Unaware of of the impending disaster, Isabella slapped her cards on the table, revealing her winning cards. Her triumphant laughter and groans of her opponents circulated the table, "I told you not to mess with me!" She exclaimed excitedly, hands reaching over to sweep the heaped coins on the table to her side. She was laughing and smiling, completely carefree.
"You are cheating!" One of the men called out, pointing an accusing finger at her, eyes red from numerous lost games to the young lad.
Isabella's brows drew together into a fake frown. "Well, I wish I knew how to do that," She said, wiggling a mocking brow at the men around the table. She slid some coins to Ella's side and said, "This is for you, Ella love, for being my lucky charm," She winked at Ella, eliciting a generous blush from the lady of the night.
"Always generous." Ella grinned, her eyes gleaming like the coins. "Perhaps we could celebrate this victorious night in my room tonight?" Ella said in her best sultry voice, pushing out her chest to show Isabella what she was missing.
Mine are fuller! Isabella was tempted to say, but instead, she mirrored Ella's grin, "Sounds like a plan to me," She replied in her best flirtatious voice. "But for now, what do you say to making more money?"
"Of course," Ella smiled, hands caressing Isabella's thighs, causing the latter to squirm under the table.
Leofric's anger simmered just below the surface as they made their way to The Devil's Den. He couldn't understand the force behind Isabella's thinking. Was the woman sent from hell to test his patience?
When they arrived at the gambling house, Leofric stood at the entrance. His eyes scanned the hall, searching for his wife but there was no sign of her until his eyes landed on a young man surrounded by a group of rough-looking men and a scantlily dressed lady latched onto his side.
His eyes narrowed into slits, anger rolling off him. The damn woman! He let out a string of colourful words.
"Christ's wounds!" Robert whisper-yelled, halting in his tracks.
Leofric paused as well, confused, "What is it, Robert? Why do you look like you have seen the devil?"
"Richard!" Robert pointed at the young man Leofric was about to approach, "That's the scoundrel that stole your money! " His nose flared. Before Leofric could process the information, Robert had dashed towards the young man, yanking him from the chair.
To say that Isabella was shocked was an understatement. One second she was studying her cards and the next she was suddenly in the iron grip of her brother-in-law.
Hell! Did she get teleported into another realm? There had to be a reasonable explanation for what was happening.
"You scamp! Thief!" Robert yelled, "Where is my money?"
"What are…..How did …." She sputtered and paused, as his words registered. She realised he didn't recognise her. Upon seeing how many people were watching, she regained her composure, "What is the meaning of this? Let me go this instant!" Isabella choked out, hands reaching up to keep her hat in position.
"Be quiet!" Robert shook her vigorously, "I will deal with you today."
Leofric's expression darkened further and so did his anger as he watched their exchange. He realised he wasn't going to kill just one person but two. He let out a groan of frustration as he approached them.
Damnit! All he wanted to do was see his damn wife, he didn't bargain for all the drama. "Robert, hands off this instant!" he barked, voice low and menacing.
Someone must have pressed the pause button from somewhere or maybe it was just Isabella because she froze in Robert's grip and so did her heart and brain. It was one thing to see Robert and another to see her husband.
Eyes wide as saucers, she eyed Leofric from head to toe before stretching one hand to poke his chest. It was really him! What in the name of all that is holy happening?
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. She didn't need a fortune teller to know he recognised her. His ticking jawline and clenched fists were enough evidence.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice barely audible.
She was brought back to her senses when Robert gave her another energetic shake, "I asked a question, young man!" He barked at her or at him.
Isabella couldn't help but glare at her brother-in-law. Was he purposely playing dumb or did he actually not recognise her? Seeing how furious he was she guessed it was the latter.
"Let go, Robert. Now," Leofric called out, his voice sharp,
Robert shook his head, tightening his grip on Richard's collar, "I cannot let him go. I have searched for him for months. I need to recover your money from him."
Leofric's patience finally snapped. He leaned towards Robert and said in a voice low enough for just the three of them to hear, "If you do not let go of my wife this instant, I promise to chop off your fingers and feed them to the mountain dogs. Do you understand me?"
Robert's eyes darted between Richard and Leofric recognition flashed in his eyes. Still in shock, he finally released Isabella, who staggered back, gasping for breath. Isabella pointed an accusing finger at Robert, "Just wait, I will get you for this!"
Robert was in shock as he stared at the man he believed to be Richard. Nothing was making sense to him! "There ought to be a misunderstanding!" Robert said, eyes fixed on the man his brother claimed to be his wife.
"Yes, definitely a misunderstanding," Isabella exclaimed, hand straightening her hat. "It seems you two mistook me for someone I am not, but it's fine. Things like that happen all the time."
"You don't say," Leofric cut in, his voice as blank as his face. His eyes locked onto Isabella's, making sure she knew how displeased he was with her. He enjoyed watching her squirm, knowing she had been caught red-handed.
Unable to hold his stare any longer, she cleared her throat and adjusted her coat. "Gentlemen, let it be known that you both have ruined my night. I will be on my way," She walked away before any of them could say a word. She packed her winnings into her bag and bid goodbye to her fellow gentlemen who watched her with curious eyes.
Leofric blocked her path, "You're not going anywhere, Isa or should I call you Richard?"
Isabella let out a nervous laugh, "Why not? I am done here,"
"Not until I say so," Leofric said, his voice firm. "We're going to play a game,"
"I don't wish to play anymore," Isabella eyed him suspiciously, trying to know what the man was up to.
"You will," He raised a brow at her, "Why do you look scared?"
She glared at him, "What is there to be scared about?"
Leofric's shoulders raised in an indifferent shrug, his body relaxed. "For someone who seems to be a good gamer, you are acting like a loser already."
Isabella's eyes flashed with anger. How dare the man?! "You know what? Fine! Let's play!" She regretted those words as soon as they came out. She had danced right into his trap. He had her exactly where he wanted. "What do you want?" She asked in a low voice, her voice sharp.
He raised a brow at the question, "Can't I request a good game from a fellow gentleman?" He asked, voice dripping with mockery. He almost smiled when she raised a brow at him.
Leofric stared at her for a few seconds, before leaning in to say, "If you win, you can ask me for any amount, I will give it to you and I will allow you the freedom of coming to this place any time want. But if I win…" He let the word linger in the air.
He continued, "If I win, you will have to do as I say and never step foot into this gambling house or any other game house in the country or outside, and of course," He straightened up, "I get all your money."
"And if I change my mind about the game?" She crossed her hands on her chest, eyes flashing with defiance.
"If you back out, it gives me an automatic win."
"You wish!" She spat at him.
Double blast! She was trapped. She tried to tell herself it was just another game. Besides, she was good at gambling, what is there to fear? She had never pictured Leofric doing something else apart from wielding a sword and scaring his enemies away.
The game was intense, with Leofric and Isabella engaging in a fierce battle of wits. Isabella won the first two rounds, but Leofric was just playing a waiting game. He was studying her, learning her tells, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
And strike he did, winning the next five rounds in a row. Isabella's face grew redder with each loss, her anger and frustration boiling over.
"First son of the devil! You cheated!" she exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table. "You're a bloody cheat!"
Leofric smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm just a better player than you, Richard," he said, raking in his winnings and leaving her with nothing. Not even one coin. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, "I must say, it's quite disappointing to know you are not as good as I have heard. I hoped for a tough game, but it was rather boring."
Isabella's face was a picture of fury, her eyes blazing with anger. She was furious at Leofric, furious at herself, furious at Robert, furious at every onlooker, and most importantly, she was furious at the situation.
As the game came to a close, Leofric stood up, his eyes never leaving her face. "It's time to go home," he said, not giving room for argument. "We have a lot to discuss, don't you think?" He tossed a bag of coins at a grinning Robert, who stood as one of the spectators of the game.
Isabella stood up, her movement stiff with anger, and followed Leofric out of the game house.
As they walked, Leofric's arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Isabella struggled against his grip, but Leofric held firm. "Don't you think it's strange for a man to hold another like this?"
"What is strange is that I am not strangling you right now, Isabella! What is this whole nonsense all about?"
Isabella's tongue darted out to wet her lips, "What did you expect me to do? You were gone for days, with no word about your whereabouts. I was bored and needed some excitement."
Leofric's expression softened, "So you came here because you were missing me."
"I never said that." She glared at him. "I know you are disgusted with me being a gambler. No man wants a gambler as a wife. You can let me—"
"Bite your tongue, woman." His signature frown took over his face. "You're not going anywhere, Isa, You're going to stay right by my side, where you belong."
Isabella's heart raced, her mind spinning with his words. Where you belong, he said.
Did she belong with him?
"So, Isa," he said, his voice low and husky. "Tell me, what punishment do you think you deserve for being disobedient?"
Isabella's face fell. It was one of the reasons she didn't want to be answerable to any man. She didn't want anyone to have such power over her, but it seemed her fate had other plans.
A shudder went down her spine as he imagined herself being whipped by Leofric. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leofric's eyes glinted with amusement. "Personally, I think you deserve a punishment that will make you remember who you belong to."
Isabella's breath caught in her throat as Leofric's lips descended onto hers. Against her will, her body trembled with anticipation. She knew she was in trouble, but she couldn't help the excitement that was building inside her. And for that moment, she told herself she was exactly where she belonged – in Leofric's arms.