The Duke's Gamble Read Free

feeling as if she was a mare that he was considering whether she was worthwhile to purchase. His brows drew together and she wondered whether he had changed his mind.
    “You’re too thin,” he said abruptly.  
    The sound of his voice after the long stretch of silence made her start. “I beg your pardon?”
    “You’re too thin.” He circled her, and she could feel his gaze burning through her thin muslin gown.  
    “W-why does that matter?” Bella finally managed to force the words out of her mouth. Her voice emerged as barely more than a whisper, and she cursed herself for appearing so weak.
    Avalon ignored her question, returning to his position before her. He regarded her with an impassive expression. “You’re afraid of me.”
    The statement was unexpected but she quickly recovered. “I would be a fool not to be, would I not?” When he gave her an enquiring look, she added, “There are more than a few rumours about you.”
    “And what do they say?”
    Bella licked her lips, watching as his gaze lowered to her mouth. “Th-that you are entirely ruthless—and heartless. That the only thing that matters to you is the pursuit of wealth and you would do anything to get what you want.”
    “I also feast on innocent babes for breakfast.”
    Bella blinked. Had her ears played a trick on her? Surely he hadn’t just made a jest. But a ghost of a smile was playing about his mouth. That sinfully delicious mouth. She tried to focus on their conversation. “Yes, well, you do have thousands upon thousands of tenants. I suppose they would keep you well supplied with infants. Does Your Grace prefer males or females?”
    Avalon’s lips twitched. “Females. Only females.” He took a step closer. “I am very particular, you see.” He was close enough that she could smell the faint scent of cigars mixed with bergamot and pine. He touched a lock of her hair by her ear.  
    Bella suppressed a shiver. What was the matter with her? “You can’t be that particular if you wanted me.” Lud, why had she said ‘want’?
    Avalon, of course, didn’t fail to notice it. What surprised her was the way he spoke his next words, quietly, as if he were musing. “Want would not be the word I would use.”
    “So, you don’t want me?”
    “On the contrary. When it comes to you, Lady Arabella, obsession would be closer to the truth.”
    Obsession? The Duke of Avalon, reportedly the richest, most influential man in England was obsessed with her? A bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to escape.
    “I can see that you don’t believe me,” he murmured. His thumb brushed her cheek and she shivered involuntarily. “I saw you at the Anstruthers’ ball.”
    “The Anstruthers’ ball?” When had that been? She hadn’t attended a social gathering in almost three years. A warm hand cupped her neck, fingers caressing the sensitive skin there. Sensation streaked down her spine and she tried to suppress a shiver. What was he doing? And worse, why was she allowing him such liberties? Head spinning, she sought to say something vaguely sensible. “I … I would not have thought you would attend anything so frivolous as a ball.” That was not what she meant to say.
    Avalon’s lips curved so faintly it was barely noticeable. “I was in attendance because of a particular card game. You disappeared before I could obtain an introduction. I searched for you everywhere, you know.”
    Bella shook her head slowly, her eyes never leaving his. “I don’t understand why you would look for me.” She did not possess the sort of beauty that drew the attention of the opposite sex, as evidenced by the lack of a single offer of marriage. And then her mother had fallen ill and any thoughts of marriage disappeared.  
    His eyes narrowed. “You truly don’t know how exquisite you are, do you?”
    Exquisite? She shook her head, feeling bewildered. Ever since her father had told her about his agreement with the duke, anger and resentment had burned