Michael turned to him with a perplexed expression. “No, it’s pretty straightforward. Do you?”
Collin shook his head. “No, but you seem…unsettled. I was merely curious.”
Michael nodded, his eyes looking to the floor of the carriage and then back up to Collin. “That was some debate you and Miss Essex held earlier today.”
Understanding slammed into Collin like a right hook. With clarity and slight chagrin, he understood the situation at hand. “I’m not a contender for her affections, my friend. I’m no rival.”
Michael shrugged off the words, but his foot stilled. “It’s no’ of my business.”
“I’m informing you anyway.” Collin shrugged. He found Miss Essex attractive, and she was far too fascinating for his own good, but he wasn’t about to offer for her. He chuckled as he thought the wordmarriage.
“Something funny?” Michael asked with a relaxed grin.
“Just my own thoughts,” Collin answered. “Now, where are we headed first?”
Michael snapped into business mode and outlined their evening, with their first stop being at The Hare with Luke. “You ready to lose at cards? Because I’m hoping I’ll be the one winning,” Michael taunted.
“Indeed, though I thought it better if I didn’t dress like a peer of the realm, so I took a page out of your book of fashion,” Collin responded with a bit of goading.
“Never thought I’d have a lord think I had anything to do with fashion, although miracles dohappen,” Michael replied with a smile. “You can’t hide quality, and you still appear the part.”
Collin snorted. “Tell that to my valet. You’d have thought I asked him to clothe me in something inappropriate. I think I offended his sensibilities.”
“Seems like rank isn’t the only seat of prejudice,” Michael added.
“Indeed.”
The hack rolled to a stop before The Hare, and Collin took in a deep breath.
“If Luke was able to spread the word, there should be quite a few opportunistic men inside hoping you’ll show your face and lose your wallet,” Michael said.
“Lucky me,” Collin replied, then alighted from the hack.
Michael followed him.
When Collin opened the tavern door, he restrained a smile. Luke had done his job well. He mentally thanked the man as he noted the full tavern and the attention he drew as he entered the area.
Collin sidled up to the bar and ordered pints for each of them. As he did, Michael caught his eye as he widened his and blew out a little breath as if impressed. Collin nodded once, showing he understood the silent communication.
The barkeep set their pints on the bar, and Collin scanned the space as he took a few sips,taking notes. Michael was doing the same, but unlike Collin, he knew the town well and would be able to spot those who didn’t belong or who were strangers—like Collin.
Michael turned toward Collin and murmured just before he lifted his pint to his lips. “The faro table, three men I don’t know.” He took a long drink.
“How’s faro sound?” Collin said a little loudly as he regarded the room and found the table that Michael had quietly mentioned.
“Of course, Sir Oxley,” Michael said, then withheld a grin at the name he’d just made up.
Collin gave a slight roll of his eyes but followed him to the table.
Michael approached the men. “Next hand, will you deal me and my friend in? He’s visiting from London, and I told him we’d have some fun tonight.”
The men at the table nodded, their stares collectively sizing up the new additions.
Next hand, Collin took a seat across from Michael, giving each of them a better view of the table and the area around them. As the cards were dealt, Collin sighed. The banker turned two cards over, the winning and losing card. Collin placed his bet on the card he thought would win and waited for the turn the end. He won the first round and the second. By the third, the men at the table wereeyeing him with suspicion. In that round, he purposefully placed a bet on the card he thought had the lowest chance of winning the round. The mood at the table lightened when he lost.
“So, you’re from London?” one of the men asked, placing his bet on the ten of spades.
Collin nodded, setting down his bet on a different card. “Indeed, traveling for business. I have a friend who teaches at Cambridge.”
