AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lord Masterson, giddy at Rutherford’s gold flooding his bank account, had probably thought he was wedding a weak little milksop from America. A girl who would be impressed with his title as much as Rutherford. One who would be obedient. Docile.
Instead, he got Georgina. Leo almost felt sorry for Masterson.
“That marker can’t possibly be legal, not even here at Elysium where you allow all manner of lewd behavior. I should not have had to come here tonight to demand you destroy it. You should have delivered it to me.”
“Because I taught you whist?” He gave a laugh. “Or is it because you wrongly assumed me to be a gentleman?”
“Both.”
“My brother is the gentleman. You spend a decent amount of time with him. You should be able to tell the difference between us.” His charming, verylegitimatebrother. There were times when the distinction gnawed at him.
She took another sip of the bourbon, catching a stray drop with her tongue.
Jesus, everything she did sent fire between his legs. When he’d taught her to play hazard, Georgina had leaned over the table, her breasts nearly escaping the confines of her bodice, and blown on the dice for luck, smiling at him the entire time.
He’d very nearly fainted because all the blood in his body had rushed to his cock.
“Did you really toss a copy of Debrett’s Peerage into the fire? I understand it was a gift from Lady Talbot,” he said. Changing the topic was a way to distract and allow some of his ardor to cool. This maddening need for Georgina threatened his control, and Leoneverlost control of himself. Nor had he gone so long without bedding a woman. He had no interest in Lady Dunley, who still pursued him. His mistress, one he’d ceased to visit some time ago, had found another protector. Just last night, a gorgeous widow, Mrs. Brushnell, had tried to lure him upstairs to the second floor, and he’d waved her way. Her charms left him cold.
The situation wasintolerable.
Georgina blinked. “How would you know I burned Lady Talbot’s gift?” She waved a hand as if batting a fly. “Wait, don’t answer. I imagine there’s been gossip.”
So much gossip.
Lady Talbot wasn’t shy about expressing her opinion of Lady Masterson.
“I didn’t want to read her stupid book nor do anything whatsoever which would endear myself to her,” Georgina said. “She likened my speech to the sound of a wounded duck. I continue to refer to her as a baroness instead of a countess just to annoy her.”
“Your husband told me about Lady Talbot’s gift.”
Masterson had mentioned the incident to Leo. The elderly earl often spoke of Georgina as if she were an annoying pet. A dog or a cat, perhaps. Or a parrot, given his dislike of her accent. A dislike shared by Masterson’s nephew, who had been overheard disparaging his uncle’s wife.
“You’ve deliberately steered the discussion away from the subject at hand. Once again.”
It was a useful skill, distraction. Leo found it especially helpful as the owner of a gambling hell. Casual conversation often revealed another person’s weakness and put them at ease, which gave Leo the advantage. The fact that Georgina was the only one to consistently draw attention to his habit was irritating.
“I want my house back,” she stated plainly.
Beechwood Court, the small estate outside of London Georgina adored. A place she spent much of her time.Nother marker.
“Masterson had no right to offer up my property as collateral for his game of cards with Wentworth. Beechwood Court belongs to me.”
There was no point in reminding Georgina that everything, including her person, belonged to Lord Masterson. “Four horses, a hunting lodge in Scotland, Beechwood Court, and yourself was offered up as collateral. Signed off by the solicitor I keep on retainer. Perfectly legal,” Leo said bluntly. “In poor taste, but nonetheless...” He let the words hover in the air.
A stubborn look clouded her features. “I want my house back,” she said again.
Leo tried not to smile. “I’ll be honest—”
“That must require a great deal of effort. Please don’t put yourself out on my account. What would you do with Beechwood Court anyway? You live here.”
“I’ll sell it.”
The stricken look on her face nearly made Leo take his words back.
“Lady Masterson, I run a business which is dependent, unfortunately, on the poor decisions of others. If I simply returned everything to you, I would be barraged by my other patrons to do the same for them. It would set a poor precedent.” He gave a deep sigh and shrugged. “But Iwillreturn this to you.” Leo took out the marker with her name on it and slid it across the table. “I’m making a concession because of our acquaintance and your friendship with my brother.”
“But not my friendship with you?”
