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Thattidbit had been Fletcher’s doing, and she had to admit it was wise.

Headvised fawning over Huxley while saying as little as possible.

Shecouldn’t fawn any better than she could flirt.

“My dear, please enjoy yourself. I’m certain LordHuxley won’t mind if you sit beside him.” LordDarius released her elbow at Huxley’s table, and as prearranged, a guest rose—one of his cousin Torrian’s agents—and vacated a chair. “I beg your indulgence. I have an unexpected, urgent matter to attend to. I’ll return when I can.”

“Oh, la. You needn’t fret on my account.” Siobhan fluttered her hand-painted lace fan. “I’m sure these handsome gentlemen won’t mind if I sit at their table, even if I do not play.”

Thefour other players—all men—gave her a preoccupied glance before returning their attention to the cards they held close to their chests.

Gambler’sobsession.

Thecards had the men well in their talons.

Huxleyveered his gaze upward, but his attention froze when he focused on Siobhan. “Indeed, young Westbrook. I would be happy to entertain the lady. Mayhap she’ll bring me luck. God knows my wife doesn’t.”

Hissarcasm earned a round of droll, masculine chuckles.

“Heard you’d left HisMajesty’s service.” Huxley shifted his focus to LordDarius for a half second. LordHuxley’s comment seemed casual enough, but something about his tone raised Siobhan’s nape hairs. “Plan on taking on an active role in your brother’s clubs now?”

“GoodLord, no.” LordDarius shook his head, doing a splendid job of pretending horror. “My interests lie elsewhere. However, I’m not above enjoying myself for a spell.”

Huxleygrunted. “So who is this enchanting creature?”

“Forgive my manners.” Contriteness puckering his face, LordDarius put a hand to his chest. “Mrs. SiobhanMcKinney, please allow me to introduce you to ArtemusFogwell, ViscountHuxley. LordHuxley, Mrs. SiobhanMcKinney. I’ll allow you to introduce her to the others, my lord. She’s newly arrived in London after two years of mourning her husband’s passing. Her mother and my mother attended the same finishing school, and I’ve been tasked with introducing her to London’s more respectable establishments.”

Huxleymade a noncommittal noise in his throat but nodded, his buggy eyes glinting with interest.

“Gentlemen.” LordDarius gave a short bow before departing.

Notone of the other men acknowledged his farewell, nor did LordHuxley introduce Siobhan. Just as well because as fraught as her nerves had become, she would never have remembered their names. She could barely recall her assumed name.

Untilnow, she had never understood why gambling and gaming entranced so many otherwise sensible people, but these men gave her the merest glimpse into the addiction.

Dahad played dice.

Toomuch sometimes, according to Maura’s late-night scolds.

“Irish?” Huxley’s peat-brown eyes lit up. “My grandmother on my mother’s side was Irish. She had the most beautiful singing voice. A tear still forms when I hear a ballad she used to sing.”

“I am, indeed, Irish, my lord.” Siobhan produced a siren’s smile and fluttered her eyelashes. Lord, she probably looked like she was amid an apoplexy. “I’m flattered you noticed.”

“Come, my dear Mrs. McKinney. Make yourself comfortable.” Huxley motioned for her to sit.

“Thank you, my lord.” With a swirl of silk, she sank onto the gold velvet cushioned chair. The same chairs she’d been responsible for putting in place each morning until a fortnight ago. Leaning the merest bit in his lordship’s direction, she allowed him a whiff of her perfume. “You are most kind, my lord.”

“Tell me, do you sing?” He darted her a sideways glance before examining his cards.

“Only on special occasions, my lord.” She tipped her mouth upward. “But then any occasion to sing to a viscount would be very special.”

Lordsave her.

Onlya dimwitted nincompoop would believe her gushing.

Apleased smile arched the viscount’s mouth, but he said no more.

Severalminutes passed as the players made bets, discarded cards, and collected new ones. Siobhan hadn’t a bald notion of how the game progressed, but Huxley threw down his cards with a satisfied hoot.