Page 21 of Redemption of a Marquess

Jeanine started to snort, then thought better of it. “I am not spending it,” she replied. “It is simply a stake.”

The blond gentleman to Phillips’ left traded a four of diamonds for the king Phillips had discarded. Good. It was unlikely Phillips would be able to get the king now.

Jeanine traded her queen for the two of clubs. The handsome gentleman to her left took her queen and left the four of spades. The round had reached Phillips, and he pulled another card from the deck and laid it face up with the widow. A Jack of spades. Phillips placed another fifty-pound note in the pool. The player to his left shook his head and leaned back in his chair. Janine reached for a hundred-pound note in the stack in front of the marquess.

He placed a staying hand on hers. “Perhaps you should show me your cards, Miss Matheson.”

“That would ruin the game,” she said. “If you approve the bet, no one will match me, and I won’t win as much money.” He didn’t move and she added, “If I lose, you will lose less than the cost of that waistcoat.”

His expression remained impassive. “I believe you already owe me the cost of one waistcoat.”

“All the more reason for me to make the bet.”

He remained motionless for two heartbeats, then removed his hand. She took the hundred-pound note and added it to the pool.

The handsome gentleman to her left placed a hundred pound note on top of hers. “I pray you will not hold it against me if I am the man responsible for you owing Lord Northington the price of two waistcoats.”

She shrugged. “Since I will win, that will not be an issue.”

The bet returned to Phillips. His mouth thinned, but he added another fifty-pound note, then traded the jack he’d just laid down for a six of clubs. The play was now Jeanine’s and, with a smile, she gave a small shake of her head. Two more rounds followed before the handsome gentleman picked up a nine and discarded a two. Her gaze snagged on the card and, as hoped, when Phillips added a new card to the widow, a three of diamonds, he exchanged a seven for the two.

Jeanine relaxed against her chair, intensely aware of his lordship’s eyes on her. When her turn came, she looked at the marquess, smiled, then took another hundred-pound note from his stack and added it to the pool. Phillips visibly blanched. The handsome gentleman matched her bet, but took no cards.

Phillips’ gaze locked with hers. “As you can see, Miss Matheson, I do not have the money to match your bet. I assume you will take my marker.” He reached into his coat pocket.

Jeanine shook her head. “Nae, sir, I do not accept bets from men who can’t afford to lose their money.”

His face reddened. “You mistake the lack of money on my person for an inability to pay.”

She shrugged. “Then next time, bring more money.”

Phillips opened his mouth to reply, but the marquess said, “It is the other player’s prerogative to decline a marker, Phillips.”

“She is only declining my marker because she knows that will eliminate me from the game,” he snapped.

“That is a strategy that will likely save you a great deal of money this night,” his lordship replied, then said to Jeanine, “It is your turn, Miss Matheson.”

She reached for the marquess’s pile of money. This time, he didn’t stop her when she placed five hundred-pound notes in the pool. Jeanine met the handsome gentleman’s gaze.

He angled his head slightly. “I will forfeit the bet to you.”

“Of course, you will.” She laughed. “You do not have the money to match my bet.”

“Perhaps not,” he said. “Show us your cards.”

She shook her head and laughed again. “You did not pay for the privilege of seeing my cards.”

“True,” he agreed. “But I ask it as a favor.”

Jeanine shrugged, then turned over her cards.

Laughter and murmurs rose amongst the men.

“Beat by an ace, two and three,” the handsome gentleman said. “You are a very good player, Miss Matheson. May I ask where you learned to play?”

“I have six cousins, all boys. They taught me.”

“By all that is holy, Northington, you are letting her gamble?”