Page 60 of Love Is A Draw
Gail reached for her first pawn, fingers steady.
“You know”—a quiet smile played at the corners of Greg’s mouth—“I’ve spent years in Parliament arguing for moments like this. For merit to matter. For brilliance to be seen, even when the room is full of men who refuse to look at women, at Jews, and at anyone who could surpass them with skill or wit.”
She didn’t glance up. But her hand stopped. Rested on the pawn. “I know. I’ve heard the Pearlers quote you. Fave reads your speeches aloud like scripture. Rachel says it’s how he imagines what the future should sound like.”
Greg gave a soft huff of laughter. “Then you understand the Black Knight. This title isn’t just a title. It’s a challenge. It will come with strings. Expectations. Scrutiny. Some will call it undeserved. Others will call it dangerous.”
Gail’s eyes lifted slowly. Calm. Clear. “I’ve never been given anything without a cost. Not my safety. Not my education. Not my family.”
He nodded once, the weight of his years in that single motion. “Are you ready to bear it?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Only if I earn it.”
A pause.
Greg leaned back. “Good. Then let’s give you a chance.”
They played.
Not long. Not rushed.
Just a game—clean, elegant, and razor-sharp. Neither made mistakes. But Gail, with white, had chosen her opening. She set the tone. She guided the pace, like allowing the future to assert itself, one move at a time.
Greg didn’t hold back. He met every advance with calculated defense. He pressed when he saw an opening. He didn’t take her lightly.
Not once.
Check.
She moved.
Counter.
Another move.
Then—pause. Gail looked at the board.
Greg already knew. He leaned back with the slow, satisfied air of a man who had waited a very long time for something to be true. “You have a mate in two.”
She saw it too.
Her final move came without trembling, without doubt.
Checkmate.
A reverent silence followed.
Rachel Pearler emerged from the doorway with a curious look. She didn’t clap. She didn’t speak. But her eyes shone, proud and full. And next to her, Lady Hermy.
Gail nodded. Yes, I’m a woman and a Jew—The Black Knight.
CHAPTER 26
The room did not echo with cheers. No one applauded. No one rushed forward with praise or laughter. At the lingering scrape as Gail moved the final piece to checkmate, silence followed, thick as smoke.
Greg leaned back, his gaze unreadable. “You’ve done it.”
Gail didn’t look at him. She looked at the empty chair where Victor should have been.
