Page 188 of Storm of Bells
‘Well. Ehem. Err…’
Oh, to hell with the both of them! Men werehopeless!
Grabbing hold of the coach door, I pulled itopen and clambered inside. Cocking my head, I looked down at thethree chumps standing outside. ‘Are you coming?’
They suddenly unfroze and started to move.Karim climbed onto the box, while Mr Ambrose and Captain Carterstepped into the interior of the coach. Mr Ambrose very firmlysettled himself beside me and, giving me a not-so-gentle shove,pushed me into the corner so no one could sit on my other side.
I gave him a look. It was supposed to beaccusing, but…
Darn! I just couldn’t manage it.
You’re really done for, Lilly, aren’tyou?
Above me, Karim cracked his whip and thecoach jerked, starting forward. I glanced from Mr Ambrose toCaptain Carter and back. The former was radiating an arctic aura,while the latter seemed to be in a splendid mood. Reaching into hispocket, he pulled out a pack of cards.
‘A game of whist, anyone?’
‘Oh, no.’ Hurriedly, I shook my head. ‘Idon’t think—’
‘Yes.’ Mr Ambrose cut me off like a razor.‘Bets will be at five sovereigns per round.’
‘Five sovereigns?’ The captain’s eyebrowsshot up. ‘Then I’ll have to win, or else my wages will be gone in ablink.’
‘You don’t say.’
‘Let me warn you beforehand. I’m very good atthis game. I’m going to make you lose a lot of money.’
His eyes narrowing infinitesimally, MrAmbrose took the deck of cards out of the captain’s hands andstarted shuffling faster than the eye could see.
‘You can certainly try.’
Groaning, I hid my face in my hands.
Approximately two hours and twenty poundssterling later, we reach a familiar countryside. Peeking throughthe window, I saw the top of the church rising over a low hill.
‘Sahib?’ Karim called from outside.‘We’re approaching the village.’
‘Do we have time for another round?’ CaptainCarter asked, staring down at the cards in his hand. ‘I just knowthat this time I’m going to be lucky! I can win everything backand—’
‘No!’ Almost leaping up from my seat, Ireached between them, trying to prevent the worst and save him fromdebtor’s prison. ‘No, we definitely don’t have time for anotherround.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Mr Ambrose offered hisopinion. ‘I have plenty of time.’
Now? Now you have time?
Before I could stomp on his foot, however, afamiliar voice called from outside.
‘Sahib? Someone is standing on theroad. They’re stepping in our way! It…it’s AdairaSahiba.’
Adaira?
I blinked. What was Adaira doing out here?Bridesmaids were usually supposed to hold a bride’s train and marchbehind her, but surely not for half a mile or so?
‘Hey!’ Came a familiar voice from outside.‘Slow down if you don’t want to make sister-pancake!’
‘Sahib?’ Karim enquired.
‘No pancake today, Karim.’
