“That is why I know you can lose. We could end up with no money.”
“I won’t lose,” he assured her.
“Chance is never certain.”
“Is this the same woman who has risked everything to reach her home?”
She didn’t answer.
“Trust me,” he murmured. “Gamblers lose because they either aren’t paying attention or don’t understand how to play the odds. I may not win a lot but I think I can manage our fare to Liverpool. I can find another game from there. Come, sit with me. You will be a powerful distraction to the other players at the table.”
The compliment caught her by surprise. Or was it a compliment? “Distraction because...”
“Elise,” he said, a warmth coming to his voice, “you know your power.”
She did. But really until this moment, he’d seemed oblivious to her... and something stirred inside her with an intensity that was both provocativeandslightly unsettling.
It threw her off balance. Because she was beginning to like him. She’d not deny that she was attracted to his looks. Even the fact that he was a bit of a rogue pleased her. It shouldn’t have. A person being exactly, and boldly, who they were was a powerful draw.
However, something else was happening as well. The farther she was from London, the more she was beginning to see that Michael had never been interested in her other than as a friend. She’d imagined him the Love of Her Life, but she hadn’t really known him that well. Perhaps she’d just liked the “idea” of Michael? Andshe’d picked him out without actually bothering to understand the first thing about him.
The realization was radical.
Over the past weeks, rarely a minute had gone by without her thinking about her anger, about the betrayal. Those were the terms in which she’d thought about Michael. They had nothing to do with the actual person. Pride and self-righteousness had twisted everything inside her toward Michael and her beloved sister Dara.
And with insight came relief. The knot of outrage and discontent that had been her companion for so long vanished. Because of Kit?
She prayed not. They were of two different classes. He was completely unsuitable to be anything other than a friend to her, and even that would be frowned upon by those who believed in the proper social order.
Still, to keep the matter in perspective, there was no doe-eyed look in Kit’s gaze or lustful interest. She’d been more of a burden to him than a help.
And yet he’d stayed by her side. He’d included her, just as he was now.
“Come,” he said, picking up his still full tankard with one hand and their measly belongings with the other. “Adventure awaits.” He started for the table of players.
“So, are you a seasoned gambler?” she asked. It made sense. He had never spoken of work.
“Every man games. Unfortunately, I was aterrible one for a long time. I made all of the mistakes. Then I met Old John. He took me in hand and taught me a few truths—not that I gamble that much,” he added quickly.
At last, Kit was talking about himself. That must mean he trusted her. Or that his belly was full. Whichever way, she was determined to encourage him. “Where did you meet this Old John?”
“In this village called Moorcock.”
“Like the bird?” The name made her laugh. He smiled as if he had anticipated it would.
“Exactly. Old John took me in hand and told me it hurt his eyes to see someone as bad at cards as I. A few days with him and I was cured of ever thinking a fortune could be won gambling.”
“My sister Gwendolyn gambled and won the money for us to travel to London,” she confided.
“Yoursistergambles?”
“Women gamble,” she replied, a bit stung by his incredulity. “We all had to learn Papa’s tricks. When he came to visit, we played with him. He preferred playing cards over any other endeavor.” What had once been a happy memory now seemed rather sad. “I’m very good at hiding a pea in a walnut shell and no one guessing where it is. Not even Gwendolyn is as good as I am.”
“I can picture you, a young girl, learning how to play the simplest swindle in the world.” He looked down at her. “You are a contradiction, Elise.”
“I am?”
“Ah, yes, you have the grace and manners of a lady, but you aren’t idle. Or afraid to take action. Your father teaches you the shell and pea game, but you preferred books, didn’t you? And you probably always did what was expected, right? Even when your mind rebelled?”
