“Of course not. It’s not that men like him aren’t good. They usually are an interesting challenge. But if I allowed one man to play with us, it would get around and others would want to test our skills too. Best not to start. I’m sure you know that.”
Zane nodded. He was hoping for more information.
“Some men travel from town to town to test their skills and see how many men they can beat. The same way a man wants to test his thoroughbred against others. Once they’re satisfied they move on.”
“That’s an observation I hadn’t thought about. I guess he felt he had nothing to lose by asking to play.”
“I didn’t mind him asking once,” Lyon said. “I didn’t like it when he waited for me outside White’s and asked the second time.”
“That didn’t set well with you. Did you find out anything about him?”
“No. Does he want to play you?”
Zane shook his head. “I think everyone in London knows I’m not playing right now. I’m asking about himbecause of my cousin. Remick appears to have started a private club. I have reason to believe my cousin might be involved with him, and I wanted to make sure the man plays fair and is not out to line his pockets with a young man’s wealthy family.”
“I had no reason to ask him any questions. I wasn’t interested. If I’d known, I would have been happy to.” He looked at Garrett. “You’ve met him, Garrett. What do you think of him?”
“I agree with all you said. He’s obviously skilled and knows it.”
Zane turned to Garrett and asked, “You’ve gambled all over the world. Do you think he’s a master gamester and out to get an impulsive young man’s blunt?”
Garrett weighed his words before saying, “Something about him doesn’t add up. Most skilled players are trustworthy. They probably wouldn’t stay alive very long if they weren’t. Usually the important thing for them is the bragging rights. Money is secondary and only to feed their habit. However, I wouldn’t trust an American who’s come to London to set up a card club.”
“Nor do I,” Zane said.
After a few more minutes of discussing Remick’s possible motives, Zane left Lyonwood’s house and walked over to Brina’s. It was early evening and dusk had settled. Lights were showing in houses up and down the street. It was a highly inappropriate time to pay a call on a lady. Proper gentlemen would wait until tomorrow, send over a note, and wait for a reply.
Zane had always known the rules for a gentleman.
But he had always preferred just being a man.
He rapped the doorknocker once and took off his hat while he waited. When the housekeeper opened the door, he said, “Good evening, Mrs. Lawton.”
“My lord,” she said with a proper greeting.
“If Mrs. Feld is home, I’d like to see her. I have some important news for her.”
The housekeeper looked behind him as if to make sure no one else was with him before saying, “She’s just finished her evening meal. I’ll have to ask her. Come inside to wait while I ask.”
Zane walked in behind the woman and placed his hat on the side table. When she turned and started down the corridor, so did he.
Quietly.
As he neared the double doors leading into the dining room, he saw Brina pushed back from the table. In one hand, she held a glass of red wine and in the other, a book. She was so beautiful, a longing quiver started in his loins. She’d been reading while eating. A silver branch with five lit candles flickered near the book. Her lush blond hair fell long and enticingly around her shoulders.
He was sure she had no idea how lovely she was sitting there, nor what it did to him to see her so beautiful and serene. His breaths quickened and he swallowed slowly. Suddenly he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything. He wanted to take her in his arms and feel the shape of her body, feel it pressed next to his, and beneath his.
“Mrs. Feld, the—”
“Earl is here,” he said, stepping from behind the housekeeper.
Startled, Brina looked up. “My lord, what are you doing here at this hour?” She placed the book and glass on the table.
“Obviously the wrong thing. Interrupting your dinner. Behaving badly.”
She gave him an unusually shy smile before giving the housekeeper the nod to leave. “No,” she answered him, almost whispering as she rose from her chair. “It’s all right. I’m finished. Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see you.” No, it was more than that. He wanted to kiss her until she was breathless and sighing with pleasure, and then he wanted to possess her and show her how deeply his feelings were for her.
