The Game of Love

By Juliet Chastain

If love is a game, this Regency rake and uppity miss screw it up royally.

Lord Adam Wingate is a master player at the Game of Love—except when he actually falls in love. Then he does everything wrong.

Miss Kitty Wingate is learning how to play the game under the tutelage of her amoral guardian, but she too is at a loss when it comes to the real thing.

To the amusement and dismay of their friends and relatives, the two prove that true love can be blind. Very, very blind.

Smokin' hot passion in the library, in the imagination, and under the breakfast table. Does it have to get interrupted every time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781771301770

Juliet Chastain

Fashion writer and photographer, Juliet Chastain says that, in a way, writing fiction is like fashion photography. You have a few elements—the models and the clothes in photography, maybe a character and a couple ideas in fiction—and you make them into an interesting story. Juliet loves to tell stories and if she isn't doing it with the camera she's doing it with her keyboard.

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Published by Evernight Publishing at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2012 Juliet Chastain

ISBN: 978-1-77130-177-0

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Natascha Jaffa

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For Eddie Lee. I could never have done it without you.

THE GAME OF LOVE

Juliet Chastain

Copyright © 2012

Chapter One

Foolish woman! You have fallen in love with him, haven’t you? I suspect I chose poorly. I should have chosen someone more constant than Lord Wingate, someone more likely to stay around and attend to you. Charles Swindon, arms folded, studied his ward with evident curiosity as she paced agitatedly up and down in her sitting room.

"What do you mean, 'you chose?'" Kitty stopped and whirled around to face him, putting her fists on her hips.

Sir Charles, as was often his way, ignored her. He put a well-manicured finger to his cheek. Let me think. Perhaps I can find such a man for you,; one who will be satisfied with one lover. Of course he must be discreet, and reasonably pleasing to you.

How can you speak that way of—of love?

But, my dear cousin, it is not of love I am speaking. Although I do believe that should you have relations with a man you might well find that a feeling of love—a false and temporary sensation to be sure—follows, as is the case with you imagining you are in love with Lord Wingate.

He smiled broadly. Ah, you are blushing most sweetly. So I am quite correct in my assumption that you and he did indeed consummate—

Whatever did or did not occur between Lord Wingate and myself is not your affair, cousin. Frowning furiously, Kitty turned away from him to stare out the window and hide the fact that her face was growing even hotter.

"I can assure you, Kitty, you are no exception. According to several of my feminine acquaintances, and judging from my own rather extensive experience, love for a man often follows the enjoyment of his person.

If you take another lover, you will find that in no time Lord Wingate will slip from your mind. But as he is visiting with us this week, you may as well enjoy him. I shall ask him to pay especial attention to you while he is here.

No! she cried. I never wish to see him again. And don't you dare interfere in my affairs again.

But dear Kitty, as your guardian, I am trying to make you happy, to provide for your pleasure. I am, you know, quite fond of you.

She turned to face him again, still frowning and enraged. Yes—as though I were a small pet dog or a kitten. I have done everything you wished me to. I have worn the clothing you have chosen for me although, in truth, I would have preferred less revealing fabrics and necklines. I have entertained your friends, including some who are disreputable and whose behavior is shocking. I have never said a word against you, yet you mocked me and sent Lord Wingate to seduce me as jest. How cruel you are.

Cousin, it was no jest. When he was here some months ago, I saw your interest in him and his not inconsiderable interest in yourself. So I gave him my permission to proceed to court you—and deflower you should you prove willing. He would have restrained himself otherwise for my sake.

Kitty stamped her foot. How could you? As my guardian you should be protecting my virtue, not encouraging your friends to steal it from me.

So long as you behave with propriety in public, why should you not enjoy yourself in private? I am trying to introduce you to the pleasures of the senses.

It is entirely immoral.

Oh morality. That is something for children. He held up his