His reputation painted him as lecherous, steeped in vice, disreputable in the extreme; the liquid gleam in his pale eyes, the lid of one of which, courtesy of some ancient duel, was permanently at half-mast, suggested that in his case rumor understated the fact. Corpulent-indeed, wider than he was tall-Connor had a plodding gait, pallid skin and heavy jowls, making him appear old enough to be her father, except that his hair was a solid dark brown.

"Well? Are you here to gawk, or are you game to play?" Connor's fleshy lips curved in a taunting smile; the lines years of dissipation had etched in his face deepened. "Surely, now you've braved the doors of Mellors, you won't leave without chancing your dainty hand? Without trying your Cynster luck? I hear you've been quite successful in your forays on the town."

Reggie locked his fingers about her wrist. "Actually, we were just-"

"Looking for the right challenge? Let's see if I can accommodate you. Shall we say a rubber of whist?"

Amanda didn't look at Reggie-she knew what he was thinking, but she'd be damned if she'd turn tail and run just because a man of Connor's ilk approached her. She allowed amused haughtiness to infuse her expression. "I cannot conceive, my lord, that triumphing over a novice such as myself would afford you any great amusement."

"On the contrary"-Connor's voice hardened-"I'm expecting to be amused come what may." He smiled, an evil eel fixing on his prey. "I've heard you're a dab hand with the cards-surely you won't pass up this chance to test your skills against mine?"

"No!" Reggie hissed sotto voce.

Amanda knew she should coolly dismiss Connor and let Reggie lead her away, but she couldn't-simply could not-stomach the thought that Connor and every gentleman present would smirk knowingly at her departing back, and laugh about her once she was gone.

"Whist?" she heard herself say. Beside her, Reggie groaned.