AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ah, Gravina! There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Concealing his annoyance at the untimely intervention, Alessandro turned to greet his host.
Lord Ludley eyed his infamous guest. “Thought you’d be surrounded by a group of rabid females by now,” he boomed, and then lowered his voice. “Not losing your touch, are you? Perhaps I ought to have announced your presence here instead of keeping you a surprise.”
Alessandro clamped his teeth on a nasty riposte. Damn it all, she was getting away! “Luddy, that woman, the one in the dark blue just there—who is she?”
Ludley chuckled. “I expected you might take notice of that one,” he rumbled approvingly. “Too bloody beautiful not to, eh? A true objet d’art. A man would have to be stone blind not to appreciate God’s brushstroke, there. Even at my age.”
Fixing him with a gimlet stare, Alessandro waited.
Ludley colored slightly and coughed. “Ah, yes. Well. Countess of Wilmington. Delightful gel. Chock-full of good mischief, too!” he added with a wink, his good humor quickly restored. “But I should warn you—she’s formidable. Not to be trifled with, if you know what I mean,” he said a little too regretfully.
“Is that her husband with her?” Alessandro inquired, indicating the man upon whose arm the countess was draped. The casual familiarity between the pair evidenced a long, comfortable acquaintance. “I saw no ring, but...”
“What, him? Good Lord, no!” Ludley laughed. “Hellion’s got the title all to herself and announced she’ll never marry—so you’re out of luck if it’s a rich wife you’re after, old boy. Dozens have tried and failed.”
Alessandro’s smile returned. “Ah, so he’s her lover, then.” Much easier to get rid of. If the gentleman objected to his seduction of the lady, well, his skill with a blade was almost as lauded as his talent in the bedchamber.
“No, no.” Ludley frowned. “That’s only young Pelham. Needn’t be concerned with him. They were cradle ’trothed, but they broke off the engagement years ago. Parents were furious! They’re friends, or cohorts in crime some might call them, but never lovers.”
“Does she have a lover?” Maybe if he was more direct, he’d get an answer that was of use.
“That one? Not likely,” sniffed Ludley. “You won’t catch her stealing kisses in the garden grotto. Hiding in the library is more her style, poking about on a chessboard or engaged in philosophical rattle or some such nonsense.”
Alessandro felt like a cat that’d just been told there was an unguarded dish of cream waiting round the corner. “Thank you, Luddy,” he said absently, watching his quarry disappear into the crowd. “Why don’t you introduce me to some of your other friends?” he asked, turning away. Now that he had a name, he could take his time and make a proper entrance.
As he played the dutiful guest, he thought about the woman Ludley had described as “formidable” and “not to be trifled with.” But he’d also revealed her antipathy toward marriage.
So she was not impossible; she was merely a challenge.
And he never backed down from a challenge. Especially one presented in delectable female form. She was a woman, and if there was anything he knew how to do well, it was gain a woman’s confidence. Earn her trust and friendship first, and then the seduction. He hadn’t even seen her face, but already he knew he wanted her. Her laugh alone was enough to make him feel a desire he had not thought to experience ever again.
By the time he entered the library, the Countess of Wilmington was indeed thoroughly engrossed in a game of chess—with none other than his good friend Stamma.
Drifting closer, Alessandro viewed the board over her shoulder. She had the upper hand and looked to win, which surprised him. He was no slouch, himself, but when Stamma had visited him in Italy several years ago, he’d lost every single game to the master. It reaffirmed his assumption of her intelligence, for Stamma was not the type to play false, no matter how beautiful his opponent.
“Melly, my dear, you’ve improved.” Stamma chuckled, pulling at his neat goatee and taking a moment to contemplate his next move. He scooted his queen out of danger, keeping an eye on her bishop.
“I certainly hope so,” she replied. “I’ve sharpened my skills on every willing opponent in England, as well as a few visiting countries, in your absence.”
Alessandro heard the smile in her response and wondered at its warmth. Stamma was an old man, a married man. And he’d mentioned nothing of a beautiful English mistress during his visit.
“Consider me duly impressed,” Stamma answered, sounding pleased. “At this rate, it shan’t be long before you surpass me. You’ll be challenging Philidor next,” he quipped, eyes twinkling as he watched her make her move, an aggressive one that put him in retreat.
“Oh, I certainly hope so,” she murmured. “The man is an ass, and I should like nothing better than to wipe the smug expression off his face with a sound drubbing.”
The stillness that followed her statement was palpable.
It might as well have been an invitation to duel, only the battle would be waged on a chessboard rather than a grassy field.
Alessandro knew Philidor. Chance had placed the man at his father’s house the year prior, shortly after his famous match with Stamma. The braggart had reveled in his triumph ad nauseam, coming across as a swaggering idiot.
His smile deepened. It was always to one’s benefit to have something in common with one’s prey. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, the saying went.
“I heard you’ve already put him in his place quite neatly, my dear,” Stamma said, glancing up at her. “News of your little disagreement followed me all the way to the Continent. It is all but legend. The ‘slap heard across the channel,’ so to speak. Everyone in Europe knows you refused him. His behavior was appalling, if you ask me, and he deserved far worse than a slap,” he snapped, chin jutting pugnaciously. “Even so, Melly, I don’t want you picking a fight with him,” he added in a stern voice, moving his piece. “You’ve no need to prove anything to anyone. Certainly not to him.”
“All the same, I fear I crave a match,” she replied. Her teasing tone fooled none of her observers. “I shall play him for the sheer entertainment of the thing. It will help stave off the ennui,” she added as she made her countermove. “Check.”
