Page 3 of Scandal With A Viscount

He laughed. And she remembered how much she’d always loved that sound.

“All right.” He extended his hand. “You have yourself a wager, Lady Georgiana.”

She took it. His palm was warm against hers, his fingers firm, and he held on for one beat longer than he should have. She wanted to fall into him and discover how his body would feel pressed against hers.

When he released her hand, she wished she had closed her hand tighter to keep the contact.

“I understand the first game is tonight.” He leaned back against the railing. “I hope you're prepared to lose, my lady.”

“I have every intention of leaving this house party the victor.” In more ways than one.

“As do I.” His mouth curved—that maddening, lopsided grin. “This should be an interesting fortnight.”

He gave her a nod and then walked past her toward the library doors. His shoulder nearly brushed hers, but she kept her eyes forward until the sound of his footsteps faded.

Georgie stood on the terrace for a moment longer, the late afternoon sun on her skin, the stone still warm beneath her hands where she'd gripped the balustrade.

She wasn’t certain how this would all unfold, but a wager with the man couldn’t hurt. At least she’d have a reason to be in his presence each evening. But it was going to take more than card games to broach the subject of a dalliance.

She’d orchestrated such liaisons before, and she could handle Louis Prescott.

Georgie pushed off the balustrade and went to dress for dinner. She had a game to win.

Chapter 2

Louis

Louis stood by the window in his chamber reading the letter from Max.

Look after Georgie until I arrive. Don’t let her do anything I wouldn’t approve of. I don’t want some libertine taking advantage of her. I'll be there by the second week. I owe you.

He folded the letter and tossed it onto the nearby writing desk.

Look after Georgie. He could do that. Max hadn't asked him to do anything difficult. Although his friend might not approve of their little wager, it was all in good fun and it would give him an excuse to stay nearby.

The thought of her being taken in by one of the men at the party made his jaw clench. And he told himself that it was a perfectly reasonable reaction to have over a woman who was now under his protection.

He could do this. He was good at doing what was expected of him, like following his father’s advice not to form any kind of long-term attachments. His father had called it good sense. His father had a great many ideals about women and marriage after Louis's mother packed a single trunk and climbed into a carriage with the stable hand and never looked back. The old man drank himself half to death and told his only son that the fool who lets a woman under his skin deserves whatever she does to him.

Louis had taken the lesson to heart. He didn't let anyone get close enough to hurt him. He let them into his bed for a good time—and then he let them go. It was exactly how he wanted his life to be, and dalliances were all he’d ever need.

His valet tended to his appearance, and then he went down to join the others for dinner.

The candlelit dining room had a table set for the thirty or more guests invited by Wesley and Thea. Louis sat between a widow named Lady Hurst and John Liddell, Earl of Ravensworth. John’s wife Maddie sat across the table and was making Thea laugh about something. Maddie also happened to be another of Louis’s close friends.

Before Maddie had found her way back to John, Louis and her had an understanding of sorts. It was one that ensured their physical needs were met with none of the attachment. Louis thought he might have even considered marrying Maddie since they got on well and enjoyed each other sexually. But then Maddie had married John, and the two were happily in love.

Louis couldn’t be more delighted for them. And he was relieved that John was more focused on his love for Maddie instead of any petty jealousy he might feel toward Louis.

Lady Hurst touched his arm to get his attention, pulling his focus from John and Maddie. He gave her his most charming smile. She was attractive—exactly the kind of woman he'd have charmed into a dark corner at any other house party.

He opened his mouth to say something clever to the pretty widow, but his attention snapped to Georgie. She was seated a few chairs down, next to some baronet's son who watched her as if he were undressing her with his eyes. Her dark hair was pinned up, the line of her neck bare above a gown cut just low enough that he couldn’t stop his own eyes from landing on her chest.

Louis had never once looked at Georgie that way before. She was gorgeous. There was no denying that Georgie was one of the most beautiful women that he’d ever seen. And it was unsettling. Looking at Georgie that way was something that just couldn’t happen.

He took a long sip of wine. He was supposed to be watching her for Max, not wondering what was beneath her dress.

“You should try a little food with your wine,” John said from Louis’s other side, not looking up from his plate.