Seductive Wager Read Online Free

and be damned,” Martin blustered. “I’ll be more likely to raise another welt on her face.” Brett dragged Martin to his feet and sent him sprawling against the legs of the table with a second blow.
    “Apologize, or I’ll choke it out of you,” he declared with lethal menace. Feeling his jaw to make sure it wasn’t broken, Martin collected his numbed wits, swallowed his pride, and mumbled something that could be taken for an apology. Then he crawled into his chair and reached for the brandy bottle.
    Brett turned to Kate, his heated gaze traveling slowly over her body from head to foot; his inflamed senses turned his usually well-ordered thoughts into a chaotic jumble, and he felt desire spring up like a raging bull. He knew the danger of continuing to stare at her, but she was undoubtedly the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and he was unable to turn his gaze.
    Kate was infuriated by Brett’s probing eyes, but she refused to cringe before his brazen scrutiny even though it covered her with fresh embarrassment. Why didn’t he have the decency to look away instead of boring through her with those coal black eyes? I hate him, she thought to herself. I hate all men.
    “Thank you, sir,” she said, speaking the words in a sweetly ironic voice, “but forgive me if I seem astonished at your concern for a lowly female. I’ve not been accustomed to look for consideration from one of your sex.”
    Brett didn’t answer immediately, and Kate thought she saw something flicker in his eyes—a softness or a feeling of sympathy—but it was quickly gone. “I don’t imagine you were ever a lowly female,” he stated bluntly, “but if you continue to stand about bandying words with me in your present state of undress, I shall be forced to take you at your own estimation.”
    Kate swelled with such indignation she momentarily forgot her outraged modesty. “It may have “escaped your brandy-clouded notice, but I did not come into this room by choice,” she raged, her eyes flashing blue fire. “It has never been an object with me to pander to the low passions of the male sex. I loathe and despise the lot of you.” Her hand brushed her face to dash away the tears of hot humiliation flowing down her cheeks. “Even you must perceive the difficulty of covering one’s self with a robe one does not possess.” She clenched her fists in frustration and stamped her slipper-clad feet on the stone floor.
    Brett was not accustomed to females who stamped their feet at him or tore his character to shreds. He had the distinct feeling that getting to know her would be an enlivening experience, but it was not an acquaintance, he decided on reflection, he wished to pursue. Nevertheless, a curious smile broke the solemnity of his expression and he sat down slowly, continuing to stare at her in an oddly abstract manner.
    “All this is most entertaining, but highly improper,” Edward observed dryly. “Miss Vareyan, I fear nothing short of blinding will stop these normally courteous men from staring at you in this blatant manner. I also expect Martin would resist any effort of mine to assist you to leave this room. That, I’m afraid, leaves us very little choice as to how to resolve this embarrassing situation.” He retrieved his driving cloak from where it had been tossed over a chair and draped the large, heavy garment over Kate’s shoulders. She was too angry with Brett to do more than offer Edward a nod of her head in gratitude.
    “She may return to her bedchamber,” Brett said, his quietly spoken words directed to Edward but his eyes on Martin. Edward’s eyes traveled quickly from Brett to Martin and then back to Kate.
    “She’s my sister, and she’ll do what I say,” Martin shouted.
    “Not unless she wishes,” Brett countered, his unbending gaze shutting off Martin’s protest. “Do you wish to retire, Miss Vareyan?”
    Kate didn’t know what to say. That anyone would help her was unexpected, that anyone would