Lady and the Gamble: A Sweet Victorian Romance (The Colby Brothers Book 2)

by Peggy Ann Craig

  “I don’t enjoy going outside.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “I prefer to stay indoors.”

  Starting to get agitated, he exclaimed, “Well that’s ridiculous. Everyone loves the outdoors.”

  She glanced up and gave him a cold glare. “I do not, Mr. Colby.”

  He made a face without thinking then quickly tried to smother it before she noticed. “Well, perhaps I could play my harmonica for you?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t.” Ryan couldn’t stop himself from flinching as if she had personally insulted him. She must have caught the look and read its meaning for she slightly rolled her eyes and added, “I do not enjoy music.”

  Ryan pulled his lips together to form a straight line as he worked hard to control his emotions. “Perhaps you would enjoy hearing how I received the harmonica when I was a child from a traveling gypsy passing through town. Or listen to me recount a story from my latest adventures along the Great Lakes? Recently, I encountered a storm—”

  She reached over and picked up a book sitting next to her. “I receive all the storytelling I need from the tales in my books.”

  “Then what is it you do like?” he snapped.

  “At the moment, working on my needlepoint.”

  Flustered, he glanced away and caught the five sisters still pretending not to be interested in their exchange. “Then I shall leave you to it.”

  “Thank you.”

  He turned and walked over to her siblings. “Would you ladies care to hear me play my harmonica?”

  Startled they shot a questioning glance in Evelina’s direction, which Ryan quickly interceded. “Evelina is occupied at the moment and apparently does not wish to be interrupted. That leaves me without an audience. Would you fine ladies put me out of my misery and grant me your lovely attention?”

  Behind him, he heard Evelina harrumph but ignored her and pulled his harmonica from his pocket.

  “Of course, Mr. Colby.” The sister, introduced as Kathleen, nodded eagerly and put her needlepoint down. The others followed suit, smiles lighting up their faces. It was amazing that any one of these fine ladies were related to Evelina. Then again, none of them had been hoodwinked into marrying a stranger.

  Ignoring this last thought, he gave the sisters his undivided attention and began playing a merry tune. He stomped his foot and encouraged the ladies to do the same. When the song was over, he immediately started up with another. Kathleen leaped up and grabbed hold of Gwendolyn’s hands and pulled her to her feet then began dancing to the lively jingle, while the other sisters clapped along.

  Though Ryan was thoroughly engaged in the company of the sisters, his peripheral vision kept watch on Evelina. He saw the tension in her shoulders and the fierce movement of her hands. It didn’t surprise him in the least when she eventually slapped her needlepoint on her lap and exhaled angrily.

  “Would you kindly keep the ruckus down? You are making me lose my concentration.”

  They all came to a standstill, stunned by Evelina’s outburst. Everyone but Ryan, that was. He reveled in the knowledge he could heat her temper up so quickly.

  “Then I suggest you take it to another room.”

  All the sisters gasped at Ryan’s bluntness but he again chose to ignore their reaction and kept his gaze fixed firmly on the lone woman sitting in the corner. Her eyes flickered with insult before she quickly smothered it. Carefully, she gathered her needlepoint and her book and slowly got to her feet. Her eyes locked on Ryan before she moved across the room and out the door.

  As she left, Ryan felt the slightest tug of guilt but refused to acknowledge it. The woman was being difficult. If she wanted to act like a spoiled imp, he would only be too willing to treat her like one. As his future wife—if he actually decided to take her on, he reminded himself—he wanted her to know from the start that such behavior was not acceptable.

  He turned back to the sisters and said, “Shall we continue?”

  Tune after tune he played for them until he found himself retelling one of his many adventure stories from the lakes. Though he was certain they had heard far greater tales from their own father, they listened on with glee until the dinner hour rolled around and May Hepworth was inviting him to stay for dinner. Thinking he had pushed Evelina far enough for one day, he declined the offer to the disappointed cries of her sisters, and then bid them farewell. Purposely choosing to exclude Evelina from them.

  * * *

  Evelina truly hoped Ryan Colby decided not to return in order to “court” her again. She was wrong about her initial opinion of him. He was rude and obnoxious. She had no wish to marry the man.

  However, as like the day before, he showed up in the afternoon and entered the drawing room, and like the day before, approached Evelina sitting alone in the corner.

  “May I ask you to join me for a walk along the pier?”

  She frowned. “No, thank you.”

  “Would you care for me to play my harmonica for you?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  His expression was bland as he looked down at her and asked the questions as if following a guidebook. “A tale from one of my excursions, perhaps?”

  She pointed to a novel lying next to her. “I still have my book.”

  “Perhaps I could persuade you into a game of cards?” He produced a deck from his breast pocket.

  Evelina narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t think so.”

  He waited an entire minute she was certain before he exhaled heavily and said before turning away, “Very well.”

  She glanced up after he put his back to her and watched him approach her sisters, his demeanor immediately becoming more relaxed and friendly.

  Producing a wooden box from under his arm, he declared, “Who would care to join me in a game of chess?”

  Evelina’s chin snapped up. She loved a good game of chess with her father. But she would rather be cursed than request to play. Foul the man for not offering to play the game with her. No, for her, he offered cards instead. A gambler’s game.

  “I would offer to play my harmonica again, but seeing as it so disturbed Evelina yesterday, I dare not risk ruining her concentration two days in a row.”

  She glared at his back but refrained from commenting. He was goading her on purpose and she refused to allow him to bait her. Placing her needlepoint down, she reached for her book and began to read. Though, admittedly, the words before her demanded not her attention. Instead, she stole a glance to the table where Ryan Colby and Kathleen set up the chessboard and played. Silently.

  It irked her to have them sitting there so quietly. The room was far too still. The rest of her sisters wordlessly worked on their needlepoint and the only sound in the room was the soft shuffling of the chess pieces. Evelina tried to focus on her book but every time one of them made a move, her gaze shifted to the chessboard.

  She fidgeted and wished they had taken the game to another room. She watched the strategic game progress through her peripheral vision with building annoyance until the point when Kathleen moved her Knight to the wrong square. Unable to hold herself back, Evelina dropped her book and declared, “F3, Kathleen.”

  Her sister glanced up startled, as did Ryan.

  She quickly subdued her expression and tried to appear nonchalant. “Moving your Knight to F3 will enable you to move it to E5 in your next move whereupon you are able to take his pawn.”

  Ryan arched a brow. “Do you play, Miss Hepworth?”

  She shrugged. “Occasionally.”

  Kathleen harrumphed. “She and Papa play all the time.”

  “Is that so? Are you any good?”

  Challenged, she got to her feet and made her way over to their table. “I’ve been known to win a game or two.”

  He leaned back to look up at her, a grin playing about his lips. “Care to put that arrogance to the test?”

  She held his gaze for a mere second before glancing down and upon seeing a better move, reached down and moved K
athleen’s Queen, overtaking his King. “Checkmate.”

  His look of shock had boosted her spirits for the rest of the day. He was just so egotistical, it felt good to put him in his place. After snatching her book back up from where she had discarded it, she bid him farewell and left the room.

  At that point, Evelina was fairly certain Ryan Colby would not return. She knew her behavior was rude, but it was for the best. Contrary to her father’s wishes, she couldn’t consciously allow the man to marry her. Even if he was doing it for purely unethical and selfish reasons.

  But to her surprise, he did return. As he did the day after that and the day after that. And each day that followed until a week had passed. On each of those days, Evelina did her utmost to turn Ryan away. Admittedly, it was easy enough to accomplish as he repeated the same routine every morning.

  He would wish her good morning, ask if she would care to hear him play his harmonica, take a walk along the pier, or listen to one of his sailing tales.

  And each time, Evelina would coldly decline his offer and bury her nose in a book instead. Affronted, he would respond with, “Very well,” before seeking out of one her sisters to entertain instead.

  Kathleen, it seemed, was his favorite choice and she was only too happy to oblige him on each occasion.

  That morning, however, after he followed through with his morning ritual of seeking her company, he sighed intentionally loud and stood above her while she hid her face behind a copy of Moby Dick.

  “I can see I am wasting my time.”

  She glanced up, startled at his outburst. His handsome face was contorted in resentment causing Evelina to feel a bolt of guilt. And sorrow. But mostly relief.

  “It is your liberty to feel as you may.”

  His lips pinched but he refrained from responding immediately. Instead, he stared steadfastly down at her until she squirmed slightly under his scrutiny.

  “Good day, my sweet little lady.” He laid heavy emphasis on the word sweet as if mocking the irony in it.

  He waited a moment to ensure his insult hit its mark. When it did, he gave her a curt bow then left the room pausing only briefly to offer her sisters a polite farewell.

  She bristled at the derogatory use of the nickname name her father had bestowed upon both her and his boat, knowing full well Ryan’s use of it was most definitely not in an endearing way, but rather in a far more condescending manner. She would have ignored the fact her obvious lack of cordial behavior had anything to do with it and instead blamed it on his pompous and arrogant personality. However, the fact was, he was right. She had acted awful and far from a lady. Or a sweet one at that. Instead, she had behaved hostile on all his visits.

  But, it was for his own good, she reminded herself. She was prohibited from partaking her real reasons. There was no sense in him believing that she could ever be a real wife.

  Still the same, an unexpected feeling drew the corners of her mouth down as she watched him march out of the house. She would have very much liked to gotten to know Ryan Colby a little bit longer.

  Chapter 4

  The next day Evelina did not anticipate his return but found herself nevertheless that morning brushing her hair twice as long until it gleamed. After pinning it perfectly at the base of her neck, she exited her bedroom that was thankfully located on the main floor. The downside was that it was adjacent to the kitchen. A hub of activity first thing in the morning.

  Truthfully, however, Evelina did not mind. Since her siblings and parents already occupied all three of the upstairs bedrooms, the tiny area was the only space free in the house. Meant as a pantry really, it had just enough space for a bed and cupboard. However, Evelina did not mind as it gave her privacy from a very large family crammed into a very small house. Moreover, it meant she never had to manage the treacherously steep flight of stairs to the upper level ever again.

  She joined her family for breakfast and remained silent while the conversation around the dining room table buzzed with excitement over Ryan Colby as it did every morning since the day he arrived to claim his “prize”. Most mornings she sat in silence and listened, however, that morning she spoke up.

  “Mr. Colby will not be returning.”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “She has been utmost uncordial to Mr. Colby.” Kathleen piped up to insert.

  “Is this true?” Her mother shot her a questioning look.

  “Indeed,” Another sister confirmed. “He has tried valiantly to court her, but she refuses to be friendly.”

  “Come now, that can’t be true.” Clive Hepworth scoffed. “Not my sweet little lady, she is by far the kindest of all my daughters.”

  “I’m sorry, but it is true, Papa.”

  He made a face. “That is ridiculous. Why in heavens would you scorn such a fine young man?”

  She wanted to tell him the truth, tell him that Ryan Colby was far too good for her and deserved a far better bride. Instead, she said, “He seems more interested in entertaining my sisters than he does me.”

  Clive made a funny sneering noise from his throat, clearly spurning her answer. “Don’t be foolish, child. It is for you he comes every day to pay a visit.”

  “No, Papa, it is for the Lady Evelina.”

  He paused, a fleeting look of shame crossed his features before he quickly shook his head and balked loudly, “If you gave him half a chance, he will come to love you just as much.”

  Evelina turned her head away. There was no sense arguing with her father. His opinion of her was biased. A father’s unconditional love. She knew he loved her probably more than her sisters, but she didn’t doubt some of that was born on guilt and pity.

  After breakfast, they all dispensed into the drawing room where they took up their usual positions. Her sisters claimed the several chairs scattered throughout the room while Evelina occupied the two-seater settee in the alcove tucked into the back wall. It was her favorite spot to sit, as above it was a small built-in bookshelf. There weren’t many volumes of work in it, and she had read all of the titles at least twice, but she loved the smell of the books and the promise of tales and adventures far greater than any she would ever experience.

  She picked up her needlepoint and continued from where she had left off from the previous day. Though she tried to concentrate, her eyes and ears kept wandering to the front entrance waiting for a knock that had arrived every morning prior. However, that morning there was none.

  As the hours ticked slowly by, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand and when that was too difficult, she pulled down a book from the bookshelf and attempted to emerge herself into the pages of the story. However, even that could not distract her attention. Or her thoughts.

  She should have been relieved he did not return. It was what she wanted. Yes, he was very handsome and a gentleman, but she could not marry someone who did not love her. And he surely could never love her if he knew the truth about Evelina. It was best she protect her heart before it could ever get broken.

  But to her surprise, he did return. The very next day. She hadn’t prepared herself for his arrival, both mentally or physically, as she had concluded that he would not be coming back after his disappearance the day before. She had consoled herself to that realization but now her heart was fluttering rapidly beneath her chest as she heard his friendly baritone voice emerging from the front foyer.

  “I’ve come to pay Evelina a visit.”

  She heard Kathleen ask him inside and knew he would be in the drawing room any minute. Quickly, she straightened her skirt and ran her hands over her hair, ensuring every strand was in place.

  He entered the room and offered her sisters a friendly smile and a friendly greeting, then turned to Evelina. His smile faltered as if he was forcing it to remain while its sincerity dimmed noticeably.

  “Good morning, Lady Evelina.”

  She cringed and narrowed her eyes. He was belittling her on purpose. And he had just walked in the door. She immediately knew how the r
emainder of his visit would go. The hint of excitement at his return along with the possibility he might inconceivably be interested in Evelina vanished promptly.

  “What do we owe your wonderful presence to this morning, Mr. Colby?” she said with as much obvious scorn as she could muster. “I had thought we had seen the last of you.”

  He produced an insincere grin. “I’m afraid not. I’m not so easily thwarted.”

  “My mistake. I assumed you gave up.”

  “’Fraid not.”

  “Pity.”

  His features grew taut as he fought to keep a light tone to his voice.

  “May I sit?” He gestured to the empty spot next to her on the settee.

  She frowned, not wishing to have him sit so close but couldn’t think up a plausible reason to object, so gave a sharp nod then buried her nose in her book.

  “I never gave up. I simply realized I was courting you incorrectly.”

  “How’s that?”

  He withdrew a book from the inside of his coat. “I decided I would engage in your favorite activities instead. And since I’m not accomplished in the fine art of needlepoint, I went to the library yesterday and picked up a book instead.”

  He proceeded to open the book and settle into the settee comfortably.

  Evelina stared at him, frowning heavily, not sure what to think. Admittedly, she was slightly impressed with his perseverance. It said a lot about a character that never gave up. Even against the most hostile conditions.

  Her gaze fell on the spine of his book and froze. Then without thought, she reached out and snatched the book out of his hand.

  “Where did you find this?”

  “I explained already. At the library.”

  Swiftly, she flipped open the cover and gazed down at the drawing of an 18th-century couple on one side of the book and in big bold letters on the opposite side read the title Evelina, or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance Into the World.

  “You found this at the library?”

  “Yes, indeed, though I must admit, it was no easy task to locate.”