intrigue

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Borrowed from French intrigue, from Italian intricare, from Latin intrīcō (“to entangle, perplex, embarrass”). Doublet of intricate.

countable, uncountable A complicated or clandestine plot or scheme intended to affect some purpose by secret artifice; conspiracy; stratagem; the practice of engaging in hidden schemes. His betrayal was the beginning of a complex intrigue intended to give him control of the company.
countable, uncountable Clandestine intercourse between persons; illicit intimacy; a liaison or affair. I suspect Suzanne and her mysterious friend of being involved in an intrigue.
countable, uncountable The plot of a play, poem or romance; the series of complications in which a writer involves their imaginary characters. The story's intrigue was boring and reminiscent of a thousand better movies.
countable, uncountable A desire to understand something; interest or fascination. Your idea has aroused my intrigue.

intransitive To conceive or carry out a secret plan intended to harm; to form a plot or scheme.
transitive To arouse the interest of; to fascinate. Scenic illusions such as those caused by the haze, or the apparent diminution of scale where everything was enormous, intrigued Dutton.
intransitive To have clandestine or illicit intercourse.
transitive To fill with artifice and duplicity; to complicate. And as wililye as thoſe ſhrewes that beguyle hym haue holpe hym to inuolue and intryke the matter: I ſhall vſe ſo playn and open a way therin, that euery man ſhall well ſee the trouth.