“You do not like it?” the lady said.
“I do not gamble as a rule, and my husband would be very angry with me if he knew I was here. He does not approve of gambling,” Allegra explained to the lady. “You are English, and yet you have an Italian title, madame.”
“Yes,” the contessa replied, returning Allegra’s smile. “I was born in England, but my late husband was Italian. I have returned because it is impossible to live decently inRomaright now with those damned French overrunning the countryside. I have taken a small house in Hanover Square. Gambling is a form of amusement for me, but offers little challenge for I rarely lose. The proprietor of this place likes me to come for I make it appear that people win,” the lady laughed.
The dice were now passed to the contessa, but with a smile she handed them to Allegra. “I will only win,” she said shrugging her elegant shoulders.
Allegra began to play, and once again she was overcome with luck. Soon the table at which she played was surrounded by admiring gamblers watching as she won toss after toss of the dice. Finally with a laugh she said,“I must stop. My muff will not hold all my winnings.” She handed the dice to the next players, and turned to the contessa. “Shall we have champagne, madame? Brummell, do be a dear and fetch some champagne for the three of us. We shall seat ourselves in the foyer.”
They found a quiet corner, and settled themselves upon a satin striped settee.
“Are you always so lucky, Your Grace?” the contessa asked.
“I don’t know,” Allegra said honestly. “I have, as I said, never spent an evening gambling.”
“But you play cards, and you knew how to play Hazard,” the contessa noted.
“We all learn to play Whist. Didn’t you as a girl? As for Hazard, my friends and I cajoled their husbands into teaching us, but I have never before played for the ready.”
“Your husband is not in town?” the contessa inquired of Allegra.
“No,” she replied. “He doesn’t like London. Quinton is a country gentleman.”
“But you do like the city and its highlife?” the contessa pressed. “Ah, I was once like that, too. My first husband was a rather dull fellow, I fear.”
“No, no!” Allegra said. “I don’t like London at all, but we argued, and so I came up to town. However, after I spoke with my friend, Lady B., I realized how foolish I have been. I will go home in another day, madame.”
“Then you love him,” the contessa remarked. “One must love truly and passionately to become so angry. I never felt that with my first husband, but with my second it was a different matter altogether.” She smiled softly. “True love is a precious commodity, Your Grace. Treasure it. You are most fortunate.”
“I was certainly lucky tonight,” Allegra replied with a grin.
“You have had beginner’s luck as they say,” the contessa remarked smiling. “Ah, here is your friend with our champagne.” She took a goblet from Mr. Brummell, and sipped thirstily. “Delicious! Carlo has exquisite taste in wines.”
“Carlo?” Allegra looked puzzled.
“Carlo Bellagio, the proprietor,” Mr. Brummell explained.
“Brummell! Brummell!Is that you? Where have you been?” The prince had arrived with his entourage of friends.
“Your Highness,” Brummell said, bowing. “I am the Duchess of Sedgwick’s cicisbeo this evening.”
Allegra stood and curtsied. “Your Highness.”
“Thought you went back to the country, duchess,” Prinny said.
“I had to come back into town for a few days, Your Highness, and with the Season beginning, how could I resist? Mr. Brummell invited me to come with him tonight. As I have never been in a gambling hell, I decided I would come. You know how Quinton disapproves of gambling,” she concluded with a twinkle and a smile.
Prinny chuckled. “Did you lose very much, Duchess? I promise I shall not tell on you should I see the duke,” he chortled.
“She won,” Brummell said. “It would seem she cannot lose, Your Highness. Damndest thing I have ever seen.”
“I am not a great sport, Your Highness,” Allegra said. “I came prepared to lose no more than a thousand pounds, but it would seem I have won fourteen thousand pounds.”
“Zounds, madame, you are indeed lucky,” the prince exclaimed. Then he caught sight of the Contessa di Lince. “Introduce us, Brummell,” he said. “Who is this most fetching creature?”
“The Contessa di Lince, Your Highness, a refugee from the armies of France,” Brummell said.
“How d’you do, Contessa,” Prinny said, kissing her hand.
