“It’s barbaric, but also so romantic!” she crowed.
Lord Alston snorted. “He’s playing to erase his brother’s outstanding debt against the deed to their family home.”
Her grip loosened. “That’s not so romantic. Where is this brother who lost the family home?”
“Dead,” Tristan said.
She winced. “Not by . . .?”
“His own hand? No. Well, not directly. He drank himself into a fit and never woke up, says his valet.”
She covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Tristan said. “I’ll forgive him when I see him in hell.”
“How does the family home help you win Felicity?” she asked.
“It turns a livable income. Without it, I have nothing. With it, I can offer her something.”
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “That is sweet.”
And pathetic, Tristan thought. Just looking at the splendor aroundhim made him ill. He was going to take Felicity to a boggy, wet landscape with hairy coos, bitterly cold winters, and dirty work that left one wrung out at the end of every day. Not a life of leisure and comfort. But he loved her. He could not live without her. He couldn’t spend one more night away from her. He was already certain he’d be back tonight and however many nights it took to beat Hugstead and get his house in order. He’d take her across the border and marry her, collect his siblings, then they’d be home.
Whatever condition that home was in.
He rubbed his brow as a headache started to form.
“What’s the game?” Alston asked.
“I’m not sure. But she did say she’d arrange an exhibition card game.”
“I know Hugstead from the House of Lords. He’s not a gambler. This won’t be hard.”
“I’ve never played before. Ever.”
“Is he your only opponent?” Lady Amelia asked.
Tristan shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Alston sighed. “It can’t be Whist. She wouldn’t risk one of us arriving as his partner. That would be too easy. That leaves Piquet, Speculation, or Commerce.” He opened a drawer and pulled out a deck of cards. “Amelia, ring for tea. This could take all day.”
“I’m not an idiot,” Tristan said.
“No, but you are when it comes to cards. Now, your powers of observation should come in handy. Piquet is two players. Commerce and Speculation are four.”
“Does Miss Brandon know you’re doing this?” Lady Amelia asked.
“No,” Tristan said. “This should stay between us.”
“Why?”
“In case I lose.”
Lady Amelia grinned. “You won’t lose. I won’t let you.”
“I wish I had your conviction. I could use it.”
“You’re not going to lose. You love her. You won’t let something as silly as a game of cards get between you and the woman you love, will you? This is battle. This is the rest of your life, her life, the future of your children.”
