Page 185 of From Rakes to Riches

“The story goes that when I was learning to speak, I couldn’t pronounce Aldington or Constantine, his Christian name, so I called him Con. He has been Con to me and to Lucien ever since. My father has only recently stopped flinching when I use that in the presence of others.” Cassandra grinned.

“Your father sounds rather terrifying.” Fiona almost hoped she never had occasion to meet him. She’d yet to meet a duke. But then she was going to meet the queen the day after next, so a duke shouldn’t be intimidating. A tide of anxiety tried to wash up her throat.

Cassandra gave her a reassuring nod. “He can be quite surly, particularly with me and my brothers, but he’ll be pleasant to you.”

Fiona thought of her own father, who’d died five years ago. He’d been involved in his studies, never having much time for her, but he’d always been kind.

They’d reached the end of the gallery where it was far less crowded. A door stood partially open, neither inviting nor dissuading them to enter.

Cassandra moved toward it and peered inside. Turning her head toward Fiona, who couldn’t see past her into the room, her eyes danced with anticipation. “It’s a ladies’ card room. Shall we?”

“What’s a ladies’ card room?” Fiona had heard about card rooms at balls and other entertainments, places where gentlemen gathered to play and wager.

“The same as a regular card room, except it appears this one is inhabited entirely by ladies.” She lowered her voice. “I wondered if there might be one here tonight. Lady Billingsworth is known for her gaming—her mother used to have a faro bank years ago.”

Fiona had no idea what that meant and didn’t want to ask at the moment. She wondered when she would stop feeling like such a provincial. Or if she ever would.

Cassandra reached for the door, and Fiona felt a hand on her arm. She turned her head to see Prudence watching her with consternation.

Taking her arm from Cassandra’s, Fiona murmured, “Just a moment.” She took a few steps away from Cassandra, and Prudence followed.

“Is something wrong?” Fiona asked.

“I’m not certain you should go in there.” Prudence glanced past her toward the gaming room.

“Are you truly uncertain, or are you trying to politely tell me to run in the other direction?”

Prudence smiled. “I am uncertain, which is probably bad since I should know these things. I just can’t imagine gaming is encouraged for a young, unwed lady?”

Cassandra joined them. “I’m afraid I have frightfully good hearing. Playing cards with other ladies at a party like this is perfectly acceptable. The important thing is not to play high stakes, which we won’t. If we play at all.” She looked at Fiona. “Do you even know how?”

Fiona shook her head.

“Then probably not. We can, however, watch.” Grinning, she linked her arm through Fiona’s once more before turning to address Prudence. “Does that meet your approval? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. After all, Fiona is your charge.”

“She isn’t really. I am her companion, not her sponsor. Though I may act as her chaperone, it really isn’t my place to dictate her behavior. I shall leave that to Lady Pickering and Lord Overton.”

“Is it all right if we go inside?” Fiona asked. “I will only observe.”

“If Lady Cassandra says it’s acceptable, I bow to her judgment.” Prudence gestured for them to precede her.

“Don’t be nervous,” Cassandra said as they entered the card room. Six tables were set up, of which four were occupied.

“What are they playing?” Fiona asked.

“Loo. It will be easier to explain after you watch it for a time.” Lady Cassandra led her to a table to the right of the door. Keeping her voice low, she said, “Lady Hadleigh is a highly regarded player. She’s the one with the two ivory feathers in her hair.”

Fiona nodded as they took a position near the table. They fell silent as they watched for a few minutes. After a while, Fiona began to understand what was happening. It looked like great fun.

“They’re only wagering pennies,” Fiona whispered.

“For now. I suspect on the next round the stakes will rise. But that’s because of Lady Hadleigh’s presence.”

“Does anyone want to join our table? We need at least two more,” a voice called out.

Fiona looked toward the woman, who was perhaps ten years her senior, but didn’t recognize her.

“Should we?” Cassandra asked, her voice rising with excitement.

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