“No doubt you would have.” He poured her a spot more drink and shoved the glass back. “Tell me how you learned to play.”
“Papa dealt me cards when I was a child; he called me his lucky little girl.”
“And your sister? Is she aware of your … gift?”
“Lizzie has no interest in games of chance, sir. She remains our resident playwright, writing dramas we perform to amuse Papa. Her head remains buried squarely in her books, though she knows that I excel with numbers.” A shadow crossed the lady’s face. “My sister and I have managed our father’s moods and finances without his knowledge our entire lives, Mr. Harris.”
These Winthrop girls were no lightweights.
“But alas, as manof the house he somehow manages to squander every farthing we so diligently save.”
Sharp words coming from such tempting lips… Harris leaned back in his seat. “It is indeed unfortunate to?—”
“Be born a woman, sir?” Her doe eyes sparked. “Yet I can remedy this, you see, by earning enough at your establishment to free myself from Papa for good. And I can do this without involving my sister, who has sacrificed enough on my behalf.”
A single, sparkling tear tumbled down her flawless cheek, making Harris’s bloody loins ache. “Miss Winthrop…” he began.
“Sir.” She leaned forward, tear brushed aside and bosom all too deliciously close. “You are a man of business, of course. I am prepared to split my earnings with you, sixty-forty.”
“But Miss Winthrop you’re a?—”
“I am aware I am a woman,” she snapped. “But if I dress as a young man, and you introduce me as your cousin, or some lord’s ward even, I might play without danger of discovery.”
Harris violently shook his head.
“Fifty-fifty then.”
“And just how much do you have to start, eh?” He scowled as the minx reached into her bodice—Lord have mercy!—to pull out a pouch of coin, emptying this upon his desk.
He snorted at the pathetic heap. “You’d need more’n that to even enter me establishment.”
“How much?” She remained undeterred. “How much, at minimum, is required for entry?”
“Fifty pounds, miss.”
She looked crestfallen.
“But even with that much coin, I’d not grant yer entry. I don’t allow no inexperienced, unchaperoned ladies intoThe Leaf, for their own good, much as mine.”
“Then I shall have to take my offer elsewhere.” She stuck out her chin. “And you will lose out on my substantial profits.”
Damn blast her!
“No, Miss Winthrop.” Harris came to his senses fast. “You’ll desist with yer mad plan an’ instead seek yer brother-in-law’s assistance.” He was done with this conversation. “I’ll drive yer to the Baron meself, right now in fact.” He rose from his desk. “I’m sure he can resolve this in?—”
“You will not, sir.” She stood from her seat, shaking with visible anger. “I was quite clear I do not wish to involve my sister in this, and as a gentleman you will respect my wishes.”
Lord help her, she thought him honorable.
“I’m sorry t’ disappoint, luv, but as I own a gamin’ hell, I’d hardly call meself a gentleman.”
“But you were so gallant at the wedding! You gave me your card. You said you’d assist me.”
She was again the chit Jasp had described.
“Well sure, miss, I can be charmin’ when it suits.” He crassly allowed his eyes to peruse her person, leaving no doubt as to why he’d behaved so politely before.
“Why, you are as insufferable as the Baron!” She scraped back her chair. “I am sorry I kept your card.” She reached into her pocket to toss it on his desk. “Good day, sir.”
