Page 26 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl
He felt a strong urge to haul her out of the room by her arm and demand an explanation. He clenched his hands at his sides. To do anything so rash would invite unwanted comment.
Her eyes widened as if she sensed his anger, then she smiled at him and her eyes twinkled with mischief. Devil take the woman, she was enjoying herself.
And why would he feel anger when she had played right into his hands? What did it matter that every red-blooded male in the room was ogling her with lascivious interest, when he had now started her down the path to ignominy?
It could not have worked better than if he had planned it.
He smiled back, bowed slightly and moved on. Phillippe, dressed as the Sun King himself, sidled up to him. ‘Your cook is makingl’impression grande,’ he said softly.
‘You knew she was here and didn’t think to say anything?’ He tamped down his temper once again. What the hell was the matter with him?
Phillippe shrugged. ‘The staff is in your care. I assumed it was by your orders.’
Of course he should have known. Albert was the one who should have informed him. Well, he knew now and there was no more to be said about it. It would be many more hours before tonight was over, and a plan began to form for how he might use the time to his advantage.
As the evening wore on, Damian noticed that although the crowd around Mrs Lamb’s table ebbed and flowed somewhat, it was always the busiest. It was the younger crowd who seemed to be drawn into her orbit. For the most part these young men were harmless, though not above sowing their wild oats in any available pasture.
He drew closer. He was surprised at how comfortable Mrs Lamb looked in her new role as she deftly dealt a hand to those sitting at the table. A king of hearts landed face up in front of her.
The men around her groaned at the sight of the royal card.
‘Your bets, please, gentlemen,’ she said calmly.
‘How about a kiss for luck?’ the lad on her right said.
Damian frowned, ready to step in if this sort of loose talk made her uncomfortable.
Mrs Lamb laughed lightly. ‘How about you make your wager, or give up your place to a gentleman who will, Lord James? You know full well I do not play favourites.’ Her tone was friendly, but firm.
Lord James grinned good-naturedly. ‘It was worth a try.’ He pushed forward a pile of chips representing a guinea.
Clearly Mrs Lamb was not in need of assistance.
She glanced around the table, ensuring all bets were placed, then dealt the next card with a graceful turn of her wrist. She paused for a moment with a little dramatic flair that made Damian want to chuckle, then put her own card down with a tiny snap in the silence of bated breath. ‘Bank pays twenty-one.’
Which meant the bank paid no one. She gathered up the chips.
‘You have the most devilish luck, Mrs Lamb,’ one of the fellows said.
Mrs Lamb’s steady grey gaze rested on his face. ‘Would you like me to call for a fresh deck?’ she asked sweetly.
‘Hey!’ Lord James said. ‘No need for that, Smythe. Mrs Lamb runs a straight-up game. Besides, that was a fresh pack.’
Smythe looked embarrassed. ‘Didn’t mean anything. Just saying Mrs Lamb’s luck is in and mine is out.’
‘Idiot,’ someone in the crowd said and there was general laughter, including from Smythe.
All was well here. Better than well. It seemed Mrs Lamb had a real talent for keeping the young puppies in order. He moved on to check on the other tables.
After a while, he signalled to Albert that it was time to start the dancing. The croupiers needed a break. He needed to collect up some of the winnings and the ladies who were guests would not be happy if gambling was the only thing on offer.
He’d learned early that if he wanted to keep the men spending their money, he had to keep their lady friends suitably entertained.
Albert moved from table to table, helping each croupier wrap up her game and clear the winnings from each station. It was always a risky time, though unlike the hells where he had learned his craft, there were no ruffians ready to spot the slightest weakness and steal the proceeds.
Each of his guests was selected by him personally. They would deem it dishonourable to steal anything, or at least dishonourable to be caught stealing anything. He smiled grimly.
When Albert reached Mrs Lamb’s table, some of the men complained good-naturedly about ruining their luck. Albert jollied them along and they drifted away. Mrs Lamb stood up and stretched her back, chatting with Sukey who had clearly taken her under her wing.
