Page 93 of The Smuggler’s Escape

Lady Ariadne clutched Richard’s arm. “A pen and paper? It’s truly urgent, my lord. My groom brought me some news which demands an immediate reply.”

“My desk is at your disposal,” Richard said.

“And some milk, too,” she added, “for—for I’m feeling a little unwell.”

You should do, Richard thought. “What a pity we cannot continue our game.”

“A pity indeed,” she said, “for my luck was about to turn.”

“Never mind. You only owe me a few hundreds. Shall I ask Sir William for payment?”

She flapped her hands. “Heavens, no! I have a source of funds, but it will be a fortnight or so before I can pay. I’m sure you don’t mind.”

Richard tutted. “You shouldn’t play if you can’t pay.” He pretended to consider. “Very well, but a fortnight is the most I can allow.” He ushered her into the library and rang the bell for a maid. After leaving her there with pens, paper, ink, a cup of milk, and a promise that he would be happy to frank her letter, Richard sent for mulled wine and headed to see Noelle.

~ ~ ~

By the time she reached her bedchamber again, Noelle had realized what was going on. She tossed her cloak on the bed and stormed out to confront Richard.

There he was, coming up the stairs towards her with a steaming cup of wine in his hand.

She met him on the landing. “Did you play piquet with Lady Ariadne for high stakes?” When he didn’t reply, she cried, “How could you? You knew she was forbidden to do so! How much did you win?”

Richard hunched an indifferent shoulder. “A little over two hundred pounds.” He motioned her up the stairs ahead of him.

She didn’t move. How dare he treat Lady Ariadne’s difficulties in so cavalier a manner? Not only that, how could he be so heartless as to make them worse?

Noelle put her hands on her hips and glared. “She has no way of paying that much! Sir William keeps the purse strings very tight. If he finds out, he’ll never let her into company without him.”

Again, Richard shrugged. “I don’t see what business it is of mine. She shouldn’t play if she can’t pay.” He offered her the cup of mulled wine. “I hear you have the headache. This should help.”

She ignored him. “How can you be so callous? You should forgive the debt.”

“I wouldn’t dream of offering her such an insult.”

“Why not? You insult people all the time.”

“Not in matters of pay and play.”

And men were supposedly logical beings! “Very well, I’ll play with her and let her win it back.” Some of it, at least—it would take all night to lose even half of that, and she only had an hour to spare.

“I’d rather you didn’t.” He offered her the wine once again.

She shook her head. “You what?”

“I’d rather you didn’t play piquet with Lady Ariadne tonight.”

“Why not?”

“It would be unwise.”

Noelle’s fists clenched. “Unwise?”

Richard set the wine on the landing, took her hands in his, and pried her fingers open. “What if you win? You’ll only make her problem worse.”

“I’ll make certain I don’t.”

“Nevertheless, I don’t wish you to play with her.” He pressed his lips to her knuckles.