Chapter Five

"I thought I made it clear that I would not accept excuses or debts." James narrowed his eyes, glaring at Lord Carnuthy as he attempted to explain himself.

"It is only because I did not bring enough coin with me this evening, that is all," the gentleman stuttered, a few beads of sweat on his forehead. "I did not expect to be so heavily involved in the game."

"If you did not expect to be, then you ought to have stopped before you ran out of coin," James answered, as a few of the other gentlemen nodded. "That was the arrangement by which everyone else has also been playing." He sent a look around the table, noting how Lord Hampshire looked down at his cards rather than at James but finding himself a little confused there. Thus far, Lord Hampshire had played very well indeed and had won many rounds, bringing him a significant amount of coin. That was not at all what James had been expecting.

"I will leave at once to fetch more money," Lord Carnuthy said, rising from the table. "I am sure that – "

"No, no, you are not to leave this house or even the table!" Lord Huxbridge waved for Lord Carnuthy to sit back down. "Send a footman, if you wish, but you yourself are not to take your leave. That is not the done thing and I am sure that you are already aware of that."

James smiled grimly, watching as Lord Carnuthy sat back down again, his face a little pale. Either Lord Huxbridge knew that Lord Carnuthy could not be trusted, or the gentleman had got himself into a little too much debt and was now rather concerned about it. James himself did not care. That was the price that came with playing such games and, therefore, to his mind, this situation was Lord Carnuthy's own fault.

Another round of brandy was offered but James declined it. He wanted to keep his mind clear, his eyes sharp. The game was coming to a close now, for Lord Carnuthy and two of the other gentlemen had all chosen to end their part in the game, leaving only James, Lord Hampshire, Lord Mayhew and Lord Huxbridge at the table. There would be a few more rounds, bets would be made and hands would be dealt. Thus far, Lord Hampshire had proven himself to be a better player than James had expected, though he was quite certain that he would defeat him.

Much to his surprise, however, it was Lord Huxbridge who was pushed from the game next rather than Lord Hampshire. Another heavy frown pulled at James' forehead as he watched the cards being dealt. This game had gone on in a way that he had not expected. He had not thought he would be sitting here with Lord Hampshire, ready to play the final few rounds of the game! All he had been worried about was whether or not the gentleman would keep paying his debts, but that had not yet occurred and, to James' mind, it did not seem to him as though it would. For whatever reason, Lord Hampshire appeared to be a good deal more skilled at Commerce than James had thought and now, if he did not keep to his senses, then there was a chance that Lord Hampshire might win and take all of the coin that James had put into the game. Yes, he told himself, such things did not matter. It was only a few coins from his vast fortune, so he did not need to worry about losing any great amount.

But it will be a stain on my reputation and a heaviness on my memory if I am unable to defeat him. He studied the gentleman in, seeing the way he looked at his cards without so much as a flicker coming into his eyes. The gentleman seemed able to hide his emotions from his face very well indeed for, thus far, James had not been able to notice even a single thing that would give the gentleman's hand away. Pursing his lips, James studied his own hand, looking at the cards carefully and working out what he would play. The round began and the coins were thrown into the middle.

To James' dismay, however, he quickly discovered that Lord Hampshire was not only playing well, he was playing exceptionally well, to the point that James soon found himself running out of coin. Lord Mayhew was the very same as he, having only a few coins remaining and the same heavy frown crossed his forehead as James himself wore. James won some rounds but lost others more frequently. The small smile which flickered across Lord Hampshire's mouth began to anger him, to the point that a ball of fury began to settle right against James' heart, making his hand curl into a tight fist as he slammed it hard onto the table.

"Another drink, mayhap?" Lord Mayhew asked, arching one eyebrow as James continued to scowl. "It seems as though we are to be on our final round of the game! Whoever wins this round shall, I think, be declared the winner. Though," he continued, a little ruefully, "I do not think that it shall be me. My coin is almost depleted."

Aware that he was now giving himself away by such a display of emotion, James uncurled his fingers, gave Lord Mayhew a small nod but then looked to Lord Hampshire. The smile on the gentleman's face had now grown and the glimmer of light in his eyes spoke of a confidence that only angered James all the more. How could he be in this situation? Lord Hampshire had accumulated debts thanks to his failures in gambling, having accumulated so many, that he had been forced to hide back at his estate for years! How then could it be that he had such a hold in this particular game?

"I have a suggestion I should like to give you, Lord Granton."

James picked up his glass, threw back his brandy and narrowed his eyes at Lord Hampshire. "I do not have any interest in hearing what you have to say."

"No?" Lord Hampshire's eyes flickered. "Not even if I state that I am willing to give you all of your coin back – and everyone else's with it – if you win a single game of whist?"

James blinked rapidly, his anger rapidly fading. "I beg your pardon?"

Lord Hampshire shrugged. "Lord Mayhew will have to consent also, of course, for he is still in the game. Lord Mayhew, if you are willing to step back then I propose that Lord Granton and I play one game of whist. Only one, mind you. If that is agreeable, then I will place all of my coin in for the bet and, should you win, Lord Granton, then you will take all of it."

A flickering frown danced across James' forehead. "But that does not give you any sort of advantage."

"No, it does not. Which is why you will agree to marry my daughter, should you lose."

A few gasps from the other gentlemen around the table made James' frown grow heavier. "I hardly think that offer is reasonable."

"No?" Lord Hampshire tilted his head. "Very well, then let us continue on as we are. There is no need for anything other than a simple game of Commerce. Though," he continued, a slight twist to his lips, "I do hope that society does not take too badly to the news that the Marquess of Granton has lost a significant amount of coin to a gentleman who had nothing other than debts to his name."

Heat seared all the way up James' spine and he slammed one hand flat on the table, fully aware of what society would think should that happen. He had been thinking on it all through the game, knowing that they would whisper about him, that they would laugh at him and his lack of skill when it came to winning against Lord Hampshire. He had a reputation to maintain – albeit a roughish one – and that did not include being made a mockery. "Do not think to threaten me, Hampshire."

The air in the room seemed to turn ice cold as every eye turned to fix on him. James' breathing grew quick and fast, his chest tight though Lord Hampshire merely smiled. It was clear to him, just as it was clear to James, that this was not something he could prevent. If he lost, then the ton would know of it without Lord Hampshire saying a single word.

"Then what say you, Lord Granton?" Lord Hampshire's question rang around the room and sent another flurry of fury into James' chest.

"That is a significant bet, Lord Hampshire," Lord Mayhew remarked, as Lord Hampshire began to push all of the coin he had out into the middle of the table. "Are you certain you wish to place all of it on one game of whist?"

Lord Hampshire tilted his head, looking back at James. "I can take it all back and begin Commerce again," he said, the challenge lingering in his voice. "What say you, Lord Granton?"

Before James knew what he was doing, he had slammed his fist down on the table and, half rising from his chair, glared at Lord Hampshire. "Yes. I accept your bet."

The gasp which rang around the room told him that his behaviour had captured everyone's attention, but James did not move nor even glance at anyone else. Instead, he simply gazed into Lord Hampshire's face, hating that smile which still lingered there.

"Very well." Lord Mayhew cleared his throat, looking around the room. "Gentlemen, you are all witnesses to this. Should Lord Granton win, then all the coin in the centre of the table will go to him, along with the triumph of being the overall winner of this game. Should Lord Hampshire win, however, then Lord Granton promises to marry Lord Hampshire's daughter."

"Miss Martha Newton," Lord Hampshire stated, as every gentleman turned again to look at James. "Now then, Lord Granton. Shall we play?"

James nodded, sinking back down into his chair. The game began and every single gentleman in the room came to stand and watch the goings-on. Determination began to seep into James' veins. He watched his opponent carefully as Lord Hampshire studied the cards in his hand, looking for any sign on his face that would give something, anything , away, but Lord Hampshire's expression remained impassive.

The cards were dealt and, after a moment, Lord Hampshire asked for another. Lord Mayhew gave it to him, only for Lord Hampshire to ask for another. A murmur rang around the room but Lord Hampshire sighed, smiled and sat back in his chair and lifted an eyebrow in his direction. "I am contented, Lord Granton. It is your turn."

Looking back at his cards, James took in a long, slow breath. His cards were good but yet, he still could get closer to twenty-one. "One."

Lord Mayhew nodded and gave him one. James turned it over and offered a small, satisfied smile to the cards in his hand. Twenty. That is more than satisfactory. It would take a miracle for Lord Hampshire to hit twenty-one exactly.

"I am contented." Looking up, he spread out his cards on the table, hearing the exclamations from the gentlemen around him.

"Twenty," Lord Mayhew confirmed, his voice loud so that everyone could hear him. "Lord Hampshire?"

Lord Hampshire's frown made James' hopes of winning suddenly roar to life.

"Alas," the gentleman sighed, making James' heart lurch with a great and expectant hope. "It appears that I have… " He set out the cards, a broad grin replacing the frown. "I have twenty-one."

The roar from the other gentlemen in the room was so loud, it was deafening. James stared at the cards, taking in the four of hearts, the six of clubs, the ten of diamonds and the Ace of spades that Lord Hampshire had laid out.

By those four cards, his fate was sealed.

He had lost.