Page 26

TEN

Halfway to the Templetons’ library

Jack threw backhis head and laughed—deep, unfettered amusement at her silly, but likely genuine, threat.

What other female would say such a thing?

“You’ll have to win first, Aubrie.”

“I assure you, Jackson Matherfield. I shall.” Finding her rare confidence amusing and estimable, he almost hoped she would prevail.

Almost.

They finished the short trek to the library in silence.

In short order, Jack pulled two comfortably worn burgundy velvet library chairs trimmed in gold braid beside an octagonal marble-topped inlaid table. After lighting the tapers in a gilt brass three-branch candelabra from the low-burning hearth fire, Aubriella set it in the table’s middle.

Giving a satisfied nod and checking to ensure the door stood open, she slipped into one chair without waiting for him to pull it out. “Shall we begin?”

The ugly-as-sin chinoiserie mantel clock with a blue foo dog top, chimed quarter past eleven.

How had it become so late?

“Indeed. The hour grows advanced.” He pulled the ivory dice from his pocket and offered them to her. “Best two out of three?”

It seemed unfair only to give her a single chance when he was certain of the outcome.

“If you think you need that many,” she quipped with a mischievous smile.

Comfortable silence descended, punctuated by the clock tick-tocking on the carved mahogany mantel, the fire lazily crackling and hissing, and the dice clattering against the marble inlays.

Jack won the first game, but not without breaking a sweat. It had been a far closer match than he’d anticipated, as had the second in which Aubriella triumphed.

He’d underestimated her.

Her forehead furrowed in concentration as she rolled the dice between her hands.

“I choose seven as my main,” she said.

If she rolled a seven—a nicks—on her first toss this third game, it was over.

She won.

Jack would shed his clothing for her—God help them both. Not that the idea didn’t have merit, but the consequences didn’t bear contemplating. Unless he cried off, which was the sensible thing to do.

His honor prohibited him from keeping his word, and his deuced honor also forbade him to pose for her nearly unclothed. She’d backed him into a corner. No, his stupidity and cockiness had caused this conundrum.

Grinning, he shook his head. “Neither of us has a throw in on the first roll. The probability is quite low.”

“Yes, but a seven has a slightly greater chance.” Voices in the corridor made her glance toward the door. “How shall we explain playing in here, rather than the card room, should someone come upon us?”

“We can say you wanted to practice before joining a game in the card room.” She didn’t need practice, but Jack doubted anyone would question the fabrication.

“I suppose that suffices.” Filling her lungs with air, which caused her bosom to swell quite nicely, she closed her eyes and moved her mouth in silent prayer before kissing her fist.

“Please.”

“You seem quite desperate to see me unclothed.” Jack leaned back in his chair; one arm slung over the back. “I believe I should be scandalized.”