The Captain's Wicked Wager

by Marguerite Kaye

Captain Ewan Dalgleish was as famous for breaking society's rules as for his daring exploits on the battlefield. Yet nothing could truly satisfy his need for excitement...until he laid eyes on beautiful Isabella Mansfield at the gaming saloon, staking her future on a turn of the cards. Her enticing combination of sensuality and haughtiness intrigued him as much as his notorious reputation interested her. So when Belle loses the money she so obviously needs, Ewan can't resist making a scandalous wager: that in return for her money, she must spend three nights with him, each starting with the roll of the dice...and ending however the winner chooses...

Genres: Historical Romance, Ebooks, Historical

52 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2009

About the author

Marguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.

Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com

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Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*
This is a 'hot' Georgian novella.
Anachronistic on many levels but I won't judge it on (just) that.
Because my issue is with the whole premise.

Why do these women, these hs have to be the one to sacrifice, to save the day for the family? Should one blame the sissy, nincompoopy men of the family with their 'valid' excuses? (A dead dreamer for a father and a married-with-responsibilities and sickly brother.) Or just simply accept it as a plot device.
So, it's left to the virgin daughter (with her proverbial ballocks) to not only act alone, on her own -
first to go gambling in a gaming hell but then also to coolly sell /collateralize her body for the money?
And it's not just get-in-bed sex but strip-for-me, touch-yourself etc. sex. *few eyerolls*
Three nights. And she acquits herself better than a trained courtesan!

What else I hated?
The H, who initially really intrigued me and I really thought he'd be a 'gentleman' and put a stop to things at some stage. But no, he wants his money's worth and very, very unconscionably beds her.
No timely realization that she's a virgin (there were no physical signs actually) and certainly no finishing like a gentleman - on the sheets.
It's the last part I hate most!!!
How could he not give a care about pregnancy? And how could SHE not either?
Smut-erotica shouldn't equal STUPID!

As for the power play?
For a virgin, she super-instantly realizes how to wield her own power (not that I was buying it) and her pride dictates that she not back down but give as good as she gets. Meaning sex.
Because if not, then he'd win!
Ummm, reality check? Ding Ding >>> He's already won, you ijiot! He's has you where he wants you.
Actually, isn't this how all 'hs' act? Dare them and they fall right in the 'H's' trap?
“She would not surrender so easily. He would not be the only one to exercise control.
She knew with shocking clarity what he wanted of her. She could not! But to deny him would be to admit defeat. She would not be defeated. In his eyes she was already a wanton, after all. Why not complete the illusion?”
Still, the third night is pretty steamy. And ending is nice-ish.

And maybe I'm the one overthinking - on a smutty novella. :/

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a short story it was really nice and super HOT!!!

[February Four · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very hot!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Ewan Dalgleish is intrigued by a lovely lady at the gaming tables, he instinctively knows she is not a hardened gambler, rather, desperate to win for some unknown reason.

As usual Ms. Kaye opens her story with a bang which lures the reader in ' The air was stifling, the atmosphere redolent of hair powder and scent, brandy and wine, mingled with the musky smell of too many bodies crowded into too small a space. Candles sputtered and flared, casting distorted shadows on the walls.'
I could feel myself transported to this rather sweaty, desperate gaming hell, and felt Isabella's misery.

When Isabella Mansfield loses in her desperate attempt to raise a large sum of money, Ewan Dalgleish comes to her rescue with a wager of his own. Three nights spent with him, on each night, on the fall of the dice, the winner will decide what happens between them, cue sizzling sensuality!

There is a strong attraction between them, he a reckless ex army officer, almost on a self destruct course, looking for a different form of excitement that cannot be fulfilled by his present indolent way of life. Isabella, an innocent, with a strong familial loyalty. They embark on a very sensual, mutually satisfying relationship. Each recognises in the other a kindred spirit, a knowing one another instinctively, unspoken but tangible.


Marguerite Kaye never disappoints or fails to surprise, this is a beautifully crafted, sexy novel. Even in this short, romantic story her trademark, strong sense of rights for women, creeps in. Pure escapism. Loved it. For pure entertainment....5 stars.

[AprilGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written brief novella, very raunchy, some might even say “hot”
Sweet overall.
Read as part of a library eBook ….Scandalous Nights, A Regency Collection.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in a larger anthology of "Undone" novellas. The writing was good, it was a well put-together story and on the whole very steamy. However, I give it a lower rating for two reasons having to do with personal preference. First, the hero, in my mind, takes advantage of a situation in what I view as an almost criminal way. He uses this woman's need for money in order to get sex - now there is a whole lot more to it than that and it's not as straightforward as that nor does he not offer her any outs. She is given plenty of opportunity to stop, but he then takes advantage of her prideful nature. This alone wasn't so bad, but when combined with the power play between the two, it just wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of this sort of relationship, where one exercises power over another. Also there wasn't so much a feeling that these two fell in love so much as there was a feeling that they really enjoyed having sex with one another. So, as good as it could have been, it just wasn't to my tastes, but others would surely disagree with me.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Captain's Wicked Wager, by Marguerite Kaye, is a steamy historical romance set in Georgian London. The story centers on Captain Ewan Dalgleish and Isabella Mansfield and a scandalous wager: Isabella must spend three nights with Ewan for monetary compensation.

Kaye's writing, characterized by rich descriptions and sensuous encounters, effectively sustains reader engagement as she portrays Ewan and Isabella's passionate and intriguing relationship. However, some readers may find the short story format results in a rushed feel.

Ultimately, Kaye's vivid writing complements the genre, making The Captain's Wicked Wager a recommended read for those who enjoy steamy historical romances featuring strong characters and chemistry.

[Mnms · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sensual short-story, more eroticism than romance.