Page 1 (1/2)

Bourne

London

Winter 1821

The eight of diaht have saved himself If it had been the seven, he would have walked aith triple his holdings

But it was the eight

The young Marquess of Bourne watched the card fly across the lush green baize and slide into place next to the seven of clubs that lay face up on the table, teasing hi the root et deux

One ered

On which he had wagered everything

There was a collective gasp in the room as he stayed the er--as bystanders watched the horror unfold with the keen pleasure of those who had narrowly escaped their own deered it all?"

"Everything that wasn’t entailed"

"Too young to know better"

"Old enough now; nothing makes a man faster than this"

"He’s really lost all of it?"

"Everything"

His eyes opened, focusing on the aze he had known his whole life Viscount Langford had been a friend and neighbor to his father, handpicked by the foruardian to his only son and heir After Bourne’s parents’ death, it had been Langford who had protected the Marquessate of Bourne, who had increased its holdings tenfold, ensured its prosperity

And then taken it

Neighbor, perhaps Never friend

Betrayal scorched through the young marquess "You did this on purpose" For the first time in his twenty-one years, he heard the youth in his voice Hated it

There was no emotion on his opponent’s face as he lifted the e to wince at the arrogant scrawl of his signature across the white page--proof that he’d lost everything

"It was your choice Your choice to wager ford had pressed hi hie-old ploy, and Bourne had been too young to see it Too eager Bourne lifted his gaze, anger and frustration choking the words "And your choice to win it"

"Withoutto win," the older man said

"Father" Thomas Alles, the viscount’s son and Bourne’s closest friend, stepped forward, his voice shaking "Don’t do this"

Langford took his ti his son Instead, he leveled Bourne with a cool look "You should thank e Unfortunately, now you’ve nothing but the clothes on your back and a lance at the pile of coins on the table--the re "I shall leave you the ift, if you will After all, ould your father say if I left you with nothing?"

Bourne shot up fro it back froford raised an eyebrow at the uncontrolled display, and he let silence reign for a long moment "You know, I believe I shall take the money after all And your membership to this club It is time for you to leave"

Bourne’s cheeks flamed as the words washed over him His clubEverything but a house, a few acres of land, and a title

A title now in disgrace