Page 64 of To Ensnare a Duke

"Indeed? I merely called out a good, round figure. Besides, it's not as if you lot aren't good for it."

Apprehension drips down my spine as I tug on Portswell's sleeve. "It's so very much. Perhaps a smaller sum would be-"

"I have faith you will bring the money into our coffers. Such a delightful wedding present to me, don't you think?"

The ladies circle around, their eyes narrowing. "Forsooth, Your Grace," Madam Foxford pipes up. "As your betrothed, it should be her receiving the gift. If she wins, I feel it should be considered part of your esteem to her."

"Teresa," Foxford growls again.

"No, no. She has it right. However, since her brother is absent, I'm willing to consider all winnings a part of her dowry. Is that fair?"

She crosses her arms, earning an exasperated sigh and stern gasp from her husband. "Fair? Hardly. Acceptable? I suppose it must. We shall do our best to keep our own coffers lined and not add to yours."

Portswell chuckles as he bows. "I cannot wait to return and see the result."

The dukes file out of the dining room, each one leveling a stern glare at their wives. Cynthia stands off to the side, doing her best to smother a smile. Seeing as she has no husband to chastise her, it's as if she's free to do almost anything she wants.

However, as Norhaven follows his brother Whiteport, he inclines his head toward her. "Do well to remember your family's honor. Your father will be heartbroken if he hears of any mischief occurring."

"And you?" she hedges, keeping her tone soft. "Will you be heartbroken?"

He straightens his shoulders and looks over at his brother who gives him a quizzical look. "It is not up to me to be heartbroken or not. I just know the triplets will be devastated if deprived of your company."

With that, they exit, leaving just the ladies in the dining room. Off to the side, Aunt Amelia looks at me, as if waiting for me to say something.

"Oh," I cry out. "Let us retire to the drawing room."

Her smile is dazzling, assuring me I have spoken correctly. If only I had actually paid attention when my mother tried to teach me these things. Granted, I never thought I'd be saddled with a duke. Nothing could have prepared me for that.

CHAPTER 29

AUGUSTA

Istare at the women as they sit across and beside me, leaving Miss Campbell to mill about. Since she does not have the purse strings of a husband to fund her, it only makes sense that she does not partake.

"Forgive me, Madam," I say to the Duchess of Foxford. "I believe it is your turn."

"Oh, for goodness' sake, just call me Teresa. You're stripping me bare as it is, so you might as well call me by my Christian name."

"Agreed," the others chime in, their tones glum as they toss down useless cards.

The only person who seems happy at this arrangement is Catherine. She preens like a cat who ate the canary as she looks over at our combined tricks. No doubt the others will want to change partners at some point, leaving her at a disadvantage.

Teresa scowls at the cards and huffs. "I know it is my turn. I just detest that these cards are against me." With a harrumph, she tosses down a throwaway, ruining any possibility for her team to gather another trick. "I am bored with this. Shall we not have some other bit of amusement?"

Catherine glances over at her, a smirk tilting up her lips. "What sort of amusement do you have in mind?"

"Have any of you played questions and commands? It was introduced to me at a Michaelmas gathering."

I glance at the others before I shake my head. Thankfully, I am not the only one. With us as her captive audience, she leans in and wraps a hand around her mouth, as if imparting some grand secret.

"It is a game where we take turns asking questions. If you refuse to answer or we are not satisfied with the answer, you must pay a forfeit."

"A forfeit," I cry, shaking my head as I grin. "Surely there are better ways to win your coin back."

"Fie," she laughs. "My husband is good for it. I have no quarrel with you winning my money. More the fact that I do not wish to lose any more."

"Then what, pray tell, do you propose as a forfeit?"