Page 31 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Andrew looked at him fully. “Hell. It’s early yet. What happened?”
“Just got caught up. But don’t worry, I’m done with faro.”
“You should be done with everything. Why not take the role of spectator for the rest of the evening?”
Charles’s dark brows knitted as his mouth formed a pout. “That’s never fun.”
He thought of the losses Miss Parnell’s father had suffered and the impact it had on others. Charles didn’t have a family, but he likely would someday. “It’s better than losing in excess of five hundred pounds.” Andrew slapped Charles on the shoulder. “You’ll thank me.”
“I could just go home and fetch more blunt. Aye, that’s what I’ll do.”
Andrew saw that Beaumont was talking to Miss Parnell. He wanted to go back and hear their discussion. “Careful, Charles. Don’t get in over your head.”
“I won’t.”
Now Beaumont led Miss Parnell back to the gaming room. Time to go. Andrew turned to Charles. “Do what you must, but I don’t wish to contribute to your downfall. Sorry, chap.”
He hurried to join the others in the gaming room.
Lucy sipped her port as she watched Dartford speaking with Charles, who looked a bit nervous. “What’s that about?” she asked the nearest gentleman, who happened to be Beaumont.
The viscount looked over at the pair in the corner and shrugged. “Charles is probably asking for funds. Sometimes he gets caught up and loses his allotment for the evening.
“Allotment?” she asked.
“His father keeps him on a tight rein. It’s a good thing, else he’d likely be in debtor’s prison already.”
Lucy hid her scowl behind her glass. She didn’t like Charles, she decided, despite his geniality.
Beaumont turned to face her. “Did Dart also invite you to the balloon exhibition this Saturday?”
Lucy gave Beaumont her undivided attention. “What balloon exhibition?”
“Sadler’s ascending from Burlington House, and Dart is riding with him.”
He meant to fly? Lucy had never seen a balloon ascent. She measured her tone, lest she sound overly interested. “How extraordinary.”
“We’re not going to the ascension. We’ll be waiting for him at Darent Hall, where they’ll descend.” His blue eyes lit with excitement. “But don’t tell him—it’s a surprise. Charles is already wagering on where the balloon will land. We plan to arrive early and choose landing sites. Whoever comes closest will win the pot.”
How Lucy longed to join them. But how would she get herself to Dartford’s seat in Kent? It was a good twenty-five miles away. Plus, Dartford wouldn’t be happy to see that she’d come, not without his company. She inwardly frowned. It wasn’t up to Dartford to dictate her actions. She’d go if she wanted to. Except she still didn’t have a means of travel. She realized, rather belatedly, that it was past time to involve her friends in her scheme. They would provide support and suggestions—one of them would have an idea to help her participate in this balloon excursion so that she could wager on the outcome. If she could win the pot, it might be enough to reach her goal.
“Sounds like fun,” she said.
“You’ll join us, then?”
“I’ll try.” She’d do everything possible.
He arched his brows at her. “Just remember it’s a secret.”
She nodded and wondered how Dartford would react to the surprise. Hopefully, she’d find out.
Beaumont threw back the rest of his whiskey. “I’m going to the faro table.”
Lucy was itching to increase her purse. “I’ll join you.” She tossed a glance at Dartford, but he appeared to be deep in conversation with Charles, who was still fidgeting agitatedly with his glass.
The faro table was about to start a new round, so their timing was impeccable. Soon, Lucy was caught up in the game. She didn’t notice when Dartford came into the gaming room, but sensed his presence when he moved behind her, just a moment before she saw him from the corner of her eye.
He sidled up to the table, taking a position to her right, while Beaumont was on her left. “You shouldn’t do that,” he murmured.
