AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She inclined her head with a smile.
“Very well then, would you care for a game of chess?”
Her eyes gleamed. “Lead the way.”
* * *
He bowed, offering her his arm and leading her towards the stairs. They went to an as yet unexplored wing of the house for Letty, the south wing. According to Mrs. Gendry, the Duke and the late Duchess had their rooms in that wing but after she died, he had shut down the entire wing, furniture covered with sheets and doors locked.
So it was with much trepidation that Letty watched as they paused in front of a door and the Duke dug a key out of the pocket of his waistcoat. She held her breath as he opened the door and stood aside for her to enter. To her surprise, the room did not have an abandoned feel to it. There was no dust on the furniture and the sun shone from the large bay windows, bathing the room in golden light. The luxurious red velvet sofa that stood in the middle of the room gleamed as if someone had just been in to dust it. The mahogany table in front of it, shone as if buffed and polished that morning. Next to the window was a small desk on which sat a chess set.
Two chesterfields dressed in flowered satin upholstery sat on either side of the desk. Bertram turned to her. “My wife and I used to sit here and play, sometimes all night. We were extremely competitive with each other.”
Letty stared at him uncertainly. “And are you sure you do not mind playing with me?”
He turned to her with a frown. “Why would I mind?”
She swallowed, blinking a few times. “Does it not bring back…sad memories?”
Bertram smiled. “No. Playing chess with Victoria is a happy memory for me and it would give me great pleasure to share this pastime with you.”
Letty smiled, her heart heavy with the weight of expectation. “I shall try to be worthy of your trust.”
“Ah, you should pay more attention to living up to your own expectations rather than catering to mine. I feel confident that I will defeat you soundly.”
Letty had to laugh out loud at that. “All right then, Your Grace, let’s play.” She crossed resolutely to the desk and reached for the seat. Before she could touch it, the Duke was there, pulling the chair back for her. She nodded her thanks as she took the seat and watched as he walked across from her and sat down. He smiled, gesturing towards the chess set.
“My grandfather brought this set back with him from India. It was carved for him by an Indian native with uncommon skill. If you look closely, each piece is a different animal.”
Letty peered down at the set, spotting a leopard, and an elephant, a monkey, and a panther. At least that’s what they looked like according to the books she’d read. “Outstanding,” she murmured.
“Indeed. Many a nobleman has offered me a pretty pound to obtain it.” Bertram grinned proudly.
“I take it you turned them all down?” Letty said drily.
“Of course. This set is irreplaceable.”
Letty breathed in deep in order to calm herself. “Let us play then.” She leaned over the board, plotting her path to victory. Since she had the white pieces, she would go first. She decided to go with thegiuco pianoto start them off, her intention to get to know Bertram’s style of play. She smiled. “This was a marvelous idea. Thank you for thinking of it.” She moved her pawn.
Bertram made a sound deep in his throat. “Interesting…” he murmured as he looked over the board. She watched him as he mulled over his move, appreciating the whorl of dark hair that fell across his forehead, so shiny and straight. She wanted to reach out and tweak it, just to see what he would do.
“Are you studying me or the board?” He glanced up at her, his cheekbones sharpened as he smiled.
She flushed, lashes sweeping downward to hide her eyes. “The man plays the game, not the board.”
“Very true and very wise.” He sounded supremely amused as he made a move. She cocked an eyebrow.
“I see you don’t waste much time.”
He favored her with a blue-eyed look. “When have you known me to ever do that?”
She held his gaze for a long moment before turning back to the board with a sigh. “Never.”
“There you go. Now play.”
She grinned at him, bringing her hands up to cradle her chin. “Patience Your Grace. I did not chivvy you when it was your turn, now did I?”
“That’s because I didn’t dither.”
