To Tempt An Angel (Book 1 Douglas series) (17 page)

Angelica glanced at Robert, who was staring at her. Only a dead woman would have missed his irritation. She caught Adam’s eye and glanced over her shoulder toward the hearth.

“Dicing bores me,” Adam said taking her hint. “How about a game of cards?”

“Let’s play faro,” James said, taking his cue, and led the way across the chamber to the settee.

“You’ll bring me luck,” Trimble told her, patting her hand, apparently emboldened by her forwardness.

Angelica felt contaminated by his touch. She battled the urge to wipe his touch off on the skirt of her gown. Instead, she gave the baron a smile filled with sunshine and inched closer.

Robert produced a pair of ivory dice and handed them to the baron, saying, “Shall we set the stake at a hundred pounds?”

“That is so much money,” Angelica said, hoping she sounded suitably impressed.

“A hundred pounds is nothing, my dear,” Trimble bragged. Looking at Robert, he said, “My main is—” The baron paused to ask her, “What is your favorite number from five to nine?”

Sacred sevens
, Angelica thought,
the man is a bloody fool.
She smiled sweetly and told him nine, one of the worst mains a gambler could choose.

“My main is nine,” he announced.

Trimble tossed the dice, and they landed on four and four. Again, he threw the dice. This time one and one showed, and he gave up his turn.

“My main is seven,” Robert said, and threw the dice. They landed on four and two. He tossed again and lost his turn when they landed on two-and one.

Angelica looked at him in surprise. She’d been expecting him to win. Where were his loaded dice?

“Shall we double the stakes?” Robert asked.

Trimble nodded and tossed the dice, which showed three and two. He threw the dice three more times before they landed on one and two.

Robert lifted the dice and tossed. A three and a three showed face up. Again he threw the dice, landing on a five and a four. His third toss produced one and one.

Angelica suffered the powerful urge to tell the marquess to get his loaded dice. However, years of gambling had taught her to keep her face expressionless.

“Shall we double our stakes?” Robert asked, passing the baron the dice.

Trimble glanced at Angelica. He dropped his gaze to her breasts and found bravado. “Let’s triple the stakes.”

Robert smiled and inclined his head. “Certainly, sir.”

Back and forth the dice went between the two men. Each time the dice returned to the baron, Robert offered to double or triple the stakes, and the fat man readily agreed.

Angelica tried to catch Robert’s attention. She wanted him to move in for the kill, but he ignored her. She glanced at the baron. Sweat had broken out on his upper lip, and he patted his forehead with his handkerchief.

Robert glanced at her finally and said, “Wish me luck, my lady.”

“Good luck, my lord.”

Robert threw the dice. A four and a three showed face up, making him the winner of a hundred thousand pounds.

Trimble looked ready to swoon. “It’s only pocket money,” he said, glancing at her. “My dear would you care to—?”

“No, I would not.” Wearing an expression of contempt, Angelica stood and left the study. She would let the marquess deal with collecting the money.

Angelica went to her bedchamber. She needed a few minutes to collect herself. Strange, she didn’t feel as satisfied as she had anticipated she would.

“Hello,” Jasper called.

Angelica crossed the chamber and covered the macaw cage with a blanket, saying, “Good night, Jasper.”

“Good night.”

Angelica stared out the window at the night and hoped the baron had more than a hundred thousand pounds. Suddenly, she didn’t want innocents to suffer as her family had.

Taking a deep breath, Angelica left the chamber. She didn’t want to arouse the other guests’ suspicions by disappearing for the evening after Trimble suffered his loss.

Angelica walked down the stairs. She could hear her sisters playing their instruments but didn’t think her rioting nerves would allow her to play the harp.

Worrying her bottom lip, Angelica stood in indecision outside the drawing room and considered returning upstairs. Then she spied Robert walking down the corridor and hurried toward him.

“Where did you go?” he asked.

“I needed to get away.”

“The Trimbles have gone,” Robert told her, holding his hand out to her. “Let’s return to my father’s study.”

Angelica gave him a wan smile and placed her trembling hand in his. The warmth and strength in his hand comforted her. “I never realized that achieving my revenge would affect me like this,” she said.

They sat together on the settee in front of the darkened hearth. The only light was the candle on the desk.

Angelica knew she shouldn’t be sitting alone with the marquess at this late hour, but he’d just brought down one of her father’s enemies. She didn’t have the heart or the inclination to leave him.

“We make a good team, angel,” Robert said, leaning back and resting his arm on the settee behind her.

“Your delay gave me a nasty fright,” Angelica admitted. “By the way, I want to invest some of our winnings in leeks and salt.”

Robert laughed. “Angel, do you actually believe investing in leeks and salt could be profitable?”

Angelica smiled with understanding. “How fortuitous that your father asked about commodities.”

“Fortuitous my arse,” Robert replied. “Father and I planned that whole scenario.”

“I couldn’t have done a better acting job,” Angelica said. With a worried expression, she turned to him and asked, “Will Trimble’s family suffer in poverty now? I wouldn’t want any innocents to suffer as I did.”

“I knew you would feel that way,” Robert said, dropping his hand to her shoulder. “I have friends in banking who investigated what Trimble was worth ten years ago. He will retain what he had then. With interest, of course. Does that make you feel better?”

Angelica nodded. “If I stole everything, I would be as evil as he.”

“What do you want me to do with the money I’ve won?” Robert asked, his hand on her shoulder beginning a slow caress.

“Keep it,” Angelica said absently, her mind focused on his hand. She knew she should leave, but—

“Keep it?” he echoed.

Angelica smiled at his surprised expression. “My revenge has never been for profit but rather justice for the wrong done to my parents.”

“How noble of you,” Robert replied, “but I insist the money go to your family.”

“Very well,” Angelica agreed. “Invest half in your companies. Then divide the remainder into four equal shares and bank it for my aunt, my sisters, and me. By the end of a year, our investments with the Campbells should be showing us a profit.”

Robert smiled. “Why do you want to invest in my companies?”

“Everyone in Scotland knows the Campbells are always on the winning side,” Angelica answered.

She arched a blond brow at him. “I trust that extends to financial enterprises.”

“Thank you for the praise,” he said.

“I meant to insult you,” she said. “The Campbells aren’t the most despised family in Scotland for no good reason.”

Robert burst out laughing. “As you can see, angel, I’ve been trying to make amends for my ancestors’ misdeeds. What are you planning to do with your share?”

“I’ll set half aside for gambling and give the other half to the poor,” Angelica told him.

Again, surprise registered on his face. “You’ll give it away?”

“Is there anything wrong with helping the poor?” Angelica asked, a note of challenge in her voice.

“My lady, your generosity is commendable,” Robert said, leaning closer. “You are an Original.”

Angelica placed the palm of her hand against his cheek. “Thank you,” she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

Turning his head, Robert planted a kiss on her palm. Angelica leaned temptingly close.

“Kiss me,” she said on a sigh, yearning to feel his warm lips pressed to hers.

Her invitation was irresistible. Robert inched closer, his mouth capturing hers in a smoldering kiss. He slipped his tongue past her lips, tasting the sweetness beyond them.

Entwining her arms around his neck, Angelica caught fire and surrendered to him. She returned his kiss with equal ardor, and together, they lay on the settee.

Robert slid his lips to the delicate column of her throat, leaving a fiery trail of kisses. He slipped his thumb inside the top of her low-cut gown and pulled it down, baring her breasts to his gaze.

Angelica moaned throatily. She arched her breasts forward, offering herself to him.

“Your breasts are beautiful,” Robert whispered thickly, his fingers caressing her aroused nipples. “I can make you wet merely by suckling upon them.”

Robert dropped his mouth to her breasts and drew enticingly upon her nipples. Angelica moaned and squirmed as a throbbing heat ignited between her thighs, and she arched herself toward him.

Without taking his mouth from her nipples, Robert lifted the skirt of her gown and caressed the inside of her thigh. His fingers slid to the juncture between her legs, and he stroked the jewel of her womanhood, wet and swollen beneath his touch.

Angelica moved her hips and felt her tension building to unendurable heights. With a soft cry, she melted against his gently tormenting fingers and then floated back to reality.

Opening her eyes, Angelica saw Robert watching her. She blushed with embarrassment and nearly swooned when she heard someone opening the study door.

“Lord Robert, are you in there?” The voice belonged to Tinker.

Ignoring her pleading expression, Robert looked over the back of the settee and called, “I’m here, Tinker.”

“Your guests are leaving,” the majordomo told him. “I believe Lady Angelica has already retired.”

Robert grinned at the man. “Lady Angelica is here, too.”

Only silence met Robert’s announcement. Too mortified to show herself, Angelica yanked up the top of her gown but refused to move. How could she ever face the duke’s retainer again?

“His Grace thought you and Lady Angelica would like to bid your guests a good night,” Tinker said.

“I’ll be down directly,” Robert told the man. “I’m unsure about the lady, whose complexion is crimson with embarrassment.”

Angelica had a sudden wish for death, either hers or his. And then she heard the majordomo say, “She could do a lot worse.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Robert replied.

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

Robert grinned and then looked down at her, saying, “He’s gone now.”

“How dare you?” Angelica said. “I hope you haven’t ruined my reputation.” She sat up and adjusted the skirt of her gown.

“You’re wearing a dagger,” Robert remarked.

“I felt vulnerable without it,” Angelica said, standing. She gestured to the settee and added, “This will never happen again.”

Robert grinned. “You said that the last time.”

“
Sacred sevens
, you are incorrigible.” At that, Angelica marched out of the duke’s study, feeling Robert’s gaze on her as she walked the length of the corridor to the stairs.

When she reached the foyer, Angelica refused to look at the majordomo. Duke Magnus and Aunt Roxie stood with James Armstrong and Adam St. Aubyn. The others had already taken their leave, and Venetia had followed the Douglas sisters upstairs.

“One victim down and three to go,” James said to Angelica, who managed a smile for him.

“I wish you would allow us to help,” Adam said. “Robert is having all the fun.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Angelica replied.

“What will you do with your winnings?” Duke Magnus asked.

“Lady Angelica is investing most of it in Campbell companies.” Robert spoke up before she could answer.

“Angelica, darling, why are you flushed?” Aunt Roxie asked, her voice filled with concern. “You aren’t becoming ill, are you?”

“I’m a little warm,” Angelica told her aunt, glancing at the majordomo, who avoided looking at her. “The excitement, you know.”

“Adam and I are going to White’s for a nightcap,” James said.

“I’ll join you,” Robert said. He grabbed Angelica’s hand before she could step back and lifted it to his lips, saying, “Until tomorrow, my lady.”

“Good night, my lord.” Intending to go to her chamber, Angelica headed for the stairs as Tinker closed the door behind the three friends.

A loud boom sounded outside the mansion.

Angelica paused, thinking it sounded like a gunshot, and then heard a second noise from outside. She whirled around and ran across the foyer.

Tinker had already opened the door. Duke Magnus and Aunt Roxie had rushed outside.

“He’s been shot,” James shouted.

Robert lay on the stairs. Adam was pulling Robert’s jacket off to reveal his white shirt its left sleeve slowly turning red from his blood.

“
Sacred sevens
,” Angelica cried, pushing past the duke and her aunt. She knelt beside him.

“It looks worse than it is,” Robert told her. Then he looked at his friends, asking, “Help me up?”

“Let’s get him inside,” Duke Magnus ordered. “Tinker, send for my physician.”

“There’s no need for a physician,” Robert said.

“You’ve been shot,” Angelica screamed in a panic.

Robert grinned at her as his two friends sat him down on a chair in the foyer. “The bullet grazed my upper arm,” he said as they removed his shirt. “Tinker, fetch warm water, bandages, and whiskey.”

The majordomo returned in a very few minutes, and Angelica knelt beside the chair to wash the bloody wound. Taking the bandages from the majordomo, she began to wrap his arm.

“This is the second attempt on his life,” James told the duke.

“Second?”

“The first was a couple of weeks ago,” Adam said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Duke Magnus asked, clearly displeased with his son.

Robert took a swig of whiskey and answered, “I knew you would hire half of London to guard me.”

“You’re damned right about that,” his father replied.

“Magnus, darling, becoming upset will not help,” Aunt Roxie said. “You will hire those bodyguards in the morning.”