“Perhaps.”
He leaned against his billiard stick. “Why did you attempt to steal that silver?”
“I already told you the answer. To see if I could.”
“Was it a dare with a friend of yours?”
“No. It was strictly my doing.”
“Are you in need of funds, Miss Drake?”
“Of course not!”
“Of course not, what?” Harry asked as he walked into the room followed by Lord Ainsley.
“Good evening, Lord Ainsley,” Emma said with a quick curtsy.
“Ainsley,” Kingsley said with a nod before turning his attention to Harry. “I was asking Miss Drake if she was jesting with me when she said she played no better than you.”
Harry tilted his head back and laughed. “Yes, it’s a good thing you didn’t play for money because she has won every game I’ve ever played against her.”
“How did she do?” Ainsley aske
d with a smile toward her.
“I did very well,” Emma replied, irked that he asked Kingsley, not her.
“Yes, she did,” Kingsley said with a smirk. “Although, I am quite certain I would have won if we hadn’t been interrupted.”
“I would have won,” Emma said, annoyed with his arrogance. “I should return to the salon now.”
As she walked across the room, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance back at Kingsley, who raised a brow at her.
DAMN HIS BROTHER. HARRY had told Simon that she would not be here tonight. Instead, Harry had left them alone in the billiard room, where his thoughts went straight to laying her down on the green felt and making love to her. Damn!
Simon stiffened as Ainsley took a turn at billiards with Harry. And what was Ainsley doing here? His dear brother had told Simon to stop sniffing around Miss Drake’s skirts, but Ainsley, who only courted her for the money Harry had given as a dowry, was perfectly acceptable.
If she weren’t Louisa’s sister, he would pursue Emma until she ended up in his bed. But she was the sister to his favorite duchess, therefore he couldn’t chase her. He took a long sip of brandy. It was just as well. She would want marriage if he bedded her.
And she wasn’t his type of woman.
He didn’t need a lady who would disapprove of his owning Hell. A woman who would consistently pester him to sell the business and become a proper gentleman. A lady who would always be angry with herself for settling for a man with no title.
“Shall we join the ladies now? I believe Stanton should be here momentarily.” Harry replaced the cue sticks in their holder on the wall.
Stanton? Did Harry seriously think Stanton was an option for Miss Drake? The man had a mistress. He didn’t want or need a wife. Simon stood with a long sigh. Dammit, Stanton could have the chit. Ainsley could have her. Simon had a business to run and should focus on keeping it safe from the ruffians in Seven Dials.
“Come along, Simon,” Harry said with a grin. “This should be an interesting night.”
“I am suddenly not feeling well, Harry. I believe I am going to have to take my leave now.” Simon attempted to look as if his stomach was bothering him by putting a hand to his belly. “Please give the ladies my apologies.”
Harry looked concerned for all of two seconds before he quirked a brow at him with a smirk. “Of course, Simon.”
Simon made his way to the hall and waited for his coat and hat.
Louisa appeared at the top step, staring down at him. “Don’t you dare leave!”
“I am not feeling well, duchess.”