The Last Gamble

by Anabelle Bryant

  She nodded her agreement. ‘I’ll do everything I can to help return Nathaniel. He was my charge for a short time and I enjoyed every day spent with him. He’s a clever boy who should not have to experience this horrid ordeal. I worry about what he’s been told and how he must miss his father.’

  Vivienne stared at her a long minute before she replied. ‘I do think we will be fond friends, Georgina. I can tell you are as sincere as you are lovely. If only you lived in London. It won’t be long now until I need a governess too.’ Joy lit Vivienne’s smile and she again laid her palm on her rounded stomach. ‘Maxwell and I would like several children. An entire houseful if we are so blessed.’

  ‘That’s wonderful. You are happy then?’ Georgina hemmed her lower lip, not wishing to offend with curiosity. ‘Is marriage difficult considering the demands of the gaming hell? The hours are unusual, are they not?’

  Vivienne laughed and leaned across the table to clasp Georgina’s hand with genuine kindness. ‘No need to worry about overstepping your bounds. I can tell already we are of one mind, and besides, my friend Sophie is not here yet. When she arrives, she most definitely will be the one who asks too many questions and blurts out whatever’s on the tip of her tongue. Sophie Daventry may be a proper lady, but we are sisters of the heart, loyal in friendship and all other things. I’ve learned through experience that station in life is not nearly as important as quality of character.’ Vivienne took another sip of tea and attended the question as she elaborated. ‘My history is an assorted story. I came from a difficult background, and though I am considered a genteel lady by way of my mother’s second marriage, I remained on the outskirts of formal society. Perhaps that is why it was easy for me to forsake most all associations and obligations of the ton. There was speculation at our marriage, of course, and spiteful gossip that threatened scandal, but Max and I refused to pay heed.

  ‘When you love someone, truly love and devote yourself to another person with vows of respect and enduring commitment, a dowager’s nasty rumours cannot detract from that security, nor can an empty hall salver, absent of invitations. With no need to attend organized functions, we were able to dedicate ourselves to a more important goal.’ Her smile grew soft and emotional as she glanced down at her waist. ‘We have an eclectic community of friends which includes people of all walks of life. Genuine people who are meaningful and contribute to our happiness.’

  ‘How wonderful.’ Georgina could see the contentment in Vivienne’s face. What would Georgina’s family think if she made such an unorthodox match? She couldn’t spare time to consider it, the repercussions too frightening. Besides, her future was the largest variable and obstacle composing her contrary existence.

  ‘Granted, it has its challenges too.’ Vivienne’s green eyes lit with mischief as she continued, comfortable with the subject. ‘But the advantages far outweigh any circumspect difficulty thrown in our direction. Max, Cole and Luke own and manage The Underworld with ease, but what is truly admirable is the way they conduct themselves. I believe, since they were born without advantage, the men understand life in a completely different manner than those who inherit lofty titles and while away the day with amusements, their pockets as deep as the Thames. Peers are like-minded in their view of others. I daresay very few aristocrats possess an open perception of the human condition.

  ‘But my husband and his friends view the world without blinders acquired by title and wealth. The three friends are fiercely loyal. They cherish what is dear to them and protect it at all costs. Those traits may come from a life lived on the streets of Charing Cross, but they are the most admirable qualities to compose a man.’

  ‘I agree.’ Georgina took another sip of tea, conflicted by this enlightened knowledge. She was caught in a contrived contradiction, the daughter of a peer who now portrayed a civilian governess. She easily categorized her parents as those who subscribed to society’s acceptable ideals.

  ‘You must forgive me.’ Vivienne shook her head, her dark hair dancing about her shoulders. ‘I find my emotions are abundant and daringly close to the surface these days.’ She canted her head to the side and considered Georgina before selecting a choice biscuit from the tray and placing it on her plate. ‘Do you ask because you have your eye on Luke? He is devilishly handsome with his silver-grey eyes and ebony hair.’

  ‘No.’ Georgina’s teacup rattled on the saucer as she placed it on the table. Botheration, did her obvious admiration show when she looked in his direction? They’d hardly exchanged words in the foyer. ‘Not at all.’ Did her immediate answer suggest the opposite?

  ‘Do you have a beau?’

  The innocent question, one typically shared with female friends, caught Georgina by surprise, though she noted the twinkle of interest in Vivienne’s eye. ‘Not at this moment.’ One kiss did not signify. Nor did her past.

  ‘You will. I’m surprised you don’t have every young student falling in love with you. Perhaps you spend too much time with happy families to find an available suitor.’

  ‘I couldn’t say.’ The hairs on the back of Georgina’s neck prickled to attention. Vivienne proved a kind and delightful hostess, if only so many subjects weren’t difficult to discuss.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind my enquiries. Cole’s wife, Gemma, and I are conspiring to nudge Sophie and Luke together. It all started as a harmless joke between us because Sophie wished to see inside The Underworld and Luke is the last bachelor, but now that you’ll likely help Luke recover Nate and his life will reorder, Gemma and I thought the next best thing to finding his son would be acquiring a wife. I admit, now I’m so happy, I wish to see my dearest friends experience the same bliss.’

  Georgina knotted her hands in her lap, the brunt of the last two days hitting her with the unforgiving force of a harsh thunderstorm. Biscuit’s accident, the decision to return to London, a kiss, the kiss, and now all this well-meaning conversation. She was exhausted and alone and, at the moment, in need of a quiet bedchamber.

  ‘If you don’t mind, Vivienne, I’d like to—’

  ‘I’m here. I’m here.’ Lady Sophie Daventry rushed into the drawing room and dropped her reticule on an overstuffed chair as she scurried across the room to gather Vivienne in a hug of greeting. Much to Georgina’s surprise, she received the same affectionate welcome. The ladies settled and tea was replenished, even though Georgina had hoped to escape to her guestroom and sort out her feelings.

  ‘I am thrilled you’ve arrived, Georgina. Luke must be so relieved with your generous act of decency and goodness. If only someone would come forward and assist in the search for my brother. Crispin left without word and the toll it has taken on my parents breaks my heart.’ Sophie’s eyes brimmed with tears. ‘Nary a day went by that Crispin and I were apart. Now the hours are incredibly empty and I have little else to do except wonder when my brother will return. We’ve had scraps of news and suspected sightings, but as a whole we are as much at a loss as Luke in searching for Nathaniel.’ She bowed her head and folded, then refolded, the gloves in her lap.

  Georgina listened, fascinated by Sophie and unable to squelch the notion Vivienne worked to instigate a match between her friend and Luke. Why wouldn’t Luke fall in love with Sophie? With her titian hair and angelic beauty, only a blind man could resist her charms. Listening to Sophie speak of her brother proved she claimed a pure heart and compassionate spirit, a fine example of self-possession and deportment. The desperate loss of a loved one would be a bond the two shared.

  Worse, on another level altogether, every word from Sophie’s mouth brought with it guilt and accusation as Georgina had committed the same selfish act as Crispin, abandoning family and home for the sake of unexplained personal despair. She rose up abruptly, all at once unable to feign congeniality within their cosy tea circle.

  ‘I’m sorry, ladies.’ She eyed each new acquaintance respectively. ‘I’m more tired than I originally believed. If someone would be so kind as to show me to the guestroom, I’d appreciate a brie
f respite to recover from the day’s travels.’

  ‘Of course.’ Vivienne and Sophie stood and looped arms with Georgina on alternate sides. ‘We’ll take you there. That way we can continue our conversation.’

  Georgina forced a smile, assured her new friends meant well and aware they had little idea of the overwhelming emotions she fought to hide.

  Luke dropped into a leather chair in front of Max’s desk and at last found a moment of relaxation. Riding behind the carriage during the final leg of his travels today had proved an exercise in tedium and patience. Not only would he have accomplished the final miles without the slower pace required by the conveyance, but since he purposely neglected conversation with Georgina, the journey seemed twice as long. Still, he didn’t dare align with the window and share a word. One look at her sweet mouth and Luke would have directed the driver to tether Snake Eyes to the rear so he could climb inside the interior.

  What had he been thinking last evening? Stalking her, demanding she listen, proposing a kiss. Although she hadn’t backed away or delivered a slap. Instead she’d brought her mouth to his in what soon became the most extraordinary kiss of his life. Bemusement twisted his mouth at the remembrance. He’d kissed a lot of women from ladybird to socialite and every variety in between, and while he rarely denied himself pleasure, his spare time often spent in the arms of a willing woman, he’d never before experienced the lightning-hot intensity of kissing Georgina.

  He shook his head, amused. He remained far too intelligent to regard their shared kiss as anything more than an unexpected oddity. Very often things weren’t as they seemed. His fast, eager coupling with Josephine all those years ago had brought about Nate, while past evenings spent with refined society’s fairer sex had resulted in him climbing down the trellis of an upstairs window while the lady reassembled herself in a rush, the usual declamatory excuse at the ready.

  ‘What has you looking the halfwit?’ Max settled in his chair behind the desk, his expression composed of curiosity and disbelief. ‘You’re on the brink of nailing Dursley for the nightmare he’s caused, yet you appear lost in a whimsical daydream.’

  Luke sat up straighter and sobered his expression. ‘Not at all. Where’s the brandy?’

  ‘Where it always is.’ Max nodded towards the sideboard. ‘Help yourself.’

  Luke had his back turned as he poured two glasses, but that didn’t buffer the shock of his friend’s next comment.

  ‘You didn’t kiss the governess, I hope.’

  ‘What difference would that make?’ Luke managed a mask of impassivity before he returned with their liquor, mentally stringing curses together at his friend’s perspicuity.

  ‘So you did.’ Max chuckled, though his laugh expressed anything but humour.

  ‘I didn’t say I did,’ Luke reminded. Did it show? He failed to label their kiss as anything less than extraordinary and at the same time better sense warned he was being fanciful. Somehow, she’d awakened his soul with that kiss, forced him to see discarded possibilities and perhaps, just this once, believe in a better future.

  ‘You didn’t have to and I don’t blame you. She’s certainly pretty enough.’ Max gave a low, appreciative whistle. ‘All that hair tucked up in a tidy bun, the forbidden aura that accompanies a strict governess. It makes one wonder what other secrets she keeps, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Keep your wandering eyes and wondering questions to yourself.’ Luke took a swallow of brandy and grunted his disapproval. ‘You have a beautiful wife and a child on the way,’ he clarified with patience, as if to summon control and convince himself his friend meant to jest.

  ‘Oh, there’s no need to remind me of that. Vivienne and our soon-to-be family are my whole world.’ Max donned a wide grin.

  A beat of silence followed the honest admission. Max was content. In a world where Luke and his friends had beaten the odds of survival, love was nothing more than a high-stakes wager. And as with all bets, one didn’t always win. Most lost as a matter of circumstance. But for the few who succeeded, the winning proved all the sweeter.

  ‘How’s Cole?’ Luke’s friends had married, one after the other, leaving him the odd man out. In truth, he was so consumed by his search for Nate he rarely gave their surrender to perdition a second thought.

  ‘Good old Mr Goodworth.’ This time Max’s laughter rang true.

  ‘I still can’t believe he led a dual life all those years.’ Luke nodded in emphasis.

  ‘Me either. Cole succeeded in duping us all. Gaming-hell entrepreneur at night, goodwill ambassador for the downtrodden and needy during the daylight hours. He’s outdone us both on that aspect, although in a way we all live two lives, don’t we?’ Max set his glass down on the desktop. ‘No one would suspect that I, proprietor of The Underworld, rub Milk of Roses on Vivienne’s stomach every evening before we go to sleep.’

  Luke coughed, nearly choking on his brandy. ‘A little too much information there.’

  They shared another chuckle.

  ‘So, what’s your plan?’ Max continued. ‘You should know Dursley came by the hell slinging accusations and claiming you’d stolen something of his. Cole and I would have found the altercation humorous if Nate’s wellbeing didn’t hang in the balance. Bloody ironic, though.’

  ‘That’s putting it mildly.’ Luke inhaled, blowing out frustration on the next breath. ‘Tomorrow morning I’ll summon Dursley to a meeting and, when I have the bastard at the hell, present Georgina and her testimony. I can leverage her claims, threaten Dursley with exposure, scandal, and with any luck get to the core of the problem. To this day, I have no idea why he would want Nathaniel or what he means to gain by stealing my son.’ He clenched his jaw and muttered a nasty oath. ‘When we first came to London years ago, Dursley wanted nothing to do with us. No relationship beyond a word with me or my son. He sure as hell didn’t like my success at The Underworld either. Books at White’s and the like show he’d wagered the hell would fail and I’d lose my investment. Instead he came out on the other end of that one, didn’t he?’

  ‘Could he be on the ropes? Desperate for funds and too proud to ask you for a loan?’ Max’s sober expression mirrored Luke’s.

  ‘Then where’s the blackmail? The ransom note?’ Luke stood, pacing to the sideboard and replacing his empty glass for no other reason than to expend restless energy. ‘Nothing makes sense and I may never know what drives him, but I want my son returned. How dare the bastard steal my boy.’ He beat down an automatic spike of frustration, anger and outrage combined with the anguish of being separated. Deep down, in the darkest recesses of his soul, the forbidden notion that Dursley had nothing to do with Nate’s disappearance threatened to rear up and ignite panic. But with a determined effort, Luke locked it away, unable to bear the thought of that horrific suggestion.

  ‘Like I said, ironic, isn’t it?’ Max joined him. ‘Dursley’s the one with the title and reputation, yet he’s stooped to something nefarious, while your aim is genuine and honourable.’

  ‘By this time tomorrow we should know whether or not I have hope of finding Nate.’ The words were nothing more than a low murmur.

  ‘You have my support in any manner needed.’

  Chapter Eleven

  Dinner was an animated affair. Sophie stayed for the meal and Cole Hewitt and his wife, Gemma, arrived to join the gathering. All in all, Georgina admired the sincerity and affection abounding in the sophisticated, parquet-floored dining room. She’d managed a short nap after finding her guestroom, though the rest did little to extinguish the incommodious suggestion Vivienne and Gemma colluded to match Luke and Sophie. She had no business being bothered by this bit of friendly matchmaking, yet it persisted like an itchy bug bite, forcing her to look inward and examine feelings, all of which were rather murky in nature and otherwise tangled and confused.

  Now Georgina ran an eye down the table, noting the deliberate seating arrangement to find no peace in the process. Husbands and wives were arranged as expected, beside each ot
her, with Max and Vivienne at the head of the elegantly set table. Luke held a place at the foot and she and Sophie flanked him on either side. Georgina was hard-pressed to find fault with her new friend. Lady Sophie Daventry portrayed the epitome of gentility in every form.

  The lady’s blue eyes twinkled with inner light and her cheeks held a natural rosy hue that could not be acquired by rouge, instead lending the appearance of subtle beauty rather than the heated flush which ruined Georgina’s colouring too often. In a brisk fit of mental accountability, Georgina examined and dismissed every way in which she fell short of Sophie’s loveliness. She pushed a half-eaten bite of asparagus across her plate and wondered why she hadn’t let her hair down? Despite an able maid supplied by her hostess, Georgina had insisted the girl arrange her hair in a twist and pin it above her nape. Now she felt dowdy and plain, not at all in kind to the shimmering silk and lute-string gowns adorning her female company. To that point, Georgina’s dress was simple in design, though she’d previously considered the hue of the muslin complimentary to her fair skin. She’d always favoured this ‘governess’ gown above her others, but now could only measure in comparison and find fault promptly after, the sleeves too straight, the neckline too conservative. She’d abandoned her jewellery when she’d fled London because why would a governess own a ruby necklace or emerald and diamond bracelet? But how she wished for a simple pair of earbobs at the moment. Anything to enhance her appearance. She flicked the bedraggled asparagus spear to the edge of her plate, taking out her displeasure on the defenceless vegetable.

  ‘Do tell us how you became a governess, Georgina.’ Cole’s wife, Gemma, posed the suggestion as the footmen collected the soup bowls and prepared for the main course.