Page 3 of How to Tempt an Earl

It was an opulent room with a large oak desk, matching leather chairs, and thick Oriental carpet. He ran his business here. Numerous papers beneath polished stone paperweights and leather-bound ledgers were stacked neatly on the desk. A large globe rested on an end table in the corner. But it was the window overlooking the casino floor below that drew the eye. He could see everything from here—the flurry of his dealers’ hands, the excitement of the winners, the sorrow and despair of the losers.

It was Ian’s kingdom, his domain, and he ruled it with an iron fist.

An undeniable curiosity rose within him as he watched her. She stood straight and clearly hoped to appear confident. But Ian knew better. Her shoulders were tense, her breathing quick and shallow, and her fingers twisted the cord of her reticule.

At the moment, he didn’t give a damn about her father’s debt. His motive for bringing her to his private office was entirely different. She’d drawn his interest from the first moment she’d walked into his club.

He motioned for her to sit in one of the leather chairs, but she shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I won’t be long. As I said, I’d like to pay my father’s debts to your establishment. If you would let me know the precise amount, I—”

His curiosity increased. “Lower your hood. I don’t do business with anyone concealing their identity.”

She was hesitant. He leaned against his desk and waited, anticipating her response. He was surprised at how badly he wanted her to comply. Slender hands slowly rose to lower her hood. Dark hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders.

“The mask.”

Her hands trembled a bit as she untied the mask and removed it.

His reaction was swift and violent, and to his credit he didn’t move a muscle. She was beautiful with clear blue eyes, flawless skin, and full lips. Still, he was accustomed to beautiful women. It didn’t explain his interest. She was young, but not a fresh-faced debutante. She’d already mentioned that she’d experienced three Seasons, and he wondered why she wasn’t married by now.

She looked at him expectantly, and he realized he was staring. “Your payment?”

She opened her reticule and withdrew a diamond necklace, the stones glittering beneath the lamplight. “Not banknotes, but my mother’s jewels.”

“Tsk. What would your father say if he knew you were offering me your mother’s jewels?”

Her spine stiffened and she stood even taller, a feat he didn’t believe possible. “If he knew the remaining pieces still existed, he would have taken them to gamble. I would think that is of no consequence to you. All that matters are their worth.”

His desire rose at her defiance. No one spoke back to him. “You’re wrong,” he said. “I don’t need jewels.”

“But they can be sold for—”

“They could be paste.”

Her fine brows drew downward. “I assure you they are real.”

He shrugged. “Still. It’s not good enough.”

“I have nothing else to offer!”

He had an inexplicable urge to rile her more, to ruffle her perfect poise. His gaze roved and lazily appraised her. “You’re wrong. You most certainly have something else to barter.” The words slipped easily from his lips before he could ponder them. He’d never forced a woman into his bed, and he had no intention of starting now.

But she didn’t know that, did she?

Her sapphire eyes flared with outrage. “You’re not a gentleman.”

“I never claimed to be.”

“I realize now coming here was a mistake.” She pivoted on her heel just as his fingers snaked out to grasp her wrist.

She gasped at the contact and stared at his dark fingers wrapped around her satin glove. Her scent coiled about him—not the cloying flowery perfume he was accustomed to, but lavender that reminded him of a cool summer breeze of his family’s country estate in Kent.

A lifetime ago.

She looked up and met his eyes. Rosy lips parted, and the pulse at her nape quickened.

The corner of his mouth lifted. “So quick to run? Surely your sire is worth such a small price?” He was taunting her. Something about her aristocratic bearing and the unconcealed judgment in her blue eyes incited the beast in him.

“How dare you! My virtue may seem a small price to you, but I am a lady.”