Page 53 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

Long glowered at Damian. ‘Yes. It is in your pockets where my money ends up.’ His voice grew louder. ‘I was warned that the house always wins at Rake Hell.’

A few people close enough to hear gasped. And others began to draw closer to see what was going on. Thetonloved a good scene as long as they weren’t the ones involved.

Damian eyed the flushed young man standing before him. He was going to deserve every bit of his comeuppance.

Indeed, one more word and he was going to find himself being called out. And that would suit Damian’s purpose even better than simply costing him his fortune. Not that he intended to kill the lad on the field of honour. He would simply make him look a complete and utter fool. It wasn’t hard to do, with such a spoiled brat.

‘Release Mrs Lamb’s arm, there’s a good fellow,’ he said softly, but with a voice full of icy determination.

Long wobbled on his feet. He took one look at Damian’s face and dropped Pamela’s arm as if it were hot.

So much for Long being any sort of worthy opponent.

Damian curled his lip. ‘Now, what is the problem?’

Long looked around at the staring faces. ‘I was saying that the bank here always wins.’

Damian shook his head and looked around at the gathering crowd. ‘Not true.’ He found the person he was looking for.

‘Lord Norris, did you not win one hundred guineas just last week?’

Norris grinned. ‘I did. Losing it all tonight, though.’

‘I did tell you last week to stop while you were ahead,’ Damian said, grinning at the fellow. ‘Not one to take advice, are you?’

Norris shook his head. ‘It will turn about, you will see.’ He headed back to the tables.

Others drifted away.

Pamela, who had looked frightened just moments before, now looked far more relaxed. She had been obviously glad to see him.

‘But that wasn’t what you were arguing about with Mrs Lamb, was it, Long? You were having a different kind of conversation.’

Pamela slipped away and left him to it.

Long hung his head. ‘I wanted her to take me to the rooms upstairs.’

Damian’s stomach tightened at the obvious insult. He wanted to throttle the fellow.

To his surprise, Pamela returned with Smith in tow. Long’s friend.

‘I am going home,’ Smith said, clearly primed by Pamela as to his role. ‘I have another party to attend.’

Long looked at him owlishly. ‘You do?’

‘Yes. A private party.’ He winked.

‘All right,’ Long said. ‘I will come with you.’ He gave an exaggerated bow to Pamela and Damian and left.

‘Young idiot,’ Pamela said.

‘I think he’s the sort that is likely to come to a sticky end. Did he lose a lot?’

Pamela shook her head. ‘I won’t know until later.’ The clock chimed midnight. ‘Anyway, it is time to start the dancing now.’

And just like clockwork, the tables emptied and the orchestra began to tune their instruments.

Pamela hurried off to make sure everything was in order and he and Pip collected the money they had won.