Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 73
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Highland Heather Part 73

Across the table, Lord Windham studied his cards, then agreed to bet.

When the cards were played, Brenna won again.

"I have never seen such luck with cards." Madeline turned to her husband, who stood watching the chess game.

"Charles, I need..." She saw the disapproving frown on his face and bit back her words. She stood, scraping back her chair.

"I have already overspent my limit."

"So have I," Cordell said with a laugh.

"But I cannot allow myself to be beaten by a lowly female." He and Lord Windham shared a laugh.

"One more hand, my lady, and we shall see who ends up with all the gold."

"Aye, Cordell.

"Tis only fair that the lady give you a chance to win back your money lost." Windham's words taunted.

"Shall we double the bet again?"

"I would not advise it." Brenna glanced at the young Frenchman, hoping to discourage him.

"But I insist." Cordell tossed in his last coins.

Windham followed suit. Reluctantly Brenna did the same.

The cards were dealt and Brenna scanned them quickly, then made the first move. The others followed. When the hand was over, she scooped up a pile of money from the center of the table. At her yelp of laughter everyone looked up.

"Will you loan me the money to play again?" Cordell asked softly.

Brenna gave him a pitying glance. "

"Twould be folly for me to allow you to sink into debt for a mere game." "Ah, but it is not a game to me, my lady. I am compelled to try again. I know this time I can win. Will you loan me enough to at least make a wager?"

Before she could respond, Lord Windham said, "I will loan you the money, my young friend."

Cordell bowed his head.

"I am most grateful."

"As for you, my lady." Fingering a gold coin, Windham turned to Brenna.

"Your luck must end. We will play another hand, if you are willing.

This time the wager will be two hundred gold sovereigns."

"Two hundred..." Brenna saw the greedy look in Windham's eyes. But she also saw the way Cordell studied her gold. The money was, after all, theirs before she won it. "Aye. You both deserve a chance to win back some of your gold."

She watched as Windham dealt the cards.

Morgan strolled across the room and stood behind Brenna as she played out the hand. When the last card was played, Brenna had again won.

"I believe the wager was two hundred gold sovereigns, my lord."

Brenna's eyes danced with laughter.

"Aye."

"Lord Windham's face was expressionless as he counted out the money.

But his eyes mirrored his anger.

"And two hundred for me," Cordell said.

Lord Windham counted out another sum, then spoke curtly to Cordell.

"I.

shall expect your payment on the morrow. "

"Aye, my lord. I am grateful for your generosity. Though in this instance, I fear the lady's advice was sound. I should not have made the final wager."

Morgan studied Brenna as she calmly collected the money.

"I do not believe this is your first experience with gambling at cards, my lady."

Brenna gave him a demure smile.

"My father would have been shocked to learn that my sisters and I were taught the fine art of gambling by my old nurse, Mora, and our keeper of the door, Bancroft. Often, on a winter's eve, my sisters and I would sneak into the servants' quarters to while away an hour or two."

Her smile grew.

"Old Bancroft showed no mercy toward us, despite the fact that we were the MacAlpin's baims.

The only way we could win was to best the old man. And best him we did. Eventually. "

"Cordell," Charles called to his brother-in-law.

"It would appear that you and Lord Windham have been taken in by this innocent-looking female."

The others burst into gales of laughter, and as Morgan joined them, he felt a grudging respect for the woman who sat calmly counting her money. There was so much about her he did not know. But he would learn. His smile grew as the wonderful thought struck. Aye. He would learn. They would have a lifetime to learn everything there was to know about each other.

Brenna turned to Morgan.

"I believe this money is yours, my lord."

"You won it, love. It is yours to keep."

"I have no need of it." She thrust it into Morgan's hands.