“Deeply regretful,” he said as his cronies chuckled like he’d said something witty.
Amelia smiled sweetly and batted her eyelashes. “One more chance, please?” she pleaded. His gaze narrowed on her, but he nodded.
“Of course. Who am I to refuse such a dulcet request?”
“Thank you,” she said, grinning as she took the cards he dealt.
He winked at her and Amelia winked back.
Then, round after round after round, she watched the joy leave his face more and more completely. His color deepened, his confused frowns turned to frustration and then anger as Amelia took him for everything he had. Well, not everything. He was smart about his wagering, but she took every coin he’d won that night from the poor fools he’d played earlier as well as the silver fox pin in his cravat.
But unlike most gentlemen who loathed to lose to a woman, Sir Daniel’s anger lifted swiftly as Amelia accepted her winnings, holding out her hand for the silver pin.
Sir Daniel came around the table and sat on the corner, his gaze wandering over her.
“I underestimated you.”
“Yes. Don’t do it again, and perhaps next time we play, you won’t lose so much.”
He half-smiled and cocked his head, his thick dark hair pomaded into dashing waves falling over his brow, no longer so tidy after he’d been running his hand through them in aggravation. His dark-brown eyes lit with interest.
“Will there be a next time?”
“I haven’t yet decided.”
He set the fox pin in her palm and covered it with his hand. “Let me know when you do.”
Amelia pulled her hand from under his and considered the pin. “You know, on closer inspection, it’s not to my taste. You can keep it. Goodnight, Sir Daniel.” She set it down on the table and stood and turned. Sounds of appreciation from onlookers followed her as she walked away. Graham stood by the drinks table where he’d remained for the final two rounds, sipping whisky, not watching her but looking past her. His expression was dark.
“He doesn’t look crushed,” he said.
“I know. I think he liked it.”
Graham set his glass down and took her hand, leading her out of the room. Her heart took off excitedly, far more so than when she’d beat Sir Daniel over and over and over. He did not take her back to the ballroom, but down a quiet hall, farther away from the music, to a quiet alcove shrouded in shadow next to a large window with a padded bench.
Amelia felt her excitement ebb away and she prepared herself for a lecture. He must be displeased with her card playing for some reason and was looking for a quiet spot to scold her properly. But she couldn’t control how Sir Daniel felt about the game. It wasn’t her fault that he was flirting with her.
He tugged the tie of the curtain, and it fell over the alcove.
“What are you doing?” Amelia whispered. “Do you know what this looks like?”
“No one saw. I made sure. Why? Are you familiar with being led to a private alcove?”
“Yes. A few men have tried and learned never to do so again. But your intent is undoubtedly not lascivious; therefore, I can only assume you want to berate me for what happened in the card room.”
“I’m not particularly happy with the way Sir Daniel was looking at you, no.”
“I don’t have control of his eyeballs. It’s not my fault.”
“Of course it’s not your fault.”
“Then what are we doing here?”
“I just needed a moment.”
Amelia folded her arms. “Moments can be taken in the retiring room. Why amIhere?”
He stayed silent. His face was a mask of shadows. Amelia reached for the curtain.
