matter. I shall do this, if only so I can frustrateSutton’s plans. He will rue the day he chose to toy with me by thetime I am through with him.” At his surprise, she smiledmaliciously. “I never claimedIwasn’t spiteful.”
