Bertie clucked his tongue. “Allgamblers think they’ll win, though, don’t they? We shall speak on this more in private, mark my words. For now, let’s try to enjoy our evening.”
What did that mean? He couldn’t forbid her to play, could he? Ifonly she could have broken the news on her own terms, with detailed records of her winnings to prove just how thoroughly she’d tuned their betting strategy to maximize profits. But she’d lost her chance to present things in the right light, and there might be no repairing the damage.
Everyone had grown uncomfortable at the exchange except for Cecily, who seemed perfectly satisfied with the results of her revelation. She wore a bright smile as she asked, “Shall we still play then? I’d love to experience your card club firsthand.”
“I can’t wait,” Jane agreed. Forget making Cecily dunk her head in a cold basin. When she won her forfeit, she would make her cousin pack up her things and return to London this very night.
“I’ll join,” said Eli. A spark of mischief lit the deep brown of his eyes with amber hues. His lips looked ready to jump into a wicked grin.
Perhaps this hadn’t been such a good idea. If she lost to Eli, she would have to do whatever he wanted. Might he be tempted to misuse the opportunity?
Then again, if Jane won, she could force him to tell her everything about his disappearance.That certainly justifies a little risk, especially when I have more practice than him.
Very well. She would just have to play her best and hope she didn’t regret it. They’d see soon enough what it brought.
Twelve
Eli helped the Lindens pull a card table to the center of the room and set the chairs around it, his blood humming. They were four players—himself, Jane, Lady Kerr, and Hannah.
He wasn’t worried about losing to Jane. She might have acquired some skill at her club, but skill wasn’t enough.
Jane didn’t possess a card face. He could always tell when she was angry or worried about something. Even when she was trying to appear indifferent to him, there was an undercurrent of annoyance or, more recently, attraction.
He’d know when she was bluffing, and by the end of the evening, she would owe him a forfeit.
He didn’t know what he would use it for, but the temptations were many.
Cecily brought the stationary and pencils out. “Everyone shall write three notes with their name on it, which they may bet. If you win someone’s note, they owe you a forfeit, which you may keep or bet again in the next hand if you don’t want it. We shall play until everyone has a chance to deal, or until we’re out of forfeits, whichever comes first.”
Three chances to get Jane’s name. He could do this. Eli scrawled his own down with a rushed hand and placed his notes before him.
“Agreed.” Jane set her hand upon the deck. “Let’s begin.”
“Ah-ah-ah, dear cousin. Dealer has quite an advantage. We’ll cut for it.”
They cut, and Cecily won. She dealt out two cards to each player, then turned to Hannah, who sat to her left. “Would you like another card, darling?”
“That isn’t how the game works,” Jane interrupted. “You were supposed to dealonecard, then everyone places their stakes and dealer can double, then the second card is dealt. You’re doing everything out of order.”
“Well, that isn’t going to work unless we write out more forfeits. I can’t very well double the stakes when we only have three tokens apiece. Let’s just play this way.”
“Fine. We can do away with doubling stakes, if you like, but you still have to place your wagerbeforeyou can deal additional cards.” Jane wore an expression of long-suffering impatience. “The game doesn’t work otherwise.”
Eli glanced at his cards. He had a ten and a three.
Everyone wagered a single note, and Cecily turned to Jane once the stakes were placed. “Nowcan I deal the extra cards?”
“Yes, Cecily.”
“Does anything special happen if the dealer has a natural, though?”
Damn. There went his hopes for this hand.
“The dealer isn’t supposed totellus if she has a natural until the end.” Jane spoke through gritted teeth.
“I haven’t told you anything. It was only a question.”
Cecily dealt out the cards to those who asked for them—which was everyone, for they had nothing to lose now that she’d let slip shewas already at twenty-one. No one managed to tie, and Cecily collected her winnings with a squeal of glee and passed the remainder of the deck to Hannah.
