Page 20 of Redemption of a Marquess

Jeanine started. “Lady Douglas has taken her away.”

“Away?” He glanced at her.

“Aye,” she replied. “I believe Lady Douglas wanted to learn more about Miss Stone’s previous employer.”

In the instant before he returned his gaze to his cards, she glimpsed a strange smile. From the corner of her eye, a flash of red captured her attention. She turned slightly and recognized Lord Gordon as he entered the room. His bright burgundy coat made him stand out like a parrot amongst sparrows. He passed from sight behind a group of men.

He did not approve of her being the ward of the Marquess of Northington—which was foolish. Anyone with eyes could see the marquess hadn’t taken her as ward in order to make her his lover.

“Miss Matheson,” the marquess said, “sit. I will teach you how to play commerce.”

“Really?” Jeanine cried. “I would love to play.”

He stood and stepped around his chair. “Have my seat.” She took the chair. He pushed it closer to the table, then signaled a servant to bring another chair.

The Scot sitting to her right, stood. “No need to call for another chair, Northington. You took my last hundred pounds. I’m out. Take my chair.”

His lordship gave a slight bow. “Thank you, MacLean.” He sat down, then scooted his chair closer to hers. “Phillips,” he nodded to the dealer, who sat directly across from them, “I will sit out this round. Please deal the lady in.”

“Perhaps the lady would prefer a game of vingt-et-un,” the handsome gentleman to her left said.

Jeanine started to roll her eyes, then caught sight of the marquess’s arched brows. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes and then looked at the gentleman and smiled sweetly. “If you are more comfortable with a game of luck, sir, I will oblige.”

Chuckles sounded behind her.

“Miss Matheson may play commerce if she chooses,” the marquess said. “I promised to teach her.”

The man looked back at Jeanine and angled his head. “As you wish, ma’am.”

“The object of the game,” the marquess began.

“Oh, I know the game,” Jeanine said.

“Indeed?” he said. “You didn’t tell me you know how to play.”

“You didn’t ask,” she replied as Phillips began the deal.

“She’s got you there, Northington,” a man said behind her.

Phillips laid three cards facedown before each of the four players, himself included, then laid three cards face up to form the widow. An ace of hearts, two of clubs, and ten of diamonds. He placed a fifty pound note in the middle of the table. The other two men did the same, and the marquess took a fifty pound note from the stack of bills in front of him and tossed it onto the pile.

Phillips took the ace, slipped it facedown at the bottom of his three cards, then took his top facedown card and turned it up beside the other two face-up cards. A murmur went up. He’d exchanged the ace of hearts for a king of hearts. He would be wanting that card back.

Jeanine lifted the corners of her three cards and looked at them. Three of spades, queen of clubs, and an ace of diamonds. The marquess leaned toward her.

Jeanine covered her cards and looked at him. “What are you doing?”

“I am not playing,” he said. “It is permissible to show me your cards.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want your expression to give away my hand.”

More chuckles from the men.

His lordship lifted a brow. “Are you saying I cannot school my expression?”

“Would you let me see your cards if you were playing?” she asked.

“It is only fair I see how you are spending my money,” he countered.