“A little discomfort is good for the soul. It reminds one that they are alive.” Charlotte tapped on the table with impatience. Apparently she wanted him to hurry up which tempted him to linger over his hand.
Though he could tell she was savouring the moment, she looked like a child who had just found the best pudding.
“And yet you were kind enough to free me of such pain,” Dominic pointed out as he finally made his move.One more card, and I will win.
“Well, you did look rather piteous.” Charlotte shrugged.
“Perhaps it was all part of my evil plan.”
“Which was to be so bad at the game I thought that there was no hope of you understanding it on your own?” she asked sweetly.
“Exactly. And now, I am going to beat you as a result of your own hubris.” Dominic gave her a wolfish grin, feeling confident in his victory.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him, her eyes full of mischief and challenge. “You are not.”
He swallowed. “And what makes you so sure of that?”
“Because I have just won.” She gestured to the card she had just played. Or more accurately the five impossible cards she had just played.
On the table were five identical cards, each one the two of spades. “How on Earth did you do that?”
“When I did that lap around the tables, I grabbed the two of spades from several decks on my way back. I have been waiting to pull them out for ages.”
“Thathasto be cheating.” Lady Andrea looked at the Dowager Duchess and gestured at Charlotte. “There is no way that is a legal move.”
The Dowager Duchess surveyed the group, her lips pursed. Silence settled over them, and Dominic caught sight of Charlotte’s neutral face. He could not help but be impressed at her fortitude.Few people remain stoic in the face of my Grandmother.
“You have forgotten the most important rule,” Charlotte said, not looking away from the Dowager Duchess. “This is for entertainment.”
“Three thousand points for Lady Charlotte for a truly excellent game and the sheer cheek of that last move,” the Dowager Duchess exclaimed laughing. “If any of you had been paying attention to her, you would not have been so easily tricked.”
“But —”
“No ‘buts’. What she did was deeply entertaining, and the look on your faces when she put down those twos — it was priceless.” The Dowager Duchess wiped a tear of laughter from her eyes. “I have not seen such a delightful display in an age. Absolutely wonderful.”
“So, you gave her points for sportsmanship and then points for cheating,” Lady Andrea said, frowning, but Dominic could tell she was doing her best to keep her voice from sounding like a direct challenge.
“I did. It is my party, and I can do what I like.” The Dowager Duchess waved a dismissive hand. “Now, I suggest you all get a drink and do something interesting with your evening.”
They got up from the table and walked out into the corridor. Charlotte was talking animatedly to Cecily, who had apparently been delighted by the trick. They heard the sound of a violin and a pianoforte being played.
“It sounds like the cousins are having quite the party.”
“We should join them.”
They followed the sound of music to one of the larger drawing rooms and found a selection of people scattered about. Emmeline was at the pianoforte, and one of Dominic’s second cousins was accompanying her on the violin.
As they walked into the room, a servant offered each of them a glass of wine which Dominic gratefully accepted. He took a sip, savouring the flavour.Grandmother may be utterly mad, but she does have fantastic taste in wine.
Frederick appeared after a moment, his face red as he bowed low. “Lady Charlotte, Cousin Cecily, Dorson, and Lady Andrea. How wonderful to see you all.”
“And you, Frederick.”
“Would anyone care for this next dance?” Frederick asked. “Lady Charlotte?”
Charlotte hesitated a moment. “I am rather out of practice I fear, Duke Caverton.”
“You can hardly be a worse dancer than Batty.” Frederick smiled at Charlotte as he led her towards the floor.
