they operated, or who had been serviced by them. If nothing else, Calliope supposed she could admire the cunning of such an enterprise. If the talk about them was to be believed, they had operated in secrecy for years without being exposed.
“Oh, Diana … I don’t know …”
“Just think about it,” Diana urged. “Mr. Lewes has likely arrived, and Hastings will be impatient to depart. But, I want you to consider it. If you decide to go through with it, I know someone who could arrange an introduction to a lady who’s acquainted with the proprietor of the business.”
Calliope nodded, finding that she could form no actual words to respond to Diana’s outlandish idea. As Ekta silently helped her into her redingote, clear disapproval stamped all over her weathered, brown face, Calliope tried to push the notion aside. It was absurd, thinking of paying someone to pretend to be smitten with her in order to snare the attention of another man. It was beneath her, and dishonest, and would be a waste of a portion of her inheritance.
Along with the clothing and jewels of her mother’s Calliope had inherited, there was a great deal of money—a fortune she could live on until she died, in the event she failed to secure a husband. Her father had been incredibly generous, likely knowing how difficult it would be for her as an oddity amongst the other ladies of society. She could spend the money on a courtesan and not miss it, but it seemed like such a frivolous use of funds. Calliope would far rather continue concentrating her efforts and wealth on things that mattered to her—such as the charity organization she took part in—the thing that fulfilled her time and resources for lack of a husband or child to look after.
To purchase the attentions of a courtesan? No, she couldn’t bear to think of it. She was angry with herself for even being tempted by the idea.
However, as she and Diana joined the men downstairs, Calliope’s heart gave a painful squeeze at the sight of the gentleman she wanted. He was achingly beautiful in his black and white evening kit, the austere shades only enhancing his bright coloring. He was genial and friendly as he greeted her, offering his arm to guide her out to the waiting carriage. What she wouldn’t give for him to look at her the way Hastings did Diana, as he lowered his head to murmur something in her ear. Something private that made Diana’s cheeks flush pink and caused Calliope to experience a deep and poignant longing for what they had.
Mr. Lewes did seem to like her, and as Diana said, all he seemed to need was a push in the right direction. It wouldn’t really be so bad of Calliope to use the tools at her disposal to ensure he came to see her as something more than the sister-in-law of a friend?
Would it?
Chapter 2
“I find it galling that wagering has so permeated our society and poisoned the minds of our fathers, brothers, and husbands. From betting books and cock fights, boxing matches and gaming hells … It is my opinion that there is no vice more ungentlemanly than that of gambling.”
The London Gossip, 21 August, 1819
Dominick Burke rattled the ivory dice cup in one hand while holding on to the lightskirt clinging to his shirtsleeve with the other. He blinked eyes made cloudy from drink and shook his head, forcing the two whirling Hazard tables before him to amalgamate into one. The din of the gaming hell faded to a dull roar, and the faces of those crowded around the table looked contorted and warped to his unfocused eyes. He wasn’t certain whether fatigue or spirits were responsible for his present state. Likely both. He’d been here for hours, and was determined not to leave until his luck had changed. After so many nicks, a man had to throw in at some point.
This was it; he could feel it. Anticipation thrummed in his veins. The entire world seemed to fade away, his field of vision narrowing to the table and the dice flying out over the green baize as he released them from the cup.
His breath caught and held, his chest burning as they rolled for several turns before coming to a stop. They were too far away for him to see how they’d landed, and he was far too foxed. However, the resulting groans from the other men gathered around made his heart