Well, perhaps he would.
“If you didn’t know for sure, it was very brazen of you.”
He remained silent so she asked, “How did you find out?”
“Must you know all my secrets, Mrs. Feld?”
His voice was calm and as easy as their ride. She hadto be careful with him. There were so many things about him that tugged at her senses and brought them to life.
“I’m curious,” she conceded and added a mischievous smile when he turned his head and looked at her.
“I asked your cousin Harper when I saw him. He was with my cousin Robert last night.”
“Really? I didn’t see Harper at the ball. He must have arrived after I left. But it was already late by then. Did he look all right to you?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“My father asked that I stay in touch with him, invite him over while he and my mother are away visiting his parents in Northumberland. I’m afraid I haven’t done that.” She paused long enough to reprimand herself once again for not having yet done so. “I’ve had other things to attend to, and it’s only been a little over a week since they left. It was odd my father asked me specifically to stay in touch with him. Almost as if he was concerned about him.”
“Does he have reason to be?”
“No, I’m sure not. Not having a son, Papa has always been attentive to Harper. I’m feeling quite guilty I haven’t reached out to him yet. I’ll do that tomorrow for sure.”
“He looked as if he were doing quite well last night. I left the ball shortly after you. I saw him and Robert at a gaming house, and they were making a good showing at the tables.”
A carriage came up behind them suddenly and quickly whipped around, passing them at a fast clip. The driver, a young buck, was obviously desperate to get somewhere. Though Brina was annoyed by the man’s lack of common courtesy, neither Blacknight nor the horses they were riding gave the incident notice.
“So, you went to a club after the ball,” she stated in amore pleased manner than she intended. But really, she was very happy. How could a gambler stay away from the excitement of the games? This is what she had expected him to do.
“It’s my usual habit.” He looked over at her and flashed a bit of a grin.
“Yes, I know, but it is good news to hear you were at your club where there is much gaming, drinking spirits, and other pursuits.”
A soft chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Don’t get your hopes up, Mrs. Feld. You’ll not hear anyone say I had a drink or played a game. I merely walked around and talked with those who were partaking in both and enjoying themselves.”
She gave him a confident lift of her chin. “I’m not worried, my lord. If not last night, nor tonight, nor even tomorrow. Some night. Soon. It will only be a matter of time until you give in to your nature and old habits and have a howling good time at the tables with a glass of the finest brandy.”
“Perhaps you are the one who should be careful, Mrs. Feld.” He gave another short laugh. “When you say things like that, it only makes me want to prove you wrong all the more.”
She turned her head away from him as if to be dismissive of his warning, but of course, she couldn’t stay silent after his comment. “I know how men like their vices. Tell me, did you have a headache this morning?”
“Yes. From not drinking.”
She suppressed a grin because she knew he was looking at her. “And how did you sleep?”
“Well—once I managed to stop the shakes.”
A genuine, playful laugh fell from her lips and she faced him again. “You are teasing me,” she chided lightly.
“As you are me.”
It felt good to listen to his humor. She could tell by the way he looked at her, he knew how much she was enjoying herself. The awareness that always seemed to be between them heated her cold cheeks and caused a ripple of what she could only describe as desire to curl and wind its way slowly through her.
“So, what did you do at the club if you weren’t having a brandy and a game?”
He shrugged and looked away from her. “I watched a couple of old masters play billiards and some of the younger ones roll dice and play cards. I don’t always have to participate to appreciate whatever game is being played. One way to get better at anything is to watch how others do it well. It helps to discover their weaknesses and strengths and then apply them to your own game.”
“Yes. I can see where that would be beneficial.” She needed to study him. At times like this, when she was happy to be with him, she had to remind herself they were in a fight. And she had to win.
