Sweet Revenge To The Duke (Book 1)

Chapter Nine

"Sir George Jones and Mr. Leo Carter are really kind gentlemen," Elizebeth said as she and Athene ate a cold collation that had been taken up to their room. "However, I must add that the duke's guests playing cards so soon after breakfast is extremely peculiar."

"They are pleasant enough." But neither of them made Athene's ears ring or her bosom rise and fall in expectation of their contact. "However, I don't see myself marrying a man merely because he's kind."

Elizabeth poured a glass of spiced milk for each of them. "It's a lot nicer than being a monster." Alternatively, a soulless reptile. Or an oaf who screams. Oliver, on the other hand, is someone I'd recommend as a husband for you. I believe a lion would be preferable to a lamb."

Athene's ferocious retort was halted by a knock at the door. Elizabeth nodded at her to open it after a moment's hesitation.

Speak of the Devil...

She muttered something and returned to the room, where a meaningful glance from Elizabeth sparked a flush so intense that she thought her face was on fire.

"Miss. Elizabeth. I hope you're feeling better, Miss Athene?"

Athene discovered her own voice. "All of a sudden, Oliver, you're incredibly attentive." Had her remarks to him in the locker room the day before hit home?

His gaze pierced her, but not in an angry way. Their ferocity had completely thrown her off.

"We're about to sit down and have a small lunch. "You're welcome to come along," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth and her incessant interference. Oliver wasn't a candidate for either of them. It would be preferable if he left so she could have a serious conversation with her guardian.

Elizabeth received a stare from her. "Sir, we're almost done." Downstairs, you'll almost certainly locate a table with many more options."

With the flutter of an eyelid, he accepted the veiled snub. Despite this, he stood firm and out of place, his smart attire and dominating masculinity in stark contrast to his surroundings' female fripperies.

"This morning I took a ride into Bury and came across some items that you ladies might appreciate. Please don't let me interrupt your dinner." He handed Athene a cloth-wrapped present, whirled on his heel, and walked away.

She looked back at him, surprised. How unusual of him to be so accommodating—she had clearly eroded his convictions. But it wasn't enough to quell her drive for vengeance.

Elizabeth looked at the package from behind her. "Another present?" Oliver has taken a liking to one of us. We must both be sure to take advantage of it till we know who he has chosen."

"Despite what you think, I don't want it to fall on me." You're more than welcome to visit him. Anyway, we don't know yet whether his gift is deserving, do we?"

Athene unwrapped the gift, still gasping for air at his unexpected presence and equally quick departure, to see two pairs of child gloves, two Paisley shawls, and two lace-edged nightcaps of the finest lawn.

Elizabeth dug her teeth into the things, cooing over them with delight, and then laughing. "This archenemy of yours is extremely keen to keep us warm, especially at night." He can't be as evil as you portray him to be. These goods are sensible, useful, and considerate. I believe he's been captivated by one of us."

Athene sighed, her curious twinkle in her eye causing her to groan. "I can assure you, not by me." I am despised by him. I can only assume he's resentful of the past now that I've saddled him with it."

"No, I think he admires you." He doesn't know who I am, and he doesn't give me the same intense, ravenous stares he does you. Athene, I'll cut you a deal. Oliver is ripe for picking. You can have first crack at him, and if you fail, I'll take over."

"However, I don't want to catch him off guard." I'm looking for a way to make him pay." Why would Elizabeth refuse to listen to her protests on this point? It was very difficult.

Her guardian carefully nibbled a chunk of game pie from their luncheon platter. "Perhaps we'll both be able to achieve our goals."

"Can you tell me what you're talking about?"

"You catch him and reel him in," After you've gotten him down on his knees and begging, let him go . I'll be there to put the parts back together and make him whole, and he'll be so thankful that he'll make me his mistress. However, I'm not sure he'd want me as a wife. As you know, I'm not keen on becoming fat and drooping as a result of childbirth, nor am I happy on having to spend my days housekeeping and entertaining bores."

Athene clenched her teeth and bit her lower lip. Yes, she desired vengeance against Oliver, but could she stand allowing him to get any closer before rejecting him? Especially when she considered the physical magnetism he'd developed—just thinking about it made her heart race.

She and Elizabeth would both receive what they wanted if Elizabeth's scheme worked: Elizabeth would have a protection, and Athene would be able to exact her vengeance. Oliver would also be removed from the equation, allowing her to focus on finding a husband.

And she enjoyed the notion of his begging on his knees, though she couldn't image him actually doing it.

"However," she objected, "I don't know how to go about it."

"I think he's already drawn to you, so you'd have very little to do." You're a lovely young lady with a sharp wit—all you need to do now is learn how to flirt. That is something I can teach you."

She couldn't possibly succeed, could she? It was necessary to be eager and warm in order to entice a man. Years ago, she'd buried those elements of herself to shield her broken heart. Oliver, for one, thought she lacked sympathetic feelings and referred to her as "heartless." Even if he was drawn to her, he wouldn't want to waste his time with an icy-veined woman, would he? Unless her icy demeanor made her a tempting adversary.

"I suppose you could instruct me, but I'm not sure I'd be a good student."

Elizabeth smiled and winked at her. "Only time will tell, but isn't he already back? He's got to be more smitten than I thought."

Athene scooted for the shelter of the window shutters after another pounding on the door—after what they'd just discussed, she couldn't face Oliver again. She rushed onto the windowsill, yanked the shutters almost shut, and peeked through the crack.

"At your service. Oscar Williams"

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. What was Oscar's purpose in being in this location?

"Do come in." Elizabeth gave a quick peek behind her, as if shocked by Athene's rapid withdrawal, but said nothing. Thank heavens for that.

"Miss Elizabeth," please accept my apologies for bothering you. I was hoping you or Miss Athene might be interested in accompanying me on a tour of the grounds. But I see I've missed Athene."

"You have, and I'm not dressed for walking, unfortunately." Elizabeth looked in the mirror and ran her fingers down her front.

As Oscar's cheeks flushed, Athene choked back a smile. Elizabeth was harsh to put her skills to the test on a green kid. Was this supposed to be her first flirting lesson?

"Sit down and pray." I'm about to finish my lunch. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Oscar's color was intensified even more by Elizabetht's husky tone. Her flirting style was less than subtle. Before Athene arrived to reside with her, how many men had this siren enticed into her bedchamber?

Oscar sat down in the offered chair, his hands clasped between his knees. "How did you...er...enjoy your morning card game?"

"If I had been at your table, I would have had a better time." Even if you were merely playing for counters, you would have been a worthy opponent."

Flattery, oh my. Athene frowned. Was she ever able to compliment Oliver in the same way? Was there anything positive to say about him?

"Why, thank you." When a play like this is suggested again, I'm confident it can be arranged. Miss Elizabeth, do you intend to stay for long?"

"I wasn't planning on it previously, but I could be persuaded." I had considered the firm to be a little suffocating, but I was plainly mistaken."

Oscar threw back his shoulders and puffed his chest out. The deluded i***t was soaking up every word. Athene imagined herself saying anything to make Oliver happy, but the concept was repulsive to her.

She murmured, "The ends justify the means," and then shrank back in dread of being discovered. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had sprawled herself on the chaise longue and managed to slide her robe over one shoulder, drawing attention to her long, slender neck and wonderfully sculpted collarbone.

Oscar, toss me a peach, Elizabeth purred. "We got them from His Grace's hothouse the day before yesterday." Please, feel free to assist yourself to something."

Oscar leapt to his feet, snatched the fruit bowl from the counter, and presented it to her. A stinging tap on the glass behind Athene's head drew her attention away from the show in front of her. It outshone any theatrical production.

Elizabeth nibbled into the peach, and the juice ran down her chin. She licked it up with her finger after mopping it up. Oscar slumped back in his seat, rummaged in the fruit bowl, and pulled out an apple, but didn't try to eat it.

The pane rattled again, but she ignored it because sudden squalls were not uncommon in November. She pushed the shutters apart a little more to get a better view of Oscar. Elizabeth bit into her peach again, and this time a piece slid down her chin and into her cleavage.

Oscar's eyes widened as she reached into her bosom for the piece, which she devoured with gusto, licking her lips with darting tongue movements thereafter. She drewled, "I'm too clumsy." "I had no idea it was that overripe."

Another tap on the window, this time louder and uncharacteristically loud for rain. Athene swiveled her head, irritated, to try to figure out who was behind it.

Oliver Williams Viscount Rushbourne was on the path below her, scowling up at her. He motioned for her to come down as soon as he realized he'd caught her eye.

How was she going to explain her strange situation? But she had to do it, or Oscar will find out, and Oliver will find out she was spying on his brother.

She returned the wave as calmly as she could, attempting to appear as if she was used to lurking behind shutters. She raised both hands and stretched her fingers, hoping against hope that Elizabeth's act would only last ten minutes.

Oliver nodded, looked around, pointed to the orangery, and mimicked her hand motions.

She shifted her gaze away from him and rolled her eyes. Typical. She'd had her tryst with Oliver, but how would she get out of the bedchamber?

Perhaps the most pressing question was whether she should utilize the tryst to practice what she'd learned about seduction recently. The concept was terrifying, but this might be the finest chance she'd ever had to carry out her plan.

At the very least, they were getting together in the orangery. That indicated there will be plenty of delicious fruit.