And it might even be fun.
“I want you to start with these books, Puck,” Lord Harrison said, “Because they’re about how to play cards.”
He tapped the cover of the books. “You said you enjoyed reading so I thought these might help you grasp the theories.”
“There are theories to cards?”
“Just like there are theories to stitching.”
Regina thought about that. “So just as how there are patterns in stitching there are patterns in cards.”
“Exactly.” Lord Harrison nodded, pleased. “I think if you had the theory in mind it’ll be easier for you to pick it up. Since you’re such a bookworm. Do you think you can get through all those books in an afternoon?”
Regina started. She looked through them for a moment. “I think so.”
“Do your best. I’m having some friends over to play a game next evening.”
Regina’s stomach clenched. She couldn’t be seen with Lord Harrison! And playing cards! People would—
Lord Harrison held up a hand. “Now, don’t worry. Nobody there will know you. I was very careful in who I chose. I want you to just observe tonight. See how each person plays. There’s a lot that you can learn just by watching.”
“And who am I supposed to be?”
“I’ll pass you off as my cousin from my mother’s side. None of them will be the wiser.”
“As you say, Lord Oberon.” Regina tried winking at him.
Lord Harrison burst into laughter. “Look at you! You’re a proper minx!”
“I do my best,” Regina replied archly.
“Miss Regina, you are a wonder,” Lord Harrison marveled. “I never would have expected this from you. If you can surprise me like this I think we’ll make a card player out of you yet.”
Regina smiled. This might be easier than she thought.
Chapter 12
By the time the afternoon was done Regina was rethinking this entire thing.
Who knew that cards could be so complicated? The only game that Regina had ever played was Bridge. Normally her four sisters would play it while Regina read or sewed. Sometimes, however, Natalie would be off at a ball. Or Elizabeth would be in a mood. Or Louisa would be calling at a mutual friend’s to see Mr. Fairchild. In that case, Regina would play.
But this wasn’t bridge. This was so many card games that she had never heard of before. Whist, Loo, Speculation… how many card games were out there?
It seemed that Loo was the most popular game. She had a feeling that would be the game Lord Pettifer would play. In a game of Loo the pot could increase exponentially. That sounded like the perfect setup to rob a man of his fortune and lands.
Supposedly the game was easy to learn, but she could hardly make heads or tails of it. She just hoped that when she watched everyone play it would be easier to understand.
She was left alone for some hours. Lady Cora apparently had many letters to attend to. Her only movement was when she would get up to stretch her legs by speaking to Lord Harrison about something in the other room. Otherwise, it was silent save for the scractching of Lady Cora’s pen and the turning of Regina’s book pages.
The only proper interruption was when a maid stopped by with some sandwiches and tea. It was quite nice, actually. She had no idea what Lord Harrison was up to but she didn’t mind. She felt quite safe.
He presented quite a contradiction. He had been so calm and in charge the first night. And when they had met the second time he’d been extraordinarily serious. But today he had been relaxed. Cheerful, even.
Perhaps it was because he knew he would have Bridget. Or perhaps it was that he looked forward to having someone to teach. Regina could imagine that he hadn’t had much opportunity to pass on his skills. And those must have been hard-won.
But no. It must be Bridget. Now that their bargain was struck and she was starting in earnest, Bridget was all but certain. She would persuade Bridget to marry him either way. Either she won and was in debt to him completely, or she lost and Bridget must marry him to secure them all. She had promised him Bridget’s hand in marriage. And so Bridget she would deliver.
Regina threw her book to the ground. She knew it was a childish act. But damn it, she couldn’t help herself.
Elizabeth rather liked to swear when nobody but family was around. Bridget had picked up quite a few phrases from her. She’d also picked up quite a few other things. Like Elizabeth’s tawdry books. The kind that were paperback that she had to order secretly.
She felt like a heel. Every time she tried to justify it she just made herself sick. Lord Harrison would take good care of Bridget. She would want for nothing. And he seemed a good-tempered man. He certainly understood business.
And if a house spoke for a man, then Lord Harrison’s house spoke well for him. He had a good, comfortable home. Modest but in a way that spoke of discretion rather than lack of funds. Tasteful and maintained in honor of his parents. Regina had no doubt that Bridget would love this home. After all, she did, and she’d only been to it twice.
And besides, what choice would Bridget have if Regina lost? Bridget would have to marry someone and it might as well be Lord Harrison. He was risking much by helping a woman learn to play cards and gamble with the men. His reputation was on the line as well. And he’d worked so hard to keep people from finding out anything too sordid.
But no matter how many sensible reasons presented themselves, she felt awful. At the end of the day she had still sold her sister. And that made her as bad as Father.
“How is it going?”
Lord Harrison’s voice was low and warm and right at her ear. Regina jumped. She ignored the tingle of heat shooting down her spine and turned to glare at him.
“You startled me.”
“That was rather the goal, Puck.” He winked at her. “How’s the reading going?”
“Quite well,” Regina lied.
Lord Harrison shook her head. “You’re going to have to get better at lying than that if you want to play with Pettifer.”
Regina’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I just—it’s harder than I expected.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You’ve never done any of this before.” Lord Harrison sat down by her legs. The heat of his body was so near hers. She’d never noticed that before. It was like he was a furnace. She wanted to crawl into that heat and stay there.
“I think that once you watch us play this afternoon you’ll realize you learned more than you thought,” he told her. “We have a month. There’s no need to get discouraged after only one afternoon.”
Regina nodded. He sounded so confident. She wanted to have some of that. How did people like Lord Harrison and Bridget have such faith in themselves? And why did they also have such faith in her?
“Off with you then,” Lord Harrison said. “I expect you to be well rested tomorrow for the dinner.”
And, well, Regina couldn’t think of a reason to say no to that.
Chapter 13