Page 7 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

Parker was quickly at Arthur’s side, and he slapped his friend eagerly on the back, laughing a full, hearty laugh as he did.

“Stroke of genius!” stated Parker. “Odds were slightly in our favor, but talk about living dangerously.”

“Good job, old chap,” said one of the older gentlemen from behind, directed at Arthur or Parker.

“The last match is starting in the billiard room. Shall we watch? We are a lock for second, but if Atkinson and Reilly mess this up, we might sneak into first.”

“Chance would be a fine thing,” replied the duke. “I need another drink. What do you say?”

“They play so conservatively, I might fall asleep watching them anyway. I mean, it’s a tactic that works, but did you hear the place erupt when you played that ace! I would much rather go out in a blaze of glory than walk my way to victory.”

Arthur smiled. That had been Parker for as long as he had known him. Always willing to risk everything to get what he wanted. Except, it was not always to get what he wanted. Sometimes, it was just for a lark.

“Lead the way, good sir!” commanded Parker, bowing to his friend.

“Come on,” laughed Arthur, patting his friend on the back.

The two men moved away from the noise and into the large sitting room. Most of the occupants were in the billiard room to watch the last match or playing games of their own. Only a couple of men sat in the sitting room still, those who did not care for cards, and the older ones who did not like to move when they were seated.

“A win?” asked the older, bearded gentleman by the fireplace.

“And some!” shouted Parker back. “Risked a bloody ace.”

Arthur shook his head at his friend’s enthusiasm. He went to the bar while Parker told the man all about it, and when he came back, he directed Parker to one of the free tables by the window. His residence in York was splendid, but he did like sitting by the window on a London night and seeing the lanterns fluttering like fireflies in the night.

“I wish I could stay longer,” said Arthur. “Whenever I visit, it always feels my time is curtailed.”

“I certainly can’t complain. This is your last night in the city, and you are opting to spend it with me. I should be honored.”

“Well, I can’t leave you alone for too long or you might get yourself into trouble.”

“You save my life one time, and you won’t stop going on about it, will you?” laughed Parker.

“Hey, I didn’t bring it up, you did.”

“I still maintain the ice was thick enough to bear my weight. I would have made it over to the other side if you had not followed me out.”

“If I had not followed you out, I would have been too far away to make it to you in time before you got sucked under the water.”

“Let’s not get caught up in who is right or wrong, or who saved whose life,” said Parker.

“I saved yours,’ clarified Arthur.

“Wow, you had to say it. Well, do you know what? In many ways, it was I who saved your life that day.”

“Really?” asked the duke with a smirk. He took a sip of the cognac. He might prefer York to London, but they certainly knew how to make a good cognac here.

“Before I came into your life, you didn’t really have any purpose, or any friends, for that matter,” continued Parker.

“Is that a fact?” Arthur was enjoying the conversation more and more.

“That is a fact,” confirmed Parker. “You got to be the hero, even though I maintain you were the one who caused the ice to break, and you now have a friend to keep you company in London. It really was a win-win for you.”

“It was,” agreed Arthur with a smile. “You have been a good friend, Parker.”

“And you too, Arthur. I hope you know that you only need to call on me and I will be there. Anything you need.”

“I know.”

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