Page 89 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“We were just starting a new game, my lady,” the older man in the top hat said, escorting her to the table where her husband sat. He pulled out a wooden chair, and she sat as her nerves began to buzz. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Mr. Kilmann.”
“V-very nice to meet you,” she said softly, trying to keep her eyes off Gavin, whose expression was barely controlled. A slight vein pulsing at his temple told her that he was struggling to contain himself. She had never seen him so upset. “What game are we playing?”
“Faro,” Kilmann said, turning to Gavin as he began to deal out the cards. “Now tell me, Bairnsdale, what do you want? You know everyone who comes here is good for their coin.”
“I am aware,” Gavin said stiffly, trying not to look at Holly. “We were just searching for a friend. He insulted the Duke of Gloucester tonight, and unfortunately, he may be called out. We didn’t want to see him killed before morning.”
“Is that so?” Kilmann said, obviously uninterested. “Well, that is a situation. And you said Smyth was his name?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Well, I don’t know anyone by that name here,” Kilmann said, his head turning to face the other table. Holly tried to follow his gaze without detection. She saw her brother, eyes down on a set of cards as a stream of sweat dropped from the side of his forehead. “But I do know someone who claims to be a cousin of yours, Bairnsdale. It’s how he gained access here.”
Kilmann dealt out several cards around the table.
“A cousin?” Gavin said as Holly picked up her cards. “Is that so?”
“But you don’t have any cousins, isn’t that correct?”
It would be foolish to try to deny it. Everyone knew that Gavin Winscombe was the sole heir to his uncle—the last of his line.
“Correct.”
“So, I’ve been lied to.”
Noting the dangerous turn in conversation, Holly opted to distract the man named Kilmann. She brought her forearms to the edge of the table and leaned forward.Heaven help her. She might die of embarrassment, but it would be better to die by her own humiliation than by a bunch of cutthroats. Pressing her upper arms against the sides of her chest, she tried to accentuate her breasts as she fanned out her cards and made her voice sweetly high-pitched.
“Goodness, is four kings the best hand you can get?” she asked, leaning towards Kilmann. “I always forget what beats what.”
Kilmann gave her a double take, noticing the deep cut of her neckline, and her eyes flashed to Gavin, whose face darkened as his eyes flashed murderously. If humiliation didn’t kill her, Gavin might.
“Is that what you have, my dear?” Kilmann asked, his tone suddenly flirtatious.
“Well, I can’t tell you that, can I?” she said with forced lightness. “You might hold it against me.”
“There are a number of things I’d like to hold against you.”
“Play. The. Hand,” Gavin’s soft, furious voice bit out from across the table.
“Now, now, Bairnsdale. I’m sure the lady here is a reasonable creature,” Kilmann said, turning back to Holly. “You know, at first I thought you were someone from the first ranks of society. But I think you’ve fooled us.”
“Oh?” Her tone went slightly higher.
“Yes. I think you must be a very well-practiced courtesan, although you must be new to London.” He tilted his head as he watched her, as if trying to remember her. “I’ve never seen you before.”
“I’m out. If you’ll excuse me,” Derek said, standing up, dropping his cards. “I must visit the necessary. Excuse me.”
Kilmann waved him off, waiting for Holly to continue.
“Yes, I am fairly new to town,” she said, noting that Derek was heading towards the door. At least someone was thinking about their exit. “I’ve just come from Paris.”
“Really?” Kilmann said. “What is your name? Surely I would have heard about someone of your beauty through my connection there.”
“Oh, it’s Madam Downs,” she lied, placing two cards on the table. “You know, like in horseracing.”
“I’m well versed in the term. Calling the turn,” he said smoothly as he flipped over the cards before them. His eyes flashed with delight. “Ah, I’m afraid you won’t win this hand, my dear. Lady Luck has blessed me yet again.”
Laying down his cards, Holly realized this man had barely even looked at his hand but had still won with ease. Despite outward appearances, Holly had been taught many card games, but faro was not one of them. She followed Gavin’s lead and dropped her cards in the middle to be dealt again.
