“I saw that the other ladies were giving you a hard time,” he said, “so, I decided to help you out.”
“Well, aren't you quite the gentleman,” Louise said, as she took a seat on the other chaise lounge.
“I think I prefer the knight title better,” he said.
Louise laughed. “You would have to earn that title,” she said.
“Oof!” He said, “You mean the occasions where I have swooped in to save you do not amount to anything?”
“You would have earned the title when you save me from an evil witch or a fire-breathing dragon,” Louise said.
“I am more than willing to do all that for you, Louise,” Callum said, smoothly. Louise could not help but blush. “Well, my charm seems to be working on you, at least you are smiling,” he declared.
Louise rolled her eyes. “Not for long. Would you be a gentleman and pour me some wine?” Louise said.
“Not yet. You have to earn the right to drink this wine,” Callum said.
“What are you talking about?” Louise asked.
“I want to invite you to play a game with me,” Callum said, “that is why I invited you here, besides having the opportunity to behold your beautiful face once again, of course.”
“Please, tell me it is not a game of charades,” Louise said.
“Not at all. This game is a different one,” he said, “it is why we need wine. I had a game in mind when the ladies begged for my company but the game is too improper for the ears of the innocent ladies. They would be too scandalized if I told them about it.”
Louise raised her eyebrows. “I suppose I am not an innocent lady since you are so willing to play this game with me.”
“Of course, you are an innocent lady. You are just not as uptight as the rest of the ladies are,” Callum said.
Louise wondered briefly if that was a compliment or not.
“Tell me, My Lord,” Louise said, “do you really think I am innocent?”
“If you were innocent, would you be here in this room with me?” Callum asked.
Louise smiled. “I suppose not.”
“An innocent lady would be too scandalized by the thought of being in a room alone with a gentleman, especially with me. An innocent lady would not want to risk having her reputation ruined by being caught in such a compromising situation,” Callum said.
Louise knew that Callum was right. Especially after what had happened the last time, she was in the room alone with Callum, she knew she should not have returned, yet here she was.
“Tell me about this game that made you set a scene with candles and wine,” Louise said to him.
“The game is a rather simple one,” Callum said. “The purpose of the game is for one of us to say something and if the other person has not done this thing, they would take a drink,” Callum said.
“That sounds quite simple,” Louise said, “except that it sounds like you are trying to get me drunk on wine.”
Callum shook his head. “That was not my intention but now that you have mentioned it, I might as well consider it.”
Louise laughed. “You are simply incorrigible,” she said.
“I have been told that in more intimate moments,” Callum said, raising his eyebrow.
Louise shook her head. “You are beyond saving.”
“I would make an exception for you. If you attempt to save me, I would play along,” he said.
Louise's face heated up. She knew that he was simply saying these words because he was a rake but yet, she could not help but feel good when she heard it from him.
