“If Lady Cassandra says it’s acceptable, I bow to her judgment.” Prudence gestured for them to precede her.

“Don’t be nervous,” Cassandra said as they entered the card room. Six tables were set up, of which four were occupied.

“What are they playing?” Fiona asked.

“Loo. It will be easier to explain after you watch it for a time.” Lady Cassandra led her to a table to the right of the door. Keeping her voice low, she said, “Lady Hadleigh is a highly regarded player. She’s the one with the two ivory feathers in her hair.”

Fiona nodded as they took a position near the table. They fell silent as they watched for a few minutes. After a while, Fiona began to understand what was happening. It looked like great fun.

“They’re only wagering pennies,” Fiona whispered.

“For now. I suspect on the next round the stakes will rise. But that’s because of Lady Hadleigh’s presence.”

“Does anyone want to join our table? We need at least two more,” a voice called out.

Fiona looked toward the woman, who was perhaps ten years her senior, but didn’t recognize her.

“Should we?” Cassandra asked, her voice rising with excitement.

Fiona glanced toward the doorway. “What about the musicale?”

“I’m sure we still have time.” Cassandra looked to Prudence. “Would you mind going to check?”

“Oh yes, that’s a brilliant idea.” Fiona smiled gratefully at Prudence. “Thank you.”

Prudence nodded before taking herself off with alacrity, while Fiona and Cassandra made their way to the table that was seeking players.

“Don’t tell them you’ve never played before,” Cassandra said softly. “If you get stuck, just nudge me under the table, and I’ll try to help you.”

Fiona clutched Cassandra’s arm more firmly. “I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t worry, I do.” She waggled her eyebrows at Fiona.

They’d arrived at the table where three other ladies had already sat down.

Cassandra made the introductions—at least to the two women she knew—while she and Fiona took their seats. The third was then presented, and everyone exchanged pleasantries.

The dealer tossed three chips onto the center of the table before dealing the cards.

The oldest player, Mrs. Montgomery, on the other side of the table from Fiona, inhaled sharply, her gaze on the doorway. She muttered something that Fiona couldn’t hear, but the woman to her left nodded.

Cassandra picked up her cards and silently told Fiona to do the same, her eyes darting down toward the cards on the table in front of Fiona. Plucking up her hand, Fiona promptly dropped the cards again as soon as she heard the voice behind her.

“Pardon me, but I’ve come to fetch my ward for the musicale.”

Fiona’s blood turned to ice. She slowly turned her head, and her gaze connected with a rather inappropriate area of her guardian. Lifting her chin so she wasn’t starting at his crotch, she looked into his face.

And immediately wished she hadn’t.

His eyes were a positively glacial shade of gray, even though his mouth was curved into a slight smile. There was no humor in it, just a façade meant to convey something opposite to what he was feeling.