“Why ever not? Besides, have you not made a terrible miscalculation?” When he raised a brow by way of a challenge, she added, “Someone must partner you when you play whist. What is the point of reading the signs when your partner lacks the necessary skill and could lose the game?”
She had a fair point though he’d thought of asking Tristan to accompany him. “And you want to be my partner? But you don’t know how to play.”
An impish grin revealed a certain smugness. “The other night, when you tried to teach me the rules, I feigned ignorance so you would spend time with me. I can play whist. Coupled with the ability to memorise the cards, I can be a formidable opponent.”
“What, you expect me to believe you can remember the order of play?”
She folded her arms across her chest, the action pushing her breasts together. Damn, he’d almost forgotten how much he wanted to bed her. “There is only one sure way to prove my point. Put me to the test.”
With his curiosity aroused, he took all the played cards from the table. “Then it shouldn’t be too difficult to recall the order of these cards.”
She inclined her head. “I had the ten of hearts, the four and three of clubs. The first card you turned over was the nine of diamonds, followed by the nine of hearts and then you drew the five of spades. Shall I continue?”
Bloody hell! If she could remember a whole pack, she’d prove to be invaluable.
“There’s no need. We can play later this evening, and I shall put your skill to the test.”
“Does that mean you’ll take me with you?”
“You do realise people will slander your good name if they discover you frequent the seamier places.”
“I am quickly becoming a lady who doesn’t give a fig for what others say.” She picked up a French bean and bit it in half. “Besides, as a lady who allows people to fornicate in her home, what more can they say?”
Guilt flared. “When I’ve made enough money, you won’t have to share your home with anyone.”
“Well, perhaps with some help, you might win enough from the sharps to rent a studio.”
In moments of fanciful musings, he often dreamed of such a thing. “If I agree to take you, it will be only this once.”
What harm would it do? If anything it would prove to the gossips that he loved his wife and craved her company.
“Of course. I would not wish to make a habit of socialising with immoral men. But I could read your notes and observe the sharps’ behaviour too.”
He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “I might need persuading.”
“Really? Then let’s draw cards. If I win, you have no choice but to take me.”
“You’re my wife. I intend to take you in every way possible.”
A chuckle burst from her lips. “Does your mind only follow one train of thought?”
“When it comes to you, yes.” Despite the stays, her breasts wobbled as she laughed. He dabbed the corner of his mouth with his napkin to stop the excessive salivating. “May I remind you that sitting in your undergarments is hardly the way to test a man’s resolve.”
“Then the time for honesty is nigh. Tonight, I shall leave the connecting door open. A bed will be far more comfortable than the drawing room floor.”
“But not nearly as much fun.”
“Take me to the gaming hell, and I’ll find a way to compensate you before we return home.”
Intrigued by her proposal, Matthew dragged his hand down his face to temper his raging blood. “Agreed. Now shall we declare the winner of this bout?”
“Oh, I think it’s fair to say we have both won this game.”
Chapter 13
The Diamond Club, a notorious gaming hell that catered to the elite of society, stood nestled in the corner of the courtyard known as Pickering Place. Once a prime location for men to duel with pistols, due to its secluded position away from the main thoroughfare, it was not uncommon to find a gentleman slumped against the wall ready to end his own life.
Fortunes were made and lost at the exclusive club.