November 1811

As Lady Langdon found herself entranced by the intimate company of Lord McIntyre, exploring their mutual desires, there remained certain desires and yearnings simmering beneath a tightly sealed surface, like a cauldron waiting to be stirred. It would require a considerable effort to raise such a weighty lid, unleashing a flame of passion destined to bind two souls for eternity.

However, reality fell short of the ideal.

Or did it?

Inevitably, Royston crossed paths with Victor, and the gentlemen chose to stroll amidst the estate's grounds. Their cheeks were brushed by the crisp bite of the chilly wind, a harbinger of the impending winter season.

"I must extend my sincerest apologies for my conduct during the game of cards last evening, Lord Westhaven," Roy began, his tone contrite as he addressed the gentleman before him. "I am fully cognizant that my remarks may have been deemed uncouth and ungentlemanly. However, I assure you they were delivered with the sole intention of protecting my kin from potential heartbreak."

Roy paused momentarily, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Westhaven. "I trust there is no need for further subtlety concerning Miss Haswell's regard for you, sir."

There was a faint smirk playing upon Victor's countenance, and a glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes, as though the slight indiscretion of his acquaintance was a matter long forgiven. "Frankly, my dear fellow, you're not proving to be the most subtle of matchmakers," he remarked in a teasing tone, "though I must confess, at first, I was intrigued at the prospect of becoming better acquainted with Miss Haswell. Alas, it seems our compatibility extends no further than mere acquaintanceship. There's no need for forgiveness, Lord Sinclair, if anything, one ought to commend your chivalrous intentions. I could certainly learn a thing or two from your noble nature. Rest assured, I have no intention of causing offence or harm to your kin, by any means or purpose."

Victor took a measured breath, his exhale forming a delicate mist in the chill air. "If I may speak plainly, the subject of my possible regard is now but a fleeting thought," he stated with a calm demeanour, "yet your attentiveness towards Miss Haswell is unmistakable in every glance, every utterance, every gesture, sir."

Roy chuckled softly, his gaze now fixed on the expansive field before them. The sky above was laden with heavy clouds, portending the imminent arrival of the season's first snowfall. "Your observations are indeed forthright, Lord Westhaven. However, to presume upon Miss Haswell's sentiments towards my person may be to see patterns where none truly exist."

"No gentleman who defends a lady with such gallantry, nor any lady who dares to assert herself as boldly as Miss Haswell, could harbour affections for anyone but each other," Victor retorted with a knowing smile. "Yet you oppose such an idea as if you were a deuce opposing his salvation."

Roy chuckled at Victor's remark, but the sudden remembrance of the secret prickled him anew. The memory weighed heavily on his conscience, dampening his merriment in an instant.

The blasted secret.

As long as that matter remained concealed from Miss Haswell, as long as it lingered like a perpetual thorn in his heart, Roy couldn't entertain the thought of courting nor embracing her in any capacity. It would be unjust, condemning him to a lifetime of uncertainty about whether she would ever choose him, should the secret be revealed to her.

Meanwhile, the lady in question found herself subjected to the persistent inquiries of her dear friend, who seemed determined to pry into her feelings regarding Roy at every opportunity.

"Indeed, if Lord Langdon's interest and attentions toward you, dear Mina, do not rival the vastness of the oceans, I shall retire to a nunnery," Eleanor declared with the unwavering conviction of an ancient oak tree.

Mina rolled her eyes rather unceremoniously in response, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Pray, spare me such jests, my dear. An argument between acquaintances hardly signifies more than a mere difference of opinion. Besides, I assure you, he has expressed his interest in you quite openly to me on numerous occasions. It seems you too share a certain intimacy with him, if I may be so bold."

At the mention of Roy's attentions toward Eleanor, Mina felt another twinge of jealousy but maintained her composure under her friend's intense scrutiny. Eleanor's expression turned incredulous, her delicate features contorting with disapproval as she placed her hands firmly on her hips in a resolute standoff. "Mina Haswell, are you insistent that you would deceive me, your dear friend, in such a reprehensible manner?"

Mina blinked in bewilderment at Eleanor's sudden change in demeanour. "I would ne—"

"You presume me a simpleton, then? Blind and deaf to the truth?" Eleanor interrupted sharply, her voice laced with fiery indignation.

"That's prepos—" Mina attempted to interject, but Eleanor pressed on, allowing no room for further discussion.

"It matters not a whit whether I find Lord Langdon to my liking," Miss Whitcombe declared with a frosty demeanour, her voice now hushed. "Especially if the gentleman in question holds an interest in you! I fail to comprehend the purpose behind the charade you two are perpetuating, but I shall not abide it any longer! Should you persist in your falsehoods, I cannot in good conscience maintain our friendship!"

With those words, Eleanor pivoted on her heel and marched away, leaving Mina standing alone in the hallway, left to her own devices. In that moment, Mina empathized with the discomfort Victor Stirling must have felt whenever she and Roy interrupted his attempts at his defence. Today, Mina and Eleanor were supposed to join the others for some literary pursuit, yet now Mina found herself rooted to the spot, unable to move in any direction. Never before had she witnessed Eleanor in such a state of anger, nor had her friend ever departed so abruptly due to her convictions.

Convictions that, perhaps, were not entirely unfounded in truth.

It appears our wager now lies in ruins, Mina pondered. Roy's actions had certainly driven Victor away, and after Eleanor's outburst, Mina could not bring herself to deceive her friend any longer.

Thus, it seemed the wager was now null, with no possible victor emerging from this venture. However, it also meant she must speak with the very instigator, Roy himself, and ensure he understood the outcome. Perhaps they could discuss their sentiments toward each other in light of recent events...

Mina's contemplations were abruptly interrupted by a feminine voice.

"Pardon me, Miss Haswell, might I request a moment of your time for conversation?"

As Mina turned to meet Kate Lansing's gaze, she summoned all her inner strength to quell the rising indignation that threatened to consume her. It wouldn't do well to engage in a confrontation with her adversary, no matter how much Miss Lansing might deserve it. Mina preferred to maintain her composure and avoid allowing the situation to spoil her day, though the distress caused by Eleanor's outburst had left her feeling somewhat unsettled.

"What is it you wish to discuss, Miss Lansing?" Mina inquired, her tone tinged with irritation but still maintaining a semblance of propriety. "I must admit, my time is rather limited, given the—"

"It will not take long, I assure you," Kate pleaded earnestly. "I simply... I wish to offer an explanation for my actions and extend my sincerest apologies. I would regret any ill will between us, Miss Haswell."

Mina observed Miss Lansing with a critical eye, sensing something awry. She couldn't dismiss the memory of the woman's sharp tongue and the unkind words she had directed at both herself and her long-departed fiancé, painting Miss Lansing as a significantly cruel hag. With a nod, Mina replied, "Your apology is accepted, Miss Lansing. Good day."

However, Miss Lansing persisted, halting Mina in her step. "I beseech you, it will take but a few moments of your time!"

Suppressing a sigh, Mina restrained the urge to roll her eyes. "Very well, lead on," she conceded after a pause. They soon found themselves standing before the door of one of the many chambers in the estate.

"I've observed this room earlier and confirmed it to be unoccupied," Kate explained as she swung the door open wide. "After you, Miss Haswell."

Mina strode into the room with determined steps, her attention caught by a figure in her periphery. Before she could ascertain his presence, however, she felt a sudden shove from behind, causing her to stumble into his arms.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Wainwright demanded, his eyes betraying a mix of astonishment and dismay.

"Congratulations on your engagement," Kate declared sharply, her tone edged with hostility. "It shall be announced imminently, shall you give me a moment."

With a triumphant smile, Miss Lansing turned, only to be met with a piercing gaze of dark blue eyes ablaze with fury. Royston had just returned indoors from his stroll with Victor and immediately caught sight of Mina and Kate engaged in conversation. His intuition urged him to shadow their steps like a discreet observer, and as events unfolded, it proved to be a prudent decision indeed.

Before Kate could utter a word, Roy's firm hands seized her shoulders, forcibly guiding her aside. Like a fragile leaf caught in a gust of wind, Kate was sent sprawling to the floor, desperately gasping for air that eluded her grasp.

Royston then took hold of Mina's hands, extricating her from Wainwright with ease, who hurriedly attended to Kate. Ignoring the commotion behind them, Mina and Roy quickly departed the room, Roy closing the door with a resounding thud and securing it with the key Kate had left in the keyhole, effectively trapping the two horrible individuals inside.

Both young people were left breathless by the recent events, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Mina slowly realized the peril she had narrowly avoided; had Kate succeeded in her foolish scheme, she would have been destined to marry that odious Wainwright! Now, she contemplated how to repay her adversary's plans in a similar fashion.

Yet, she found herself unwilling to stoop to such despicable tactics against anyone.

With a firm touch, she rested her hand upon Roy's arm, her voice carrying a soft plea. "Despite Miss Lansing's transgressions, I cannot in good conscience force her into a union either of those individuals do not desire."

Roy drew in a measured breath, his response marked by a resigned sigh. "Your compassion surpasses my own, Mina. Very well, I shall grant them a dignified exit from this precarious predicament. However, it would be prudent for you to discreetly withdraw from the premises."

Unfortunately, their planned step was thwarted by the arrival of a group of approaching guests, who observed them standing alone. With swift resolve to avert unwanted inquiries, Roy acted decisively. He swung the door open wide and exclaimed, "So this is the truth you withheld from me, Miss Lansing? That your affections lie elsewhere?!"

Now that was mayhap the worst idea of them all!

Kate blinked, immediately stepping back from Mr. Wainwright, who remained frozen in astonishment at the unfolding scene.

"I am privy to all, Miss Haswell has revealed everything to me! I am utterly appalled!" Roy's voice rang out in the tense silence.

Nearby, the group had gathered, their curiosity piqued, and expressions betraying smirks of amusement.

"What is the cause of this commotion?" inquired one of the guests, drawn by the spectacle.

Roy affected a gesture of mock offence, shaking his hands as if in disbelief. "Miss Haswell facilitated this clandestine meeting between those two miscreants! How could you, Miss Lansing? Especially after the letters I sent you?"

Fortuitously, Providence had inspired the notion of involving Mina in the charade, her presence preserving the thin veneer of propriety amidst the unfolding drama.

Kate's expression darkened. "Those letters were from you?"

This unexpected turn caught him off guard, for he had anticipated any inquiry but this one. As Roy searched for a cutting retort, Wainwright finally emerged from his stupor.

"No! That cannot be true. Those letters were penned by me!"

Gasps of astonishment echoed around the room, Kate's eyes registering the most profound shock of all.

"And you were pursuing Lord Sinclair?!" inquired Wainwright further, his indignation rising steeply, wrought in the flush of his countenance. "For Heaven's sake, Miss Lansing, I have been nought but gallant to you, ready to fulfil any desire the very moment it escaped your lips! And you prefer him?!"

The gentleman scoffed and began to make his departure, but Kate was eager to halt him in his stride.

"I-I had no idea!" she cried out. "Mr. Wainwright, I... Miss Haswell certainly arranged the meeting," she briefly glanced at Mina, "but my intention was to dissuade Lord Sinclair's advances, I swear! I... I cherish your letters! If only you had signed them, we could have avoided this great misunderstanding!"

What a shrewd woman, Mina couldn't help but admire Kate's sharp wit, though she kept her admiration concealed. If they were not surrounded by curious eyes, she would have surely offered her a silent applause.

Mr. Wainwright's demeanour softened, and a smile graced his lips as he posed his question, his nerves evident in his stutter, "You-you would have me courting you officially, Miss Lansing?"

"Yes, indeed, I would!" Kate eagerly affirmed, her enthusiasm palpable.

Devils shall weep if those two unite in matrimony, mused Royston. His plan to divert scandal was nearing a successful conclusion, much to everyone's satisfaction, and perhaps even some amusement. However, he knew the charade was not yet over.

"That's... utterly preposterous! May you both find delight in your shared misery!" Royston exclaimed, turning abruptly on his heel. With purposeful strides, he retreated to his chambers, where he feigned sulking with practised artistry.

Mina, on the verge of hearty laughter, managed to maintain her composure. She graciously congratulated Kate Lansing and Wainwright out of sheer propriety, her smile radiant. Upon exiting the chamber, she sought out her dear friend Eleanor to share the near-scandal and its resolution. However, upon spotting Eleanor engrossed in conversation with Westhaven, Mina decided to leave her undisturbed.

There would be ample time to reassure her dear friend that her assessment had not been amiss.

As for Roy, he remained secluded in his chamber, deeply immersed in the pages of a novel. He opted to have his meals delivered to him rather than venture to the dining hall as a part of his façade. Though he found solace in the quiet company of his own thoughts and the unfolding tale, the strain in his eyes became increasingly apparent as the evening wore on. With dusk settling outside, he resolved to ready himself for the night's repose.

Just as he prepared to retire, the door creaked open, and an unexpected visitor slipped inside, closing it with a soft thud. "What brings you here? It's hardly seemly for an unmarried lady to enter the chamber of an unmarried gentleman," he admonished, though a faint smile played at the corners of his lips as he drew nearer to her.

Mina smiled and remarked, "I have come to express my deepest gratitude. Were it not for your intervention, I might have found myself betrothed to Mr. Wainwright."

"Indeed, and perhaps not," he countered with a wry smile. "That poor hag seemed quite determined to reclaim his affections at any cost, even if it meant thwarting his potential match with you."

Mina scoffed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "Do you truly believe her motives were solely determined by animosity towards me? I prefer to think she was motivated by the dire prospect of becoming your wife instead."

Royston chuckled and lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant gesture. "It's a possibility. I doubt that dullard, with the charm of a carp, could muster anything resembling romance in his letters. But perhaps some aspect of his odious character appeals to Miss Lansing. Thus, all ends well in the grand scheme of things."

A brief silence enveloped them, allowing Royston to observe Mina's countenance aglow in the gentle flicker of candlelight, her cascading hair resembling molten bronze, and her eyes, deep and lustrous as smouldering coals... and he felt his own desires stir within him like flames licking at dry kindling.

"Now that you've expressed your gratitude—" he began, but Mina interrupted, her demeanour shifting to a more serious tone.

"And what of us?" she interjected, her gaze meeting his with a hint of urgency.

"Us?" Roy echoed with disbelief, a faint raise of his brow indicating his incredulity.

"Is the wager still in play?" Mina inquired calmly, her gaze steady and unwavering.

Roy chuckled softly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "I fear I may have dashed your hopes with Westhaven."

A matching smirk graced Mina's features. "And I, dear Roy, have done the same with Eleanor."

Roy's surprise was evident, though he attempted to mask it. "Indeed? Then it seems the wager is rendered null and void."

"Indeed it is. Would you care to hear the reasoning behind my actions?" Mina replied, her tone teasing.

Dash it all, she was utterly captivating, her allure impossible to ignore as she emanated a powerful aura of loveliness. Roy couldn't help but cross his arms, a feeble attempt to mask his vulnerability and maintain a semblance of composure, especially considering the subtle undertone in her voice. Was it desire he detected, or merely his own hopeful imagination? Regardless, he resolved to cling to his self-control for dear life and resist the temptation to sweep her into his arms and toss her on his bed this very moment—

"Because I am quite convinced that you find me irresistible."

And then it happened. Only at that fateful moment did he realize that she was not holding her hands to her chest out of nervousness, but rather to keep her garments modestly secured. As she lowered them, the fabric gracefully descended, revealing her modest bosom.

Yet, even the glimpse of her two delicate tits caused him to momentarily lose his breath, and he found his breeches uncomfortably tight below. He blinked several times as if disbelieving what lay before him, causing her cheeks to flush with embarrassment.

"And perhaps you do not, and I have simply made the greatest fool of myself that this realm has ever borne witness to," she uttered in a hushed tone as he took one step closer to her.

Roy leaned in, his hand reaching past her to secure the key in the lock, the click echoing through her being. The door was now sealed shut to grant them privacy – Mina knew well she wouldn't emerge from his chamber being the same woman who entered it.

Not that she objected in the slightest.

"Should I continue with the seduction?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

She visibly relaxed, relief flooding her features. "Any form of seduction would be most welcome, sir."

Roy traced the delicate curve of her clavicle with gentle fingers, down to one of her nipples he playfully teased. His touch ignited a sharp intake of breath from Mina as she felt its undeniable effect.

"I have always regarded you as a woman of bold spirit," he murmured softly, his gaze ensnaring Mina's beneath the flickering candlelight. His deep blue eyes appeared almost black in the dimness. "Yet, I must ask – have you partaken of any spirits? Are you offering yourself to me with a clear conscience?"

"Not a drop has passed my lips, but why don't you confirm for yourself?" she replied, her tone laced with provocation, as she moistened her lips.

He needed no further encouragement. Royston clasped her by the waist, drawing her near until Mina found herself enveloped in his embrace, her own hands tracing his back. Their lips met with a hesitant tenderness, as though both were scarcely able to believe they had reached this fateful moment. Yet, soon their passion ignited into a storm of long-suppressed desires.

As they sank nude onto the soft bed linens, they succumbed to the intoxicating allure of each other, all secrets of the world be damned.