Queen of my Hart - Emily Royal Page 0,1
head. “No—it’s foolish of me to mention it.”
Alderley’s eyes grew bright with desperation. The fish had caught sight of the bait. All Dexter need do was reel him in.
“Tell me,” he said.
Dexter picked up his brandy glass, took a slow sip, then set it down. The room fell quiet as every pair of eyes focused on him. “Very well, Alderley,” he said. “One turn of the card. If you draw high, I’ll return your stake.”
“And if I lose?”
“You’ll give me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
An expression of horror crossed Alderley’s face.
“M-my daughter?”
“Yes.” Dexter savored his enemy’s horror. “Her hand, with your blessing, delivered to me in front of as many witnesses as I choose, to acknowledge your eagerness to welcome me into your family.”
Elizabeth feigned surprise and gasped, but hunger glittered in her eyes. Their host barked an order, and a footman rushed forward and refilled Alderley’s glass. The old man took it and drained it in a single gulp, then spluttered, his face growing red with rage.
“How dare you!”
Dexter shrugged. “You’re under no obligation, Alderley. I care not either way.”
Alderley glanced at his daughter and narrowed his eyes.
“I’m prepared to be generous,” Dexter continued. “If you lose, I’ll return a portion of your funds in recognition of your daughter’s worth. Shall we say five hundred guineas?”
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, letting the idea sink in—that he’d just offered to buy Alderley’s daughter as if she were a commodity.
The trait which served him best in business was patience. The winner in any business deal was the party with less need for it. With countless creditors snapping at his heels, Alderley was at a disadvantage. Dexter merely needed to wait for him to acknowledge it—to himself and the whole company.
Alderley stared at the table for a full minute. Then he lifted his head and met Dexter’s gaze.
The expression in his pale blue eyes was that of sly triumph.
“Very well, Hart,” he said. “We have a deal. One turn of the cards. Highest wins. I’ll wager my firstborn child’s hand in marriage.”
Something about his expression gave Dexter a feeling of unease, as if Alderley had the advantage.
“Not yet, Alderley,” he said. “Your pledge must be legally binding.”
“I hardly think we can draw up a marriage contract tonight,” Alderley scoffed.
“We can draw up a promissory note that both parties can sign,” Dexter said. “If we can find two men willing to act as witnesses.”
Alderley nodded. “I’ll agree, provided the note places an obligation on us both. If I lose, you must promise to honor the marriage. In turn, I shall march the bride down the aisle myself and hand her over with my full blessing.”
“Of course.” Dexter turned to their host. “Lord Strathdean, would you be so kind as to act as witness?”
Their host nodded. “Alderley should choose the other witness,” he said.
“Very well,” Alderley said. “I choose Stiles.”
By the time the note had been drawn up and handed to Stiles for safekeeping, the music from the room next door had stopped, and the other guests had entered the drawing room. Alderley was playing into Dexter’s hands. As a professed man of honor, he couldn’t rescind his offer if he lost. Not with the eyes of half the ton on him.
Alderley reached for the cards.
“A new deck, if you please,” Dexter said. “I want this to be a fair game. Honor demands it.”
“What do you know of honor!” Alderley hissed.
“A damned sight more than you.”
“Steady on, Hart,” Strathdean said. “There’s no call for that kind of talk with ladies present.”
A footman passed him a new pack of cards, and he shuffled it, then cut the deck.
“Alderley, you first.”
The older man picked a card and looked at it. A slow smile crept across his face, and then he placed it face-up on the table.
“The queen of diamonds,” Strathdean said. “Now you, Hart.”
Focusing his gaze on Elizabeth, Dexter picked a card and dropped it on the table.
He had no need to look at it. The look of glee on Elizabeth’s face, and the whispers threatening through the room, told him all he needed to know.
“The ace of hearts.”
“Let me be the first to congratulate you,” Alderley said.
Why was the bastard smiling?
Dexter rose and extended his hand toward Elizabeth. “Miss Alderley, would you do me the honor…”
“Wait!” Alderley said. “What are you doing?”
“I believe I’m now engaged to your daughter.”
“That’s right,” Alderley said, a smile on his face. “My first daughter.”
Elizabeth turned to her father. “Papa, surely you cannot mean…”
“I have