Page 61 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Nora surprised him with her clever judging. She was able to guess almost every item. Patricia’s was a garish peacock feather covered in goldleaf to match her over-the-top golden gown. Renquist gave a half-smoked cigar, Godric a guinea, St George a poker chip, and Ivy a broach. Unfortunately for Drake, the opal ring was the last item in the box. It was clear he was the owner of the ring.
‘Beaufort, I don’t recall you being so fond of women’s jewellery in the past. This is your ring, is it not?’ Nora raised both brows at him, holding the ring out in her palm.
Drake tried not to be charmed by the possessive growl Millie made as Nora approached them.
‘You are correct. It is mine. Given to me by a very special woman.’ Drake turned to Millie and winked. Instead of noticing his playful gesture, Millie’s narrowed gaze remained focused on Nora. Like a sharpshooter sizing up a target.
Good Lord, she is fearsome.
The flutter was back, and with it, a liquid warmth spreading from his chest to the rest of his body. Even his toes tingled with this strange new feeling.
‘What is my forfeit?’ Drake returned his gaze to Nora, whose lips spread in a smile reminiscent of a cat who caught the mouse.
Damnation. This is not going to end well.
‘A kiss, Beaufort. For old time’s sake.’
Patricia’s tinkling giggle almost drowned out Godric’s blustering exclamation.
‘Nora, that’s a bit beyond the pale, wouldn’t you say?’ Godric broke from the circle to approach his wife.
‘Darling, please. It’s just a game.’ Nora patted her husband on the cheek, leaning forward to give him a peck where her hand had just rested. ‘Unless you don’t trust me?’
‘Of course I trust you, it’s just?—’
‘Wonderful.’ She turned back to Beaufort. ‘So, what is it to be, Beaufort? A little kiss to return your precious ring, or shall you forfeit such a heartfelt memento to me?’ Nora’s eyes flashed with something nearly feral. It was a bold play, bordering on scandalous. No matter what Drake chose, he lost.
‘I’d like to offer another solution.’ Millie stepped forward, placing herself between Drake and Nora.
Blast and bugger. She’s going to challenge Nora to a duel. Can women even issue such a challenge?
It didn’t matter. Drake might not know his fiancée well, but he knew she wouldn’t give a fig about the beau monde’s rules on who was and was not allowed to demand a duel.
Nora smiled at Millie, a vicious expression nearly as deadly as the daggers Millie threw at Nora with her sharp gaze.
‘How valiant of you to sweep in and save your betrothed’s honour. I’m all ears.’
Millie tipped her chin at the far wall where a leather dart board hung. It was something Drake kept from the war. A game the soldiers loved to play and one pleasant memory he still retained from such a horrific time in his life.
‘A game of darts between us. If I win, Beau keeps the ring. If you win, you get your kiss,andyou keep the ring. What say you?’
An almost visible thread of tension stretched between Nora and Millie. Everyone in the room fell silent. Drake glanced at Reynard and saw his gaze bouncing between both women, a faint smile on his lips. Of course he would find this amusing. He didn’t have to deal with the outcome of Millie losing and then attacking Nora, as Drake was certain she would, or Nora losing and throwing the ring into the fire, as she no doubt might try.
‘I accept.’ Nora’s wide grin ratcheted up Drake’s apprehension. She shouldn’t look so pleased. Something was amiss. ‘Whoever hits their dart closest to the centre?’
‘Lovely. Best of three?’ Millie’s husky voice was rigid as she rolled her shoulders.
‘Of course.’ Nora blinked slowly before sauntering to the dart board.
‘I say. How exciting to see two such lovely ladies pitted against each other in a game of skill.’ St George licked his lips, and Drake restrained himself from issuing his own invitation to duel.
Millie followed Nora to the dart board, and the rest of the party formed a half circle around them, except for Godric. He stalked over to the sideboard and poured himself a large glass of brandy. Not his first of the afternoon.
‘You first, Nora. I insist.’ Millie handed Nora three darts. They were a gift from Killian to Drake and beautifully hewn, with nickel barrels and steel tips.
Nora took the darts, winking at Millie before she turned to stand in front of the board. She gave a few test flicks of her wrist.
Damn. She knows what she’s about.
