Free Conspiring with a Rogue by Julie Johnstone Page B

shock.”
    Whitney nodded obediently and forced herself not to point out that Sally was only hard to shock because she was always the one doing the shocking.
    Sally tapped a finger to her chin. “I must have lost my usual observant nature. She arrogantly thinks to manipulate any man to do her bidding. Well, let’s just see how she fares against your cousin.”
    “Sin?”
    “Mm-hmm. Come, Lady Audrey is in the drawing room still.” Sally grabbed Whitney’s hand and pulled her into the hall. “I’ve got to pen a note requesting Sin’s presence, and you need to learn to play
Vingt-et-un
before tonight.”
    Descending the spiral staircase in a dizzying fashion, Whitney kept a firm grip on the dark wood handrail as she tried to keep pace with Sally. “Sally, stop,” Whitney huffed as they neared the bottom of the stairs. She dragged Sally closer to whisper, “You can’t involve my cousin. Sin sees things others don’t. I swear he would recognize me, even in all this garb.” She touched her wig to make certain her disguise was in its proper place.
    “Drat it all. You’re probably right.” Sally turned to stare up at Whitney. “I’m sure I can come up with an acceptable replacement to put Lady Audrey in her place. I’ll work on that, and you work on learning
Vingt-et-un
. If you don’t win tonight…”
    “I know.” Whitney gripped the rail, until her fingers ached. “But how can I learn the game? Peter surely won’t help me.”
    The duchess shook her head as she descended the stairs and moved through the hall. “I’m afraid you’re out of favor. Perhaps we should tell him who you really are?”
    Whitney paused at the closed door of the drawing room. “No.” Sally had no idea the terror her simple suggestion ignited. “He’d never let me continue my search. Men always think of us as so frail.” Sally’s eyes narrowed, just as Whitney had known they would. The duchess hated nothing more than being considered the weaker sex.
    “You’re right. We can accomplish this on our own.” Sally snapped her fingers. “The footman knows cards.”
    “I’m not even going to ask how you know your footman plays cards.”
    Sally smiled slyly. “That’s probably best. We’ll go see him after we deal with Lady Audrey.”
    “Perfect. Now all I have to do is learn the game by tonight, so I can trounce Drake, a renowned
Vingt-et-un
player.” Simple as threading a tiny needle with a fat piece of yarn. “Where’s the game to take place?”
    “Oh, darling. That’s the best part. You’re to meet him at the Vagabond Club.”
    “Surely you jest?”
    “I never jest where my own amusement is concerned.” Sally fanned herself. “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of that club. The tales I’ve heard.” The duchess frowned. “Peter’s such a stuffed shirt. He won’t let me within fifty feet.” Sally’s gaze lightened and she grabbed Whitney’s arm. “You must promise to tell me every detail when you finish the game tonight. I’ll wait up for you.”
    “I can’t spend the night here again. How would I explain not going to my own home?”
    Sally waved a hand at her. “Leave it to me. You just win that game and bring me all the exquisite details. Simple.”
    “Yes, simple,” Whitney murmured, her mind racing. All she had to do was learn the game, beat the man she loved, keep Audrey silent and avoid Sin. Her life was a house of cards. One wrong gust, and everything might come crashing down. She turned the doorknob, stepped into the room and stared dumbfounded at the scene before her.
    Sin sat on the settee facing her, his legs crossed, his arm thrown over the shoulder of the blushing Lady Audrey, a rapturous look plastered on his face. Sin’s gaze found Whitney’s, and her heartbeat skittered with fear. She had to get away from him and the added complication he presented as quickly as possible.
    Whitney spun about. “Excuse me,” she mumbled in the gruffest voice possible as she hurried to exit