My Merry Marquess (Wallflower's Christmas Wish #3) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,25

for the first time since returning from his drive.

“I can hardly wait.” Nick twisted his mouth into a cynical smile. “I’m quite looking forward to making the acquaintance of the Baron of Blitzencreek.”

Dash glanced nervously toward the ladies who were halfway across the square and then back at Nick with a scowl. “On second thought,” Dash waved over one of the inn servants and handed the contraption over, “I’ll meet you inside now.”

Twenty minutes later, Nick could only shake his head at the muddle his friend was in.

“Keep this to yourself, though, won’t you?”

Nick had never expected to see such a rogue as Dash tied up over a woman. “What, do you think that I’ll spread it through the village like some gossiping hen?”

Dash shrugged at the same time Jack arrived looking every bit as scrambled as Nick felt.

“Scotch. Now,” he announced. “With a side of dinner.”

“Why the hell not?” Nick grumbled.

He’d drunk his fill the night before. Why was he reluctant to do so again? Surely not because Eve had mentioned her worry over her father.

He frowned, somewhat perplexed. Eve had seemed almost relieved that she wouldn’t be introducing him to her family.

Almost as though he’d been listening at the door, Mr. Rudolph stepped inside and announced that he would return shortly with some hearty stew and ale.

It went without saying that if they wanted quality Scotch, Dash was going to have to dip into the personal stockpile locked up in his chamber.

An hour later, the three of them had emptied one bottle and were halfway through a second one.

“Why are you so sour this evening?” Dash eyed Nick.

“I believe that our Merry Marquess is having women trouble. And I’d be willing to wager she’s the pretty little miss who delivered pie yesterday.” Jack laughed.

“How many blasted women live in this town?” Dash scowled.

“None of this would be so difficult if women played by some sort of rules,” Nick commented. “You know, like in poker.”

“They do have rules,” Dash commented. “Trouble is, they’re playing for a completely different prize than we are. Even worse, they refuse to tell us the rules.”

“How so?” This was a novel concept to Nick.

“We’re playing rationally—logically—placing bets based on the odds. Changing out cards. Folding when the stakes are too high.” Dash seemed quite pleased with his explanation.

“And women,” Jack added, “hold their cards, smiling for all the world as though they’ve got a full house. Trouble is. They do. Even when they’re bluffing. But what if I’m not willing to go all in?”

“Who wants you to go all in?” Dash pinned his gaze on Jack. “And if they’re holding a full house, then how can they be bluffing?”

“Because she’s a damn woman,” Jack answered, looking unusually petulant.

Nick nodded. Jack’s assessment made perfect sense.

“Would be nice if we could read them.” Nick lifted his glass. “Same as you can read your horse. If their head is down, they’re content.”

“Nostrils flaring, be wary,” Dash added before throwing back a generous swallow.

“Only one thing you need to know and that’s if they’re willing.” Of course, that would be Jack’s take on all of this.

“They seem willing enough when they get what they want.” Dash twisted his mouth cynically.

“It’s never what they actually say that matters. It’s the things they don’t say.” Jack uttered almost to himself.

Nick considered his favorite mare. Clarice rarely gave him any trouble. And when she had, she’d given him warning. Her head had been high, her eyes flashed, and she’d danced skittishly. Clarice never spooked without a good reason. The one time she’d bolted with him, they’d nearly stumbled across a boar.

It reminded him of Eve’s posture when she’d allowed her sister to lead her away…

“Speaking of cards…” Jack pulled out a deck of cards. “I say we forget our troubles in favor of a manly pursuit.”

Nick and Dash both agreed at the same moment a stir at the end of the room had Nick pushing back his chair eagerly.

Eve stood in the doorway with her head up and her back straight. “I’ve brought your pie.”

Nick met her at the doorway, and as the foyer was empty, steered her toward the stairs. “I was already missing you.” He was feeling rather bold from the drink and now that she was here, he wasn’t willing to let her get away again so quickly.

“You don’t wish to share my pie with your friends?” Eve glanced up at him with what he immediately realized was a not-so-innocent glance.

Hell, no, he wasn’t going to share her