CHAPTER 10

Susan looked at him confusedly, not understanding his sudden interest in game. "You want to play a game?" 

"Yes," He stood and carried the cheeseboard to the bed. "How good are you with chess?" 

Susan looked at him and smiled, "Not to be proud or anything, but I know I am very good, so you might want to reconsider this offer."

It was Edmund's turn to smile, exactly the answer he was looking forward to hearing. "In that case, it would be an honour to see these skills you speak of."

Susan eyed him suspiciously. If she could read minds, she would have done it at that moment to know what the blaggard was thinking. She wanted to know what he was up to. He didn't want to play the game for fun. He wanted something. 

"What is in the game for the winner?" She asked calmly,

One side of his lips pulled up, but he didn't look up as he continued arranging the board. "I thought you would never ask."

"Well, good thing I have asked."

"It is simple. The loser does whatever the winner asks."

She eyes him suspiciously, "Anything at all?"

"Yes." He stated firmly. 

"So I can ask you to do anything I want and you would do it?"

"Yes, you can ask anything." He stated firmly once again.

"Well, that sounds fair." She nodded as a look of determination crossed her face.

After a few seconds, Edmund paused what he was doing and looked up. He could see the wheels turning in her head. He chuckled. She was like an open book to him. Too simple for her own good. He already knew what was going on in her mind. He already knew what she was going to ask.

"Be careful. You have to win first."

"I know." She watched the way he carefully arranged the pawns and rooks.

He tuned the white side of the board towards her, "Ladies first."

She eyed suspiciously, "What a gentle man you are, Duke Edmund. I would have never guessed." She selected a player and made the first move.

Smiling, the devil said, "There are lots of things you don't know about me, sweetheart." He made his move.

"What is so apalling to you about marriage, Duke Edmund?" She tried to start a conversation to distract the man, 

"Everything." He answered as he placed a thick leg on the duvet and the other booted leg on the floor. 

"Everything is nothing." She slowly looked at him only to see the man smiling at her.

"You witch! I know what you are trying to do." He chuckled,

She hid a smile, "I have no idea what you are talking about? Is starting a friendly conversation not allowed during a game?

"Of course, it is allowed." He chuckled again. 

She cleared her throat, "How many lovers have you had since you left the town?"

Edmund paused and looked up, "Are you sure that is a friendly conversation you want to delve into, Lady Susan?"

Her throat tightened, "No. Never mind I asked," Damn it! That question was supposed to distract him not the other way round. How many were they? Half a dozen? Half a hundred? Just how many bloody women were in his arms while she was crying herself to bed? 

One look at her blackened mood had Edmund opening his mouth, ready to explain things to her, but he shut his mouth almost immediately. He could use her distraction to win the game. "You don't have to think about such things."

Susan let out a forced laugh, "Of course, I wasn't."

He nabbed a pawn, "Are you sure?"

She frowned and shook her head to clear it of all nonsense that congested it, making her not to focus. The game was almost over. If she could win a few more to her side, then everything would be good. "Yes, I am."

"Do you ever think of what life would have been if we had ended up together?" Edmund threw the question out there and as expected, she paused, momentarily losing focus.

"What life would have been if we had ended up together?" Susan threw the question right back at him, and he nodded, "It would have been— perfect"

"You think so?" Edmund glanced at her as he nabbed another pawn, giving him upper hand in the game, but that notwithstanding, he still wanted —craved to hear her thoughts about his question.

"If there is a word beyond perfect, then that is what it would have been." She said breathlessly as she eyed the man sitting across her. 

"Do you think our babies would be beautiful?" He asked calmly, looking too alluring. She had to restrain herself from jumping on him.

She smiled, "Do they have a choice?"

"I bet the girls would have your eyes. Beautiful big hazel eyes." He smiled as she blushed, "But sweetheart, there are things beyond our control." He added instantly, the smile vanishing from his face. "Game. Over."

Susan blinked twice and gritted her teeth, realising that the black devil had succeeded in distracting her to win the damn game. What was she thinking? For a minute she had forgotten who the man was and allowed herslef to dream like a fool while he laughed at her. Is he satisfied with the outcome. "This isn't fair. You cheated!" She accused firmly.

"How so?" The devil asked, looking as innocent as a new born babe. "I only engaged you in a friendly conversation." He threw her words back at her. 

She rolled her eyes and humphed, "You are a blaggard. You know that right?"

"Unfortunately, I do." He gently gathered the pieces and placed it away, "Time to fufill my wish."

"I demand for a replay. You cheated in the previous one and that shouldn't count."

"That's not how it works, Sweetheart."

"Damnation."

"Language, woman."

"Go to hell you devil." Handsome devil.

"I will, once you are done doing what I want."

"What do you want?"

"Strip for me."