Page 79 of His Stolen Duchess
“Yeah, yeah, all right,” Ambrose complained. “Get it all out now while you still can because Vincent and I now have the measure of you both, and it’s a good thing you mentioned luck because that is exactly what it is, and we all know luck runs out sooner or later.”
“Exactly,” Vincent agreed. “Enjoy it while you still can, but the shoe will soon be on the other foot, and there will be nothing you can do about it.”
Lysander looked over at a grinning Oliver and frowned dramatically. “Are they talking to us? It sounds as if they are talking to two poor saps, and with how the game is going so far, that obviously can’t be us.”
“It must be the circus of the absurd,” Oliver stated before laughing. “That was what they were called, wasn’t it? They are putting on a show for us, trying to entertain or distract us in the hope that we will forget how to play.”
“They could do with some work on their costumes, don’t you think?”
Lysander couldn’t believe how freely he was joking with three men he’d only known for a short while, but it felt good, as though a part of him had suddenly been unlocked after a long time.
“Yes, their costumes are certainly garish,” Oliver agreed.
“We have almost the exact same dress,” Ambrose told his brother-in-law.
“Yes, but it’s how the man wears it that counts,” Oliver retorted.
Vincent shuffled the cards in his hands and handed them to Oliver. “How about you deal us a new game, and we can let the cards do the talking.”
The scent of port and tobacco hung in the air as the four lords continued playing for another hour. While Lysander and Oliver did win more games than they lost, the other two put up a valiant fight, and it was a close match at the end.
By the conclusion of the evening, all four men were quite merry.
“Where you lead, I shall follow!” Oliver sang out, a song of his own invention that he sang off-key—not only one note, but every single one with amazing inaccuracy.
Lysander had been in a great many situations where he had pretended to be happy or enjoy the host’s festivities, but there was no such pretense that evening. It was fun to play cards, drink port, and smoke cigars with men who were now a part of his extended family.
There had not been a lot of personal conversation, so he couldn’t be sure if they had a lot in common, but he felt a kinship with them. Perhaps that would wear off as the port did on the ride home, but he found himself wanting to repeat the night.
“Good game, everyone,” Oliver said as they stood from the table. He was clearly enjoying himself too much, and the smile plastered on his face looked like it might never come off.
“You do have a knack for playing the right card at the right time,” Ambrose said to Lysander.
“If the cards had fallen slightly differently, you two would be the ones mocking us. I shan’t jest anymore as I know Oliver has enough to say for the two of us, so enjoy that.”
Vincent laughed, then stuck out his hand. “Not a greeting or a farewell. I wish to welcome you to the family. You have fit in rather well with our lot this evening, and I look forward to playing more whist—both with you and against you. You can only hone your skills by playing against the finest. I look forward to my chance to best you.”
“Thank you,” Lysander replied, taking the man’s hand. “For the compliments and the welcome.”
As he shook Vincent’s hand, he experienced an unexpected sense of warmth.
He felt accepted for who he was. It was an unusual feeling, one he hadn’t come across before, or if he had, it had been so long ago that he had forgotten it. He was a part of the family now, and he liked the feeling.
“Well, the coaches are here, and I must throw you all out,” Oliver said. “I wish I had said that I didn’t want to, but that is quite enough of each other, don’t you think?”
They laughed at his discourteous jest.
Afterwards, Lysander went off to find his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Six
When they returned home, Georgina held Lysander’s hand tightly as he led her up the stairs. The anticipation swelled in her body like lapping waves on the shoreline. And like a ship caught in those waves, she held on tight to her anchor as mounting excitement threatened to burst forth and claim her body.
The walls blurred past as he guided her through the hallways. She kept her gaze fixed on his back, always a half step behind, studying him with quiet intensity. She licked her lips, eager to finally feel her husband within her.
Her heartbeat quickened when she thought about him being inside her. She had never experienced that but knew what was to come.
How will it feel? Will I be able to take what he has to give me?
