Hugstead stilled. His cool demeanor did not warm. In fact, it got icier.
Tristan reviewed his cards. His first hand was not promising. A two of spades, a four of diamonds, and a six of hearts.
“Trade?” Hugstead asked.
Tristan nodded and slid his card face down toward Hugstead.
Lady Amelia andFelicity arrived at the ladies’ entrance of the Den. The tiger opened the carriage door and Lady Amelia stepped out with the assistance of the groom. Helena waited for them.
Amelia smiled. “We meet again.”
“Good evening, Lady Amelia, Miss Brandon. Welcome.”
“You two know each other?” Felicity asked Lady Amelia.
“Helena gave me a tour the first time I visited,” Lady Amelia said.
They entered, the familiar wallpaper and smells of the Den comforting to Felicity after she’d spent so much time here. It had become her home of sorts. Helena paused before them and presented a box to Felicity.
“A gift from Mrs. Dove-Lyon. You are to wear it for tonight’s exhibition game. You will be viewing from the ladies’ gallery.” Helena opened the box and there was her gold mask.
“I don’t have to go to the main floor, do I?”
“No.”
“Good.” She didn’t want to become part of the exhibition. She hoped Tristan would be here, somewhere.
She followed Lady Amelia up the stairs to the ladies only area. They left their cloaks in the entry room and proceeded to the ladies’ dining room where they were handed flutes of champagne. Felicity held the cool crystal in her gloved hand, but she did not take a sip.
Lady Amelia smiled at women she knew, not pausing to make introductions as they moved on to the ladies’ gallery to watch the exhibition. They took a seat at the familiar tables and chairs before the railing. Down below, three men played a game of cards, the tension in the room heightened. Their backs were to the ladies’ gallery, but one fine set of shoulders she recognized instantly.
“Tristan,” she whispered, “what are you doing?” she prayed he didn’t hear her. The game looked intense and charged with aggression.
“Who is the player in the middle?” Lady Amelia asked.
The gentleman turned to speak to Tristan and Felicity gasped,thankful the noise of the main floor masked the sound.
“Lord Hugstead.”
The gentleman on the other side of him? She could have guessed, but she prayed she was wrong until he shifted slightly and confirmed her fear. His shorn blond hair and thick, rounded shoulders in a brown tweed jacket made him stand out.
“I can’t believe she would do this to him,” Felicity muttered.
“Do what?” Lady Amelia asked.
“She put the three of them against each other. Does this amuse her? Toying with people’s lives and emotions?”
Lady Amelia sighed. “No one said she was a saint.”
“What is he doing?” Felicity asked. “Why would he play? He loathes gambling.”
Lady Amelia moved closer. “Don’t you understand? This game is about you.”
Felicity turned to her in shock. “What?”
“If he wins, the two of you can marry.”
Stunned, Felicity didn’t know how to respond. Warmth filled her, that glowing center of her being spreading until her joy lit her from the inside like a star and her eyes burned. She covered her mouth with one hand.
