Page 38

My heart swelled with a happiness that was tinged with wistfulness. “Nothing has changed between Greyson and me, but I’m happy to enjoy your company while I can.”

Victoria frowned. “Did he tell you that? I thought things might have changed since he helped you find your own home.”

“You are more than just friends, are you not?” Diana asked.

Heat colored my cheeks. “Yes.”

Victoria’s mouth turned down. “And he hasn’t given you any indication that he might wish for something more?”

I shrugged, aiming for a nonchalance I wasn’t feeling. “I am older than the three of you. When it is time for him to marry, I doubt he’ll choose someone who’s on the shelf.”

They began speaking over each other, their protests doing much to warm my heart.

“He never misled me. And I’ll always be grateful that he helped me gain my freedom.” I clutched Diana’s hand and leaned forward to take Victoria’s as well. “Regardless of whether or not he is still in my life one year from now, I will always consider the three of you friends.”

Sadness settled over the room. We all knew that I wouldn’t be able to join them when Greyson finally married. I tried to shake off the negativity and smiled. “So while your husbands are at King’s, the three of you meet to have tea?”

Diana grinned. “We gamble. Victoria is teaching us how to hold our own against the men.”

Victoria smiled. “Moreland is very good at billiards, so you never want to place a bet against him. But when it comes to cards, we’re evenly matched.”

I had vastly underestimated these women. “I don’t believe I can afford to gamble away my income.”

Diana waved a hand. “We don’t play for money.”

“What do you play for?” I felt a hint of alarm. These women had already taken me to a public ball where all manner of lascivious activities took place. I was afraid to ask but needed to know what I was getting into.

Victoria shrugged. “We’ll take it easy on you today. The person who loses the most hands will have to host the next tea. But don’t worry, we’ll teach you how to play.”

Caroline leaned forward. “I’m going to teach you how to play Bragg. It’s the card game Kendrick was playing when he won me.”

My mouth dropped open. “Surely you jest. You were the diamond.”

They laughed.

“It is a long story,” Victoria said, standing. “We’ll take our tea in the dining room and I’ll tell you the story. Then we’ll teach you how to play.”

Diana sighed. “I tried to convince Clifton to tell me if Greyson is any good at cards, but he was suspicious of my motivation for asking and refused to answer.”

“Clifton is right to worry,” Caroline said. “Diana is very good.”

Diana laughed. “You could try playing against your hus—” She caught her mistake. After an awkward moment, she continued. “You should play against Greyson and learn for yourself. But let us give you a few lessons first. It helps to have the element of surprise.”

Chapter 27

GREYSON

I was beginning to think I’d never get Claire out of my system. I was spending a great deal of time at her new home, ostensibly because I wanted to ensure she was settling in. She’d never lived alone, after all. I’d even begun to spend the entire night, which was something I’d never done with another woman.

As I arrived at King’s and made my way to the billiard room, I couldn’t stop thinking that the situation was getting out of hand. That perhaps it was time to begin extricating myself. But even as logic told me that would be the prudent thing to do, I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. And I definitely wasn’t prepared to consider the possibility that day might never come.

A hand clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re distracted today.”

I turned to look at Fairfax, the small enigmatic smile on his face telling me that he knew exactly why I was so preoccupied.

It was my turn, so I turned to the billiard table. “I don’t think you’re getting any better. It might be time to face the fact you’ll never win a game against Moreland.”

He frowned. “Just have your turn. I’m well aware of my lack of skill in this area.”