Page 49 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

The music had just started as he swung Suzanna into his arms. “You have been quite the elusive woman tonight.”

Suzanna gave him a slight smile. “Mother can be a bit aggressive when it comes to making a match for me.”

“So that answers my question about her behavior.” He turned them in a quick maneuver. “Have you told her you already had an offer?”

Suzanna glanced away from him, suddenly very interested in Lady Muriel waltzing alongside them with Mr. Graves. “No.”

Giles dipped his head to see her face. “Why not?”

“It was not a proper offer. You simply stated that due to—circumstances—we should marry. You never proposed.”

“Ah. So, if I dropped to my knees right here on the dance floor, took your hand in mine, and begged for the honor of marrying you, that would be sufficient for you to allow me to approach your father?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her lips quirked, and then she laughed.

He smiled back. She looked absolutely adorable, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there on the dance floor. “Now that your parents are here in Town, I want to make this all very respectable and visit with your father in the morning, to make my intentions known.”

She shook her head vigorously “No. Don’t.” Her eyes grew wide, and she paled.

“Sweeting, what’s wrong?” He pulled her closer, loving the way her body gently brushed his.

“Where is my mother? Can you see her?”

Giles looked around the room, his eyes finally settling on Mrs. Blake. “Yes. She is watching us.”

Suzanna sighed. “Then we can’t take a walk outside.”

“We will stay within sight of the others. The patio is well lit.”

She groaned and looked down at their feet. Whatever was wrong, it appeared to have her tied into knots. “Tell me what’s troubling you, sweetheart.”

They continued their dance as he studied her, while she avoided his eyes. Finally, she raised her chin and looked directly at him. “I have told you from the start that I was interested only in marrying a man with a title.”

He pulled her a bit closer and bent so he could speak into her ear. “And I wagered you that you would fall in love with me. And marry me.”

She pushed back. “I must tell you that your pursuit will not end where you hope it will.”

“And why is that, Miss Blake? If you are going to attempt to tell me you have no interest in me, that I don’t affect you the way you affect me, I will commit the faux pas of calling you a liar.”

The bright flush that rose from the creamy skin above her décolletage and continued until her entire face was flooded, told him she was remembering their time in the folly. A rendezvous he would love to repeat, to show her how pleasurable their marriage bed could be.

“I wish I could tell you that was untrue, but the crux of the matter is, I am not the one who desires a title.” She hesitated and took deep breath. “My mother does.”

He studied her for a minute. “Your mother is already married.”

“This is not a joke, Giles.”

“Ah, you finally use my name, when you’re attempting to tell me I shall lose our wager.”

She nodded and bit her bottom lip. “Father will not permit any gentlemen to court me who doesn’t possess a title, because he will do nothing of which Mother disapproves.” She gazed at him, tears standing in her eyes. “So, you see, from the very first I knew you would not prevail, and that you would lose the wager.”

“Perhaps not.”

“You don’t understand. I told you—”

He held up his hand. “If you recall, Miss Blake, there were two parts to our wager. I also challenged you to fall in love with me.” He gazed into her tortured eyes. “Are you telling me I lost that wager, as well?”

Chapter Fourteen