Fleur took the lead. “We are all agreed, my lord-even Lily. You won a point for bringing her such a lovely horse to ride. But you lost one for letting Lily escape your escort in the park. And we are awarding you two points for helping her rescue the dog and sending those bullies fleeing.”
“And yet another point for being so generous as to give the animal a home,” Chantel chimed in.
“Yes,” Fleur said with a mock shudder. “I wanted to grant you an extra bonus point for keeping that mangy animal out of our house, but we decided that would be a little much this early in the game. In any case, you still have nearly a fortnight to earn the rest of your ten points.”
Chantel smiled. “So your total is now five, my lord, if you count the two you earned yesterday.”
“And you agreed to that tally?” Claybourne asked Lily.
“Yes,” she replied, knowing she couldn’t begrudge him what he honestly deserved, even if it was rather alarming that he’d already collected half the number of points he needed to win. “It is only fair.”
“Speaking of fairness…” Fleur interjected, “we have reminded Lily of her agreement to permit your courtship, my lord, and clarified the rules for her. She can resist, but she cannot deliberately sabotage your efforts to woo her. If we discover otherwise, we may grant you extra points to make up for her hindering you unfairly.”
Lily saw him smile at that agreeable announcement. “Then I would be within my rights to claim my reward?”
“What reward?” Chantel asked curiously.
“Yes,” Lily seconded. “What reward?”
He shifted his attention to her. “The one you promised me for taking your dog home with me.”
Her gaze turned wary. “What reward would you like, my lord?”
“A simple kiss, that is all.”
Color rushing into her cheeks, Lily shot a tentative glance at her friends, wondering if they would allow so brazen a ploy. But neither of them responded.
She dragged her gaze back to Claybourne. “You want to kiss me?”
“Very much,” he answered, his eyes glinting wickedly. “I have since our very first meeting.”
“But right here in front of an audience?”
“Would you permit such a liberty any other way?”
“Well, no.”
“Then I will take what I can get.”
Lily shot her friends another anxious glance. “You don’t intend to object?”
Fleur answered for them both. “We are merely judges, Lily darling. We are not supposed to interfere in your game unless it is necessary for your safety.”
“Did you promise to reward his lordship?” Chantel asked. “If so, you must honor your word. But if you wish, we will leave the room.”
“No!” Lily protested. I don’t want you to leave.”
She had not promised to kiss Claybourne, but she supposed it would be an innocuous enough payment for his earlier generosity. After all, what could he do to her when they had witnesses?
“Very well, my lord,” Lily murmured.
She regretted her capitulation the instant he moved toward her.
“Stand up, sweeting,” he urged, taking her hand.
Feeling a sizzle of heat arc up her arm, Lily rose unsteadily to her feet. Claybourne smiled slowly, devilishly, as if knowing exactly what impact he was having on her.
Then he raised her hand almost to his lips. His breath fanned the edge of her palm, yet his mouth never touched her skin. Instead he reached out and slipped his fingers beneath her jaw, cradling her chin.