Deborah could not control her laughter. “Oh, I am so sorry, Your Grace, but if there is anyone skilled at a card game in the Cluett family, it is me.”
“Is that true?” The Duke looked at Nicholas for confirmation.
“I am afraid so.” Nicholas nodded. “She was defeated in a game by Peter some years ago, and since then, she made it her life’s mission to get better than anyone else in the game. Actually, perhaps the two of you should play together. It would be a better match.”
The Duke opened his mouth to turn down the idea. He could not stand spending more time with Deborah, but he closed it back again when he noticed the boastful expression on her face.
“I am not sure if he will be up for the challenge,” she said coyly. “Winning against Nicholas is child’s play. I do not think he will have the same results when he plays with me.”
“Let us settle it with a round, then,” the Duke challenged, wishing to wipe away the satisfied grin off her face.
“As you wish,” Deborah said and took Nicholas’s seat.
This time, Nicholas shuffled and distributed the cards for them.
“I hope you are prepared to accept your defeat,” Deborah stated confidently, maintaining a poker face as she held up her cards between her thin fingers.
“I would say the same to you.” The Duke nodded. “I have just beaten one member of the Cluett family, and I have no doubt that I can beat you as well. Please, try not to be too disheartened when you eventually lose the first round.”
Deborah did not say anything in response and simply played her first card. The Duke tried to read her expression for any clues that might give away her position, but she maintained a straight face.
They began playing back and forth, and it immediately became clear to Henry that she possessed a higher skill level than her brother. Henry was determined to fight back, not wanting to go through the embarrassment of losing, but with every move, she outplayed him.
As Henry contemplated his next move, he felt Deborah’s gaze on him. She was observing him with a mischievous smile.
“Careful, Your Grace, if you furrow your brow any deeper, you are going to cause a permanent wrinkle in your face,” she jested. “Is the thought of my impending victory too much for you to bear?”
“I am merely strategizing,” the Duke replied. “Not a concept you are familiar with, I am sure.”
“I would be careful of making tall claims like that,” she huffed. “I haven’t yet played my trump card, and you are already sweating.”
Their playful banter filled the room, and they gathered a small audience around them. It seemed that with every move, they were trying to both outwit and outplay the other. As the game drew to a close, it was Deborah’s turn to make her final move.
“I offer my commiserations in advance, Your Grace.” She beamed as she played the winning card, bringing her final score higher than the Duke’s.
Beside her, Nicholas gave her a slow clap. “Very good, Deborah. You are restoring the Cluett family name.”
“I would chalk that up as beginner’s luck,” the Duke scoffed, adamant about not accepting his defeat so easily. “I propose a rematch.”
“A rematch?” Deborah raised her eyebrow. “Are you certain, Your Grace? It is bad enough being defeated once.”
“Let me distribute the cards this time.” He began shuffling the cards.
“To make things interesting,” Nicholas chimed in, “I will support you this time, Your Grace. If you manage to beat my sister, I will be thoroughly impressed.”
“You can rally the support of everyone in this room if you wish,” Deborah said slowly. “However, it will not help you to win. What you require is skill, and you, Your Grace, need more practice. This will be a breeze.”
Henry kept a watchful gaze on her cards. He noticed that she slipped one card on the table and put it to the side.
“Aha!” Henry exclaimed. “I have figured out your strategy. You are rigging the game by hiding your card in plain sight.”
Deborah was taken aback by the accusation. “Excuse me? I merely put the card to the side to pick it up later.”
“No.” The Duke shook his head. “I am convinced that is some form of cheating. This is not a fair game. In fact, I refuse to engage with you further, for you are clearly not playing by the rules.”
Deborah felt the heat rush to her face. “I was about to beat you once again, fair and square. To accuse me of cheating is a delusion on your part,” she admonished.
“Save your words,” he said, getting up from the table. “We can declare this game a tie.”
