The Lady's Gamble

by Abby Ayles

  “You knew my family?” Regina had never heard of the Dunhills.

  “This was before your mother passed away,” Cora said. “I should have known. You have her eyes.”

  Cora gave a little sigh. “She was a most remarkable woman, you know. I was the little spitfire as a child, let me tell you. I admired your mother to distraction. My own mother was a rather stern woman.”

  “Still is,” Lord Mannis quipped. “I’m certain that last time we met she tried to set me on fire with her gaze alone.”

  “Your mother was so close to her daughters. They all worshipped her.” Cora sounded unbearably happy and sad all at once. “I was envious. I wanted a mother like her.”

  Then she laughed. “Oh you should have heard me when the rumors started. Saying your mother was having an affair. I defended her. Quite loudly and rudely, in fact. I offended a great many people.”

  “How is it that I have never heard of you?” Regina asked. Bridget had never mentioned them knowing a Lord or Lady Dunhill or their child.

  “My parents had already thought your family a bit below our standing,” Cora explained. “Once I started making a nuisance of myself over your mother, they found it the perfect excuse to end our acquaintance.

  “And I’m not at all surprised you’ve never heard of us. I fear your sisters quite forgot about the skinny little girl they used to know. Your mother’s death threw your household into quite the tizzy. I know Bridget had a time of it. She’d become the lady of the household. And at such a young age.”

  “What was she like?” Regina asked. “Bridget, I mean.”

  Cora cleared her throat. “She was—well. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you of her virtues. From what I hear she’s quite the belle of the ball. She was rather the same as a child.

  “I was always getting her into trouble. Poor thing was a saint to put up with me. My greatest joy in life was disobeying my parents. I often dragged Bridget along with me in my schemes. She was too sweet a girl to say no.”

  “You ought to come and visit her,” Regina said. “We are in sore need of friends right now. I am certain she would welcome your presence.”

  To her surprise, Cora went a little pale. “Oh, no. I’m sure I am not wanted. Your sister has forgotten me, I am certain.”

  Regina was surprised. Bridget would never forget so dear a friend as it seemed Cora had been. And she knew of no one who wouldn’t want to spent time with Bridget.

  Before she could say anything, Lord Harrison spoke up. “I thought we’d come to play cards, hmm? I plan to clean you all out by the end.”

  “You always clean us all out,” Miss Eliza replied. “Would it do you injury to let someone else win for once?”

  “Come now, you know that would injure his pride,” Lord Mannis said. “And in front of his lady, as well.”

  “She’s not my lady,” Lord Harrison said. His jaw, Regina noticed, was firmly clenched.

  “I’m sure that’s why he organized this game,” Cora said. “To show off for her.”

  Regina wanted to protest that this was not why Lord Harrison had organized this game. But then, they would inquire as to why she was there. If she wasn’t his cousin or his betrothed, why was she with them?

  She couldn’t tell them the truth. If more people knew, then the more likely the secret of her plan would get out. She couldn’t risk Lord Pettifer knowing about it.

  If Lord Harrison hadn’t told them the true reason for their visit, then he obviously thought the same thing. They couldn’t risk it. Not even such close friends as these could know.

  But then what was she to do? They all seemed convinced that she and Lord Harrison were together.

  She looked to Lord Harrison. Sensing her gaze, he looked over at her. Their gazes locked.

  He really did have such warm eyes, she thought. She felt quite safe when he was gazing at her like that. It made her feel like she could trust whatever he said or did. He’d be taking care of her.

  Lord Harrison gave a heavy sigh. Regina thought it a bit too heavy. It was put upon, she realized. He was exaggerating it.

  Then he reached up and skimmed his fingertips along her cheek.

  Regina froze. In fact she quite forgot to breathe.

  He trailed his fingers up her cheek until he reached a lock of hair that had sprung free. Gently, slowly, he tucked the hair behind her ear.

  His eyes were on hers the entire time. Regina’s heart was racing. She felt oddly warm all over.

  “All right, you’ve found us out,” Lord Harrison said. He was speaking to the others but still looking at Regina.

  What was he seeing in her, in that moment? Was he imagining someone else? Bridget, perhaps?

  “Takes a brave man to admit when he’s been found out,” Lord Quentin said. His tone was light and he was obviously teasing. “I suppose her family doesn’t approve? Hence the secrecy?”

  “Among other things,” Lord Harrison replied. “It’s complicated.”

  He dropped his hand from Regina’s face. She sucked in a great lungful of air. It had felt like she couldn’t breathe while he was touching her. She’d been too warm.

  “Forbidden love.” Miss Eliza nodded sagely. Then she broke out into a grin. “Always the most fun.”

  “Well come on, then,” Lord Mannis said. He waved his hand at them. “Let’s see a proper kiss.”

  Regina gaped at him. She couldn’t—they couldn’t—Lord Harrison was in love with Bridget!

  Lord Harrison fixed them all with a fierce glare. Regina would certainly never want him to glare at her in such a fashion. “I am not going to subject Miss Regina to your schemes and teasing. Have some respect.”

  “Oh come now,” Miss Eliza gestured at them. “You’re among friends. Don’t pretend that this card game wasn’t a clandestine way to introduce her to us.”

  Regina felt completely trapped. Looking at Lord Harrison, she could see that he felt the same way. She wasn’t sure that his friends recognized it. But his jaw was still clenched and there was a tense light in his eyes.

  Well, they certainly weren’t going to get out of this. The group seemed a determined sort. They liked to tease one another and unless Regina could find a distraction or some way to shut them up, they’d keep poking at this. At least until they got what they wanted.

  Considering all she was doing, a kiss was a small indiscretion. Even if it would be her first.

  Really, it shouldn’t be a big deal. As much as society liked to make a big deal of men and women touching. But she had no idea how to do it. Her inexperience was what scared her.

  What if they kissed and everyone could tell that she had no clue what to do? What if she came across as a silly little girl? She hated to be seen that way. It was all that anyone ever saw of her.

  There was nothing for it, however. Lord Harrison’s jaw unclenched the slightest bit. His lips quirked wryly and she could practically read his thoughts. He’d come to the same conclusion that she had.

  Might as well do it to shut them up, she could practically hear him thinking.

  She wasn’t surprised when his hand came up again. This time it cupped her cheek. Regina tilted her face into it instinctively. His hands were large, she’d always realized that. But now they felt larger. Magnified.

  Regina found herself leaning into the warm palm of his hand. Like she was a plant, soaking up the warmth of him. Harrison’s thumb gently brushed against her skin, once, twice.

  Then he leaned in. Her eyes swept closed, and not just because that was how she’d seen others do it. She herself had never experienced it. Nobody’d ever wanted to kiss her. Why would they when she had four better looking sisters to try for?

  But no, she was closing her eyes because she couldn’t bear to keep them open. She couldn’t handle the look on Harrison’s face. Whatever that look might be.

  Would he be faking a lovelorn expression? Would he seem amused? Or would she see nothing but hidden frustration?

  She was scared to know the answer.
So she closed her eyes.

  She could feel the heat of Lord Harrison’s breath upon her face for just one moment, and then—then it was gone.

  Regina opened her eyes to see Lord Harrison pulling away. He looked at the others. “No, I do not think so. I will not risk her reputation just to mollify all of you and your curiosity.”

  “I think that we have pushed him too far,” Lady Cora noted.

  “Whatever you may think—and perhaps our relationship is the way you think it is—I will not provide proof that can be used against Miss Regina later.” Lord Harrison pulled his hand away and Regina had to resist the urge to gasp at the loss of the contact.

  The other three at the table looked properly chastened.

  Regina knew that she should be relieved. She should be celebrating the continuation of her virtue and that Lord Harrison was not willing to risk compromising her. This was a good thing.

  Yet in a sudden, humiliating rush, she found herself missing the opportunity to kiss him.

  Chapter 14

  Regina struggled to catch her breath. Everyone else had gone back to their card game as if nothing had happened. And perhaps, for them, it was nothing—just a little friendly teasing taken too far.

  And yet, Regina felt a little like the world had tilted underneath her. Everything was now off kilter. It had been nothing, really. Just a hand to her cheek and the almost-kiss. Nothing for her to get so excited over, and certainly nothing to be mourning. Yet the heat in her stomach wouldn’t go away.

  “Are we going to finish this game now?” Cora asked. She sounded incredibly bored.

  “Ah, of course, the game,” Lord Mannis said. “Not that it’s nearly as fascinating as Harrison’s young love here.”

  For the first time, Regina felt aware of the age difference between her and Harrison. She blushed, heat rising in her cheeks. She was nothing but a girl to him.

  Why did that thought upset her?

  “I think you’ve embarrassed the both of us enough,” Harrison said. He reached an arm around Regina’s shoulders, tucking her into his side.

  The warmth of him was comforting, as was the weight of his arm and the solidness of his chest. She knew it was all a lie for his friends. Yet she found herself relaxing into it anyway.

  “I’ll thank you for leaving alone any comments about Miss Regina and our relationship,” Harrison added.

  “If you insist,” Lord Mannis said. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

  They all returned to playing the game. But for the life of her, Regina couldn’t remember a single thing about it.

  Chapter 15

  After the card game Regina expected everyone to leave. To her surprise, they all stayed.

  Harrison had dinner served and everyone adjourned into the dining room. Regina was once again seated next to him. This time he was on her right. On her left was Lord Quentin.

  Directly across from her was Lord Mannis. On the left, Miss Emily. On the right, Cora.

  “I hope you will forgive the simplicity of the menu,” Harrison said. Regina had taken to calling him that in her head. At this point it seemed silly to keep adding the ‘Lord’ at the beginning.

  “You know I don’t care so long as there’s wine,” Lord Mannis said.

  “And he wonders why his health declines so rapidly,” Miss Emily said with a heavy, exaggerated sigh.

  Regina kept quiet. She’d been quiet throughout the card game. Hopefully none of the others would notice that her quiet had changed after the almost-kiss.

  Before, she had been quiet because she had been observing. Harrison had been right, she had learned a lot about how to read other players. But now… now she was quiet because her thoughts were in turmoil.

  She was quite embarrassed, for one thing. Kissing was something to be done in private. She also felt oddly ashamed, although she knew logically that she had no reason to be. Kisses were private but not shameful.

  It was just—Harrison was in love with someone else. Her sister, Bridget. And now she was reminded that she’d practically sold her sister to Harrison to get his help.

  The feelings of heat and anticipation she’d felt when she’d been nearly kissed certainly weren’t helping. Regina put that down to it being her first real kiss, anyway. And Harrison was a handsome man. There was no denying that.

  But to focus on it as anything more than that? Folly. And now she was spending all of this time dwelling on it.

  She felt the warmth from Harrison’s body before she saw him lean into her. “I hope they didn’t embarrass you too much.”

  He sounded amused but also wary. She looked up into his face and saw his brows drawn together—he was truly concerned about her.

  “I apologize if I’ve been quiet. I just have this… fear, I suppose you might call it. I fear saying the wrong thing.”

  “You’re in good company here,” Harrison replied. “I don’t think any of us has learned proper manners.”

  “You certainly are all rather…” Regina searched for words.

  “Unconventional?” Harrison suggested. His lips twitched in amusement.

  Regina nodded. “Yes. Let us go with that.”

  He gave a low laugh that she felt all the way at the base of her spine.

  “I suppose that is what happens when society and fortune are less than kind. You’re getting a taste for it yourself, my little gambler.”

  Regina felt herself instinctively puff up with pride at the possessive tone in his voice and his choice of words. The ‘my’ in there made her feel…

  She didn’t know. It just made her feel happy.

  Regina shook herself out of such feelings. Harrison was merely being teasing again. It seemed to be his natural state.

  “It seems nice,” she said. “That you have all found one another.”

  “We can be ourselves when we are together,” Harrison replied. “We will keep our secret for now, to be on the safe side. But other than our little scheme, you can trust them. You are in good company here.”

  “Oi, you two, stop whispering sweet nothings,” Lord Mannis said.

  “I think Harrison is rather scheming with her,” Cora said. “He has that look in his eye.”

  “Planning to run away to Gretna Green, no doubt,” Lord Quentin said.

  Regina was seized with a desire to one-up them. She wanted to banter with these people. She wanted to prove that she was able to hold her own against them in wit.

  “How do you know that we have not already done so?” She asked, turning to look Lord Quentin in the eye.

  Lord Quentin choked on his wine. Harrison barked out a laugh.

  “Quite the little minx when she wants to be, isn’t she?” He said. He reached an arm around Regina’s shoulders again, drawing her to him.

  She looked up into his face. Harrison was smiling down at her. He had a proud and mischievous smile on his face.

  Oberon, Regina thought. She smiled back at him.

  “Oh goodness, stop looking sickeningly in love for two seconds,” Cora snapped. “Some of us are pining in vain over here, you know.”

  “Don’t be bitter, darling, it gives you wrinkles,” Miss Eliza said, passing Cora a plate of potatoes.

  “If you did go to Gretna Green and got yourselves married,” Lord Mannis said, “And didn’t tell me, your best friend…”

  “Lord Quentin is my best friend,” Harrison said.

  “And didn’t tell me, your best friend,” Lord Mannis repeated with emphasis.

  Lord Quentin casually sent Lord Mannis a rude gesture.

  “Gentlemen, if we could not go to pistols at dark over something that actually hasn’t even happened yet…” Miss Eliza said.

  “Dark?” Cora asked. “Doesn’t really have a ring to it, does it? Not like ‘pistols at dawn.’”

  “I hate getting up early in the morning,” Miss Eliza explained.

  “What I would like,” Lord Quentin said, “Is to know a bit more about Miss Regina. All that we know is her family
name and that she has at least one sister. Personally, if she’s run away with Harrison’s heart, I should like to know more about her.”

  “Hear, hear,” said Miss Eliza.

  Regina realized that four pairs of eyes were now on her. She wanted to shrink back against Harrison. Perhaps even to bury her face into his chest simply so that she didn’t have to look at anyone. But that was not only childish, it was wildly inappropriate.

  “There’s not much about me to know,” Regina admitted.

  “Surely there must be something,” Miss Eliza said.

  “No girl raised by Miss Bridget Hartfield could be boring,” Cora stated.

  “Oh, but I am,” Regina said. “Bridget’s the star of the family. My sister Elizabeth, you might have heard of her, she’s made a name for herself for her temper.”

  “And her middle sister Miss Natalie has made a name for herself as a flirt,” Harrison added.

  “Is Elizabeth Hartfield the one that Denny likes?” Lord Mannis asked.

  “Does everyone besides Elizabeth know that he feels for her?” Regina blurted out.

  She wasn’t surprised that she didn’t know about such things. But for Mr. Denny to be pining and Elizabeth to know nothing of it was surprising.

  “Poor man has taken great pains to hide it,” Harrison said. “Your sister is not known for being gentle with suitors.”

  This was true. Regina could hardly refute that.

  “You mean to say you have three sisters?” Miss Eliza asked.

  “Four. I have another sister, Louisa.”

  “It goes Bridget, Louisa, Natalie, Elizabeth, and then little Puck here,” Harrison explained.

  “You gave her a nickname,” Miss Eliza said. “I am going to be sick in the soup tureen.”

  “By all means,” Harrison replied, not at all perturbed by this announcement. “I hate that tureen, it was a gift from a ghastly great-aunt.”

  “Surely you have interests,” Cora said. “You don’t sit around and do nothing all day.”

  “I like to read,” Regina said. “Lord Harrison was kind enough to show me his library. I’ve spent days in it. I’ve read every book in our library at home.”