Page 49 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
She dropped her arms and simply gaped at him. “Why was I targeted?”
“Because you’ve won so much recently. Hells don’t like smart players. I admit I don’t always try very hard to win. But then I see gambling as an amusement, not a money-making opportunity.”
She snorted and spun on her heel, continuing along the pavement. “How fortunate for you.”
He easily strode alongside her. “Why are you angry with me?”
“I don’t know. I’m not. I’m just…angry.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t know how you can. You don’t have an uncertain future. You never have to worry where you’ll be in five years.” She’d slowed her pace and realized she’d been speaking far too loudly. Yelling almost.
“No, I don’t,” he said quietly, but still loud enough for her to hear. “And I’m sorry that you do.”
She knew he meant it. He was kind and thoughtful—she saw it in the way he treated his friends as well as in the way he helped her. Yes, she was angry, but not at him. If she was angry with anyone, it was her father.
“I hate what he did to us,” she said so low that she wasn’t sure he could’ve heard her.
They turned onto St. James’s. “I know. But he can’t hurt you anymore.”
Emotion welled in her chest and flooded her eyes. “Can’t he? I’m in this mess, aren’t I?”
He grabbed her elbow again and pulled her into a narrow close between two buildings. It was dark and damp since it had rained all day. In fact, she was surprised it wasn’t raining now—it smelled as if it would.
She couldn’t make out his face but felt his proximity. They didn’t touch, but all she had to do was sway forward and their bodies would connect. She fought to stay away.
“Can I… Do you want me to hold you?”
Oh God. They were dressed as gentlemen on St. James’s. Yes, they were in a dark alley, but if anyone saw them…
Temptation overwhelmed her. She twitched, and her hand bumped against his. His fingers slid along hers. She exhaled softly, the sound echoing around them in the small space.
“Thank you, but no.” Her mouth declined his invitation, but the rest of her screamed for him to touch her, to take her into his arms, to kiss her.
She stalked from the close before she did something foolish.
He followed her, and they walked in near silence until they’d crossed back over Piccadilly.
“So what happens now?” she asked. “Is there any hell who won’t try to cheat me?”
“It’s hard to say. They may feel vindicated by tonight’s fleecing.” He winced. “Sorry. It might be best if you didn’t go out for a while.”
“Yes, I am coming to the same conclusion.” They neared her corner. More than ever, she needed to win the pot at the balloon descent. And now shehadto go to the races next Tuesday.
“I should have seen this coming and organized a plan for you to lose more than you did. I’m afraid I was too focused on helping you achieve your goal as quickly as possible.”
They stopped near the lamppost that he’d been lounging against earlier. “It’s all right,” she said. “I don’t blame you. You’ve done far more good than harm. Besides, I daresay I could use a respite from this bloody costume.”
He chuckled softly. “Excellent. It will all work out, then.”
She hoped so. “I’ll see you in a week.”
His brows drew together. “It will be strange to go so long without seeing you. I enjoy our time together.” He spoke plainly, but she longed to know if there was more to it than simply enjoying her company. Did he want her the way she wanted him?
He’d offered to hold her, but as she’d noted, he was kind and considerate. It didn’t mean he was attracted to her in the same way that she was attracted to him. Yes, he’d kissed her, but since then, he’d given no indication that he wanted to repeat the activity. For her own sanity, she had to assume they were friends and nothing more. Besides, she didn’t want anything more—he didn’t fit into her plans, even if he was quite the best man she’d ever met.
“Yes, it will be strange.” Except she’d see him in four days, but he didn’t know that. She looked forward to surprising him. With a bit of reluctance, she pivoted. “Good night.”
