Paisley cut off that thought right there and then, not wanting to consider what might happen if she was run down by a pack of men in a dark, deserted alleyway.
"I have not cheated," she said, as patiently as possible. "How could I have done so, with all of you watching me so closely?"
"Roll back yer sleeves," another man demanded.
Paisley obliged, stripping off her gloves and unbuttoning her sleeves. She carefully pushed the hatpin further up her forearm so they didn't see it.
The men eyed her white arms with disgust, obviously having expected to see dogeared aces and queens secured up her sleeves.
"Now that we've established that I won fairly," Paisley said, lightly, pulling down her sleeves and reaching for the money, "Perhaps I might take my earnings and leave. You'll have a chance to win it back from me tomorrow, anyway."
Which of course they wouldn't. Paisley didn't particularly want to return toTheSinneragain – all of that effort and anxiety, and she'd only managed to secure enough to pay her rent for this month. She still needed to pay for food and other things. Even if she did return here, she wouldnotbe playing with these men again.
They sat in stony silence while Paisley swept the coins off the table, stuffing them into her pockets. She had a coin purse but had no intention of sitting there at that grimy table and counting out her money.
A few coins landed on the floor and rolled away, but she chose not to go scrabbling after them. They were the only people playing cards in the little basement room, and Paisley was feeling an urgent need to get out of there, as soon as possible.
She rose to her feet, the specially designed pocket sitting heavy against her leg. The coins clinked and rattled together as she moved, backing towards the doorway.
"It's been a pleasure, gentlemen," she said smoothly. "Thank you for an enjoyable game."
Not wanting to turn her back on them too soon, Paisley waited until she could feel a blast of warm air on her back, drifting down from the heated room above.
"Nae so fast."
She froze, her heart plummeting.
I knew this would happen,Paisley thought miserably.
The man who had spoken had remained mostly quiet during the card game. He was a hulking man with a sweaty bald head and gray eyebrows, and he'd looked at Paisley as if she were a meal for most of the game, gaze lingering on her bosom.
This was one of the reasons why Paisley wore a gown which covered up every inch of skin, plus a veil.
"Is there a problem?" Paisley said politely.
"Aye, I'd say so," the man growled. "Cheating English wench. Ye cannae have won fair and square. I cannae tell how ye did it, but I know that ye cheated. Best if ye come clean now."
She lifted her chin. "Why would you say that? Would you have accused one of the other men of cheating if they'd won?"
A brief expression of confusion crossed his face.
Not burdened with an abundance of brains, then,Paisley thought.
"Well, nay," he said. "Of course not."
"Why not?"
More confusion. The man glanced uncertainly at his friends for support.
"Well, because they could've won."
"And why could I not have won?"
Impatience returned to the man's face. He stepped around the table, so that there was nothing between him and Paisley.
She backed away, feeling the first of the cold stone steps hit the back of her leg. She'd need to turn her back to climb the stairs, and then the men would be on her.
Should I call for help?Paisley wondered.Would anyone come? Should I just run for it?
