Her Wanton Wager Read Online Free PDF Page B

over her. She slid an uneasy glance at Hunt; even he wouldn't go so far as to cart her off and ravish her ... would he?
    "There must be something that can sway you. I have an allowance," she said in a rush, "and jewels. It would not cover the debt, of course, but perhaps it might buy a little time—"
    "This is not a lending institution, nor a jar in which to toss a few shillings now and again." He cast a pointed glance around the room. "Do I look like I need your paltry baubles?"
    She could not deny he was a man of obvious means; the abundance of gilt, marble, and mahogany screamed wealth—if not precisely good taste.
    "I suppose you've plenty in that arena," she said with a sinking feeling. Dash it, negotiations were going nowhere ... was she bungling things up yet again? She could practically hear Mama's exasperated voice: For heaven's sake, think before you act, Persephone.
    "Why the dejected look? You seem like an enterprising sort, Miss Fines. I am sure between the two of us we can come to an agreeable solution," Hunt said.
    To her surprise, he bowed and waved her toward the sitting area. After a moment's hesitation, she scurried past him to the seats clustered around a coffee table and perched on the edge of a settee. Instead of taking the adjacent chair as any gentleman would, however, the blighter sat down next to her. He took up his cushion and some of hers, pulling her toward his center of gravity. She had to cling to the arm of the settee to prevent from tumbling onto his lap.
    Seeming oblivious to her predicament, he leaned back and stretched out his long legs. "That's more comfortable, isn't it? Now back to the matter at hand. Since money has no appeal to me, perhaps there is something else you might care to offer."
    "Such as?" she said guardedly.
    "A service you could render, perhaps. A way to get into my good graces so I might consider leniency toward your brother."
    Eyes narrowing, she said, "What kind of service?"
    He raked her over with a slow glance. "Your charming company would suffice."
    "My ... company ?" When he confirmed her suspicions by waggling his brows, she jumped to her feet and backed away, cheeks aflame. "You must be touched in the upper works! There is no way on earth I'd consent to … to …"
    "Warm my bed?" he suggested, following her step for step. "Do the buttock jig with me?"
    No one had ever spoken to her in such a fashion before. Shock temporarily divested her of speech. All she could do was scramble away from him, her lungs burning.
    "I assure you it's no hardship to share my bed. So I've been told." The immodest scoundrel continued to stalk her through the sitting area. "Something tells me you and I would suit very well in that regard."
    "You insult my honor, sir," she said furiously. "If I were a man, I would call you out!"
    "Good thing you're not a man, then. For more reasons than one." The bounder had the gall to flash straight, white teeth. "And 'twas a compliment, Miss Fines, not an insult. Typically I would not bother with an inexperienced virgin such as yourself. But I have the feeling that you would be worth the trouble ... and then some."
    His masculine appraisal sent a quiver all the way down to her toes. No one had ever looked at her with this level of … intensity. A strange thrum entered her blood. Was this how a deer felt when cornered by a wolf? All instincts screamed run, and yet her limbs remained frozen.
    She shook herself out of the daze. Blast it, what was this effect Hunt had on her? Perhaps he possessed Mesmeric skills, which would only be fitting for a villain.
    "Your tricks are wasted on me," she declared. She'd read enough novels to know how a heroine ought to react. Like arrows of virtue, words flew unerringly from her lips. "I will never succumb to your advances. You might as well know that I have already found my one true love, and nothing could make me betray him."
    A copper gleam lit Hunt's gaze. "You do have a flair for drama, do you not Miss Fines?"