“Then you will take a loan. Together, we will continue to host these parties until it is repaid. Sell your paintings and seek commission to paint more.”
“Sell my paintings?” The thought caused a sharp pang in his chest.
“You cannot hide them in the dark forever.”
“Who on earth would want to buy them?”
She tutted. “Many people. Really, for a man who oozes confidence, I’m surprised at your lack of faith. From what I saw, your work is remarkable.”
The compliment nurtured self-belief and banished all doubts, albeit temporarily.
“And what are we to do if we win?”
“Sell your paintings and seek commission to paint more,” she repeated as though the answer was obvious. “Only when you answer the call of your heart, will you feel fulfilled.”
Hearing her wise words caused a warm glow in his chest. A tingling sensation followed, trickled through every part of his body. While he was always ready to bed her, this felt different. Dare he say it, he needed her. How the hell had he survived on his own?
Was it love? He had no notion.
Everything reminded him of her. The sound of trickling water when he washed always brought to mind her terrified face as she hid in the shadows by Holbrook’s fountain. He’d never be able to ride in a carriage again without recalling the pleasure she’d given him. Oysters roused an image of her full lips. The rain. Dancing. Anything red.
It all came back to her.
“As always I cannot argue with your logic.” Lacking the courage to put his feelings into words, he held his hand out to her. “Shall we give the gossips something juicy to savour? Shall we take our place at the card table?”
“I have a few ideas on that score if you’re happy to trust my judgement.”
“Of course.” He inclined his head. “Together we make a formidable opponent. Let us teach Boden a lesson he’ll never forget.”
Chapter 19
The parlour was set aside for those men who liked to gamble with money as opposed to a woman’s affections. Rumours of the wager between Matthew and Lord Boden had spread through the throng. Indeed, the guests piled into the dimly lit room, squashed and squeezed into every available space in the hope of witnessing the event. Consequently, the room was hot. The pungent odour of stale tobacco and cheap perfume tainted the air. The sickly sweet smell of liquor made Priscilla want to retch.
“Heaven help us if there’s a fire,” Priscilla said moving around the table to take the seat opposite Matthew. Lord Boden held out her chair despite Matthew’s mutterings of disapproval. “Thank you, my lord. I hope you will be as generous when we beat you at whist.”
Boden chuckled though a smile barely formed on his lips. “While I am more than confident in my ability to succeed, your optimism is refreshing. Indeed, there are not many ladies who—”
“Stop harassing my wife with your sentimental nonsense.” Matthew removed his coat and draped it over the back of the chair. “She can see through your amiable facade.”
“What you deem a facade is simply good manners,” Boden countered though there was a hint of amusement in his tone, a reluctance to offend.
“You must excuse my husband,” Priscilla said trying not to show she found the lord abhorrent. “His mood will be much improved once he wins back his vowel.”
“When I win, I shall be ecstatic,” Matthew snapped.
“Determination is an admirable quality,” Boden replied. “But you cannot hope to win. I excel at the game. There is no finer player in all of London. Ask around.”
Good. She’d cast a line to lure this big fish. Now Boden had taken a nibble it wouldn’t be too difficult to reel him in.
“Perhaps you exaggerate your skill, my lord. Perhaps your confidence is merely a mask to rouse fear in our hearts. After all, did you not lose at The Diamond Club last night?”
Excited murmurs drifted through the crowd.
“We lost, but the mistake was mine,” Mr Parker Brown interjected as he took the final seat. “I can assure you, madam, it won’t happen again.”
“A mistake?” The faint look of suspicion passed over Matthew’s face. It would not do to alert Boden that they suspected foul play. Besides, Priscilla wanted to use this opportunity to gain a pledge from the pompous lord and his partner.
Casting Matthew an inconspicuous look to be cautious, Priscilla said, “Precisely my point. Mistakes happen, my lord. While I admire your confidence, you cannot be assured of success tonight.”