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Beside her, Rockwell stiffened. The Baron seemed more displeased with Devon than ever.
“What manner of stakes?” she asked.
“If we win, you join us in the East Wing tonight. If you win, name your price.”
Rockwell straightened as if interested. Deana wondered what he would name as the price. Would he ask for the Lady Isabella? As for losing, venturing into the East Wing could not be so bad. After all, the Lady Isabella was staying there.
“Why not?” Deana replied.
Chapter Fourteen
DEANA WAS CONSCIOUS OF Rockwell’s stare but began shuffling. He put his hand upon hers to stop her.
“I have not agreed to the terms,” he said.
“The stakes are quite favorable, Halsten,” Lady Isabella said. “I wonder that you would turn them down? Surely our company is not so abhorrent?”
“Or perhaps it is,” Lord Devon remarked, his own tone now as solemn and quite out of character.
Deana glanced between the two men. Had something transpired between the two?
“Or perhaps he is fretful,” Lord Devon continued, assuming his carefree manner once more, “that his skills are not up to par for the East Wing.”
“What is required of our presence in the East Wing?” Rockwell asked, his voice low and dark.
“Merely that you engage with us and mirror the amusements of the East Wing.”
Silence.
“No one will come to harm,” Devon stated. “As you are well aware, one has only to employ a safety word to bring all activity to a halt.”
“The East Wing is quite exhilarating,” Isabella addressed Deana. “You ought not leave Chateau Follet without experiencing it for one simple night.”
“Yes, I should like to,” Deana said. Though it may well ruin her stay at Follet, she wanted to force Rockwell’s hand should they win.
“Miss Sherwood, a word with you,” Rockwell said rising to his feet.
Deana followed him over to the sideboard. She could tell he was displeased, but she could not determine who or what was the main culprit.
“I did not grant you permission to agree to Lord Devon’s terms,” he said to her.
“You proposed I honor three rules in coming to Chateau Follet,” she returned. “They had nothing to do with playing cards.”
“I know not what Devon has planned, and I would sooner task a snake not to eat a large, fat mouse before it.”
“Then you have only to win. If you wish, I will grant you the option of stating the reward should we win.”
He seemed to contemplate the enticement, then looked at her with searching eyes. “Are you certain you would wish to venture into the East Wing?”
Inside, she shook her head most vociferously, but she was assured in her speech. “Yes, I profess a great curiosity.”
It was the truth, and if Lady Isabella could tolerate it, surely she could do no worse.
They returned to the table.
“It seems I am outvoted here,” Rockwell said.
“Capital!” Devon cried. “Let us begin!”
