CHAPTERSEVEN
The Hopestyn family and their guests had all gathered in the parlor for a game of cards. The tension from the Duke’s argument with Deborah at the dinner table had now all but disappeared, and everyone had moved on as they challenged each other at games.
“I do not wish to brag, Your Grace.” Nicholas came up to the Duke. “But I have never lost in a card game. Some consider it blind luck, but I believe it is just a high-level skill. Can I challenge you to a game?”
“Of course.”
The Duke’s competitive side came out. He had never been one to back down from a challenge, even though card games were not his strongest suit. He considered them a waste of time and had only indulged in the odd occasion at the gentlemen’s club a few times.
“I am delighted that you are willing to take me up on the challenge.” Nicholas grinned before grabbing the deck of cards, shuffling them, and distributing them between the two of them.
“I think your confidence is misplaced.” The Duke shrugged, looking at his cards. To his disappointment, he had gotten a bad hand. But he was careful not to show it in his expression.
A card game, he felt, was not unlike any other challenge in life. The first step to winning was to not let your opponent know your weakness. So, he kept up a confident facade.
“You may say that.” Nicholas laughed. “But we will let the outcome be a judge of that.”
Nicholas played his first card, and the Duke was left staring at his own hand. He had the option of playing his best card now, so as to not let Nicholas know that he had so few good cards, or he could start off slow and save his ace for a later time.
“Having trouble?” Nicholas asked.
The Duke played his ace and watched the smile slip away from Nicholas’s face.
“No, I wouldn’t say so.” He grinned, feeling satisfied that he had gotten the reaction he wanted.
“Oh, so I have been underestimating you.” Nicholas nodded, looking at his own set of cards intently. “Well, if you have decided to start off strong, then I have no trouble following your lead.”
The two gentlemen played back and forth. Despite Nicholas’s tall claims, the Duke found him to be a very pleasant opponent. He liked the challenge of trying to win against someone who had never lost a game of piquet in his life. If anything, it only motivated him more.
In the end, the Duke was able to have the upper hand, and Nicholas’s resolve weakened until at last, the Duke was declared the winner.
“Finally!” the Duke exclaimed in delight.
“I am impressed.” Nicholas said as he put down his cards. “You have managed to do something that no one else ever has.”
“If you wish, we can always have a rematch,” the Duke suggested. He was truly enjoying himself now.
“A chance to win back my title?” Nicholas laughed. “Of course, I would never back down from such an offer.”
“It is settled, then. We shall play another round.” The Duke shuffled the cards this time.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed that Deborah had finally joined the rest of them. She watched them play from a distance.
The game progressed, and the Duke was delighted to see that he had gotten a much better hand this time. He felt even more confident, and in the end, he was declared the winner once again.
“Oh, no,” Nicholas groaned, admitting his defeat.
“How does it feel to have been beaten twice at a game that you have never lost before?” the Duke asked, feeling boastful about his victory.
Hearing those words, Deborah let out an amused chuckle. “Your Grace, is that what my brother told you?”
“Yes, he admitted to me himself that he has never lost in a game of piquet,” the Duke replied, annoyed by her interruption once again.
“Oh, that is complete nonsense.” Deborah laughed. “My brother is awful at cards. He only said that to get your attention, and unfortunately, you fell for his tricks, Your Grace.”
“Is that true?” the Duke questioned, shocked by the revelation.
Nicholas shrugged. “I might have exaggerated my talents just to keep things interesting.”
