Henry’s hand on his arm brought him out of his reverie.
“Let’s find another room,” he proposed, diplomatically. He was right. This was none of their business. And yet …
“That’s right!” Fairchild practically bellowed, “I bet my daughter’s hand in marriage, with her dowry.” Crowley grinned like a cat that got the cream.
“Surely someone should stop this …” Thaddeus murmured, smoke stinging his eyes and his heart pounding even harder. He couldn’t let this stand.
“On what grounds?” Cassian asked, having come up beside him as well. “None of it’s illegal, strictly speaking.”
“But itisimmoral,” Thaddeus hissed. “And shameful, to bet with a young woman’s future like this …”
“Leave it, Harrow,” Cassian said, sounding bored. “If he doesn’t lose the girl’s dowry tonight, he’ll lose it another night. All of Oxford knows he’s a recalcitrant gambler.”
“I’m inclined to agree, Thad,” Henry added, though Thaddeus could tell he felt similar misgivings. “What could you do? Short of breaking up their game and starting a fight?”
What could he do, indeed? And yet he felt a strong desire to dosomething. To save the poor girl from her reckless father and Crowley’s designs. Knocking the smug look off Crowley’s face would be satisfying, as well.
An idea occurred to him, and without waiting to think it through, he acted on it.
“Gentlemen,” he said, stepping closer to the table. “Perhaps I can join your game?” He couldn’t hide the disgust in his voice, but he doubted either was sober enough to notice.
Crowley shifted his attention to glare at him.
“Harrow,” he said, narrowing his eyes, “this doesn’t concern you.”
“But it could,” Thaddeus said, keeping his voice light. He nudged one of the onlookers aside and sat down at the table. Fairchild stared at him, confused, and then seemed to grasp the possibilities of the situation.
“What’ll you bet?” he asked, the money on the table apparently his only priority.
“Hmm,” Thaddeus pretended to think, although he’d already settled on a number that would be sufficiently enticing but wouldn’t ruin him were he to lose. “It seems to me that 10,000 pounds ought to be enough to buy in.”
He felt cheap as he said the words, and at the same time, wondered what had come over him. He hadn’t seen the girl in probably a decade – why should he put so much on the line for her sake?
A hush fell over the room, and he felt Henry grip his shoulder tightly. He saw twin gleams of greed in both Crowley and Fairchild’s eyes.
“Agreed,” said Fairchild promptly. Crowley nodded, perhaps a bit more hesitant, but unable to resist the chance at such a prize.
“I’ll deal you in, Harrow,” he said, reaching for the cards.
“Wonderful. Ah, and I must add one more condition,” Thaddeus said, enjoying the way his interjection obviously needled Crowley. “Should I win, you forfeit Miss Fairchild’s hand and the dowry, but you’ll do the gentlemanly thing and return the rest of your winnings to Fairchild.” Whispers shot around the room, and he heard Cassian snort behind him. He’d get a lecture later about being too noble for his own good.
“Suit yourself,” Crowley replied with a shrug and a smirk. “I’m afraid I’ve been on quite the winning streak, though.” And he dealt the cards.
At first, Thaddeus was afraid Crowley was right, and he’d made a huge mistake. Luck did seem to be on Crowley’s side.
The room felt stifling, and he felt sweat start to bead at the back of his neck. But as they played on, the other men’s inebriation betrayed them, making them careless. Thaddeus was not a frequent player, but he played well, and soon a possibility of victory emerged.
He held his breath as the rounds passed, and finally, the right card came his way. Relief flooded through him as he tucked the card in between the others. His hand was now nearly unbeatable.
The other two gentlemen laid down their cards first. Fairchild revealed a miserable hand with a downtrodden look to match, knowing he had lost; Crowley, smug, spread out his cards with an unearned surety.
It was a decent hand, but Thaddeus had a better one. He finally let out his breath as he lay it down.
Shock and excitement rippled through the crowd that had gathered, followed by a smattering of applause. Crowley’s jaw dropped, and Fairchild’s face brightened through the drunken haze.
“We should play again,” Crowley sputtered, too surprised to hide his desperation. “I’ll bet you twice the amount for …”
“Ah, it’s a shame, but I must be getting home,” Thaddeus interrupted him, smiling as he smoothly stood from the table. “Lord Fairchild, I shall call tomorrow to further arrange matters with you. Crowley, by your leave.” He nodded to both gentlemen, Fairchild seemingly struggling to fully comprehend his swiftly changing fate, and Crowley still babbling about continuing the game.
