“It is.”
“At least she does something good with their lost coin,” Felicity said. “She gives all the female servants deportment classes. Some of the female patrons bring young daughters and she’ll have a dance instructor give lessons.”
“She does?” Lady Amelia said.
“Yes, it’s quite sweet. She’s... something special, in her own twisted way.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tristan lost thenext round, his pile of tokens shrinking as he tried to make trades and bets for cards in his favor. If he didn’t win this round, then he’d be done.
In his periphery, Lord Alston came around his side and Tristan ignored him. It wasn’t as if he could dispense advice now. This was all on Tristan.
“I’ll use my winnings to buy my fiancé a beautiful ring,” Revere said.
“How nice for you,” Hugstead said blandly as he put his tokens in the pot.
“Don’t have a wife, my lord?” Revere asked.
“Not yet. Too busy to court, I’m afraid.”
“And you, Mr. Cameron?”
“I think I’ll take yours,” Tristan said.
Revere’s face turned red. “Not very gentlemanly of you.”
“You’re no gentleman.”
Hugstead cleared his throat. “Let’s keep it civil.”
Tristan threw half his tokens in the pot. “I prefer violence. I know Mr. Revere does as well.”
Revere slammed his fist on the table. “I’ve had enough of your insults.”
“You haven’t. I’ll tell you when I’m done with you.”
“Chase,” Hugstead warned.
“What is it you’re playing for?” Tristan asked him. Did he know what was at stake?
“I’m not certain. You?”
“I’m playing for everything,” Tristan said.
Hugstead met his stare. “What does everything entail?”
“You bloody daisies going to make a decision?” Revere said.
“I’m going to bloody your nose if you don’t mind your damn business,” Tristan warned.
Hugstead sighed and knocked on the table.
“I’ll buy,” Tristan said. He had an ace, a seven, and a six. Not great odds. He slid a token to Peter in exchange for a card. Tristan turned it over and stared at the dancing shapes and numbers. He was holding a eight. He knocked on the table.
Revere cursed, which only added to Tristan’s excitement, but he kept his face blank. They turned their cards, and Peter announced a tie between him and Hugstead.
