He picked up the cards and began shuffling. “Still opposed to playing on teams with me, I see.”
“Not opposed,” Javenia said. “Just seating myself at an advantage to make certain you do not cheat as you usually do.”
“Cheat? You wound me. When do I ever cheat?”
Lord Hamdon helped Miss Weston into her chair and then took up his own. “Should I be concerned about that accusation? Does he really cheat, Miss Harris?”
“Like a dirty thief.” She raised an eyebrow at Algenon.
He leaned back in his chair, an entertained scowl on his face. “You are just jealous that I always win.”
“Hardly. Melior and I trounced you and Nate the last time we played.”
“You are a curious one, aren’t you, Miss Harris?” Miss Weston laced her fingers together on the table.
Javenia’s smile slipped away. For one moment, she’d forgotten they were playing with the viper. “How so?”
“One rarely speaks of a baronet, and a married one at that, in such a disrespectful manner. I believe his name isSirNathaniel.”
A bubble of excitement rose in Javenia’s chest as she spied Algenon’s previously pleasant face darken. Yet, several beats of silence passed without him correcting Miss Weston, his hands busy as he dealt the cards. The bubble deflated.
Very well, she was used to defending herself. “Yes, well,SirNathaniel and I have been friends for decades, so I believe I am granted some liberties.”
“But in company?” Miss Weston tsked.
Algenon slapped the last card down in the middle of the table, the sound loud enough to make Miss Weston jump.
“Do be careful.” Miss Weston cast Algenon a look of reprimand. “Such force is unnecessary and might damage the cards.”
He rewarded her with a pinched smile. “I do apologize.”
Javenia swallowed down her glee as they all glanced at the card that declared which suit would be trump cards this round. Across the table, Lord Hamdon nodded at her and she smiled.
“No colluding,” Algenon said.
“Excuse me?” She wrinkled her nose.
“I saw that nod.”
“But we haven’t even picked up our cards yet. How can we send each other signals before we’ve even seen what is in our hands?”
Algenon picked up his hand. “I am just reminding you. We wouldn’t want anyone to cheat.”
She tipped her head to the side and rolled her eyes. “Says the notorious trickster. You see, Miss Weston, this is why it was important I be seated byMr.Roberts.” She put an emphasis on Algenon’s honorific in hopes of reminding the woman whatshe’dforgotten. “I know his wily ways. This will help me keep the game above board.”
Miss Weston shuffled the cards about in her hands. “Which is good for you, but not necessarily good for me.”
Was she talking about the card game or the obvious competition for Algenon’s attention?
“You approve of cheating?” Lord Hamdon folded his cards together and placed both hands over them on the table in order to look directly at Miss Weston.
Evidently, His Lordship did not approve because he narrowed his gaze. She had accused Algenon of the same fault. Why had he said nothing? Was it any different in his eyes if a woman cheated instead of a man? She certainly hoped not. It would drop Lord Hamdon in her estimations. Neither gender should be so distrustful.
Miss Weston sniffed, her gaze dropping to her cards. “Come now, Lord Hamdon. It is all in good fun. Spades are trump this round, correct?”
Javenia didn’t miss the way Miss Weston had dodged the question entirely. Lord Hamdon studied her for several moments before picking up his cards again, his lips pressed together in a straight line as he shifted one card to the other side of his hand.
Being seated to Algenon’s left, Javenia made the first play, an eight of clubs. They each tossed in their cards, Algenon taking the trick with a jack of clubs. And so the game progressed until all tricks were played. Algenon and Miss Weston finished the first set with two extra tricks, giving them the lead.
