Free A Gallant Gamble by Jackie Williams Page B

entries.”
    Geoffrey shook his head as a sudden shudder raced up his spine. He glanced between Torrington and Carruthers, seeing some kind of communication going on between them, but was unsure as to exactly what it was. He kept his words calm and guarded.
    “I’m here to escort the Duchess and Lady Charlotte, nothing more, but I will keep an eye on any...any opportunities and keep you informed of my decision.”
    Mr. Michaels, who had until that moment remained virtually silent throughout dinner, suddenly snorted with laughter as he poured his own glass of port.
    “Yes, well, opportunities arise all the time. I suspect there will be a few willing to wager a pretty penny on this season’s prospects.” He emphasised his last word as he looked significantly at the other men. “What say you, Torrington? Fancy ten pounds on her falling at the first fence?” He smiled widely as he raised his glass towards Lord Torrington.
    Geoffrey narrowed his eyes and glanced around the table again. Something didn’t feel quite right. Lord Latham’s cheeks were stained red with discomfiture and he twirled his glass in his hand as Torrington tittered into his glass.
    Hubert Carruthers picked up his glass. It wobbled precariously in his drunken fingers and the ruby liquid threatened to spill from its lip as he spoke up.
    “I wouldn’t mind adding a certain young filly to White’s book. She looks as though she’ll be a good mount. Plenty of spirit and with a beautiful form. She might be more of a challenge that you think. I’ll wager ten pounds against you both.”
    Geoffrey frowned as the man grinned along the table at his sniggering friend. The conversation was slipping even further from his grasp until it suddenly occurred to him that they were no longer talking of horses but of women, or rather, just one woman. He caught sight of Mr. Michaels’ sly smile as the man raised his glass again and the pain of realization shot through him. The men were insinuating that Charlotte could be compromised, ruined even, and it might possibly be one of them attempting the act. They were wagering on her possible downfall while attempting to ensure that the destruction of her virtue actually happened.
    Silence fell as rage like he had never known before pounded in his veins. He clenched his teeth in an attempt to hold it back. This wasn’t his house and he wasn’t master of it. These people, however ill-mannered, were Olivia’s friends; not that he thought she would approve of this kind of conversation at all, but he couldn’t just leap across the table and tear the men’s hearts out through their throats, as much as he wanted to. His hand shook and he fisted it tightly beneath the table just as Lord Armitage suddenly cleared his throat.
    “Gentlemen, didn’t you hear the Duchess. Mr. Talbot here is surely a serious contender for the prize. Joke if you may, but I don’t think I will be staking anything against him. He looks more than capable of seeing off any of you youngsters, besides, you shouldn’t gamble on such things. If any of you ever find the perfect mare, you wouldn’t want anyone wagering against you and you certainly don’t want to do anything to upset the creature either. A filly can be a very temperamental thing, but when you have broken her in and trained her up, she’ll serve you for life...I should know and so should Latham here. We have more experience than all of the rest of you put together.” He looked significantly at the three men lower down the table.
    Although Lord Armitage was clearly attempting to diffuse the tension that had crept into the atmosphere around the table, Geoffrey almost hated the man even more. He felt the steam of fury burning his nostrils. Fillies, mares, mounting, riding, breaking them in, and training them up! Nausea swept over him at their crass innuendoes and he pitied these men’s wives and lovers. The thought of Charlotte being in the same room with any of this filth was more than