Page 1 of A Viscount's Stolen Fortune

Prologue

“What say you, Lord Foster, another round?” William tried to find some sort of inner strength by which he could answer, but there did not appear to be any available to him. “Capital. It is good that you are game.”

He blinked furiously, trying to find the words to say that he did not wish to play again, and certainly had not agreed to it. But the words would not come. His jaw seemed tight, unwilling to bend to his will, and anything he wished to say died upon his closed lips.

Closing his eyes, the sounds of cards being dealt reached his ears. Yes, he had drunk a good deal, but he had not imbibed enough to make himself entirely stupid nor stupefied. Why was he struggling to even speak?

“And what shall you bet this time, Lord Foster?”

The gentleman chuckled, and William blinked again, trying to make him out. His vision was a little blurred and for whatever reason, he could not recall the name of the fellow he had sat down to play cards with. This was not his usual gambling den of course - he had come here with some friends, but now was sorely regretting it.

To that end, where were his friends? He did not recall them leaving the table. But then again, he could not remember if any of them had started a game with him, although it would be strange indeed forallof them to leave him to play cards alone. Given that this was a part of London none of them were familiar with, however, perhaps it was to be expected. Mayhap they had chosen to play in another gambling house or to enjoy the company of one of the ladies of the night.

My mind seems strangely clear, but I cannot seem to speak.

“If you wish to put everything on the table, then I shall not prevent you.”

William shook his head no. The action caused him a little pain and he groaned only to hear the gentleman chuckle.

“Very well. You have a strong constitution, I must say. I do not think thatIwould put down everything on the table. Not if I had already lost so very much. You would be signing over almost your entire fortune to me.”

Panic began to spread its way through William’s heart. Somebody said something and laughed harshly, leaving the sound to echo through William’s mind. He did not want to bet any longer but could not find the strength to speak.

“Shall you look at your cards, Lord Foster?”

William tried to lift a hand towards the cards that he knew were already there, but he could not find them. His fingers struck against the solid wood of the table, but, again, he could not find the cards.

“Goodness, you are a little out of sorts, are you not? Perhaps one too many brandies.”

The gentleman’s harsh laugh fired William’s spirits and he managed to focus on the gentleman’s face for a split second. Dark eyes met his and a shock of fair hair pushed back from the gentleman’s brow… but then William’s vision blurred again.

“I have… I have no wish to bet.”

Speaking those words aloud came as a great relief to William. He had managed to say, finally, that he had no wish to continue the game.

“It is a little late, Lord Foster. You cannot pull out of the bet now.”

William shook his head, squeezing his eyes closed. He was not entirely sure what game they were playing, but he had no intention of allowing this fellow to take the last bit of his money.

“No.” He spoke again, the word hissing from his mouth, as though it took every bit of strength that he had to speak it. “No, I end this bet.”

Somehow, he managed to push himself to his feet. A strong hand gripped his arm and William had no strength to shake it off. Everything was swirling. The room threatened to tilt itself from one side to the next, but he clung to whoever it was that held his arm. He had no intention of letting himself fall. Nausea roiled in his stomach, and he took in great breaths, swallowing hard so that he would not cast up his accounts.

“No, I make no bet. I withdraw it.”

“You are not being a gentleman.” The man’s voice had turned hard. “A gentleman does not leave the table in such circumstances – given that I am a Viscount and you one also, it is honorable to finish the game. Perhaps you just need another brandy. It would calm your nerves.”

William shook his head. That was the last thing he required.

“Gentlemen or no, I will not be continuing with this bet. I will take what I have remaining and depart.” It was as if the effects of the brandy were wearing off. He could speak a little more clearly and stand now without difficulty as he let go of the other man’s arm. His vision, however, remained blurry. “I will gather up the last of my things and be on my way. My friends must be nearby.”

“You will sit down, and you will finish the game.”

William took in a long breath - not to raise his courage, but rather to muster his strength. He wanted tophysicallyleave this gambling house for good.

“I shall not.” His voice shook with the effort of speaking loudly and standing without aid. “I fully intend to leave this gambling house at once, with all that I have remaining.”

Whilst his resolve remained strong, William could not account for the blow that struck him on the back of the head. Evidently, his determination to leave had displeased the gentleman and darkness soon took William. His coin remained on the table and as he sank into the shadows, he could not help but fear as to what would become of it.

---