"Oh – Lady Daphne?" his voice registered faux-surprise as he turned her, "I did not even notice that you were here."
She glanced at him briefly, offering a polite but stiff smile. "Your Grace."
"You play cards, do you?" he asked, "I wasn't aware you indulged in such... competitive activities."
"I enjoy it from time to time." It took Daphne every ounce of her restraint to keep her voice composed.
"From time to time?" Ambrose repeated, almost mockingly. "Well, for your sake, I hope that tonight is one of your better times..."
"And why is that, Your Grace?" Daphne forced a smile.
Do NOT let him get to you. That is what he wants.
Ambrose shrugged, leaning back further in his chair. The confidence he exuded was quiet. Quite the change for him – as Daphne only knew him to be boisterous.
"Lady Daphne, His Grace is exceptionally skilled at cards," one of the gentlemen explained on his behalf. "Everyone who frequents the clubs is aware of this."
Daphne resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the obvious attempts at flattery. After all, it paid well to be in the good graces of a duke. Instead, she focused her attention on her hand.
It was nothing spectacular, but she could work with it. "We shall see about that," she mumbled under her breath, not loud enough for the rest of the table to hear but Ambrose caught on – his smirk deepening.
"That weshall."
"Let us get started then."
The game began, and Ambrose settled in easily, his skill with the cards immediately evident. There was a casual confidence in his manner of play.
Daphne was careful not to glance in his direction again, but even so, she could tell that he looked her way every time he played his turn – as if he was rousing her, waiting to get a reaction.
"Oh, heavens," Joyce said, disappointed at her luck as she folded. Like the other ladies, she had been playing unimpressive moves. Daphne had been holding up against the gentlemen so far, but she was not playing to the best of her capabilities to not appeartoocompetitive.
"It's alright, my lady," one of the gentlemen said. "It is only natural for a lady to want to forfeit in a game like this — especially when she is up against three gentlemen who have much more experience."
"Well, it is enjoyable nonetheless, my lord" Joyce replied, cheerfully.
The exchange was nothing out of the norm – but it irked Daphne to no end. She wanted to prove the gentleman on the table wrong badly – shecouldbeat them at their own game. It was just that she chose not to.
That alone was agonizing enough without Ambrose's' pointed remarks.
"You might want to reconsider that move, Lady Daphne," he said at one point, leaning in slightly. "It doesn't seem wise."
"I can handle my own hand, thank you," Daphne replied through gritted teeth, her patience wearing thin.
Ambrose raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying her frustration. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of interfering."
The other players laughed lightly, but Daphne didn't. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she knew Ambrose was doing it on purpose. He was known for his skill at cards, and she could tell he expected to win tonight.
To be fair, he had no real competition. The gentlemen were eager to let him win in exchange of his favor, while the ladies had subpar card playing skills at best.
She was the only hope.
A lady is never too competitive. She is poised, elegant, calm–
"Do you always play this cautiously?" Ambrose asked after a particularly long pause in one of her turns. "Or is it just tonight?"
"I prefer to think before I act."
"Ah," Ambrose offered her a lazy – almost mocking – smile that made her cheeks burn, "if this is what careful thinking looks like, I shudder to imagine your reckless side."
