Chapter Ten
“Good evening, gentlemen,” Daniel said, taking a seat.
“Ah! Lord D—”
“Merrick,” Daniel interrupted, giving the marquis a nod. “Is it too late to be dealt in?” He wasn’t certain he wanted young Lord Welles to know who he was just yet. He always found that people opened up much more readily to strangers.
“No, of course not, my lord,” the dealer said.
Daniel placed some coins on the table before taking a look at the cards that had just been handed to him. “All well, Merrick?” Daniel asked.
“Yes. How about with you?” his friend answered, keeping his eyes on his cards.
“Fine, fine. I was playing at Crowthers’ soiree earlier, but more people were there to talk than play, I’m afraid,” Daniel said.
“It was rather crowded,” Lord Welles said, pushing a few coins into the center o
