Page 10 of The Wager of a Lady
The situation wasintolerable.
Georgina blinked. “How would you know I burned Lady Talbot’s gift?” She waved a hand as if batting a fly. “Wait, don’t answer. I imagine there’s been gossip.”
So much gossip.
Lady Talbot wasn’t shy about expressing her opinion of Lady Masterson.
“I didn’t want to read her stupid book nor do anything whatsoever which would endear myself to her,” Georgina said. “She likened my speech to the sound of a wounded duck. I continue to refer to her as a baroness instead of a countess just to annoy her.”
“Your husband told me about Lady Talbot’s gift.”
Masterson had mentioned the incident to Leo. The elderly earl often spoke of Georgina as if she were an annoying pet. A dog or a cat, perhaps. Or a parrot, given his dislike of her accent. A dislike shared by Masterson’s nephew, who had been overheard disparaging his uncle’s wife.
“You’ve deliberately steered the discussion away from the subject at hand. Once again.”
It was a useful skill, distraction. Leo found it especially helpful as the owner of a gambling hell. Casual conversation often revealed another person’s weakness and put them at ease, which gave Leo the advantage. The fact that Georgina was the only one to consistently draw attention to his habit was irritating.
“I want my house back,” she stated plainly.
Beechwood Court, the small estate outside of London Georgina adored. A place she spent much of her time.Nother marker.
“Masterson had no right to offer up my property as collateral for his game of cards with Wentworth. Beechwood Court belongs to me.”
There was no point in reminding Georgina that everything, including her person, belonged to Lord Masterson. “Four horses, a hunting lodge in Scotland, Beechwood Court, and yourself was offered up as collateral. Signed off by the solicitor I keep on retainer. Perfectly legal,” Leo said bluntly. “In poor taste, but nonetheless...” He let the words hover in the air.
A stubborn look clouded her features. “I want my house back,” she said again.
Leo tried not to smile. “I’ll be honest—”
“That must require a great deal of effort. Please don’t put yourself out on my account. What would you do with Beechwood Court anyway? You live here.”
“I’ll sell it.”
The stricken look on her face nearly made Leo take his words back.
“Lady Masterson, I run a business which is dependent, unfortunately, on the poor decisions of others. If I simply returned everything to you, I would be barraged by my other patrons to do the same for them. It would set a poor precedent.” He gave a deep sigh and shrugged. “But Iwillreturn this to you.” Leo took out the marker with her name on it and slid it across the table. “I’m making a concession because of our acquaintance and your friendship with my brother.”
“But not my friendship with you?”
“I’m not the sort of man you should claim as a friend, Lady Masterson. Whether I taught you to properly gamble or not. Regrettably, this is the only item I can return to you.”
“Very well.” Her eyes flitted down to the piece of paper, but she didn’t touch it. “Then I propose a wager.”
“A wager?”
“Yes. What if I play you for Beechwood Court? Would that be acceptable?”
No one in the last ten years had challenged Leo to a game of cards. Georgina had absolutely no chance of beating him. But she also wasn’t the sort of woman who backed down easily.
“Interesting. But what do you intend to wager? Your husband is rather short on funds these days, and I’m not sure you have time to beg a stake from your father. New York is rather far away.”
Her features froze at the mention of Jacob Rutherford. Her father was the last person Georgina would ever go to for assistance.
“Do you have gems sewn into the hem of your gown? A purse of gold?”
Georgina’s lips tightened, her gaze never leaving his as she slid her marker back in his direction. “I havethis.”
Leo’s heart thudded in his chest. “But I’ve only just given it back and, as you’ve mentioned, it can’t possibly be legal.”
