I was instantly assaulted by the smell of cheroot smoke, heavy perfume, and hard liquor. Voices hummed around us, punctuated by high-pitched feminine laughter and deeper chuckles. The lighting was low, and the place was akin to a rabbit’s warren, with a dozen hallways branching off to other rooms.
If we weren’t careful, we would get lost in the maze.
After being mesmerized by the lush décor of a grand receiving room, I stared at a beautiful woman who seemed to be dressed in only peacock feathers and carried a tray balanced on one hand, admiring her confidence and graceful agility as she weaved through the crowd. Men gaped, but no one did anything untoward. I suspected that had to do with the enormous bodyguard following in her wake, who looked like he could break bones with his littlest finger.
“Will, what do you want to do first?” I said, and turned, only to see that Will and the others had disappeared. A fox-faced man with a thin mustache sneered down at me instead, and I hurriedly mumbled an apology before scurrying away. I didn’t like the avaricious look in his eyes. These kinds of clubs attracted swindlers who preyed on unsuspecting youth visiting from the nearby colleges—pigeonsas I’d read somewhere they were called. Not that I intended to be fleeced, but I was definitely out of my depth.
Gracious, where are my friends?
My gut knotted in alarm at their absence, but they had to be around here somewhere. Following the crowd, I roamed toward the back of the room, where it seemed less congested. To my right, there seemed to be a large dining room with widely spaced tables, and to my left, there was a smoking room filled with plush armchairs and comfortable seating. Neither of them stimulated my interest, so I pressed past them toward a staircase at the end. Perhaps I’d be able to spot Will if I could see from a higher vantage point.
Upstairs, there were more chambers, including a cramped billiards room and several smaller nooks with gentlemenplaying backgammon and hazard. Strolling along the plush new carpets, I admired the paintings on the walls—the art was nothing compared with what I was used to in Mayfair—but the portraits were captivating. I turned into the nearest doorway and found myself in a card room. Various games like faro and commerce were being played on baize-and-leather-covered tables while gentlemen lounged indolently, sipping on drinks supplied by smartly dressed waiters.
Now, this was a little more my style. I weaved between the tables. I enjoyed a game of whist from time to time, and while I knew the basics of card games like vingt-et-un, I’d never seen a setting quite like this, with men betting considerable sums. It was rather exhilarating!
I was contemplating sitting and looking for the least crowded table, when a familiar, handsome face caught my eye a handful of tables over.
No…
I blinked, convinced I’d imagined him there or perhaps it was only someone who resembled him, but there he was, my nemesis and the coldhearted gent I’dneverexpect to see in a place like this or doing anything remotely fun.
What on God’s green earth wasTarik St. Clairdoing here?
Chapter Seven
I do not define time, space, place and motion, as being well known to all.
—Isaac Newton
Clearly, I had been wrong about my tutor’s extracurricular activities. The soles of my feet were glued to the floor as he brooded over the hand of cards he held, his lower lip pulled between his teeth, and a lock of dark hair falling into his brow. He brushed it back lazily and set his cards down face up. My heart skipped when the dealer folded, and a satisfied smile curled St. Clair’s lips. The sight of it made me warm.
Turn around and leave. Pretend you never saw him.
Run if you know what’s good for you.
But my feet had other ideas, steadfastly propelling me forward in his direction. There was an empty seat beside him, and before I could stop myself, I cleared my throat.
“Mr. St. Clair, may I join you?” I asked as he turned those sharp blue eyes toward me. They were wide with astonishment, as though he hadn’t expected to see me either, but then a careful, studious blankness overtook his features, and he schooled theminto that bland, unreadable expression I’d become all too familiar with.
It was a mask he had perfected, I realized—his mien as the scholarly future Fellow of Trinity College. For a moment, I wanted to tear it off, witness more of the genuine person I’d just seen take pleasure in winning a game of cards.
“Lord Ansel,” he said after a moment. “What are you doing here? The Master of the College will not look too fondly upon such an outing to a gaming hell.”
“Then why are you here?” I returned. “Besides, it’s not yet curfew, and as far as I know, it’s not a crime to visit a social club.”
His eyes flashed at the defiance in my voice, but then he canted his head. “I suppose so, though this is nothing like what you’re used to in London. White’s and whatnot. At best, this would be a copper hell, quite a step down for you.”
I shrugged noncommittally. It wasn’t like I could admit that I’d never been to the illustrious and exclusive White’s, although my father was a member and seemed to enjoy his time there, along with every other British aristocrat who could afford the membership.
“What’s a copper hell?” I asked, and pulled out the empty chair.
He smirked at me before answering, gaze sliding somewhat contemptuously over my expensive coat—Ansel’sexpensive coat—snow-white cravat, and tailored waistcoat. “The not-so-luxurious gambling institutions for us poorer, more common folk.”
The dealer coughed and stared at me. “That seat is forplayers, sir. The minimum wager is five shillings.” I gulped at the amount—it wasn’t enormous, but it wasn’t small either. I know Ansel’s set wagered and lost obscene sums, but the idea of wasting my pin money on a game of chance and not saving every cent I had to buy books or build my telescope was silly to me. The risks were too high, especially when I didn’t have an income.
St. Clair sent me a sidelong glance. “Do you play vingt-et-un, Lord Ansel?”
“I’ve played a hand or two in my time, though I can’t say I’m any good.”
