street side of the wall. Hurry. I don't
want anyone to see us near your aunt's
garden."
You worry too much, Lucas." Nevertheless,
she made haste to where the dark
carriage was waiting and quickly leapt
inside.
Lucas was right behind her, taking his
weight, as usual, on his right leg as
he came through the door. In the dim
moonlight she saw him wince as he took
the seat across from her. His hand went
to his thigh and absently rubbed it.
Does your leg hurt?" Victoria asked,
concerned.
Let's just say that I am aware of it
occasionally."
And this is one of those occasions?"
Yes. Don't fret about it, Vicky."
She bit her lip. I heard from a friend
that you were wounded on the Peninsula.
Is it true?"
His eyes met hers in the shadows. I feel
much toward that subject the way you do
toward your stepfather."
Meaning you don't discuss it?" she said.
Precisely."
Dear God, Lucas, it must have been
terrible for you."
I said I do not discuss it." He stopped
massaging his leg. Now do me a favor and
pay attention. You are going to get your
heart's wish this evening. We're going to
a certain establishment that can only be
classified as a gaming hell. I do not dare
try to get you into one of my clubs. There's
too much chance someone would recognize
you, even in your disguise. In any event, I
would certainly be obliged to explain you
and I can't."
A thrill shot through her. A gaming hell.
Lucas, this is wonderful. How exciting. I
cannot wait."
Lucas sighed. I wish I could share your
enthusiasm. Vicky, these places are run
with only one object in mind and that is
to separate the client from his blunt. To
that end there is a great deal of drinking
and wenching."
Will it be dangerous?" she demanded,
growing more excited by the minute.
Lucas gave her a disapproving look.
Things do not often turn violent inside the
establishment, largely because it would be
bad for business, but there are occasionally
problems when one leaves."
What are you talking about?"
It is not unknown for someone who has
suffered heavy losses to attempt to recover
them with the aid of a knife or pistol. It
is also not uncommon for the management
to employ a certain type of debt collector
who meets one outside in an alley," he
explained.
Victoria's eyes widened. Oh."
What I am trying to say is that we must
take care. I must have your word that you
will do exactly as I instruct at all times.
We will take absolutely no chances," Lucas
ordered.
Lucas, you are far too anxious about
all this. Try to relax and calm yourself.
I assure you, I will behave sensibly." She
smiled brilliantly.
Lucas studied her smile for a moment
and groaned. Something tells me I am
going to regret this night."
Nonsense. We'll have a marvelous
time."
One of these days, Vicky, we really must
discuss my end of this bargain."
She stilled, suddenly very alert. You
said you would be content with whatever
I chose to pay."
It was Lucas's turn to smile. Victoria
shivered and turned her attention to the
view outside the carriage. The streets may
have been dark, but they certainly were not
empty. They were filled with an endless
line of carriages carrying the members of
the ton to and from their interminable
round of parties. The streets would be
busy until dawn when the elegant vehicles
would be replaced by farmers" carts and
milk wagons.
Twenty minutes later Victoria felt the
rented carriage draw to a halt. She peered
out excitedly and saw a dingy, unpromising
establishment with a broken sign hanging
over its front door. She glanced at the
faded lettering on the swinging sign.
The Green Pig?"
The name does not exactly whet one's
enthusiasm, does it?"
Do not sound so hopeful. I am not
about to change my mind at this juncture."
Somehow I didn't think you would.
Well, onward then, if you're determined
to go through with this."
If the outside of the Green Pig could be
described as dingy, the inside could only be
called sordid. Everything appeared to have
been decorated in red at one time, but the red
velvet drapes and carpets had turned
dark and sooty and indelibly stained from
years of rough wear and tear. The roaring
blaze on the hearth cast an evil light over
the entire scene, making the interior glow
like the hell it was called.
Victoria stared about in amazement as
she followed Lucas toward the bar. She
had never seen anything like this in her
life. The shadowy room teemed with men
from every walk of life, all intent on the
next roll of the dice or turn of the card.
Dandies and coachmen and professional
boxers rubbed shoulders as they crowded
around the tables. The tinkle of dice and
the accompanying shouts of triumph or
groans of despair created a continuous
din. Tension, nervous excitement, and
male sweat thickened the air, especially
around the green baize tables where players
stood three and four deep. Barmaids
circulated through the throng, using ale
and overflowing bosoms to coax reluctant
players back into a game.
Lucas thrust a tankard into Victoria's
hand. Camouflage," he muttered. It will
look odd if you are not drinking. But have
a care. The Pig is notorious for the strength
of its ale."
Do not fret, Lucas. I shall not get so
foxed that you will be obliged to carry me
out of here," Victoria assured him.
Good God, I should hope not."
Victoria took in the scene around her
as she stood sipping at the contents of the
tankard. Her eye was caught by a rather
depressed-looking man being led upstairs
by a sympathetic serving girl. When he
returned a short time later, the game ster
appeared eager to return to the fray, all
signs of depression vanquished.
Victoria was fascinated. This is amazing,
Lucas. Quite unique. Totally different from
anything I have ever witnessed before."
Lucas eyed the crowd. I am not
so certain of that. It bears a certain
striking resemblance to that crush at the
Bannerbrooks the other night, don't you
think?"
Victoria nearly choked on her laughter
<
br /> and a sip of ale. If Lady Bannerbrook
overheard that remark, I swear it would
be weeks before you received another
invitation from her."
If Lady Bannerbrook knew where you
were tonight, you would wait until the
crack of doom for another invitation from
her. What's more, you wouldn't get one
from anyone else in Society, either."
Now, do not try to terrorize me or
depress me, Lucas, I am having a
wonderful time. This is much better than
the restaurant and a thousand times better
than Vauxhall. Tell me, why on earth do
those men keep trotting upstairs with the
barmaids?"
Lucas glanced briefly toward the narrow
staircase at the far end of the room. Those
are losers who are being consoled and
encouraged to try their luck again."
Consoled?"
There are several small bedrooms up
stairs, Vicky."
She blinked, aware of the heat rising in
her cheeks. I see." She turned to peer
more closely at the newest couple on the
stairs. The man was staggering drunkenly
and had to be supported by his companion.
Victoria frowned. I do hope you have
never had occasion to climb those stairs,
Lucas."
His teeth flashed in a rare, quick grin
around the rim of his tankard. Never,
I give you my word. I told you once I
have always been extremely discriminating
in certain matters. In any event, the stairs
are primarily for losers."
And you always win," Victoria concluded
with a sense of satisfaction. Really, Lucas,
I cannot wait to throw the dice. My aunt
and I taught ourselves how to play hazard
when we were investigating a certain area of
mathematics that relates to chance. Quite
a fascinating game. Did you know that it
is far easier to throw some numbers than
others?"
I am aware of that." Lucas's tone was
exceedingly dry.
Oh, yes, of course you would be aware
of such things, wouldn't you? Well, then,
let us find ourselves a table."
Control your enthusiasm, my dear, You
do not want to throw the dice here. There
isn't an honest pair in the house."
Nonsense. You are merely saying that
to put me off. I came here to have fun
and I intend to play. I am quite a skilled
game ster, if you will recall."
Victoria, you are not quite as skilled in
such matters as you believe."
Her eyes widened innocently. But I
must be very good at gaming because I
won the night we played cards."
Victoria ."
The only other possible explanation for
your losses that evening is that you did not
play fair. But I hesitate to insult you by
making such an odious accusation."
Wise girl," Lucas said coolly.
If I did insult you, would you call me
out?" Victoria asked.
Hardly. I have a great dislike for pistols
at dawn or any other time."
An odd thing for an ex-soldier to say."
The only reasonable thing for an ex
soldier to say if you ask me."
You carry a pistol," Victoria pointed out
softly.
He shrugged. This is London and you
will insist on dragging me out into the
streets at night. I don't have much choice."
Victoria took another sip of ale and then,
feeling deliciously bold, she leaned closer.
Did you cheat that night we played cards,
Lucas? I have been dying of curiosity ever
since."
It does not signify."
Hah. If you are going to be that way,
I shall find another fashion in which to
amuse myself." Victoria started toward the
nearest table.
Victoria, wait ."
But Victoria was already making a place
for herself near the action. Half-crushed by
the press of hot, sweaty masculine bodies,
she leaned forward to peer at the play. She
was aware of Lucas moving into a position
behind her but she paid no heed. The dice
were already being handed to her. They
clicked in her palm as she shook them
and then hurled them lightly down onto
the green baize.
The young nob's got imself a main o'
seven," someone called. Instantly bets were
placed on Victoria's next roll.
Victoria felt a thrill go through her.
Seven was an excellent number for a main,
she recalled. She could almost ignore the
smell of the male bodies that crushed her
now. Knowing Lucas was at her back gave
her a heady sense of invulnerability. She
was quite safe and having a wonderful
time. She rolled the dice again.
Eleven, by God," a man yelled gleefully.
The cull's nicked it." Shouts of triumph
went up around the table.
Under cover of the din, Victoria turned
to whisper to Lucas. Nicked it? What's
that mean? I thought I'd won."
You did win. That's what nicked it"
means. Collect your stakes, Vicky. You've
had enough play," Lucas announced.
But I am winning. I cannot possibly
leave now."
A swaying, red-faced man in a threadbare
coat and a dirty cravat overheard Victoria's
remark. He rounded on Lucas, eyes glaring.
Here now, the boy's got a right to play.
You can't be draggin" him off."
The man is perfectly correct, Lucas. I
have a right to play."
Lucas ignored the man and leaned closer
to Victoria. He was clearly annoyed now.
Vicky, the management will let you win
for a while until you're hooked and then
you'll start losing. Heavily. Trust me, I
know what I'm talking about."
Well, I shall just play as long as I am
winning," she assured him cheerfully, and
turned back to the table. She thought she
heard Lucas swear softly and succinctly as
she returned to the fray, but the shouts of
her enthusiastic fellow players drowned out
the words.
Ten minutes later her excellent luck
turned with a vengeance, just as Lucas
had predicted. Victoria watched in shock
as she lost all her accumulated winnings in
one throw of the dice. Angrily she turned
to whisper again to Lucas.
Did you see that? How could that
happen? I was winning, Lucas. I cannot
believe my luck would suddenly alter in
such a fashion."
Lucas led her away from the table.
That's the thing about luck, especially
in a place such as this. I did warn
you."
You needn't look so smug, you know.
I was winning. Furthermore, I ."
But Lucas was no longer paying any
attention to her. His gaze, which had been
unobtrusively scanning the room, stopped
abruptly on a g
roup of card players in the
corner. Damn it to hell."
What's wrong?" Victoria glanced at the
card table.
I chose this place because I was fairly
certain we would not run into any of your
acquaintances here, but it appears I was
wrong. We must leave at once."
Lucas, do stop fretting so. No one will
recognize me. One sees only what one
expects to see and no one I know will
expect to see me here dressed as a man,"
Victoria argued.
I am taking no chances. Come along,
Vicky." Lucas started toward the door.
Reluctantly she followed, casting one
last, annoyed glance at the card table.
Good grief, that's Ferdie Merivale, isn't
it?"
None other."
He appears quite drunk, Lucas. Look
at him, he's barely able to sit in his chair
and yet he is trying to play cards," Victoria
noted, concerned.
So he is. With Duddingstone, no less.
Which means that Merivale will no doubt
part with a large portion of the fortune he
recently inherited. Stop dawdling, Vicky."
What do you know of this Dudding
stone?"
He's an excellent player, a brilliant
cheat, and completely without conscience.
He's not above taking advantage of a
young fool like Merivale. Does it quite
regularly, in fact."
Victoria halted abruptly. Then we must
do something."
I am trying to do something. I am
trying to get you out of here before Ferdie
Merivale recognizes you."
He is in no shape to recognize me or
anyone else. Lucas, we cannot leave him in
Duddingstone's clutches. I am friends with
Ferdie's sister, Lucinda. I simply cannot
stand by and let poor Ferdie be fleeced
by a notorious player. He's a nice boy."
We are not going to stand by and
watch. We are going to leave at once."
No, Lucas. I must insist we do
something."
Lucas turned around and glowered at
her. What, exactly, do you suggest we
do?"
Victoria considered the problem. You
will simply have to interrupt the play and
persuade Ferdie to leave."
My God. You don't ask much, do you?
What if Ferdie doesn't wish to leave?"
You must make him do so."
Impossible. That will cause a scene and
that is the last thing we can afford."
Do not worry about me, Lucas. I shall
wait here near the door. Ferdie will never
see me. All you have to do is fetch him
out of here and put him in a carriage and
send him home."
You are the one I intend to put into
a carriage and send home," Lucas said
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