A Little Bit Scandalous Page 0,7

finally make your acquaintance in person, but I believe you are mistaken. Your reluctance to work with me, admittedly, is peculiar, but I shall not beg you. That being said, I came tonight to play the best.”

Caroline’s heart thundered. She’d heard people say that of her, that she was the best, but she hadn’t known the tales had breached the door into the big room where the entitled sat. Roe stepped further into the room and she was finally able to see his face.

Her breath caught.

She felt as though the past six years had changed her dramatically, not merely in appearance but her person as well, her character. But those same six years hadn’t changed Roe at all. Nor, sadly had the time altered the affect his appearance had on her.

That square jaw, covered in just enough stubble to give him that devil-may-care attitude, framed his lips. He kept his brown hair short, almost Roman in appearance. His aquiline nose and thickly lashed green eyes completed the picture of his very aristocratic face.

“The boy is here, Your Grace,” the dealer said.

Those green eyes narrowed in on her and she had to fight the urge to reach up and check her hat, ensure her hair was still well hidden. She had known it was a risk to play at this particular gaming hell, knowing she could very well run into either Roe or his half-brother Justin, who was the namesake and owner of Rodale’s. But it was the only gaming hell Millie would even consider allowing Caroline play in. She’d had to beg the woman not to alert Justin.

Boomer nudged her under the table. They’d developed a secret code so that people wouldn’t know he was here to protect her. She scratched her cheek, letting him know all was well and she didn’t need to leave. She would stay right where she was and play Roe. She could beat him.

Then maybe he’d notice her.

No, that wasn’t the reason she was here. She didn’t need him to notice her, she reminded herself. Despite the wounded pride of the girl she’d been, she was an adult now. Soon, she wouldn’t need his protection, or his money, either.

She also enjoyed the playing, she couldn’t deny that. And damned if things hadn’t gotten bloody boring in the country. She knew she could have come to London at any time and had Millie re-introduce her into Society so that Caroline could find herself a husband. But she wasn’t about to traipse around London in pretty dresses and pretend she was searching for a husband when all she wanted to do was play cards and be dependent upon herself and no one else. She was here to win. Those monies would go a long way in restoring her family’s townhome so she could finally live on her own.

Roe stepped over to the table. Cabot still stood, and Finley also came to his feet. They looked ready to bolt. “Sit, I won’t bite. I merely want a friendly game.” He took a seat and laid his monies on the table.

He looked over at Caroline, but she kept her head down, trying to hide much of her face under her cap. He was looking at her too intently, studying her. But it had been years since he’d seen her. She’d grown and her face had changed somewhat, as most people’s did when they aged from youth to full adulthood. With the current disguise, there was no way he’d recognize her. Still, the thought niggled in the back of her mind: What if? What would happen if he called her out, told everyone here she was a woman?

His eyes narrowed. “What’s your name, boy?” Roe asked.

“Grey,” Caroline said after clearing her throat. She spoke softly and did her best to lower her voice so that she appeared to be somewhat masculine. She looked up at Cabot and Finley and nodded, encouraging them to stay. She’d feel more comfortable if they were here. Especially if Roe and Cabot had some sort of previous relationship, perhaps it would take the onus off her.

“Well, then, Grey,” Roe said. “I’m told you’re quite talented at this game. I came to see for myself. You may call me Roe.”

Cabot and Finley took their seats, yet, still there was utter silence at the table, as if everyone held a collected breath.

“Deal, man,” Roe said loudly.

The dealer popped the cards on the table, then quickly shuffled the deck, beginning the game anew. Perfect for Caroline to begin