Page 5 of A Game of Hazard

Puzzled, Giles followed her from the cardroom and along an ill-lit corridor into the library. Lady Osbourne seated herself behind a desk and indicated a chair in front of it. Most peculiar! He knew he was about to be quizzed, but used to the rough simplicity of army life, he had no idea what to expect nor how to deal with it.

“I hope I haven’t genuinely offended your ladyship. I assure you—it was done in complete ignorance.”

“Never mind that. I have a proposition to put to you which will be to your advantage.”

A proposition, indeed? The only proposition he was interested in hearing these days was one which would enable him to catch the ringleader of the Dorset Circle of smugglers. Although he was doing his duty, he’d been offered a share of the reward money—a vital contribution to his sisters’ dowries. However, Lady Osbourne was hardly likely to give up information about the Circle, even if she had any.

He cocked his head to one side and waited.

“I understand that your circumstances could be improved. Forgive me for being indelicate.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “I’m a military man, my lady. I’m not likely to be put to the blush.”

“Then I’ll be blunt. What would you say if I offered you the chance of marrying an heiress?”

Giles shook his head. This was not what he’d expected.

“I would say that you are very generous, my lady. But unnecessarily so. I don’t wish to be married. The life of an army wife is never a pleasant one, and I wouldn’t want to be beholden to an heiress—I’d rather make my fortune in my own fashion.”

“Do you mean that you’re too proud to live on another’s money?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re very blunt.”

She chuckled. “I know it. I see no point in beating about the bush. Especially not with a military gentleman such as yourself. I understand you’re currently in Bath hoping to bring to justice a notorious ring of contrabanders. I have it in my power to assist you with this, but only if you’re prepared to help me.”

He could help her by marrying an heiress? How on earth could that be?

“I’d like you to court the lady in question for a month. You may find that you change your mind about the benefits of marrying into money. If you wed the lady in question, you will no longer need to risk your life chasing down a band of desperate cutthroats for a mere two hundred guineas in reward money. Others can take up the cause in your place. Lieutenant Willmott, for example. He must need advancement as much as you do.”

“I know I risk being thrown out onto the street by saying this, but it smells of a scheme, your ladyship. I distrust women’s schemes entirely—I prefer to go about my business in a way that I understand. I won’t be drawn into plots devised by wealthy and influential people. I’m a plain man, Lady Osbourne, and thus I feel obliged to speak plainly.”

“You disappoint me, sir. Are you not the least bit interested in my proposal?”

“I regret that I am not.”

“Then I suggest we agree on a wager—I’ll make it worth your while. You’ve been lucky at cards tonight, so you may also be lucky at the dice. Will you trust to Fate?”

Giles rose to leave. “Really, my lady—I must be on my way.”

“Are you so ready then, to turn your back on the information I have for you concerning the smuggling ring?”

He grasped the back of the chair. “What information?”

“I know the name and location of the ringleader. I’ll let you have both if you win the game.”

If only that were true! “And if I lose?”

“You will, as I have said before, court the lady of my choice until the season begins next month.”

“And you expect me to marry her?” The very idea filled him with alarm.

Lady Osbourne snorted. “I doubt any coercion will be needed on my part. You’ll make your own choice, but I’m certain it’ll be the right one.”

So, he wouldn’t be forced to wed anyone. The prospect of capturing his prize and the reward money for so little effort was tempting. He looked Lady Osbourne directly in the eye, but she didn’t blink—he could read no falsehood there. Maybe he should play the game. What did he have to lose? Perhaps appearing as a besotted suitor would be good cover for him, giving him access to social events that he might not otherwise attend. He could narrow down the list of nobility and gentry with the closest ties to smuggling.

“Very well.” He returned to his seat. “What shall we play?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he realized his mistake. One should never let one’s opponent choose the game. He would have to hope that his luck held.