Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“No. It is simply a chance for a high-stakes game for those who can afford it. I understand he has a very extravagant event planned to cover up his real reason for the gathering.”
“So he is going further into debt to cover it.”
“Yes.”
“It would seem that he is still naught but a simpleton with more ideas than brains.”
Edward inclined his head in agreement.
“And we have all his tricks memorized and ready to counter?”
“I am unsure, my lord. Do you?” he replied with a grin.
I laughed, enjoying our back-and-forth as I always did.
Edward and I had a relationship that was rare. It mattered not to either of us that I was a marquess and he non-titled. We never had anything but honesty and friendship between us—even if I paid him a handsome sum for his services. He was fast to put me in my place if needed, and I respected that honesty above all else.
“I have practiced with you so often, I can’t imagine him defeating me,” I mused. “The trick will be to lead him on, letting him think he is winning. And to know when to press my luck with my own trick.”
Edward made a low noise of agreement in his throat.
“I have memorized the markings on the cards. Both the deck he will play with and the one we will swap out.” I had studied them for so long, the hard-to-see markings were burned into my memory. “His accomplice did an incredible job,” I observed. “If your spy hadn’t told us about them, we’d be none the wiser.” I scowled in anger. “Nor would anyone else he has ever fleeced.”
“Yes. You will have to lose some but stay in the game.” He stood, pouring us each a scotch. He handed me a glass, and I sipped the smoky liquid, savoring the richness of the liquor. It was worth having it smuggled in. “And you must show little interest in the land beside Wheaton.”
“He knows it is I who had been trying to buy it.”
“But he thinks you changed your mind and decided it was worthless.”
I lit a cheroot—a terrible habit, but one I only fell back on when angry or upset.
“It is worthless the way he has let it decay.”
“Now is your chance to win it back.”
I nodded, lifting my glass. “When?”
“A fortnight.”
“And you are sure I will receive an invite?”
“I saw the guest list myself. All wealthy, titled gentlemen. He despises you, but he wants your money.”
“He shall be disappointed.”
Edward grinned and raised his glass. “Indeed.”
“Then let us prepare.”
CHAPTER 1
ALEXANDER
Isurveyed the trunks strapped to the carriage, resisting the urge to refuse to take them or the items they contained. But I knew I would have to keep up appearances for the duration of the invitation, which meant several clothing options. I sighed, thinking how much I would prefer to be headed directly to Wheaton rather than Cliffwood, Barnett’s estate.
Edward appeared beside me with a grin. “At least we shall be out of London,” he observed, reading my mind.
He was correct. I preferred the country. The soft sounds of the wind in the trees and the scent of the earth rich in my nose. The quiet that permeated the walls of my favorite place in the world—my own country estate, Wheaton. I loved to work the dirt with my farmers, sit and discuss crop rotation and planting. I enjoyed using my hands to build. To put my body to the test with the manual labor most gentlemen of my standing would never dream of doing. It was at Wheaton I felt most like the man I wished to be. I had no airs to put forth, no false face to present.
I only came to London when absolutely necessary. I found the smells and crowds displeasing. The constant invitations, the mamas ever hopeful I would cast an eye toward their daughter to be my marchioness. The too-loud and smoke-filled rooms of the clubs frequented by my peers. It was all wearisome. It made me ill-tempered and snappish. I knew behind my back I was called cold. Removed. Unfeeling.
I let the gossipmongers have their say—I wasn’t bothered by it.
Edward found my nonchalance amusing.
“Are the horses ready?”
“Of course. I made sure Knight was prepared.”
“Excellent. He’ll be happy to return to Wheaton as well. We can run for miles there.”
My favorite steed was a massive black stallion with a streak of gray across his face and the same color in his mane. He stood tall and proud, headstrong and powerful. We rode well together. I was looking forward to doing so once we left London behind us. The carriage could catch up as we stopped to rest.
I clapped my hand on Edward’s shoulder. “Then let us depart and finish this game we have been playing for too long. I want my property back intact, and I want Barnett back where he belongs. In the dust.”