Gina smiled up from under the wide brim of her bonnet. To avoid the plague of bees that had followed her yesterday, Gina prudently abandoned the fresh flowers she usually favored for a simple adornment of ribbon.
“Hmm. I’m no great study of horse-flesh, but I do like the one in blue.”
Lord Rockingham grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He really had the most stunning eyes. The vibrant blue against the ebony of his hair and exceptionally long lashes was truly something to behold. His features were almost too perfectly formed, high cheekbones, straight nose, and square jaw, marred only by a thin hairline scar along the upper lip of his roguish mouth. When he smiled, as he did now, one side of his mouth lifted higher than the other, resulting in a delightfully crooked grin.
“A very good choice. Darlington’s filly is a beauty. Would you allow me to place a wager for you?” Sensing that she was about to protest, he assured her, “Merely a trifle, I promise.”
Gina hesitated. “I’m not sure it’s proper.” She looked meaningfully in the direction of her chaperone.
His eyes crinkled at the edges as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “It will be our little secret. The race will be much more exciting if you have a stake in the outcome.”
Gina twitched her mouth, charmed despite her better judgment. Though Lord Rockingham did not have the reputation of Coventry or Beaufort—he was quite a few years younger—Gina sensed the potential. “Very well, but here”—she dug into her reticule and pulled out a guinea—“Mrs. Persimmons can hardly object if I wager my own money.”
It was amazing how such a diminutive lady could demand such respect. Even Coventry had been on his best behavior. Not once since he’d first come upon them yesterday had Mrs. Persimmons had to scold him. Gina frowned, not knowing what to make of his sudden transformation.
Lord Rockingham hastened away to one of the betting posts that had been set up around the grounds to accommodate the hundreds of wagers that would be placed on the race today.
As soon as Lord Rockingham left her side, like a hovering vulture Coventry swooped in. “Gambling, Lady Georgina? I would have thought such a wicked vice beneath your delicate sensibilities?”
She flushed, given that gambling was indeed one of the vices she intended to eradicate from his dissolute lifestyle. How did he always manage to put her on the defensive? “Spying, Lord Coventry?” That provoked a reaction—even if it was only the tightening of his mouth. He’d been watching her. “A mere pittance, I assure you. I would never wager more than I could afford to lose.”
He lifted an eyebrow at that, probably in reference to her considerable fortune. She could afford to lose quite a bit.
“Can you say the same?” she challenged.
“What thrill is there in caution, Lady Georgina?” His voice reached out like a silky caress, suggesting thrills far more sensual than gambling. “Without significant risk, there are no significant rewards. But then again, I rarely lose.”
She bristled even as the warmth of desire spread over her limbs. “Fortunes,” and virtues, “have been lost with that sort of arrogance.”
“And fortunes have been won.”
“There are much less reckless ways of winning a fortune, my lord.”
“If you refer to marriage, I think I’d rather take my chances with Lady Luck at the gaming tables.” He let the matter drop. “What did you say to my sister?”
Gina looked around for Lord Rockingham. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He took hold of her arm, forcing her attention to him. Gazing up at him, with the sun striking his gorgeous face, Gina shivered. He was trying to keep his expression placid, but not doing a very good job of it. Neither was she. Gina hated the mixed feelings that swarmed over her whenever he was near, the breathlessness, the erratic heartbeat, the heightened sense of awareness, the overwhelming desire to touch him, imagining what it would feel like to be wrapped in those powerful arms, the heart-stopping fear that he might kiss her. The disappointment when he did not.
Each time he touched her, she felt something spark inside her.
And he couldn’t stop looking at her mouth. Like he was hungry to taste her. It was terribly disconcerting.
Aware that Mrs. Persimmons was watching them, Gina hoped the flush of emotions did not show on her face. Or that her knees didn’t buckle from lack of air.
“I think you know exactly what I speak of,” Coventry said. “I doubt it is a coincidence that Augusta has been mooning over Carrington all day.”
“I’m surprised you troubled to notice what your sister is doing at all.” When he took a threatening step toward her, she knew she had to stop him. Standing so close, she feared her helplessness would be read by everyone. “I’m sure Augusta is only being a good hostess. Mr. Carrington did travel all the way from London with us.”
He didn’t believe her, but it stopped him. “Stay out of it, Georgina. You’re wrong about Carrington—and Ash for that matter.”
Gina clamped her mouth closed, biting back the argument that sprang to her lips. She had noticed Lord Ashley sulking about, but it was only because his no doubt illicit plans had been foiled.
Gina wrenched her arm free. Sanity returned. “If you are done threatening me, I think I’ll see what is keeping Lord Rockingham. The race is about to start.”
His eyes flared and the white-hot flash of rage startled her.
“Rockingham can take care of himself,” he spat. “And it’s not safe for you to wander about by yourself.”
It was a feeble excuse. Why didn’t he want her to seek out Rockingham? Perhaps there had been more to the black scowl than she realized. Could he be jealous? The possibility was so tantalizing, Gina knew she had to find out. “I’ll take a footman. Lord Rockingham has proved to be quite an entertaining companion. I fear I may have been wrong about him.”
He stiffened. “Rockingham is a reprobate. I’m surprised you are so easily deceived.”
“But isn’t he your friend? That isn’t very gracious of you.”
“It’s the truth.”
Gina pretended to consider his warning. “Surely such a handsome man could not be all bad.”
If she hadn’t been watching carefully, she wouldn’t have noticed his fists clench, the vein pulsing at his temple, and the tiny white lines appear around his mouth. Elated, a bubble of happiness burst inside her.
She smiled sweetly. “Why Lord Coventry, if I didn’t know better I would think that you had care for my virtue. Careful,” she warned playfully, “such sentiment would put you in danger of losing your illustrious membership as a Hellfire Rake.” Before he could argue, she motioned to one of the young footmen and started off in the direction where Lord Rockingham had headed.
He wasn’t difficult to find as he was on his way back to the group.
At his look of surprise, she said, “I came to find you. The race is about to start.”
He looked inordinately pleased to see her. “I apologize for keeping you waiting. It took me a bit longer than I expected to place all the wagers.”
Sensing her confusion, he explained. “I placed Coventry’s bet as well. And as it was more than a thousand I had to go to a number of booths.”
Gina blanched. “More than a thousand guineas?” Could Coventry be that reckless? Was his mother right to be concerned?
Lord Rockingham smiled. “Significantly more.” He took her hand and patted it. “Don’t worry about Coventry, he has the devil’s own luck in these things.”
That’s what she was afraid of. And she wasn’t just talking about gambling.
“I won! I won!” Gina jumped up and down as blue led the colorful stampede of horses across the finish line. In her exuberance, she unthinkingly threw her arms around Lord Rockingham’s neck.
Surprisingly conscious of propriety, Lord Rockingham carefully peeled her arms off before anyone could notice. In the excitement it seemed that no one had. “You certainly did. Congratulations. CWRW was an inspired choic
e. You can collect your winnings in town tomorrow morning. The horse was a long shot; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
When her excitement died down, she caught Coventry glowering at her. He apparently hadn’t missed her mortifying breach of propriety.
Embarrassed, she turned back to Lord Rockingham. “How thoughtless of me, what of your own wager?”
He shook his head with mock gravity. “I’m afraid green was not as lucky as blue today. But I have learned, next time I will follow your lead.”
She giggled. Conscious of the eyes still on her, she asked, “And Lord Coventry?”
“Neither was red.” He looked at his friend pityingly. “Though my paltry five hundred does not compare to ten thousand.”
Gina paled. She felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her. “Ten thousand guineas? On a horse race? It is a fortune.”
He shrugged. “That’s Coventry. Win big, lose big.”
“But it’s so irresponsible. What of his sisters? His mother?”
She could tell from his tone that he thought she was being naïve. “It is not all that uncommon, Lady Georgina. Don’t give it another thought. He’ll win it back tomorrow or the next. He always does.”
But what if he didn’t? She had to put a stop to such blatant irresponsibility. Before he lost everything.
Coventry was in a foul mood. And not just because he’d lost ten thousand guineas on a blasted filly. A filly who’d run more like an old mare. No, it was more than the results of the race that infuriated him.
It was Lady Georgina, of course. The beautiful source of all his recent woes. What the hell did she think she was doing with Rockingham?
She’d end up causing a scandal if she didn’t conduct herself with more decorum. The bitter irony of the situation did not escape him. He couldn’t believe that he was the one thinking about propriety.
After she’d thrown her arms around his friend, he’d almost done something rash. Like storm over there, rip her arms from around his neck, and throw her over his shoulder. The intensity, the viciousness of his emotion shook him.
He shouldn’t care.
In fact, he should be happy. If she was besotted by Rockingham, she wouldn’t be pursuing him.
But the thought of such inconstancy did bother him. He never held her affection, just her interest. And now, apparently, not even that. Why he was surprised by her flightiness, he didn’t know.
This was what he’d wanted. Wasn’t it?
Tomorrow, he’d see the advantages. Right now, he couldn’t see anything beyond the haze of jealousy. He recognized the emotion for what it was, and despised himself for a fool.
Afraid what she or others might see, for the rest of the afternoon he didn’t trust himself to look at her.
When they’d returned to Greenbrook, he’d headed straight for his study and for his whisky. He needed something harder and faster than port.
Later, a soft knock on the door jolted him out of his stupor. At his direction, Rockingham entered. He was the last person Coventry wanted to see right now. Or rather, the second to last.
“Sorry about the race, old boy.”
Coventry nodded. “I’ve had better.”
“I thought there might be something else that upset you today. Which brings me to why I’m disturbing your solitude.”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind. This week has hardly turned out as I expected.”
Rockingham grinned. “Not as any of us did. Not with all those high-flyers hightailing it back to London. But, all in all, it hasn’t turned out so bad.”
Coventry shrugged indifferently.
Rockingham cleared his throat. “You don’t mind if I court her, do you?”
Rigid, Coventry gripped his glass so hard his fingers turned white. He knew what was coming, and didn’t want to hear it. He fought to control the shaking in his voice. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Lady Georgina. She’s not at all what I expected.”
“What do you mean?”
Rockingham shrugged. “I like her.” At Coventry’s expression he continued, “No one is more surprised about it than me. I’d begun to worry that I’d never find a suitable wife. But I need blunt, and she’s an heiress—it’s a match made in heaven.” He leaned closer. “And that mouth.” He shuddered, both men aware what he was thinking. It was the same thing Coventry thought about every time he looked at her mouth. “She’s lush and beautiful. It wouldn’t be too hard to bed her.”
Blood pounded in his ears, Coventry felt like he was going to explode. He gripped the arms of his chair to prevent him from landing a vicious punch on his friend’s leering face. He took a minute, allowing the rage to dissipate. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to remain calm, reminding himself that he didn’t care.
“Why ask my permission?”
Rockingham studied him carefully. “I’m not asking your permission. But I thought you might want her for yourself.”
Coventry held his face impassive. Invincible. Detached. But the blood still raged through him. He quieted the voice inside that was desperate to bellow a denial.
“Lady Georgina means nothing to me.” He forced the usual derision back into his voice and ignored the sharp lance of pain slicing through his chest. “Happy hunting.” He lifted his glass. “Or should I say, happy fortune hunting?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“She walks in beauty, like the night. Of cloudless climes and starry skies.” He stood below her, admiration shining in his handsome face as Gina carefully made her way down the grand staircase. One treacherous step at a time. After hours of preparation, she intended to do her utmost not to trip down the stairs. But preventing the billows of soft dark blue silk from twisting around her ankles while simultaneously not revealing too much of her legs didn’t make it easy.
Pride safely intact, she made it to the bottom and looked around, noting that everyone was present. She smiled graciously to the gentleman who’d spoken. The sentiment could easily be returned; he looked incredibly handsome in his black evening clothes. “Thank you, Lord Rockingham. A pretty verse. Is it yours?”
Coventry made an abrupt, snickering sound.
Lord Rockingham shot him a glance before he turned back to Gina, a roguish grin spread across his gorgeous face. “Alas, I wish I could lay claim, but it is actually something new of Byron’s.”
Gina wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t heard it before?”
“It’s not yet finished.” He leaned down and winked conspiratorially. “But if he could see your beauty tonight, I can’t but think that it would inspire him to completion.”
Gina giggled. He was a charming rogue, and she couldn’t help being flattered. But conscious of the eyes upon them, she lowered her gaze.
Gina didn’t quite know what to make of Lord Rockingham’s attention. Since the day of the race, he’d turned his considerable charms toward wooing her. A very proper wooing. Not the attempt at seduction that she would have expected from the affirmed rake. In truth, she didn’t quite know what to make of it. Certainly, it wasn’t difficult enjoying such a handsome man’s attentions, but Gina couldn’t help wishing Lord Rockingham was someone else.
Her gaze drifted over to Coventry. He, too, looked resplendent all set out for the evening’s festivities in his black evening clothes.
She stilled.
For a fraction of an instant, their eyes met before he deliberately looked away. Just as he’d done all week. Disappointment fluttered in her chest. A week ago, she’d thought she’d achieved a breakthrough. She’d thought Coventry might be jealous. But after that first day, he barely seemed to notice Lord Rockingham’s prodigious flirting.
Forcing Coventry’s attention back to her, she asked, “Shall we go?”
He bowed his head. “If everyone is ready?”
Excited murmurs of assent filled the hall as Gina quickly set about assisting the ladies with gathering their wraps and helping everyone into the waiting carriages. Tonight was the annual race-
week ball; their week in the country was coming to an end. Tomorrow they would return to London, and Gina was no closer to Coventry proposing. If anything, it seemed more unlikely.
Even after an entire week of hands-on demonstration, he seemed blissfully impervious to her charms.
Anxious to prove her worth, and much to the delight of Augusta, who had little experience with such matters, Gina had taken over many of the hostess duties that would have fallen to Coventry’s sister. She approved the menus, instructed the servants on cleaning and other household matters, arranged suitable entertainment for the guests and like tonight, made sure the group made it to their destination in a timely and comfortable manner.
Her execution had been flawless. An enjoyable time was had by all (except perhaps Lord Ashley who moped about all week and Beaufort who’d mysteriously returned to London the day after the race). Coventry’s unplanned house party had been an unmitigated success.
But if Coventry was aware of her accomplishments, he did not let on.
Not that he’d been cross or rude. Indeed, it was just the confounding opposite. Through it all, through every staid picnic, soirée, and dinner, Lord Coventry had acted the perfect host. Much to Gina’s continued amazement, his behavior was beyond reproach. Not once did the pontificating voice of his aunt reach out in proprietous reprimand.
Devil take the blighter! He’d robbed Gina of all her fun. She’d been rather looking forward to a week of scolding.
His sudden removal to the realm of respectability should make her happy. She’d wanted him to act the gentleman and not the reprobate. But if anything, his formal politeness created an added distance between them. It almost, just almost, made her miss his fiery temper.
Nothing she did seemed to rattle him. If he was still furious over the disruption of his plans, he hadn’t let it show.
As much as she could, Gina sought him out, asking his opinion on something or another. But much to her chagrin, she hadn’t been able to find any time alone with him. For once she berated her own efficiency in insisting on such a proper chaperone.