like kiss those full lips and press her back into the chair as he took possession of her mouth. Anything to make her speechless even for a moment because she was far too brazen for a debutante; for the first time in his life, he couldn’t quite figure out this particular woman’s purpose.
And worse, he wanted to figure her out.
“But I’m the one wielding all the matches so you needn’t be worried about the flames just yet,” she said.
Narrowing his eyes, he released her reluctantly. Lady Charlotte might be young, but she was no fool.
After they had both had a few turns, she moved her rook behind her pawn.
“Let us speak plainly, Lady Charlotte.”
“By all means, though I was under the impression that we were already doing so.” She motioned toward their game, indicating he should make his next move.
“I’m not a man easily taken advantage of. Nor will I be fooled into marriage…”
He moved his bishop to block his king.
“It’s not marriage I’m after.”
“What makes you think I’m willing to play along with someone so untried? You can’t possibly understand the consequences in this amusement you’ve devised.”
“Then I should give you a proposition you simply cannot refuse.”
She played another move, giving him time to line up his queen in a position of power. “What makes you think you can offer me something that will trump sound judgment?”
Which was a lie, she could tempt him to hell and back, he was sure, but the chit was too smart for her own good and played a game of intrigue better than any experienced widow he’d had the pleasure of knowing.
There was the matter concerning Mr. Warren that he fully intended to sort out with her help, but showing all his cards in their first real conversation wouldn’t do. He was enjoying it far too much. It was better to have an intelligent lady with whom to spend your time than one who knew only how to flatter her opponent to death.
He liked a freethinking woman and wondered what she’d be like in ten years’ time, even five years from now. There was no doubt in his mind that she’d be able to twist her meanings and words enough to have him second-guessing her more than he did now.
“Perhaps I have nothing you want just yet. But you have followed me away from the party to share a moment of privacy with me, even though we are occupied over a game of chess and not indulging in more delectable pursuits.” She leaned in closer; the soft scent of lilacs tickled his nose and drew him like a bee to nectar. “I’m sure you haven’t failed to notice that the only thing standing in the way of my complete ruin is my friend’s presence.”
She looked in the direction of said friend. Tristan turned his head, spying Lady Ariel with an open book in her lap and a glint in her sharp gaze that was equally as dangerous as Lady Charlotte’s. Had he ever met two women who were better matched?
“Life is not a game of chance, my lady.” He took her knight with his queen.
She covered a bored yawn with her gloved hand. “It most certainly is. I have no intention of living blandly through the motions of life. I will enjoy everything it has to offer to the fullest.”
“By courting danger, you risk the freedom to experience everything life has to offer. Most women wait till they’re married for this type of … extracurricular activity.”
“And I’m not most women, my lord.”
Her bishop took his pawn, and he saw then how the board was lined up in her favor and smiled. When was the last time he’d lost a game of chess? Never, he was sure.
“Indeed, you are not.” He claimed her knight knowing it would not be enough to save the game. “Check.”
“It wouldn’t do to compare me with your past conquests, either.” She moved her queen. “Check—”
Tristan’s gaze swung to the door. Miss Camden came in with a furious look on her face, her hands on her hips as her gaze scanned the room.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed on seeing Leo come in
And worse, he wanted to figure her out.
“But I’m the one wielding all the matches so you needn’t be worried about the flames just yet,” she said.
Narrowing his eyes, he released her reluctantly. Lady Charlotte might be young, but she was no fool.
After they had both had a few turns, she moved her rook behind her pawn.
“Let us speak plainly, Lady Charlotte.”
“By all means, though I was under the impression that we were already doing so.” She motioned toward their game, indicating he should make his next move.
“I’m not a man easily taken advantage of. Nor will I be fooled into marriage…”
He moved his bishop to block his king.
“It’s not marriage I’m after.”
“What makes you think I’m willing to play along with someone so untried? You can’t possibly understand the consequences in this amusement you’ve devised.”
“Then I should give you a proposition you simply cannot refuse.”
She played another move, giving him time to line up his queen in a position of power. “What makes you think you can offer me something that will trump sound judgment?”
Which was a lie, she could tempt him to hell and back, he was sure, but the chit was too smart for her own good and played a game of intrigue better than any experienced widow he’d had the pleasure of knowing.
There was the matter concerning Mr. Warren that he fully intended to sort out with her help, but showing all his cards in their first real conversation wouldn’t do. He was enjoying it far too much. It was better to have an intelligent lady with whom to spend your time than one who knew only how to flatter her opponent to death.
He liked a freethinking woman and wondered what she’d be like in ten years’ time, even five years from now. There was no doubt in his mind that she’d be able to twist her meanings and words enough to have him second-guessing her more than he did now.
“Perhaps I have nothing you want just yet. But you have followed me away from the party to share a moment of privacy with me, even though we are occupied over a game of chess and not indulging in more delectable pursuits.” She leaned in closer; the soft scent of lilacs tickled his nose and drew him like a bee to nectar. “I’m sure you haven’t failed to notice that the only thing standing in the way of my complete ruin is my friend’s presence.”
She looked in the direction of said friend. Tristan turned his head, spying Lady Ariel with an open book in her lap and a glint in her sharp gaze that was equally as dangerous as Lady Charlotte’s. Had he ever met two women who were better matched?
“Life is not a game of chance, my lady.” He took her knight with his queen.
She covered a bored yawn with her gloved hand. “It most certainly is. I have no intention of living blandly through the motions of life. I will enjoy everything it has to offer to the fullest.”
“By courting danger, you risk the freedom to experience everything life has to offer. Most women wait till they’re married for this type of … extracurricular activity.”
“And I’m not most women, my lord.”
Her bishop took his pawn, and he saw then how the board was lined up in her favor and smiled. When was the last time he’d lost a game of chess? Never, he was sure.
“Indeed, you are not.” He claimed her knight knowing it would not be enough to save the game. “Check.”
“It wouldn’t do to compare me with your past conquests, either.” She moved her queen. “Check—”
Tristan’s gaze swung to the door. Miss Camden came in with a furious look on her face, her hands on her hips as her gaze scanned the room.
Tristan’s eyes narrowed on seeing Leo come in
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