Page 42 of The Lady Glass
Marcus stood and held up his hand. “Lots to think about, gentleman. The ladies have been waiting long enough. Shall we join them?” He motioned toward the drawing room, effectively ending the heated conversation and dismissing them without further preamble.
Rolland stalled so he was the last to leave the room with Marcus. “What did you make of that?” he asked, his voice low.
“Lord Vernon certainly believes what he says,” Marcus whispered back. “And his argument was quite persuasive. I agree with him on many points.”
All Rolland had to do was think of the thief in London to remember the building undercurrent of the lower classes. “That aside, is he harmless? He has this raking stare like he knows something we don’t.”
“I know what my gut tells me, but is your father’s life worth risking a gut feeling without facts to back it?”
“I feel the same way. I’m having a hard time reading anyone. I’m too close to the situation.”
Marcus lifted a brow. “That’s why we invited your friend, remember?”
Rolland gave him a nod and pushed into the drawing room before anyone would miss them. His eyes sought out Theresia, who stood between Her Grace and Lady Cadogen as they directed footmen to set up several card tables. Not only had they organized the night’s entertainment, but after a few words of explanation from Her Grace, it seemed they’d planned a rotation of games, including partnerships. Rolland hadn’t known Her Grace long, but he must’ve made a good impression. She had set him up at the whist table with Theresia as his partner. That was where the favor ended, however, since they were to play against none other than his parents. He wanted to drill the guests, not play dutiful son. Then again, it prevented the temptation to steal too long of glances at the beautiful woman across from him, which should please someone.
Just not him.
Once they were situated, with his parents on either side of him, the game began. His father won the first trick rather quickly.
“Well done, Lord Barrack,” Theresia said. The appearance of her smile immediately lessened some of Rolland’s irritation.
“Thank you.” His father gave an embarrassed laugh.
Rolland raised his brow. His father wasn’t normally one affected by praise.
Rolland managed to win the second trick for him and Theresia. “What, no congratulations for me?” he teased her.
Theresia scrunched her nose. “It’ll just go to your head, Captain.”
His father laughed again, this time heartily, and slappedRolland on the back, making his shoulder twinge. “I was thinking the very same thing.”
His mother got overly excited when she landed the next trick. “Did you see that? I never win any of these silly card games. Dear, did you see it?”
“How could I have missed it?” His father raised his eyes to the ceiling.
Theresia leaned toward his mother. “I never would’ve guessed you had poor luck in games since I struggle with the same. You’re doing marvelously, Lady Barrack.”
His mother actually blushed. “Oh, you’re too kind. I bet you’ll win the rest, and then we’ll be praising you.”
Rolland could’ve carried their team to a win. The strategy to whist was not too hard to master, but Theresia seemed to be sabotaging them. “I think you meant to play a different card.”
She shook her head. “I wish I did. My hand is terrible.”
He had to bite his tongue on the next round and the next after that. It was not soon enough when Her Grace stood and announced the first rotation was over. Each partnership was to move a different direction, so they said goodbye to his parents.
“It was a pleasure playing with you, Lady Glass,” his father said, his tone absolutely sincere.
Rolland had to look twice at him to make sure. When they sat down at the next table, he leaned toward Theresia and whispered, “How on earth did you win over my father so skillfully?”
“It appears Mrs. Stone’s lessons might be good for something.”
“What do you mean?”
“I used my charm, or did you not notice? I possess it in spades.”
“No, spades was the last trump you refused to play. As for your charm, I hadn’t noticed.”
She elbowed him, and his smile slipped out again. She seemed the only one capable of pulling it out these days.
