Winner Takes All

“What are you really doing up here, Miss Henderson?” Christopher wasn’t fooled by her empty prattle. “We aren’t exactly fast friends, so I don’t understand why you would intentionally seek me out.”

She trailed a finger through the dust to write her initials. “Please, call me Lily.”

“What are you doing here, Lily?” When she lifted her eyes to his, the uncertainty in the dark blue depths caught him off guard. “My aunt has an adequate library. That room would be more pleasant company for you than a collection of relics from my past.”

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday during dinner, and today for Patience.”

He watched in amazement as a stain of pink tinged her cheeks and gave her pale face a bit of personality. “It’s forgotten, or is it? I think you picked Patience out for me on purpose due to her ability to aggravate. And if you did, I’ll admit, you’ve won the first battle of this war.”

The blush on her cheeks deepened to travel down her neck. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.” She wiped her dusty fingers on her skirt, unmindful of the gray streaks she left behind. “I had no idea she could be so annoying.” She snickered. “Well, I did have some idea but it wasn’t until the ride down here that my suspicions were confirmed.”

Christopher returned her smile. “It’ll be a long week.” He stretched his legs out in front of him on the floor. “Feel like giving up yet? If you give in now, I won’t hold you to our agreement.”

The brow arched again, but this time haughty disdain replaced the whimsy. “Of course I won’t concede defeat. Once I start a project, I see it through to the end — no matter the learning curve.”

“Interesting choice of consequence you picked.” He shot a glance to her, fascinated that the blush still covered her cheeks. “Won’t you be uncomfortable appearing in public without clothing? To say nothing of the attempt to ride in that state.”

“I don’t expect to lose.” She bristled. “And what should I be uncomfortable or embarrassed about? There’s nothing wrong with my body, except it might be a bit rounder than the current fashion, but the horse thing will be a problem. It might chafe a bit.” She creased the fabric of her skirt in her fingers. “And I don’t know how to ride. I spoke in the heat of the moment.”

“Ah, then literary romanticism got the better of you.” His chest tightened when she nodded. A faint smile curved her pink lips. His eyes roamed over the curve of her breast. He shifted to ease the tightening in his nether regions. Christopher fought to hold onto his initial dislike of her, but he admitted to himself he wouldn’t mind seeing her curves bared. He swallowed — hard. “Then my best advice to you would be not to lose the wager.”

“I don’t intend to.”

“I didn’t think so.” He rolled his neck around to alleviate some of the strain. He desperately needed to change the subject before his mind could dwell any longer on Lily Henderson’s body. “Sorry to force your hand last night. I sometimes forget I don’t always know what’s best for people.”

She waved a pale hand in dismissal. “If it wasn’t you, it would have been someone else. It’s the stylish thing to do, you know. Find Lily a husband. It’ll be all the rage through Europe before too long.” She glanced out the window and sighed. “I sometimes wish I were a different person. I know my parents are frustrated with whom I turned out to be, but I can’t help who I am.”

Christopher hid his surprise at her admission. He thought she possessed an unshakeable wall of confidence. Didn’t her choice of consequence show that? “And who would you be, a girl like Patience? That hardly seems worthwhile.” He leaned back against the beam, puzzled at the almost embarrassed expression on her face.

Lily shrugged. “Someone who isn’t a constant disappointment to everyone I meet.”

He gazed at her, wondering what percolated behind her mask of intelligence and aloof, cold courage. Why did she feel the need to hide her real self? For that matter, what was her real persona? And why did he care to unearth it? “I’m sure you don’t disappoint everyone.”

Her laugh was forced and stilted. “You’d be surprised.”