Bob Redfern was white, the sweat on his forehead gleamed dully in the candlelight. He slid the heavy document of the deeds of Wideacre across the table to Will. I pushed the deeds of my farm, and the paper for the club, and Redfern’s IOUs.

‘I’m done for tonight gentlemen!’ I said. My voice came out a little high and I took a breath and clenched my fingernails into my palms under the table. I was not out of the ring yet. I rubbed my hand across my chin as if I were feeling for morning beard growth. ‘I’ve won and lost a property, and lost my own as well! A great night! We shall have to settle this very day, Will.’

Captain Thomas smiled thinly. ‘I shall call on you,’ he said. ‘Where are you staying?’

‘Half Moon Street,’ I said glibly. ‘Just around the corner, with Captain Cairncross at number 14.’

He nodded. ‘I’ll call on you a little after noon,’ he said. ‘And I’ll bring Lord Perry. We will all need to settle up after tonight!’

There was a murmur from the men all around us.

I smiled around at them. ‘It’s been a hard gambling night for me!’ I said. ‘Not often I get to play in such company as this. I shall come back tomorrow evening if I may.’

‘You’d be very welcome,’ Captain Thomas said pleasantly. His bright eyes above the curly mustachios were cold. ‘Play always starts around midnight.’

‘Grand,’ I said.

Will got to his feet, as wary as a prize-fighter in an all-comers ring.

‘My cape,’ I said to the waiter behind me.

Will tucked the precious deeds deep into his jacket, and shovelled the other papers and guineas on top of them.

‘We’ll settle up tomorrow,’ the captain said, watching his every move.

‘I’m in no hurry,’ Will lied. He stepped towards the door, his eyes on me. The waiter came and draped my cape around my shoulders. I picked up my hat which I had tossed off during the game, ran my hands through my curls and crammed it on.

‘A grand evening!’ I said. ‘I thank you both.’

I stepped towards the door. I was as loath to turn my back on those two as I would take my eyes off a snake. I felt utterly sure that once I could not see them they could spring on me.

I took two steps towards the doorway, Will was through the door, starting to descend the stair, I was in the doorway, I was through. I went down each stair one at a time, making myself go slow, forcing myself to walk cautiously, as a drunk walks.

‘Thank you, good fellow,’ Will said as the porter fumbled with the bolts of the door. He was hesitating as if they would hold us. Hold us at the bolted door while they rushed us. I risked a quick glance behind me. Redfern and Thomas were at the top of the stairs looking down at us. I felt my throat tighten in panic.