This is the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers.
—The Merry Wives of Windsor, act 5, scene 1
“Miss Wright, is everything all right?” the earl asked.
“Yes, of course,” she answered, automatically tightening her hand on her cane. “Why do you ask?”
“Maybe because it’s well after midnight and you are standing outside alone.” He stopped in front of her and pretended to look all around the area with a gleam of amusement in his eyes. “You are alone, aren’t you?”
“Obviously, not anymore. You are here. And yes, everything is perfectly fine. It’s just that it’s such a lovely night, I wanted to enjoy looking at the sky before I retired for the evening.”
He stuffed his gloves into the pocket of his coat. “You should have brought a heavier wrap if you were going to do that. It’s more than chilly out tonight.”
She looked down at her black velvet shawl, which she held together with one gloved hand at the base of her throat. Her gown was thin, and her dainty shoes were not made for outside wear. Her toes and nose were already cold, but she’d let them go numb before she’d admit that to the handsome earl.
“It’s nippy, but not freezing. Besides, I didn’t plan to be out long. Auntie Lee just went back inside, and I feel quite safe standing a mere twelve paces from my front door. I’ve no doubt that should I be accosted by an errant footpad, there are several carriage drivers who would hear my screams and come running to my aid.” She hesitated and teased him with a suspicious expression. “So if you have any intentions of accosting me, my lord, you’d best dash them right now.”
Lord Greyhawke chuckled. “You will have no need of dozing drivers to aid you tonight, Miss Wright. I am many things, but not a fool. I have no doubt you could put me in my place should I try to force you to do anything against your will.”
“In any case, I would try.”
He took a step closer to her. “Then perhaps I should test your fortitude, Miss Wright.”
A smile touched the corners of her mouth. “I am woefully inadequate to match wits or challenges with you, my lord.”
“There’s not one sliver of truth to what you just said, but I appreciate your effort to try to make me think it’s so. No matter the subject of our discussion, you are a worthy opponent.”
His voice had been husky, low, and filled with compelling warmth. And again she wondered if he was feeling the connection to her that she felt to him.
“So our paths cross for the third time tonight,” she said.
He nodded once. “Do you think perhaps there’s something to that old saying ‘Third time is lucky’?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps for you, but I’m afraid my luck is about as nonexistent as forthcoming miracles.”
“I thought the same until I looked up and saw you standing out here in front of me.”
“I suppose it’s easy to see someone three different times at a small dinner party, my lord.”
“Small? Only you and your uncle would consider thirty people a small gathering for dinner.”
A sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh passed her lips. “Dukes have a way of doing even small things on a grand scale. Were you not enjoying yourself? Gentlemen don’t usually leave Uncle Quillsbury’s book room so early.”
His gaze left her face and he looked up at the night sky. She had the feeling he was remembering something, so she remained quiet.
Finally his gaze found hers and he said, “There was a time I indulged in spirits until I couldn’t drink anymore. Those days are behind me now. And I find I sleep better if I refrain from too much brandy at night. It was better that I take my leave.”
She was pleasantly amazed and heartened that he’d decided to give her a glimpse into his past.
“I’m much the same way,” she said as casually as he’d spoken. “If I drink more than one glass of champagne in an evening I usually get a headache, and I don’t sleep well either.”
“You know that’s because all those bubbles you drink go straight to your brain and start popping.”
She shook her head at his silly comment and loosened the tight clutch she had on her shawl. “I can’t believe you said that without smiling. It’s so unscientific it’s grossly outrageous and you know it. You will not make me believe that’s true, so don’t think about trying.”
He laughed for a moment, too, and then said, “All right.” He glanced down at the hat in his hands before fastening his gaze on hers once again. “We’ll change the subject and talk about something more serious. You looked wistful when I saw you standing near the dance floor tonight. What were you thinking about?”
She mouthed a silent Oh before saying, “Wistful? I’m not sure that’s true.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Well, you are wrong. I’m not given to sentimental flights of fancy in that way.”
“Then tell me what you were thinking.”
Tell him what she was thinking? Not in a million years. She couldn’t tell him that she had a list of prospective husbands and she was looking at the gentlemen who were dancing, trying to decide who enjoyed the pastime and who didn’t.
“No, I will not tell you,” she said, and then gave a soft laugh. “You just don’t give up, do you?”
“It wasn’t threatening.”
“Maybe not to you.”
“It was a simple question.”
“It was a personal question, my lord,” she argued playfully. “After all we said previously about private inquiries, you have no compunction about asking me what I’m thinking. You have no qualms asking anything that crosses your mind, do you?”
“None whatsoever,” he admitted without arrogance, humor, or guilt. “That is how you learn things you want to know, Miss Wright. And I want to get to know you.”
“All right, then, my lord,” she said, feeling emboldened by his foray into the out-of-bounds abyss. She lifted her chin and her shoulders. “Fair is fair, as they say. If I answer one personal question for you, you must answer one for me. Agreed?”
She instantly felt a change in him. Doubt flashed across his handsome features. He wavered. She hadn’t expected that. He’d been so forceful in wanting to know about her, she thought he’d jump at the chance to quiz her no matter the price. Though she didn’t mind that he wanted to think about her proposal before accepting her terms. If he agreed, fine. If he didn’t, maybe he’d stop meddling into her past since he was so unwilling to give up a little of his own.
His gaze remained hard and fast on hers. “That’s a hard bargain to accept, Miss Wright.”
She stared back at him without flinching. “Take it or leave it. It matters not to me whether you are willing to make a sacrifice for what you want to know about me.”
She smiled confidently, happy with her tactic to show him no mercy. He certainly didn’t seem to be willing to show any to her.
He took so long to answer her, she was sure he was going to back away, but suddenly he said, “So it’s a challenge after all?”
“If you choose to look at it that way. I think of it as simply sharing a little about ourselves with each other.”
He frowned. “Sharing? There aren’t many things that I would be willing to share, Miss Wright.”
She sucked in a short chuckle, hoping to appear indifferent to his answer. “That has become quite obvious, my lord, and I completely understand your hesitancy.” But she remained firm. “Your call, but if you don’t ante up, then neither shall I.”
He nodded slightly. “In that case, Miss Wright, ladies first. What’s your question for me?”
He was constantly surprising her. “I’m impressed you want me to go first. Is it because you are a gentleman, or is it you have no fear that I won’t keep my part of the bargain?”
She waited in silence for his reply. He seemed to sear her with his dark, penetrating stare. She was ready to give up getting an answer when he said quietly, “I’m not concerned about you keeping your promise at all. I’m worried whether or not I will keep my promise and answer what you ask of me if you go first.”