“You pouted when she wasn’t in the room whenever you arrived.”
Tristan folded his arms. “Well, will you help me or not?”
“This will require special assistance.”
“Who’s a better player than you?”
“Amelia, of course.”
“Please don’t.”
Lord Alston stood, relishing every bit of Tristan’s anguish. “Amelia is better than me. You want her help.”
“It’s her attitude I don’t want, and her relentless harassment.”
“This is for love,” Lord Alston said as he yanked on the bell cord.
“This is not for—”
“Don’t lie to both of us. You love her, you pathetic fool. Do not pretend otherwise or I won’t help you. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t madly, hopelessly, pathetically in love with her. I know the look. I see it every day in the mirror.”
Tristan snorted.
“There is no use denying it to ourselves. There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Alston continued.
“I’m not ashamed, I’m being circumspect. Flick—”
“Flick?” Lord Alston cocked his head to the side. “Felicity?”
Tristan sighed. “Yes,Miss Brandonhas been through enough. She’s been made a public spectacle at the club, and I don’t want any more attention drawn to her.”
“She wasn’t at breakfast. Amelia said she was still sleeping.”
“Yesterday was hard on her. She had a visit from her former betrothed and her father at the club.”
“Is that why she’s hiding here?”
“Yes, they’re still in the city, according to my contacts.”
“So, the widow’s spy has spies?”
Tristan shrugged. “I am only one man.”
Lord Alston smirked. A footman arrived, waiting for instruction.
“Fetch Lady Amelia, please.”
Tristan rubbed his brow as the clock on the mantel clicked and they waited in awkward silence that Lord Alston seemed to relish as Tristan shifted uncomfortably. He wasn’t used to being on this side of the table—humbled, pleading like a beggar. He was usually the one doing the needling and torture. Figuratively. Mostly.
Lady Amelia arrived more swiftly than Tristan anticipated. Like she’d been lurking around the corner.
“Brother, Chase, what is it you need?” She glided into the chair beside Tristan, barely acknowledging him.
“Chase needs to become an expert card player as soon as possible so that he can win the hand of the fair Miss Brandon.”
Her nails dug into his arm as she turned to him excitedly. “You’re playing for her hand?”
“It’s not that easy.”
