Page 28 of The Duke on Her List
Michael dealt out the cards, and William gave a brief summary of the rules of the game. Stephen kept his eyes on Agnes as she sorted through her cards. Was he watching her with such scrutiny because he wanted to make sure he won the hand? Or was he looking for something else?
Gabriel’s skin crawled.
This had been a bad idea.
They should never have come in here. When she had offered him the chance to abandon his promise, he should have taken her up on it.
But then…she did say she was going to do this with or without me. And I know how tenacious she is. If I weren’there, she would have done it on her own, and that would be a great deal more dangerous.
She played the hand and lost, as he’d predicted she might, but she took it with good grace and laughed as the pot was collected. “That was a mighty good time,” she said. “Thank you so much, gentlemen. I’m glad I had the opportunity to try this game. But I’m afraid my cousin over there will want to be moving on now. He isn’t a big supporter of gambling, and I think he’s unhappy with my choice to sit down at the table at all.”
“Well, you don’t have to do as your cousin tells you,” Stephen said. “Stay and play a few more hands with us while he finishes off that drink he has. He won’t mind waiting.”
“No, I really ought to go,” Agnes said. “You’ve been very kind.”
She began to get to her feet.
Quick as a snake, Stephen shot out a hand and closed it around her wrist, holding her in place.
He looked at her arm—slim and delicate in his grip—and then back up at her face.
He frowned.
Gabriel was around the table and by his side so quickly that he almost didn’t know what had happened. He grabbed Stephen by the collar and hoisted him up out of his chair, a snarl ripping from his throat.
“You keep your hands to yourself,” he growled.
“Hey!” Stephen protested. “I didn’t do anything!”
“I saw you put your hand on my cousin. Don’t you dare touch him again, or this will come to blows.”
“I didn’t hurt him,” Stephen snapped, pushing at Gabriel’s hands. Gabriel let him go, and he staggered back. “I was just trying to get him to stay for another round! It’s his first game of vingt-un, and he lost the hand—I thought he might like to try again! I didn’t realize he was related to amadman,or I wouldn’t have bothered!”
Rage coursed through Gabriel?—
But Agnes was moving in front of him, putting herself in his way. Right in between him and Stephen. “Stop this,” she said firmly. “Gabriel—I’ll play another hand. Stephen is right. I had a good time, and I’d like to see if I can win one before I stop.”
“Jack, come over here. I’d like to speak with you.”
“Is he bothering you?” Stephen asked Agnes.
Gabriel looked back at Stephen. “If you try to prevent me from speaking privately to my cousin, wewillhave a problem. I hope that’s clear.”
“I’ll just be a moment,” Agnes said, and stepped to the side with Gabriel.
Gabriel lowered his voice. “I think he might recognize…what you truly are.” That moment, when Stephen had had his hand on her wrist, he had seemed to notice something. Perhaps he’d realized she was too delicate to be a man.
“He doesn’t know anything,” Agnes said.
There was a hint of nervousness on her face, but only a hint.”
Gabriel shook his head. “You really do enjoy making things difficult.
“Just a few more hands.”
“Very well.” He went back to the table. All three men looked up at him as Agnes resumed her original chair, clearly waiting to see whether he had accepted the situation or if he was going to try again to intervene.
It’s both, you scoundrels. She wants to play, so I’ll let her play. But don’t think for a moment that I’m not going to involve myself in this.
