He swallowed. “It is time to return that favor.”
Chapter 13
Javenia hadn’t missed the moment Miss Weston rose from the card table, nor had she been unaware of her intended target. The woman had clung to Algenon’s side for a full half hour before taking up a place next to Lord Hamdon, so she’d fully expected her to return.
It was the shift, however, that caught her off guard.
Miss Weston had shown only bored resignation when she’d first begun her approach… until she’d locked eyes with Javenia.
Her shoulders straightened, her chin inched up, and her eyes flashed, putting Javenia in mind of the last time she’d seen Nate and Algenon fence. Nate had just bested another gentleman in less than five strokes, but when Algenon had squared off with him, his whole countenance had lifted, like he’d found a worthy opponent.
If Javenia had had any doubts as to why Miss Weston agreed to pursue Algenon, that one look put them to rest. This was a competition, and Javenia was her competitor. Did that make Algenon the final prize?
Then her gaze caught on another figure following close behind her newly discovered rival.
Lord Hamdon’s usual languid expression had been exchanged for one of delight. The young viscount had shown her some interest last season during a time when she and Algenon had been on the outs. Guilt wormed its way through her middle. The poor man probably thought her attention real, but in truth, she’d used him like a pawn to make Algenon jealous.
Javenia swallowed hard. She knew better than to play with hearts, especially after Algenon had played with hers all these years. It really wasn’t fair to Lord Hamdon, and now she would suffer the consequences.
“Roberts,” Miss Weston said. “You know Lord Hamdon.”
Javenia wanted to wring the woman’s neck for speaking so casually to Algenon. Where did she get off calling him Roberts?
“I do.” Algenon snapped his mouth shut, his jaw muscles bulging.
That only happened when he clenched his teeth. Javenia glanced between the two newcomers to decide which of them had caused the miniscule sign of frustration. Or had they both caused it?
Then an idea formed and Javenia could not stop herself from saying, “We are both acquainted with him. How are you enjoying the season, Lord Hamdon?”
“Very well, I thank you. It has been some time since last we met.”
“Five months at least. We have not met since our ride in Hyde Park last summer.”
Miss Weston glanced between them, her brow drawn and her gaze narrowed. Javenia did not know what she’d thought to accomplish by bringing Lord Hamdon over, but a glance out of the corner of her eye proved the move had been a poor calculation on Miss Weston’s part. Algenon’s gaze crackled withfrustration. Javenia bit back a grin. So he had been jealous. Good. It was another mark in her favor.
“That was a lovely day, was it not?” Lord Hamdon asked.
“It was.”
Miss Weston cleared her throat, obviously uncomfortable. “Yes, well, Lord Hamdon was just saying he needed another person to sit at cards with him.”
“Really.” Javenia tried to contain her joy at having such a perfect situation orchestrated for her. “Well then, why don’t the four of us take up a table?”
Miss Weston stammered a denial.
“That is a splendid idea,” Lord Hamdon said.
Algenon’s glare slowly shifted to one of curiosity. He flicked her a glance that spoke volumes. No doubt he wondered why she would willingly spend half an hour with a woman she despised.
Instead of returning his look, she smiled and motioned for them all to move toward an open card table. “Come along, Miss Weston. You will enjoy this.” She looped her arm through the now astounded woman’s and lowered her voice. “In fact, you may partner Al—Mr. Roberts, since I know how much you have been pining to have some of his attention.”
Miss Weston narrowed her gaze, suspicion dancing in her blue eyes. “You aretookind.”
Javenia gave her arm a pat. “I know, but some of us must be.”
When they reached the table, Miss Weston disentangled herself and Javenia took up her seat, which of course was right next to Algenon since team members had to sit across from one another.
Algenon’s lips twisted to the side, then pursed slightly as he took his seat. She almost laughed out loud at his efforts not to smile.
