Chapter 25
Having refreshed herself at home and changed into breeches, a smart evening coat and a loosely tied cravat, Georgina soon pushed through the unwelcoming doors of Solitaires.
This place, once a bothersome inconvenience to her, now offered a sense of foreboding so thick in the air, she struggled to breathe upon entering.
She bestowed her hat and cane on the blushing maid, who could not pull a wink from Georgina.
She placed the arbitrary bet in Mrs Gardner’s book, paying no heed to the wager at all.
She spotted Elizabeth, who appeared to be the bank for her table and would therefore not be able to interfere in Georgina’s business this time.
Good. Georgina promptly progressed to the back rooms. Smoky haze and raucous laughter encompassed her as she stepped further into the netherworld of Solitaires.
Mrs Gardner, evidently keeping a sharp eye on the arrivals, spotted her and wasted no time rushing to her side. Unlike previous visits, she gave little pretense that Georgina’s presence afforded her any pleasure.
“What are you doing here?” Mrs Gardner hissed through gritted teeth.
“For your sake, I hope you have the faro box with you and the money to acquit the vowels.” Her eyes scanned Georgina’s frame, but there was neither a satchel nor the outline of an object in her pockets. There was nothing of note to see.
“No. I wish to speak to your business partners, if you could call them that. Ellis and Montgomery. I believe my business is with them.”
Mrs Gardner’s eyes pierced her, as if she could not say aloud what she wished to. For a moment, Georgina experienced a quiver of doubt.
“You’re a fool, my girl,” Mrs Gardner murmured, her voice cracking slightly.
“So I am told. Summon them.” Withdrawing was no longer feasible.
Georgina allowed Mrs Gardner to navigate her through the tables, in the direction of the private parlour. Mrs Gardner opened the door and allowed her inside. Then, with a shake of her head, she closed the door behind her.
***
Georgina stood by the fireplace, resisting the urge to make patterns in the dust with her fingertip.
She could feel her palms growing clammy.
It would be difficult to predict how this meeting might unfold.
She had clearly antagonised these gentlemen sufficiently for them to threaten her family and friends with violence, and if the rogue who attacked her was to be believed, they may well have been responsible for Henry’s murder.
It would take a lot for her to contain her anger.
As the door opened, Georgina swallowed thickly. She had met the two gentlemen here before. Their simpering alone would have been enough to draw her temper to the surface. She must play this game correctly.
Mr Montgomery, tall and long-limbed, led the way into the room, followed by Lord Ellis.
The latter possessed a more moderate build and height, and his skin was so fair and devoid of freckle or pigment, he may never have seen a moment of sunlight in his life.
They both stood before Georgina and offered her a polite bow.
She did not reciprocate the salutation. The pair, true members of the dandy set, exhibited ostentatious evening attire that Edmund would have undoubtedly appreciated.
The rich silks and bright colours hinted at a life of leisure, likely funded by the spoils of their immoral activities.
“Good evening, Miss Pace. How delightful to receive a … ah … summons to see you,” Lord Ellis said. “You have come to discuss some business?”
“After a fashion.”
“Monty, get Miss Pace a drink, will you?” Ellis instructed, sitting on one of the sofas and gesturing for Georgina to sit opposite, while Montgomery went across the room to the drinks tray.
Georgina sat down, her eyes moving from Montgomery to Ellis—who took some snuff while he waited—then back to Montgomery as he supplied them all with generous glasses of brandy.
“We are very understanding businesspeople, Miss Pace. And we were most touched to hear that you had stepped in on behalf of young Mr Coombes, were we not?” Ellis turned to Montgomery for support.
“Oh, deeply moved!” Montgomery confirmed, placing a hand on his heart.
Georgina took a large sip. With these theatrics, she would need a second glass just to survive the discussion.
“Though, when we learned that your passive interest progressed to a more active interference, well, sadly, that is when we had to take measures to keep the order. We simply cannot allow people to jeopardise how we run things.”
Montgomery interjected with a loud sigh.
Georgina’s pulse throbbed, but she maintained her silence and merely took another long sip.
“So, we hope you have followed the instructions and brought the faro box,” Ellis said.
“And the full payment for Mr Coombes’s account, including two years’ compound interest,” added Montgomery. “If you can do this without a fuss, there is no reason why he should be harmed.”
Georgina snorted a laugh at their gall. “Your audacity is exceeded only by your absurdity. You truly think you will get away with this?” She blinked then, the room shifting around her.
Was her vision a little blurry? She forced her mind to focus, even if her eyes could not.
The fiends had dosed her drink. She drew her glass to her lips, and this time pretended to take another deep sip, placing the glass down on the table at her elbow.
She could use their antics to her advantage.
“It is merely business, Miss Pace,” Ellis replied gently, tilting his head to one side.
Georgina tugged at her neckcloth to loosen it from her throat. “I have not got the faro box or the money with me. A couple of shillings for a hackney ride.” She foraged in her pockets and withdrew the coins, together with her fob watch, making a show of her clumsy movements. “See?”
Montgomery produced a monocle from his own pocket and eyed the fob watch through it. “That looks like a charming piece. Let me look at it.”
Georgina recoiled.
Ellis smiled. “Ooh. Methinks we have identified treasure, Monty.”
“No, no.” Georgina slurred her words on purpose, drawing out each syllable. She wanted the men to think they had her in a corner. “It is not that valuable.”
Montgomery approached and unhooked the fob watch from her coat before she could protest. He inspected it closely. “Ah! An engraving. ‘Beloved Henry, from George.’ ’Tis a sentimental trinket, Miss Pace? Your late brother, I collect?”
Georgina untied her cravat completely now and unfastened a few buttons on her waistcoat. “The heat of this room stifles me.” She gave Montgomery an imploring look. “And yes, it has only sentimental value. Please return it.”
“Gladly!” He made as if to give it back to her, but then snapped his hand shut around it. “But I have a better idea! How about a friendly wager?”
Georgina’s lips compressed into a thin line, and she ran her hand back through her hair. “Go on.”
“Given you have so little on you to bet—aside from this token—I am proposing one short game of hazard. You stake your watch, and we stake these.” Montgomery withdrew a little bundle of papers.
Georgina caught a glimpse of Arthur’s clumsy handwriting upon them.
The IOUs that had been so ruthlessly obtained.
She glanced over at Ellis, whose snake-eyes were regarding her keenly.
They were playing with her. And she was playing a different game entirely.
Her limbs started to feel quite relaxed.
Even though she did not ingest the entire drink, Georgina noted the effect; she lacked the capacity to present any physical defense. “Very well,” she agreed.
“Excellent!” Ellis said. “Get the dice, Monty. Join me at the small table, Miss Pace.”
As Georgina rose to her feet, she stumbled slightly, and Ellis took her arm, escorting her towards the table on the far side of the room.
At this moment, the door swung open, and Mrs Gardner swept in with Elizabeth close on her heels.
Even through her drugged haze, Georgina could see Elizabeth’s mind working. Her elegant eyebrows furrowed as she speedily assessed the scene. “What have you done to her?”
Elizabeth moved swiftly to Georgina and took her free arm, so that she now supported her.
Ellis clapped a hand to his chest in feigned confusion.
“I? Why, I have done nothing at all, Countess! Everyone knows Miss Pace enjoys her wine. She and I are just about to settle a few matters over a game of hazard.” He sat down, and Montgomery provided him with the dice.
On the table, he placed the promissory notes and watch.
“She is in no state to play,” Elizabeth spoke firmly, a stormy look on her face.
“Miss Pace has committed to play and agreed to the wager, Lady Mortimer. You cannot interfere,” Montgomery announced.
Georgina looked up into Elizabeth’s face and smiled admiringly. “It’s all right. I will win back Arthur’s vowels. I am staking my -brother’s watch on it.”
The colour drained from Elizabeth’s face. “Georgina, no! You’re not thinking correctly. Do not do this. They do not lose.”
Georgina felt Elizabeth press her hand and wished she could assuage her fears. At this moment, she felt invincible. “I do not lose. Trust me.”
Elizabeth sighed heavily. She helped Georgina to sit down and stepped back, folding her arms across herself tightly.
“Choose your main?” Ellis prompted.
“Seven,” Georgina replied.
Monty gave her the dice with an unpleasant curl of his lips.
She held the two cool dice in her hand for a moment, breathing deeply, and rolled. They numbered eight. Ultimately, Henry would not let her lose his watch. It was her only comfort.
“Chance,” called Ellis with a raise of his brows. “To win, you need another eight, Miss Pace.”
Georgina released a quivering breath. When she extended a hand to retrieve the dice, it shook visibly.
Elizabeth covered her face with her own hand.
Georgina tossed the dice again. Ten. And another roll. Three. And another. Seven.