Page 12 of Shining Knight
Graham could point out that he could abstain from wagering all together, but it would be a waste of breath.
“Your name is falling to the bottom, Tinsley,” someone called out from amongst the crowd around the famous book.
“My name?”
“Did you not know you were in the lead until the ball last night?” Lord Ravenhill asked, also appearing from out of nowhere.
“That is appalling.”
“I could think of a thousand worse things than being shackled to such a tasty morsel,” Ravenhill baited him unmercifully.
“You are about to taste my fist instead,” Graham growled.
The weasel held up his hands and backed away. “I think he doth protest too much. Perhaps I will put my money back on Tinsley,” he shouted over the din, but fortunately for him, far enough away from Graham’s fist.
Graham sat down with a groan and ran his hands through his hair. Petersham placed a glass in his hand as he gave him a look laced with amusement.
“Et tu?”
Petersham gave a casual shrug. “You do seem a bit out of sorts about Perth and Farnsworth.”
“Only because I want her to be happy.”
“And they cannot make her so?”
“It is not logical, I know,” Graham admitted as he tossed back the brandy. “Perhaps it is just too sudden.”
“For her or for you?”
Graham smiled. “That is not amusing.”
“I think Ravenhill might be correct. You protest too much. You did mention you would need to find a wife soon. Perhaps the one you seek is right in front of you.”
Graham did not bother to reply. The thought of he and Eugenia married was preposterous. She was as good as a sister to him, and he’d as good as sworn to protect her…not claim her as his own.
