Pen took a moment to digest it. “That’s it? He laughed?”
“You know how he is. He takes pleasure in the absurd.”
Pen’s face darkened. “Anything else he said?”
“He is certain you’d make a passable-looking boy.”
“That is all? Nothing about his plans for me? What is going to happen to me?”
Fariq shifted in his chair uncomfortably. “Shiva’s bones, I don’t understand his behaviour, either,” he muttered. “The only explanation I have is that he hasn’t been himself in quite a while. If you ask me, Pen, let him be.”
“How can I let him be? He is my guardian.”
“The best thing is to make sure you craft your own path through life as best as possible. Some men are determined to walk down their course of self-destruction, and the best thing to do is to stay out of their way and to make sure they don’t drag you down with him.”
A cold knot formed in her stomach. “Where is he? I will go at once and talk to him.” Pen jumped up.
“You can’t save him, Pen.” A sadness shadowed his face. “I’ve tried.”
Pen shook her head. “You don’t understand. I don’t want to save him.” Well, maybe a little. “I just want… an explanation.”
“Pen, listen to me. Where he is now, you can’t follow him. He will drag you down with him. You know it, too.”
Their eyes met, and she slumped in defeat.
“I did manage to wheedle him into admitting that this situation of yours can’t continue and that he needed to do something about you. He has agreed to send someone to pick you up. After the match.”
“Pick me up? Why can’t I just go to his home?”
“What do you think they would say if suddenly the Duke of Rochford had a lady living with him? Unchaperoned? Even if she is his ward. Even I know it’s not the thing.”
“In the past, it didn’t matter.”
“In the past, you were considerably younger. I daresay he needs to procure some kind of companion for you. No easy matter when you have no one to ask,” Fariq grumbled.
“I am to live with a complete stranger?” Her fingers tensed in her lap.
Fariq shrugged. “Not too long. Once you come into your inheritance, I daresay you can do whatever you want.”
She stood slumped over with a worried expression. “What a mess this is.”
“There’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of you. In the worst case, I’ll just have to marry you myself. We might make a good pair.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
“And help you run the gaming salon?” Pen’s smile did not reach her eyes.
“Why not?” He paused. “You’d hate every minute.”
“I think I would.” Pen rubbed her eyebrow. “It’s kind of you to offer, but you know we wouldn’t suit at all.”
Fariq grinned at her, relieved. “I know. But now, let’s play cards.” He pulled out a pack of cards. “You need to practise. Do you remember the rules of picquet?”
They played for a good two hours, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“See, you have not lost your touch. I lost three games.” Fariq collected the cards on the floor.
“Yes, but you won the rest.” Pen crossed her arms with a scowl.
“And you said I was a poor loser.” Fariq grinned.
