Chapter Six

A llegra hid her disappointment when Miss Bancroft called out her partner's name. She had wanted to play with Lord Carroll, simply to show him how little she cared about him. She had been afraid that he might heed her advice and leave the house party.

If he had, she might have hopped on her horse and ridden after him.

She couldn't understand why she was so taken with the man. Yes, he was the most handsome devil she had ever laid eyes upon. He dressed exquisitely, taking far more care with his wardrobe than many women did. She feared it was his kiss which had her so discombobulated. The things that man could do with his tongue. Why, he was certainly no gentleman.

She had heard how men could sometimes become addicted to strong drink, their need for it so vast that they would do anything to get it. Was she the same, obsessed with this arrogant rake and yearning for more of his delicious kisses?

Aunt Dinah recommended they strategize with their partners before play began, so she made her way toward Lord Lamkin. Now, why couldn't she like a fellow such as Lamkin? He was goodhearted. Outgoing. Intelligent. It made her all the more determined to use the kissing lesson Lord Carroll had so thoughtfully provided her with. Who better than her card partner this evening?

"Do you have a specific way in mind in which you would like us to play?" Allegra asked the earl.

He chuckled. "Never. I let the cards fall where they will. I do know enough to understand I should never trump my partner. Other than that, I say we should simply enjoy ourselves tonight." He paused. "And perhaps even stroll along the terrace when there is a break in play."

Oh, she knew what that meant. He was informing her that he was interested in her—and planned to kiss her if she would allow him to do so.

"I would enjoy a brief stroll," Allegra replied, letting him know she was perfectly willing to accompany him. And kiss him.

"I look forward to it," Lord Lamkin said, a gleam in his eyes.

Suddenly, Lyric appeared at her elbow. "I must speak to you. Now," she said firmly, not waiting for Allegra to even excuse herself from Lord Lamkin.

Her twin led her swiftly away, into the corridor, away from the others.

"What is going on?" she demanded.

"He kissed me. Lord Blankenship. He kissed me. Again." Her twin beamed. "And it was a kiss like you received, Allegra." Lyric sighed. "Oh, it was everything I might ever want in a kiss."

"You are in love," she said, seeing the look on her sister's face.

Grinning, Lyric nodded. "I might very well be. You were right. Kissing is... magical. I have no other way to describe it."

She hugged her twin. "I am glad Lord Blankenship gave you a proper kiss."

"He still asked permission," Lyric revealed. "And you were right. He didn't want to scare me off and gentled his first kiss. But oh, my! The kisses we exchanged? I simply must have more of them." She bit her lip. "Do you think he will offer for me?"

Allegra laughed. "If he doesn't, I will box his ears."

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me," she said. "I will not have a rogue dally with my sister and then drop her." Seeing Lyric's alarmed look, she quickly added, "That will not happen with Lord Blankenship, though. He is a good man. Just think—he asked permission to kiss you, as a gentleman should—and then he kissed you like a rogue. I think you will be very happy together."

Lyric frowned. "I hated when Lady Lida called his name. She is the nicest girl, but I simply wanted to claw out her eyes."

They both laughed, and Allegra said, "We should return to our guests."

Her twin touched her arm. "How are you feeling about Lord Carroll?"

She shrugged. "I want to kiss him again. Desperately. But I believe I should kiss a few other gentlemen instead. Simply to have something to compare his kiss to. Lord Lamkin has already asked me to stroll with him on the terrace later. I think it means he wishes to be alone with me in order to kiss me."

Lyric grew thoughtful. "I do like Lamkin, Allegra. Actually—except for Lord Carroll—I like all the men Aunt Dinah invited to our party. And I probably would have liked Lord Carroll if you hadn't told me what an arrogant rake he is."

"Don't judge him too harshly," she begged. "He even asked me for a second chance, saying he knew he had made a poor impression upon me."

"Be careful," her sister warned.

"I will."

They returned to the drawing room just as Aunt Dinah said, "We are ready to start play. The pair who wins the most points by ten o'clock tonight will receive the crystal bowl we used to draw names."

"Which means I will be giving it to Miss Allegra," Lord Lamkin quipped.

The others laughed, including Aunt Dinah, who continued, saying, "We will abide by the usual deck of fifty-two cards, with each player receiving thirteen. After all hands have been played, the partners who won more tricks will score a point each for every trick they took in excess of six. The game will conclude at a table when one team reaches five total points."

"Just assign us to our tables, Mrs. Andrews," Lord Motley said. "Miss Markle is already eyeing that crystal bowl."

The group laughed again, and Aunt Dinah instructed them as to which table each pair would start. Allegra found her and Lord Lamkin seated with Lady Lida and Lord Blankenship. She looked at the viscount.

"I hope you have had an interesting evening so far, my lord," letting him know that she knew what he had been up to with her twin.

His ears pinkened slightly. "What I am up to now is claiming victory over you and Lord Lamkin, Miss Allegra."

They began play, and it took almost half an hour before she and Lord Lamkin attained their victory. The earl pulled Allegra from her seat and danced her about the drawing room in a victory lap, causing her to laugh aloud.

Then she caught Lord Carroll glowering at them, and she sobered.

"Since you are the first table to finish," Aunt Dinah said, "you might wish to go to the library. I had refreshments set up there so that you might mingle between games. Lord and Lady Crowell are there now to chaperone."

"I would like something cool to drink," she told the earl.

"Perhaps we could get some punch and then take it outside and stroll in the evening breeze," he suggested, his voice in a normal tone, so she knew others heard what he said.

Allegra refused to look in Lord Carroll's direction as Lord Lamkin, along with Lady Lida and Lord Blankenship, accompanied her to the library. The other couple claimed some punch and went to sit with Lady Lida's parents.

"Shall we stroll?" the earl asked, leading her from the library and to a door which opened onto the terrace.

They moved slowly along the length of the terrace, chatting about the archery contest planned for tomorrow afternoon.

"Have you shot a bow and arrow before?" Lord Lamkin asked her.

"Actually I am fairly good at it. I may simply watch to give the other ladies a chance to shine," she replied.

"No, you need to participate. There is nothing wrong with winning. Besides, my archery skills are excellent. Why don't I give you a lesson before the competition begins? I am a patient teacher, and you might pick up on something which will help improve your aim."

"That would be very kind of you, my lord," she said demurely, seeing his eyes drop to her mouth.

They reached the end of the terrace, and he removed her cup from her hand, placing it and his on the stone wall.

"I am very glad I came to this house party," he said, his voice low.

"We are delighted to have you here."

"But are you delighted I came, Miss Allegra?"

She took a deep breath. "I am glad you came, my lord."

He took a step toward her, his hands cupping her cheeks. Her heart sped up. Then he bent, pressing his lips to hers. She kept her mouth closed, waiting to see what he might do. He kissed her a moment and then used his tongue to ease her mouth open. Sliding his tongue against hers, he caressed it.

She stood stock still, waiting for something to happen. A rush of warmth to flood her. A tightening of her nipples.

Nothing.

Because of that, Allegra did not return his kiss. She let him do all the work.

When he stepped back, he said, "You are a very nice lady, Miss Allegra. Very nice, indeed. But I think you understand that you are not the lady for me."

"I do, my lord. Thank you for the kiss, though."

He took her hand and raised it, pressing his lips to it. "I will still help you in archery, Miss Allegra. If you will allow me to do so, that is."

"Only if you wish to, Lord Lamkin. If you feel a pull toward another guest and wish to help her learn the sport better, I will understand."

"Well, there is Miss Markle," the earl said. "She has interested me for some time."

"Then I suggest you kiss her," Allegra said. "I believe it is the only way to know for certain."

They reclaimed their punch and returned inside, finding Lord Carroll and Miss Bancroft in the library, along with James and Sophie.

"We are celebrating our victory," Miss Bancroft said. "Lord Carroll is quite the cardplayer."

"Oh, but it is you who carried us to victory over Their Graces," Lord Carroll said.

"I have a head for business. Not cards," the duchess bemoaned. "Miss Bancroft, you must teach me your secrets."

"I would be honored to, Your Grace. Just as soon as Lord Carroll and I have claimed the crystal bowl."

Aunt Dinah appeared. "We are ready for the second round."

They returned to the drawing room, where Allegra found them going against Lyric and Lord Tillings. She had to hide her smile, seeing how distracted Lord Tillings was. He spent more time looking to his left—the table Miss Bancroft sat at—than focusing on his cards. Tillings and Lyric lost quickly to them.

They faced Miss Markle and Lord Motley next. It proved to be the first time Lord Lamkin was distracted. In fact, at one point, Allegra kicked him under the table to gain his attention. He jumped, their gazes meeting, and he smiled sheepishly.

"Woolgathering," he said simply, though she knew he was focusing more on Miss Markle than gameplay.

They narrowly won that round.

"We only have time for one more game," Aunt Dinah told them.

"Count us out," James said. "My duchess' eyes are drooping, and we are out of contention at any rate." He scooped his wife off her feet. "We are headed for bed. Where we may sleep—or not."

Allegra heard the others tittering. James' declaration had not surprised her. She had come across the couple kissing in various places throughout the house and thought it sweet how affectionate they were.

Aunt Dinah announced the final groupings, and Allegra smiled as Lord Lamkin seated her. Lord Carroll and Miss Bancroft took their places at the same table.

"I hear that we are the only sets of partners who have not suffered a loss," Miss Bancroft said. "How exciting that this last game will determine who wins the crystal bowl."

"We will," Lord Carroll said arrogantly. "They have nothing on us, my dear Miss Bancroft."

She wondered when these two had gotten so chummy. Miss Bancroft was not the type of woman Lord Carroll would be attracted to. While Allegra enjoyed the woman's company and knew exactly why Georgie liked this friend so much, she was not the type of woman the earl noticed. Of course, Miss Bancroft was most likely the most intelligent woman here, not counting Sophie. Winning would appeal to Lord Carroll. Allegra only hoped that Miss Bancroft would not get her hopes up with the attention Lord Carroll seemed to be paying her.

As Lord Lamkin shuffled the cards and asked Miss Bancroft a question, Lord Carroll turned to her.

"You seem jealous, Miss Allegra."

"Jealous?" she sputtered. "Of . . . what?"

"The fact that Miss Bancroft and I make for such a remarkable team," he said smoothly.

Her eyes narrowed. "I hope you won't think of taking advantage of her."

His seductive smile made her gasp. Which made him chuckle. Which made her angry.

"So, you don't wish for me to kiss her? Who should I be kissing? You?"

Allegra tamped down her anger, biting back the retort on her lips, because the other two turned toward them.

"Ready to play?" Lord Lamkin asked.

"I am ready for us to win," she told her partner, smiling charmingly at him just to rankle Lord Carroll.

They were still playing when the other two tables finished. The others came to stand around them in order to watch the proceedings. Allegra concentrated deeply, not wanting to see Lord Carroll gain victory. She was angry at him, as well as being angry at herself for allowing him to get a rise from her.

Then she caught Lord Tillings watching Miss Bancroft, his face one of adoration. Suddenly, beating Lord Carroll was no longer important to Allegra. Instead, she wanted Miss Bancroft to shine for the viscount.

Deliberately, she played a lower card of the same suit when she could have taken the trick. Lord Lamkin frowned at her. She met his gaze and then turned her eyes quickly to Lord Tillings and back. Lamkin did the same, and he seemed to understand because when he played his next card, she knew they would lose the last trick of this hand.

And the game.

As Miss Bancroft took the trick, she smiled, her face flushing from the victory.

"I do believe that is game and match to Miss Bancroft and Lord Carroll," Aunt Dinah proclaimed.

Those gathered around them applauded loudly, with Lord Tillings saying, "Well done!" above the din.

It was Tillings who quickly pulled Miss Bancroft's chair back and assisted her to her feet. She went to Aunt Dinah, Lord Carroll following, and received the crystal bowl.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Andrews," Miss Bancroft said. "I must acknowledge Lord Carroll, who is the best whist player I have ever partnered with."

The earl bowed his head slightly and smiled at his partner. "I would say the same, Miss Bancroft. We make quite the team."

A few declared they would take a last cup of punch or snifter of brandy in the library, while a few more announced they were going to bed. Allegra followed that group upstairs, only to find someone tugging on her elbow when she stepped onto the landing. Turning, she saw it was Lord Carroll who held it.

"You deliberately let us win," he said. "I knew what cards you—or Lamkin—held. Why did you lose to us?"

Her pulse was leaping at his touch. "Because I wanted Miss Bancroft to win. Lord Tillings had been watching her all night. I thought her victory was important for him to see. She is an excellent card player and most intelligent. More importantly, she is one of the kindest ladies I have ever met. I wanted her to have her time in the sun. She is a lovely person and deserves to receive her due after so many years of being cast aside by others."

His eyes darkened. "That was very generous of you, Allegra," he said huskily.

She noticed he called her by her Christian name but did not want to correct him.

All she wanted to do was kiss him.

"I was proud of how well you accepted her as a partner," she told him. "When she drew your name, I was worried you would... well, that you might..." Her voice trailed off because she couldn't finish the thought.

He reached for her hand, slipping his large one around hers. It felt so right—and yet she knew this rake was so wrong for her.

"I am not quite the arse you believe me to be. Somehow, I am going to convince you of that before this house party ends."

The thought of it ending and him leaving Shadowcrest left her feeling bereft. Tears swam in her eyes and she glanced down, not wanting him to see them.

His fingers touched her chin, however, raising it until their gazes met.

"I asked for a second chance with you, Allegra. I cannot force you to give me one, but I hope you will, all the same. I have been contemplating many things since we met, chief amongst them how I have been living my life and how unsatisfying it has been for longer than I care to admit."

Hope sprang within her that he might truly be changing.

"You wish to leave your roguish ways behind?" she asked lightly.

He smiled wryly. "Once a rogue, always a rogue," he replied lightly. "But even rogues can have a good heart." He swallowed visibly. "I want you to see that I am more than my blackened reputation. Will you give me a chance to prove to you that there are honorable parts within me?"

"Yes," she said, the word coming out a whisper.

He smiled, looking pleased. "Then that is all I can ask from you. That—and perhaps a kiss."

This time she swallowed, her heart beating wildly at the thought of kissing him again.

Lord Carroll glanced over his shoulder. Then he bent, softly pressing his lips to hers, lingering for a moment before breaking the kiss. It had been sweet and tender, something totally unexpected.

"I will see you tomorrow, Allegra."

With that, he released her hand and hurried back down the stairs again.

He had surprised her. She had expected a much different kiss from him. Instead, he had intrigued her, leaving her wanting more. Not just his kisses, but wanting to know more of him.

Lord Carroll just might prove himself to be the man Allegra was looking for after all.