The Rakehell Regency(4)

But Clifford was his friend, and the young woman clearly needed help. Principle warred with duty as Malcolm shuffled, and prayed to the Almighty for guidance.



Clifford sensed the feelings warring in his close friend's breast. He had put him in a terrible predicament he knew, inciting one evil attempting to stave off an even greater one.



Clifford had hoped this matter would not go so far, but everyone knew that Gerald was an inveterate gambler, and had his back up against the wall if all he and his cousins had revealed about his affairs were true.



Though he had not seen Vanessa for several years, Clifford recalled their former childhood friendship. He could not bear the thought of her being used as a pawn, forced to endure a loveless marriage. None of the men sitting around that table were worthy of her in any way. He could only thank his lucky stars some of them were no worse, but it would be a dreadful blow for her to fall to any of them. He knew he simply could not let one of the other men lay claim to her.



And that would be if it ever came to it. This whole situation could only get worse, he was sure, if allowed to get out of hand. He was certain the marriage would never take place, for public opinion would be outraged at such cavalier behavior with the life of a girl not yet twenty.



Gerald would then be worse off than before, for he would have to pay back the money he won here tonight, and face other consequences as well. The Hawkesworth estate was encumbered with enough debt without someone bringing a suit for breach of promise against Gerald for his wild behavior at the ball.



No, this could not end well if he and Malcolm didn't try to stave off further disaster before it was too late. He was thankful Vanessa was not here to witness her brother's disgraceful conduct. She might have collapsed and died of mortification right on the spot.



Still, it would be the talk of the County and beyond by tomorrow morning. It would also be a lasting mark against the whole family if anyone around this table were vindictive enough to make trouble for Vanessa. Thus, Clifford reasoned, he simply had to play, and above all, had to win.



Once he did so, he would give the money in the pot to Gerald. It would cover all his debts here, and there would be an end of the matter. Knowing Gerald, whatever might be left over, he would squander soon enough.



Clifford planned to lose big on some hands just to help tide him over. This would buy her some time. Hopefully Vanessa would be out of Gerald's clutches, married well to someone worthy of her, not just any idle drunken lout only interested in her fortune, long before her half-brother burned his way through whatever winnings he would secure there tonight.



Clifford looked around the table at the Cavendishes and young brash Timothy, and shook his head. Considered the toping Toby and pretentious Peter. No, he could not bear to see anyone as refined as Vanessa thrown away on those swine. Not to mention the fact that James Cavendish was also supposed to be engaged to Emma Jerome, his future sister-in-law. Yet he had not hesitated for a moment in joining the game.



He gazed at the eyes glittering with avarice, and sighed despondently. Was this all the poor girl could expect from the Marriage Mart? Surely there had to be someone who would love Vanessa for herself?



He had not seen her since her father's funeral, when she had been about fourteen, but he recalled pure white skin without a blemish, auburn hair, and the most unusual eyes, which had sparkled like amethysts whenever she had smiled. She had been like a little porcelain doll, delicately beautiful. She had had spirit and courage.



But Clifford suspected a hidden fragility which would allow Vanessa to be squashed like a cabbage leaf if the domineering Gerald were permitted to run her life now that she was back living with him for the sake of propriety while her aunt's house and estate were sold. He calculated she had to be almost nineteen now, ten years younger than Gerald, and as such, in his absolute power whilst under his roof.



Clifford didn't like to get involved, not least because he had enough complications in his life with Gerald as a next-door neighbor constantly conspiring to poach land, game and fish at every opportunity. But someone had to look after Vanessa's interests, since Gerald obviously couldn't care less.



Geoffrey Branson began to argue anew. "This has gone far enough, son. I forbid you to have anything to do with this sorry affair."



"Yes, and I say I can deal myself," Gerald asserted.



Clifford and Malcolm exchanged looks, and both remained where they were.



Gerald eyed them both narrowly, then shrugged. "Very well, in the interests of fairness, Mr. Malcolm Branson can deal. We are ready. The initial stake will be five thousand pounds each, and a minimum of one hundred per hand."