Never Trust a Scoundrel by Gayle Callen

wanted the pleasure of his attention. Surely she could have that and still defeat him in the end. She moved, and he slid to the side, allowing her to roll off the bed.
    â€œYou have to leave,” she said firmly.
    He lay on his side, head propped on his hand, and watched as she tugged down her nightgown. She felt like she was the evening’s entertainment.
    â€œI’ll leave when your brother arrives home.”
    â€œBut he would see you!” she cried, aghast. “He would think that I—that we—”
    â€œHe won’t see me. This seduction is between you and me.”
    â€œBut why stay? I am perfectly safe here.”
    He hesitated as his expression became serious. He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “I don’t like it that someone is watching your house. I didn’t see him tonight, but I might have just missed him.”
    â€œPerhaps Will made a mistake,” she said, wanting to believe that. “He’s only a boy.”
    â€œI’m not taking that chance.”
    â€œDo you think there are people after Edward?”
    â€œOr after their share of money.”
    â€œThen Edward could be in danger!”
    â€œI doubt it. They want the money, and if they harm him, they won’t get it.”
    She went to the door. “So you’re just going to…stay here?”
    â€œI can see the front of the house from the windows.”
    â€œAnd Edward can see the light.”
    â€œNo, because I’m done luring you.”
    He gave a wicked grin, and then leaned over and blew out the candle. She could see nothing in the sudden blackness, but she thought she heard him leave the bed and come toward her. Fumbling behind her for the door, she fled out into the hall.
    When she was in her own room with the door locked, she thought she would have a difficulttime falling asleep. But Daniel followed her into her dreams, and this time when they kissed, he was pulling her nightgown up her body, and she was letting him.
    Â 
    When Grace entered the stables in the morning, she found Edward’s horse already saddled and Will giving her a curious, wide-eyed stare.
    â€œWill, thank you for anticipating what I’d want,” she said.
    â€œI’m not the only one, miss,” he said, gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb.
    Daniel stood there in his riding clothes, tall black boots up to his knees, brown trousers, and coat. On another man they might look plain, but on him the garments only emphasized his dark good looks. He was wearing a devilish smile, and when Will wasn’t watching, Daniel let his gaze roam over her.
    She was caught in the awareness of him, in the memory of his chest on hers and his lips giving her such pleasure.
    â€œHave a good ride, miss,” Will called, darting outside toward the house.
    Daniel’s mouth quirked.
    Grace lifted her chin, trying to look composed, but she couldn’t think of a thing to say.
    â€œWill is your only servant?”
    She frowned at him. “Yes.”
    And then he came toward her, stalking her just like last night. There was still a post between them, and she stayed on her side of it.
    â€œYou’re not very talkative this morning,” she said quickly.
    â€œTalking isn’t part of our challenge.”
    â€œWomen like talking,” she said. “I don’t think you’re very good at seduction. I think you’re used to women falling into your lap.”
    His laughter was low and intimate, and it was difficult not to join him.
    He reached for her, keeping to his side of the post, and she eluded him.
    â€œOr money,” she said. “You throw money at them.”
    â€œMoney makes things easier sometimes. Is that what you want from me, Grace?”
    She had no money of her own that she could touch. If there wasn’t a deadline to their challenge, and it played out long enough, she’d have been desperate for her own money to survive.
    But