“I can’t believe it, but think I’m agreeing to this too,” Adeline added, placing her cup on the tray beside Julia’s. “He needs to be taught a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
The idea of doing something to upset the earl’s life as he had upended hers was intriguing. It would serve him right if she could get the upper hand in the situation he’d created and beat him at his own game by forcing him to accept a wager from her. One he couldn’t possibly win.
“I don’t know,” Brina answered soberly, shaking her head. “The possibility sounds good, but I’m not sure I can do it.”
“Sure you can,” Julia encouraged. “As an example, everyone has heard Blacknight’s instincts are superb when it comes to gambling, and he’s certainly fought more than one duel over a card game. I’ve heard few can match his gaming skills. Maybe you could say if he can manage not to gamble during the rest of the Season, you will marry him. Of course, he can’t quit. He’s a master at it. Men seek him out to play against him. So, he will lose the bet and your hand in marriage.”
“So—what would you win if he lost?” Adeline asked Brina. “A bet has to work both ways. He loses you, but what do you win?”
“I don’t know,” Brina said. “What?”
Julia shook her head. “That is up to you. What do you want, Brina? What is something the earl could give that would make you happy if he lost? Only you can decide what that is.”
Brina studied on Julia’s words. Didn’t she have what she wanted? A home of her own and a life that was filled with people who needed her to help them. A way to atone for what she’d done. What she didn’t need was a man.
“If you are going to consider what Julia is suggesting,” Adeline said. “One thing you must remember is this is a very serious matter the earl has brought to your door. If you offer him a wager, and he accepts, you have to ponder the consequences of what will happen if you lose.”
Marriage.
That possibility was too hurtful to even think about. Brina threw her napkin on top of the tea tray, rattling the empty cups. She rose and walked over to the window and looked out at the spring day. It had been perfect until the earl had arrived at her door. She had come through the dark times in her life and had definite plans. Now she was not only unsettled, she was angry with Blacknight for inserting himself into her life, making her think about the possibility of doing something to get even with him, and worse, making her feel the wonderful, sensuous sensation of desire once again.
Love and marriage were two things she never wanted in her life again under any circumstances.
She didn’t want to ever have the possibility of going through the kind of heartbreaking loss, hot, bitter anger, and soul-destroying despair that had crippled her for years. The only thing she really wanted was something the earl couldn’t give her.
Redemption for what she’d done had to come from someone much higher up than the Earl of Blacknight.
Chapter 5
Zane walked through the wide double doors and into the spacious entryway of the Grand Hall, where the premier parties and dances of the Season were always held. Its marbled floors led to the famous ballroom as well as secret little alcoves and candlelit corridors that were perfect for romantic rendezvous between young ladies and courtly beaus or star-crossed lovers.
After shedding his black velvet evening cloak, he came face-to-face with his older sister, Patricia. She’d undoubtedly been waiting for him to arrive.
Smiling in her usual impatient way, she curtsied and said, “My lord, I’m glad to see you actually came tonight. I wondered if you would.”
“Good evening, Pat. You’re looking lovely this evening in your sky-blue gown.” And she was. She was eight years older than Zane but not one year of it showed in her face or appearance. Patricia had inherited the regal good looks of most of the Browning family. Tall,slender, and with hair and eyes dark enough to give a mysterious appeal but light enough to remain approachable. “I told everyone at the family dinner I’d be here.”
She reached up to accept the kiss he gave to her cheek. “Yes, I know, but I wasn’t sure I could believe you. No one else was either. Must I count the times the family expected you to join us for an event and you never arrived?”
“Probably not,” he answered.
“It’s downright unchivalrous of you to actually attend and prove us all wrong for the first time in years.”
“But necessary, I think you’ll agree.” He handed his cloak and hat off to the attendant, but unfortunately not his gloves. For such a formal evening as this, they must be worn. Otherwise he might accidently touch a young lady’s bare arm. Zane considered it more useless Society rules.
“After what you did to the gracious Mrs. Feld this week, I certainly do. The wager you placed was shocking to everyone in the ton. If you thought it would make anyone think you had settled down and were ready to seriously take on your responsibilities, you are mistaken.”
“You can’t say I didn’t try,” Zane offered with a wry smile.
Patricia rolled her eyes as if rejecting that claim, but said, “It was quite clever of you. Of course, it didn’t fool any of us for a moment. We know you have a better chance of winning a foot race with a horse than taking Mrs. Feld’s hand to the altar in marriage.”
Zane chuckled as music and chatter from the large ballroom drifted toward him when they started walking.
“I’m flattered by the abundance of confidence you have in me.”
“I’m only being realistic,” Patricia offered without conceit, reaching up to push a pearl-tipped comb fartherinto her dark tresses. “You should be too. Men have been trying to put a dent in Mrs. Feld’s armor for years now. You’re not likely to be the first, even with your generous good looks, title, and ingenious exploit to gain her attention.” She gave him a quick appreciative smile. “I’m not surprised you have the courage to try. You always have been a devil when it comes to behaving badly.”
“You know I can’t resist a challenge,” he said.
