“I stand.” Eli revealed his hand.
Jane turned over her cards to reveal thirteen in her hand, plus the jack before her. “I’ve overdrawn.”
It was all Eli could do not to whoop with delight as he scooped up her forfeit. Instead, he settled for a very restrained, “Thank you for the game, Miss Bishop.”
He would make excellent use of this.
“Well! It looks like I won more forfeits than any of you,” Cecily observed, as if they were all unable to count. “I thought you were meant to be good at cards, Jane.”
“For the last time, it’s based on probabilities. You need more than four hands to—oh, never mind.” Jane abandoned her explanation in favor of a good glare. There was no point in trying—Cecily’s education had included more pianoforte than maths.
“Stop frowning!” snapped Uncle Bertie.
Cecily drew herself up in her seat. “Anyway, let’s cry the forfeits.”
Eli cast an uncomfortable look to the stack of papers before her. “It’s getting late. Perhaps we should do that another evening.”
“Yes,” Jane added swiftly. “It seems we’ll have to save them.” She was more likely to get the full story out of Eli if she used his forfeit when they were alone. Though she might have to reckon with the forfeit she’d lost to him, it would be worth it if she finally learned the truth.
“I shall use mine, at least.” Undeterred, Cecily began unfolding papers until she came to the one she wanted. “Eli.”
Oh dear. This was sure to be dreadful. And it was her own fault for encouraging play. Why did she keep making such reckless decisions? It wasn’t like her at all.
Eli didn’t seem any happier about the prospect than she was. “Nothing excessive, please.”
“For shame, Lieutenant,” Cecily replied with a gay laugh. “An officer crying mercy before the battle has even started? I cannot believe it.” She paused for a long moment and folded her hands upon her chin. Probably for effect. “I have it. You must kiss the lady in the room that you admire the most, without any of the others knowing who it is.”
Eli groaned. “I’ve heard this one before. It’s not terribly original.”
Jane hadn’t heard it before, and her heart began to race. Was Eli going to kiss her, or someone else? And either way, how would he do it this evening without anyone knowing?
“My dear Cecily,” said Uncle Bertie reproachfully. “You are only proving Jane’s point that forfeits are always about kissing.”
Cecily pouted at his criticism, but gave no quarter.
“As you wish. But I’ll have that back first.” Eli stood and plucked the paper from her fingers and tossed it toward the fireplace with a certain gusto. “Now. Would you all please do me the service of closing your eyes?”
“We shall not,” Cecily replied immediately. “You aren’t entitled to any assistance from the audience.”
He shot her a dark look. “I see you’re determined to make me kiss everyone then.”
Oh, of course. Not that this was any better, really. They were going to have to kiss in front of the entire room.
“Well, only the ladies,” said Cecily. “And on thelips, if you please.”
“I’m related to half the ladies.”
“Excepting those.”
Eli seemed to contemplate a moment before turning to Miss Linden.
“I’m terribly sorry about this, madam,” he said with particular gallantry. “But you can see that I have no choice in the matter.”
“Oh, you’re forgiven, Lieutenant.” Miss Linden laughed, though she was blushing to the roots of her hair. “When I tell all my friends I’ve been kissed by a dashing officer, I believe I’ll leave out the part where it was in a game of forfeits.”
Eli dropped down to one knee and brushed his lips lightly over Miss Linden’s, who struggled not to laugh.
It was down to her and Cecily.
