Page 48 of Make Mine a Marquess

“You mentioned you found ways to help. How?”

“Not now,” she said. “Let’s keep playing.”

She didn’t wish to speak of it. She’d allowed him a glimpse into her private life. He knew better than to prod. He’d have to work to make her comfortable enough to share more. It was a challenge for sure. One he was up for. The more he learned about her the more entranced he became. This was what Aram had warned him about. He shoved his growing fascination aside. Every moment he spent with her was by design. The backgammon games were no exception. Each day, each game, and he was inching toward his goal of destroying his cousin. Asking Phoebe about herself was information gathering. A means of seduction. Nothing more.

“Teach me how to use the doubling cube.” Her clear gaze met his. Whatever troubling emotion he’d seen within the blue depths moments ago was gone. She’d recovered and her secrets were her own.

He, on the other hand, wanted more from her. “Perhaps we should offer stakes.”

“Stakes? How?”

“The cube is used to double the current stakes.” He shifted in his chair and touched her hand, and a sizzling heat tingled in his gut. “But if you lose, I get the cube.”

“What do you have in mind?” she asked.

Her pulse beat at her nape. She was excited at the prospect. He wasn’t surprised. She might try to hide it, but she had a daring nature. She suppressed it, of course, but it came out. He fully intended to use it to his advantage.

“Another swim,” he suggested.

“No.”

“Are you afraid there are biting fish in the lake? You did jump into my arms,” he reminded her.

She lifted her chin. “You are not supposed to mention that.”

“I know it’s ungentlemanly. I have been away from Society and sometimes I forget.”

She leaned her elbow on the table, her blue eyes twinkling. “I don’t believe that for an instant. I think you conveniently forget.”

At the challenge in her voice, his heart pounded, and his body grew warm. The urge to reach across the board to kiss her was strong. He tamped it down. He needed another reason to spend time with her. “How about a ride instead?”

“What type of ride?” she asked.

“I intend to visit my tenants. I know you like to ride and spend time outdoors. Accompany me.” Mimi had moved from the settee to rest by Landon’s feet. He reached down to stroke the cat.

Phoebe’s pink lips parted in surprise. “Once again, you tempt me with riding, my lord. But it’s not proper for us to be together. As for our backgammon afternoons, my mother believes I’m resting or spending time with Miss Stanwell, but riding is different.” A delightful flush covered her cheeks.

“I wouldn’t dream of putting you in an uncomfortable position.” It wasn’t entirely true, but he needed to get her to spend more time with him. “Please bring Miss Stanwell along for our ride.” If having her cousin along would ensure Phoebe would come, then he’d offer. It would still be better than the watchful eyes of her mother.

She let out a little sigh. As he thought, the mention of her cousin seemed to ease her concerns. “Will Mr. Adian accompany us?”

“No, he has other activities to attend to.” Aram was helping him dig through the ledgers looking for additional evidence of Willard’s crimes. They’d already asked the servants if they’d known of Aiden Cawley, but none had. If they were fortunate, perhaps the names of other accomplices who may have had a hand in setting fire to the ship could be found in the ledgers.

She gifted him with a smile that made his already heated blood burn hotter. Once again, he couldn’t imagine her bound to a man like Willard. A liar, a gambler, a cheat…a potential murderer.

“I accept your wager on one condition,” she said.

“Name it.”

“I’ll ask Miss Stanwell, my lord. If she agrees, we’ll accompany you.” Her fingers lightly touched the dice. “Now tell me how to use the doubling cube.”

A thrill raced through him at her agreement. His plans were coming along. Now all he had to do was win the wager.

“The cube is used to double the current stakes,” he said. “But if you lose, I get the cube.”

She rolled, then bit her lower lip. “I lost.”

At the sight of her white teeth biting into the soft flesh, he instantly hardened in his trousers. God, what he wouldn’t give to kiss her again, to trace the soft fullness of her lips with his tongue, to unbutton the bodice of her gown and touch her breasts, to make her moan for him…