Part 22 (2/2)

”Fiona,” Jack said. ”It is time we went home.”

Fiona grabbed a handful of markers and randomly placed them on the board.

Lady Oppenheim shook her head. ”My dear, have a care. That is a risky wager, indeed.”

Fiona kept her head up high. ”It's what I wish to do.”

”Very well,” Lady Oppenheim said in a doubtful voice. ”Just do not cry to me when you lose.”

Lord Penult-Mead dealt the card.

”Excellent!” Campbell said. ”You won, my dear!”

Good. Then perhaps she could pay Campbell back before the evening was over. Her Scottish soul detested the thought of owing money.

Jack had crossed his arms over his chest. ”Are you through yet?”

Actually, she was. She didn't like the smoke or the hubbub or the quality of people. She'd much rather go home or have a quiet evening with friends, but she was not about to admit that to Jack.

”I am just beginning to enjoy myself.”

He reached for her arm. ”We are leaving.”

She freed herself. ”No, we are not.You may leave, but I am staying.”

He glowered down at her, his powerful hands opening and closing. Her partners at the table watched with interest as he leaned down until his eyes were even with hers. ”Fiona, it's time to go home,now .” She didn't flinch. ”As you said before, we are completely independent of each other. You may do as you wish, and I may do as I wish.”

”That is not acceptable.”

”It's all you'll get,” she said in a heated tone.

Campbell had remained quiet throughout this altercation. Fiona wasn't even certain he was still standing with her.

”Very well,” Jack said. ”If you wish to stay, then stay. I will do the same. Just don't expect me to change my behavior because you are present.”

”I expectnothing from you.” She waved a hand. ”Now, if you'll excuse me, you are interrupting our play.”

He glowered, then turned on his heel and left.

Within seconds, he was surrounded by a bevy of attractive women and a group of rather dissolute-looking men.

Campbell's hand came to rest on Fiona's shoulder. ”Forgive me for saying this, but your husband is a hothead.”

Campbell didn't know the half of it. ”He has had a bad day.”

”Are we ready to begin?” Lord Penult-Mead asked.

”I hope so!” Lady Oppenheim huffed. ”I am quite determined to win back my markers. Lady Kincaid, I believe it's your turn.”

Fiona quickly placed her wager.

The next hour was pure h.e.l.l. Campbell stayed by her side, whispering advice in her ear and paying her overblown compliments. She pretended to be interested in what he was saying, but she was painfully aware of Jack across the room, looking dangerously handsome as he played at another table.

She simply could not help peeking at him, noting the way his breeches clung to his thighs. The way he quite eclipsed everyone else in the room with his broad shoulders. The way his hair fell over his brow, shadowing his eyes until they looked black instead of dark blue. The way every woman in the room was doing exactly what Fiona was doing: watching Jack.

Blast it all, what were they thinking? He washer husband!

”Ah, I wondered when she'd arrive,” Campbell said softly, looking at the doorway.

Fiona followed his gaze and saw Lucinda Featherington cross the room to Jack's table. She stiffened. ”I didn't know that woman came to places like this.” Campbell shrugged. ”She goes anywhere she thinks she might find Jack.” Lucinda spoke to Jack. Fiona watched closely, catching a flash of emotion on Jack's face. It came and went so quickly she couldn't tell what it meant, but Lucinda laughed and took the chair next to his. Fiona fumed. Who did that woman think she was? Hadn't she learned her lesson yet? Fiona caught Jack's eye. Slowly, their gazes locked, and he reached his arm along the back of Lucinda'

s chair.

Lucinda needed no more encouragement. She leaned toward Jack, pressing her bosom against his arm, gazing up into his eyes with open invitation. ”Lady Kincaid.” Lady Oppenheim's rather strident voice cut through the air. ”It's your play again.

Please pay attention!”

Flus.h.i.+ng, Fiona smacked markers on various cards without paying the slightest heed to what she was doing. ”Careful,” Campbell said. ”I am tired of being careful,” she said, unable to keep her eyes on her cards. Campbell looked at her face, then glanced back to Jack's table. Fiona's gaze followed Campbell's.

Lucinda was whispering in Jack's ear. He was listening with an absent smile, his gaze locked on his cards. As Fiona watched, Lucinda looked across the room, directly at her. A cool, triumphant smile flickered over Lucinda's lips.

Fiona rose from her chair, but Campbell's hand pressed her back into her seat. Thunder rumbled outside. ”Easy, my sweet. You don't want to give her the satisfaction of making a scene.” He glanced at the window as lighting flashed, a thoughtful look on his face.

”'Making a scene' doesn't even begin to describe what I wish to do.” ”Do as you wish, of course. I just thought you'd rather have your dignity than revenge,” Campbell said. It was a pity she couldn't have her dignityand slap Lucinda Featherington silly. ”It would hardly be wise,” Campbell said coolly. ”People will forgive a dousing but not an out-and-out attack.” Her face flushed. ”I didn't realize I'd spoken out loud.” ”You didn't. I guessed at your thoughts.”

”Was my expression so revealing?”

His blue eyes twinkled at her. ”You do have a tendency to wear your thoughts on your sleeve.” He

looked pointedly at the window, where the panes were rattling from the sudden wind. ”Much like your brothers.” Fiona didn't know what to say. Many people in Scotland knew of the curse, but few actually believed it.

”Perhaps there is a way we can turn the tables on your husband.” Campbell caught her gloved hand and lifted it to his lips, his breath warm through the cotton. It was a proper gesture, but the insinuation in the length of time he held her hand, the way he let his fingers slide from hers when she pulled free, the manner in which he stared into her eyes-all of it smacked of seduction. Fiona glanced to where Lucinda leaned against Jack, the two of them deep in conversation. Lucinda's b.r.e.a.s.t.s were pressing against his arm, their fullness quivering with each breath.

Fiona's jaw tightened, and, instead of setting Campbell in his place, she leaned toward him and smiled. ”Thank you.”

His eyes widened, an odd flush entering his cheeks. He pressed her hand meaningfully. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jack's hand fist on the table, and she knew she'd won a point.Without removing her hand from Campbell's, she tossed her new wager onto the table.

Jack scowled. Then, with a narrow look, he picked up Lucinda's hand and kissed it exactly the way Campbell had kissed Fiona's. Wind rattled the front window, and the first smattering of rain slashed across the gla.s.s. Jack smirked. Fiona looked around. d.a.m.n him! She had to find something else to irk him.

She watched as he took a drink from a gla.s.s on the table, smiling absently when Lucinda spoke.

A drink! All of the footmen were on the other side of the room, so she grasped Campbell's arm. ”I need a drink.”

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