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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
major would understand. It was the pater you see,
she began tentatively. Then, warming to her story, she
hurried on. In the last years of his life he became
convinced he was not leaving enough to provide for us
so he bought shares in a joint stock venture.
Unfortunately, he was far more fortunate at risking his
blunt at the card table than he was in business. The
entire scheme collapsed and we were left with nothing.
The shock of it killed the old fellow. There was naught
I could do to raise the wind quickly so I mortgaged the
estate, hoping that with some economy and improved
agricultural practice I could rescue our finances.
Alex laughed mirthlessly. However, it was not
enough, so here I am. The pater was an old rip in his
time spent his days with the likes of Fox, among
others. He lost so much money then that his family
disowned him, but at last he learned a thing or two
about games of chance and eventually won back his
fortune and more and settled down. He stopped
gambling entirely, but he taught me all he knew said
I was better than he ever was, even in his prime.
Knowing all the dangers of it, I have avoided games of
chance until now. But now, well, what else was I to
do?
What else indeed? the major murmured. A
hundred thousand pounds is no paltry sum. From
what I can tell, you have a good start, but it will take
you some time to amass all that, and every day you
stay in London cuts into your profits.
I know. A worried frown wrinkled Alex s forehead.
It appears to me that you need some management
in this affair no offense to Tony, of course. But my
youth was undoubtedly more misspent than his or
yours, and I can arrange it so you play only with those
who risk stakes worth your while. Your strategy of
winning slowly and unobtrusively has stood you in
good stead thus far, but now it is time to take proper
advantage of the situation.
Alex looked doubtful. I don t know, I mean, I have
only just arrived and I am not all sure I am equal to a
contest with the likes of those you propose.
Oh, come now, man, Wrotham scoffed. You may
lack town bronze, but you do not lack skill. I am
85
accounted more than a fair card player and you bested
me. All you need is someone to bring you to the
attention of those who might otherwise not waste their
time on a green lad just down from the country.
That is most kind, Alex began cautiously. She
stole a glance at Tony, who nodded imperceptibly.
Thank you, I think, she concluded lamely.
Christopher grinned. Naturally you suspect my
motives, but I assure you they are of the purest and
they are completely self-interested. I am suffering from
intolerable ennui here. Boredom, pure and simple, has
driven me to it.
An answering gleam appeared in Alex s eye. When
you put it that way, what can I do but accept your
help? Having suffered that malady often enough myself
I feel compelled to relieve someone else of such an
enervating emotion.
It is agreed then?
Agreed.
Very well. We start this evening. I look forward to
seeing you at White s. And with that the major
touched his heels to his horse s flank and cantered off,
leaving Alex and Tony to stare after him.
Chapter 14
It was Tony who recovered first. No need to fret,
Alex, Wrotham is a right one. I am convinced of it. He
is too much a gentleman and a soldier not to be a man
of his word, and he does seem to be on the best of
terms with numerous people who could prove most
useful.
Yeeeees, Alex agreed, but her tone lacked
conviction. I always did sense that he looked upon us
with some degree of suspicion from the very start.
However, I suppose it is a good deal better to have that
sort of person for, rather than against one.
Too right. I fancy it would be rather uncomfortable
to get on the wrong side of someone like the major. I
have seen his sort in the Peninsula, the kind of fellow
who would lead you into the mouth of hell, looking
after you all the way, but if you were to behave badly,
he would be as implacable with you, if not more so,
than with the enemy. You don t want to upset a man
like Wrotham. He would be the very devil to deal with
if he believed you to be anything but honorable.
86
Well, that s encouraging, his sister responded
gloomily. With any luck he will only think of me as an
ivory turner instead of a woman of ill repute. Why his
opinion of her should matter in the least, Alex could
not say, but it did matter.
Surely you are not going to fall into a fit of the
dismals now when we are fully committed to this
charade. You should have done that back in Norfolk. It
is too late now to entertain any missish notions such
as that, her brother scolded.
Missish! I am not in the least missish, Alex
protested furiously.
Delighted to hear it. I thought for a moment there
that you were going to cry off just when the
opportunity to play deep was presenting itself. Oh I [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
