Page 19 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

She and her partner easily won the first round, and that’s how the day went, with her switching partners for each new game.

When it was time for cards, her opponent was Richard himself, and she smiled triumphantly when she looked at the cards she had in her hand.

“You might as well forfeit this round, Your Grace,” she told him triumphantly.

“Why, Miss Burlow?” he asked cordially, as though they were newly acquainted. “Are you scared I’ll end your winning streak?”

“Au contraire, Your Grace.” She smiled, placing her cards down. “I only fear that if we were making a wager, I’d be the new owner of your estate.”

Richard laughed long and loud and then put down his cards, and she laughed when she saw she had indeed beat him.

The other players at their table groaned as they put their cards down, and she noticed that she had beaten them all, although they didn’t take it in stride like Richard had.

Why do men have such fragile egos?

They broke apart for refreshments, and while she sipped her punch, she made eye contact with Lord Evermore and Lord Riverton, players at her table during the last game of cards. But they looked away from her and then quickly walked off.

She frowned at their odd behavior, wondering what that was about.

“You seem to have scared away potential suitors again,” Richard noted from behind her, startling her.

Her drink spilled over the rim of her glass, nearly ruining the front of her dress. She turned to him with a glare, but he just winked at her and handed her a kerchief which she used to wipe her hands.

“Keep it,” he said when she tried to hand it back.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

They were calling for the final game, and she made to find her seat when Richard pulled her back with a hand on her arm. She looked around to make sure no one saw them.

“Why did you do that?” she asked, worried. “Someone could have seen us.”

“Relax, no one did,” he said softly. “Plus, it’s time for your second lesson.”

“Now?” she hissed. “We could have discussed this at your home.”

“Are you trying to spend time alone with me, Miss Burlow?”

“Richard!”

“Shh! Someone might hear you,” he teased.

She glared hotly at him when some curious eyes turned in their direction. He might not have much of a reputation to preserve, but she did.

“Fine. Fine.” He raised his arms in surrender. “I’m trying to help you.”

She looked warily at him and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m listening.”

“What do you think you did wrong today?”

“Could you not just tell me and be done with it?”

He rolled his eyes. “Humor me.”

“I really don’t know what I did wrong.”

“Lord Evermore and Lord Riverton are potential suitors who would suit you way more than you know, and you have nearly ruined your chances with them.”

“Nearly? How?”

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