Beguiling Bridget by Rachel van Dyken, Leah Sanders Page B

fired back. “It just so happens they have chosen the most obstinate woman in the ton .”
    “My lord, I have no experience in wooing women. What makes you think I would be of any assistance? Do you wish for me to help you make her jealous? If that is what you need, surely any number of the debutantes in the other room would be more likely candidates.” Her gaze traveled around the room as if in boredom. “I suppose it’s only natural you would choose a woman with no interest in you for the task.”
    “That’s not exactly what I had in mind, my lady.” She was scrutinizing the floral pattern on the upholstered chair before her. “In fact, I have already determined I will undoubtedly lose this challenge.” Her gaze returned to his face almost in triumph over his failure.
    “If that is the case, why have this conversation? Why try to enlist my aid?” Her victorious smirk drove home the realization that this was truly his only option left.
    “Lady Bridget,” he answered with a heavy sigh. “ You are the object of my challenge.” A hint of surprise flashed briefly in her clear blue eyes, and her expression softened. “I concede the bet. Your disdain for me is insurmountable.” Lady Bridget appeared as though she would speak, but Anthony cut her off quickly with a wave of his hand. “I know how you abhor my ego, but I do wish to save some dignity if possible. If it helps at all, my brother’s arrogance is far more intolerable than my own. To lose to him would ensure a lifetime of humiliation. And while I am certain, given your inclination toward pleasure at my demise, you would thoroughly enjoy the entertainments, my own fragile confidence would be unable to withstand the torture. I would die an unhappy, alone, and bitter bachelor in the country. Do you truly want that on your conscience, my lady?”
    The silence hung heavy at the end of his proposition. The lady’s expression was unreadable. Anthony had naught to do but wait for her to present her terms.
    “Answer me this, for I’m terribly curious. When would you have won my favor, do you think, my lord? Would it have been the day you assumed I was blind?” She toyed with the knife in her hands and stepped around the chair, moving closer to him. “Or perhaps after you slipped on an innocent strawberry?” She was drawing nearer, and with every step Anthony grew warmer. “Or maybe after you fell on the street? Would it have been then, my lord?” She stopped directly in front of him and grinned the wide grin of the victor.
    “Those were flukes.” Anthony cursed. “They haven’t happened before, I assure you! It’s all your fault anyway, you have me…”
    “I have you what?” Lady Bridget breathed the air directly in front of him. He couldn’t inhale without her scent invading his senses.
    “You have me… somewhat flustered.”
    “I’m sure that was very hard to admit.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement.
    “Yes, well, just so you’re aware, I have half a mind to ravish you right here just to prove to myself that I still can.”
    Lady Bridget’s eyes widened for a second, then she turned her face away from him. “So my choice is to leave you to your own devices, or offer my aid, is that it?”
    Anthony swore. What the devil was he doing? What was she doing to him? “If you help me convince my brother and Wilde that you are, in fact, smitten with me, I’ll convince your aunt that we’re courting, thereby making it possible for you to escape this Season free of the pressures from your family.”
    He knew he had her by the irritated look on her face. A look he recognized as the one women only wore when they realized a man was right. She was caught — gloriously caught — for he had found her Achilles’ heel, and he meant to use it to his fullest advantage, in whatever way possible.
    “Think of it this way…” He began to pace, slowly circling her, deep in thought. He stopped when he stood behind her and moved to gently rest his hands