Page 99 of Murder at the Debutante Ballby

Dutch clapped him on the shoulder again. “Probably wise, all things considered. Speaking of which, we need to have a conversation later. My man will come and get you before you leave.” He indicated a figure in the shadows by the door who I hadn’t noticed when we entered. He looked so much like the guard at the front entrance they could be brothers.

The thug eyed Floyd and cracked his knuckles.

Floyd swallowed hard. “Not yet, please, Dutch. I just need a little more time.”

“Enough business,” Dutch said. “We don’t want to bore Miss Fox. It’s time to play.” He appealed to Harry and Harry nodded. Dutch clicked his fingers and a footman appeared carrying a tray with a glass of brandy on it. Dutch handed the glass to Harry and pulled out the chair for him.

Harry glared at me and mouthed, “Go.”

I nodded then moved away, out of his line of sight, taking Floyd with me. I didn’t want to distract Harry while he was playing, and letting him think I’d left was the best way to do that.

Jonathon joined us and we watched Harry play from a distance.

He won almost every round. At first I thought Dutch and the other players were letting him win somehow, but by the annoyed look on Dutch’s face, I gathered it wasn’t part of his plan.

Both Jonathon and Floyd confirmed it with their hopeful glances and almost smiles. Both were glued to the table where, one by one, the other players lost everything and had to bow out. It was just Dutch and Harry left, and it was clear that Dutch was growing more annoyed by the minute.

With Harry’s pile of tokens rising and Dutch’s pile shrinking, Dutch called for a pause in the game. “To stretch my legs and enjoy charming conversation with Miss Fox,” he declared loudly.

Those who’d been watching the game now turned to me.

Dutch rose but didn’t approach. He disappeared into an adjoining room and closed the door.

Harry joined us and accepted a hearty clap on the shoulder from Floyd. “Good show, Armitage. You’re winning legitimately this time.”

“Legitimately?” I asked.

“Last time, Dutch let him win. It’s his tactic to get a player to return.” Floyd’s face fell. “Then he fleeces him.”

Jonathon had told me as much, and claimed it was how Floyd got into so much debt to the gambler.

I clasped Floyd’s arm. “I’m glad you haven’t succumbed to the urge to join in.”

“It’s not easy, I admit, especially being here again. The thing is, I know I can’t beat him. I can’t prove he cheats, but he must.”

“Do you think he cheats?” I asked Harry

Harry shook his head. “He’s just very good.”

I stood on my toes and he bent down so I could whisper in his ear. “Do you cheat?”

He straightened. “What do you think?”

I didn’t know what to think. Harry was an honest man, but Dutch was not. He was capable of fighting fire with fire, but would he stoop to Dutch’s level? Was there enough at stake for him to cheat? Harry wouldn’t care about a mere dent to his pride, but I suspected he was working his way up to saving Floyd somehow. That would be something Harry would consider worth cheating for.

Otherwise why come here and play at all?

Dutch emerged from the other room and approached, all toothy smiles and flashing eyes. “What do you think of the games, Miss Fox? Are you amused?”

“Let’s just say my eyes have been opened tonight.”

His smile widened. “Is the little Fox feeling hunted by these brutish hounds?” He indicated the other gamblers, some quite drunk, others impatiently waiting for the tussle between Dutch and Harry to resume, while others were too absorbed in their women to notice anyone else.

“I’m quite all right with my cousin, thank you. Don’t concern yourself with my welfare, sir.”

“Please, call me Dutch.” He took my hand again, but instead of kissing the back, he turned it over and kissed my wrist. Fortunately I was still wearing long evening gloves, not short day ones, and he kissed nothing but silk. Even so, I had to force myself not to recoil. “You bring class to my little establishment, Miss Fox. I am honored.”

“You honorme, Dutch. But I think you ought to return to your table. The hounds are getting restless.”