Page 123 of Rules for a Wicked Wager

“Get to the forfeit,” Lady Jersey said, clearly a bit tetchy about all the pomp being directed at Lady Illston.

“Er, yes. If Miss Powel manages to have Greenie say her phrase, then Lord Whitly shall drop to his knees before her and apologize for harming her. And he shall do it to her satisfaction.”

A murmur of malicious glee seemed to roll through the crowd. Mari was dismayed. She hadn’t thought the anger at him so entrenched. For his part, Peter appeared almost bored, though she read turbulent emotions beneath the flatness of his gaze. “And if Lord Whitly manages his phrase instead, then he shall be allowed to give her a chaste kiss.”

Lady Jersey stepped forward. “And if they both manage the task,” she said loudly, “then I declare this wager ill-conceived.” She sniffed. “Truly, I cannot understand what made us think it was a good idea.” She glared at Peter. “Apparently, India has badly damaged your understanding of what is proper in civilized Society.”

Well, Lady Jersey had certainly stated her opinion, and it fell firmly against Peter. Mari decided that lady would be her very first conquest in her new campaign to redeem Peter. But first, she had to handle Greenie.

At Lady Illston’s command, a footman lifted the cage, his arm trembling from the weight, and then set it grandly between Mari and Peter. The place was quiet, everyone’s breath held to hear better. Mari looked at Peter, wondering if she should offer the apple and say, “sodding day.” That was all she’d managed to teach him. But Peter held her gaze and silently mouthed, “happy day.” And since she trusted him completely, she held up the bit of apple.

“Happy day, Greenie.”

“Happy day!” the bird returned.

“He said it,” she cried. “Happy day!”

“Happy day! Happy day!”

The applause was deafening. Loud enough, certainly, to drown out her whispered “Thank you” to Peter. Even so, he smiled and gave her a nod.

And then he went down on one knee before her.

Oh, such a pose, and him so handsome. Her heart broke to see him do such a thing in service of a wager. It was even worse with the whole ton watching and glorying in his humiliation.

“No, no,” she said. “You must have Greenie say your phrase first.”

To which Greenie said, “Winner, winner!”

But Peter remained down before her. And when she stepped toward him, he clasped her hand and bowed his head.

“You have won,” he said loudly.

“No, not until—”

“I am awed by you, Miss Powel. You have a clarity of vision that I lack. An understanding and a determination that puts me to shame.”

“Stop, Peter—” she began, but he didn’t listen.

“If I have ever embarrassed you or caused you discomfort, I most humbly apologize. I have been so wrong in many things, but not in this. Not in the words I have wanted to say to you for so long.”

Mari frowned. What the devil was he saying? And then he turned to the bird. He was tall enough, even on one knee, to offer the creature a nut.

“Your turn, Greenie,” he said. “Say it for me, will you?”

“Marry me! Marry me!”

A collective gasp went up, but no more than from Mari herself. She couldn’t credit it. Had he decided on that phrase at the beginning of the Season? Had he meant for this moment all along?

“And that,” said Lady Illston loudly to Lady Jersey, “is why we allowed this wager.”

He had planned it from the beginning! And now was her moment to choose. A lifetime of proper behavior, respected by Society, if only she refused the heinous son who had his own father arrested. Or she could accept him, love him, and live outside of London in probable infamy, at least until their finances recovered.

“You call me clear-sighted,” she said, “but I have been blind when it came to you. I thought you shallow and lazy. I did not understand how far your vision, how deep your honor.”

“Mari—” he began, but she cut him off. Indeed, she dropped to her knees before him, pressing her fingers to his lips even as she spoke in ringing tones.

“Only a deeply honorable man would expose thievery at such personal cost. Only a patriotic man would consult with the prince and do as he was bid, despite the loss of money and power.” Not quite the truth, but close enough that no one would gainsay her. “And only a man of hidden depth could show me the one thing I’d hidden from myself for so long.”