Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

Omsbury chewed his lips for a moment. He knew full well the extent of friendship the Clays and the Henshaws enjoyed. He knew there was nothing romantic to be feared, and yet, jealousy goaded his temper.

However, the advantage he held was that he knew Jewelene’s soft heart was in this. She would not allow herself to stand by and watch Ben Clay lose everything!

“I know you would not do so willingly … but times suggest you have no choice.” Omsbury laid another heavy bet on the board. “You see, Clay … I continue the game.”

“And, my lord,” said Ben in a low, hard tone, “experience and experts advise that the odds are with the house.”

Omsbury had walked into that one, but he just smirked and thought to himself, We shall see, Ben Clay, we shall see.

*

Jewelene tried to maintain her composure and keep her mind on the cards. The win for the house was astounding, and she couldn’t believe how much Ryker was putting on the table and happily losing. He didn’t seem interested in the game or its outcome, but he kept on betting … Oh no, she thought desperately. Is he a gambler like Father? Had she fallen for the same kind of man her father had been?

She couldn’t see Ben and Omsbury as they conversed, and she thought her body might begin to visibly twitch she was so nervous. Then things went from bad to worse, so much worse.

Her hand fluttered on its path to her forehead, and she felt dizzy once more. She had thought she heard his voice, but she had been unwilling to believe her ears. It couldn’t be. He didn’t like gaming—he never visited the Silver Heart …

It just couldn’t be—but it was … Jimmy! Horrified, she watched Sir James, arm in arm with his crony, Arthur Salford, walk in upon them. She might be able to fool the world, but she would never be able to fool her brother!

Jewels felt herself blanch, and one hand gripped the table edge for support. She knew Jimmy, and he might just blurt out enough to bring Omsbury’s attention to them. She had to escape; there was nothing for it—she had to get away before he spotted her.

“What is it? What is wrong …?” Ryker had her elbow. “Are you ill—speak to me, love … what is it?”

“I … oh, oui, monsieur … I feel overly warm … faint …” She turned her back toward her brother and called to her lookout boy, “Jem, eh … you will take zee table for me …”

Young Filey jumped to his feet. “Allow me to escort you.”

“No, me!” shouted his friend, Hill.

Ryker cast them a superior eye. “She already has escort—down, boys …” He took her arm to lead her away.

She could just see from beneath her lashes that Jimmy and Arthur had moved to the black ombre table.

Ryker’s gaze followed her own, and she thought she saw something flicker in his gray eyes as he looked at Jimmy. Probably, she told herself, he was surprised to see her young brother in the Silver Heart—although he didn’t think it was her brother; he Jewelene’s brother … oh faith, this was getting to be too much. What a web—of her own making!

Babette led Ryker down the hall to a gilt-molded door that opened into Ben’s office chamber. She turned at the portal and attempted a dismissal. “Merci, m’sieur, you were so good … now I think … I shall just lie down for a spell.” She was going to don her buckskin clothes and get the deuce out of there as fast as she could.

He moved with her into the room so very adroitly, gently maneuvering her towards the sofa. “Ah, but what sort of knave do you take me for? Leave a damsel in distress?” Ignoring her protests he added, “Lie back, Babette—and close your eyes … I’ll just pour you a glass of brandy.”

She did as he suggested, hoping he would go away once he saw her comfortably resting. However, she opened her eyes to find him sitting over her, and her body trembled with fear. He would discover who she was before she had an opportunity to confess.

“There’s the good girl …” he said, putting the brandy to her lips. “Take off the mask so you can breathe easier …”

Their eyes met, and she felt a sudden strange, almost suffocating sensation. He was going to kiss her and break her heart—completely. He would be kissing Babette—not her. At this moment in time, on top of everything else, he was going to shatter her into pieces she would never be able to put back together again. He definitely looked as though he were about to kiss Babette!

The door at his back opened, and a voice snapped, “What is going on here, Ryker?”

Ryker slowly, casually got to his feet and faced Ben. “Babette was not feeling well, and it is no wonder … with all that she had to deal with this evening. What confounds me is how you have allowed it.”

Ben frowned, looked at Babette, and said, “I am here now and shall attend to both Babette and anything that happened to upset her—after all, the lady is in my care.”

“Is that so? And here I thought, Ben, that your heart belonged to another …” Ryker said smoothly as he watched Ben’s face take on color..

Jewel’s mouth dropped as she watched Ryker in action. She looked daggers at Ben for taking on this new lie. “Well, zees eez zo complicated …” she started. “Ben … we … are zee good friends … oui … mais … no more … is zees not so, Ben?” She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she couldn’t have Ryker think she and Ben were more than friends … not after their afternoon together, and then she remembered she was Babette. Oh, she was getting confused.

“I would like a few moments with my faro dealer, my lord …” Ben said stiffly, and it was obvious he had picked his words carefully.

Ryker inclined his head and turned to Babette. “I will be awaiting your return … and never be but a shout away. Understood?”