To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan

financially independent of my guardianship. Close your mouth, sweeting,” the earl added when she stood there staring at him. “You are much too lovely to be gaping like a landed fish.”
    Arabella complied, even though she felt completely out of her depth. “Let me see if I understand your wager, my lord. You will give us our freedom if I can resist your ‘persuasion’?”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    â€œYou have an astounding faith in your powers of seduction.”
    His mouth curved. “You could put it that way. In exchange, you must allow me to woo you properly. And if you cannot resist me—if I can make you admit you want me for your husband—then you will have to marry me.”
    The arrogance of the man, thinking he could seduce her into accepting his offer of marriage! He wouldn’t be able to…surely.
    When she hesitated, Lord Danvers shook his head sadly. “I never expected you to turn craven. You’re afraid I will win the wager.”
    He was purposely goading her again, she realized. “I am not afraid!” Arabella insisted. At least not much. She might be susceptible to his stunning kisses, but there was little risk she would ever want him for her husband, for she planned never to marry. “You won’t win, my lord.”
    â€œThen you should have no trouble agreeing. After all, I am offering you the chance to gain exactly what you say you want most. Your independence.”
    â€œVery well, I will take your blasted wager!”
    The glimmer in his eyes indicated his satisfaction and pleasure, which made Arabella almost regret her capitulation. She had let him provoke her into accepting his challenge, despite the danger of her fierce attraction to him.
    And yet the stakes were irresistible: Not only could she ensure financial security for her sisters, but they could be rid of the earl’s unwanted guardianship for good. He would no longer be a threat to their independence. He would have no right to try to marry them off, or to force them to give up their positions at the academy.
    No, truthfully, Arabella reflected, she was utterly delighted for the opportunity to win their freedom.
    An entire month was out of the question, however. She was not that confident she could resist the earl’s determined seduction for so long—not that she would ever admit her doubts to
him.
    â€œHowever,” Arabella qualified, “the duration of the wager must be shorter. Two weeks, no more. I couldn’t endure your impossible arrogance any longer.”
    Lord Danvers hesitated the briefest instant before saying, “Done. You drive a hard bargain, sweetheart.”
    â€œI must be utterly mad,” Arabella muttered.
    â€œNo more so than I,” he said amiably. “As long as we are discussing terms, I must insist on a sporting chance to win. You will agree to spend time in my company regularly, no less than four hours each day. And it must be at a time of my choosing.”
    Arabella frowned. “It cannot interfere with my teaching duties.”
    â€œFair enough. I will order my bags packed for an extended visit and brought to Danvers Hall from London.”
    It unsettled Arabella to realize Lord Danvers intended to stay at the estate for a fortnight or longer, even though his ownership gave him every right. She quickly shook her head. “You cannot remain at the Hall when I am unchaperoned. You are no blood relation, even if you are our guardian.”
    â€œYou should have thought of that,” he replied wryly, “before you sent your sisters into hiding.”
    She eyed him with exasperation. “If you insist on living there, I will take refuge with Lady Freemantle.”
    The earl raised a black eyebrow. “Is that where you’ve concealed your sisters?” When she declined to answer, he shrugged. “We will have an army of servants to play duenna. My staying there might offend the highest sticklers, but