The Watchmaker's Daughter (Glass and Steele #1)(50)

"You're mistaken, sir," I said with as much courage as I could muster. "I'm not what you think I am."

"Course you are. Why else would you be here?"

Why indeed?

Mr. Dorchester stepped between the gentleman and me. He was shorter by a full head, but strongly built, where the other man was slender and wiry. "Kindly leave Miss Steele alone."

"I'm not paying a penny more," the gentleman snarled. "Your doxy isn't worth the double I'm offering."

Before my gasp had left my lips, Mr. Dorchester grabbed the man's coat at his chest and lifted him clear off his feet. The fellow swung his fist but missed. Mr. Dorchester threw him bodily against the wall. A moment later, Unger rushed in, and at least a half dozen gamblers crowded in the doorway behind him. More than one sniggered at the dazed looking fellow on the floor.

"India?" I could hear Willie before I could see her. She managed to push through the small crowd and rushed up to me. She clasped my forearms and searched my face. "What happened? Are you all right?"

"Quite, thank you." My hands shook and my heart pounded, but I wouldn't admit that to Willie. I was unharmed, after all, and the danger was over now.

She blew out a long breath and checked me over once again. "Thank God. Matt would haul me over hot coals if something happened to you."

Mr. Dorchester looked up sharply then away. He scratched his jaw but stopped suddenly and dropped his hand to his side. It was as if he didn't know what to do with it, or with himself, now that all eyes were on us both.

Willie eyed the fellow slumped groggily on the floor. "What happened?"

"Mr. Dorchester defended my honor against that man," I said.

Willie grunted. "Your honor?"

Mr. Dorchester straightened his tie. "It's impolite to call a lady a doxy."

"A doxy!" Willie hooted with laughter and kicked the shoe of the fellow on the floor. "Are you blind, sir? She's tied up tighter than a miser's purse strings. Wait'll I tell Duke and Cyclops. They'll laugh 'till their sides split."

I thrust my hand onto my hip. "And Mr. Glass? Will you tell him?"

Her grin faded. "Best not to tell him, unless you don't want to come here again."

At that moment, I didn't care if I never set foot in this gambling house or any other again. I'd wanted to be a little reckless and experience something I'd never done before, but staying in with a good book now seemed more appealing.

"This is why you should forbid women," one of the gamblers said to Mr. Unger. "They cause trouble."

"I'll have to ask you to leave, sir," said Mr. Unger to Mr. Dorchester. "No fisticuffs. House rules."

Mr. Dorchester held up his hands. "I understand."

"He was protecting me," I protested. "You should ask that fellow to leave. He started the trouble."

"Lord Dennison and Mr. Fryer-Smythe are regulars here." He nodded at the friend who'd set aside his cake to help his companion to his feet. "They've caused no problems prior."

"It's quite all right, Miss Steele," said Mr. Dorchester. "I don't think poker is for me, and there are other gambling dens in the city willing to take my money."

"But it's not fair!" I said. "You don't deserve this treatment."

He took my hand between both of his. "I'm tired anyway. May I be so bold as to suggest you leave now too, for your own safety?"

"Not yet," Willie said before I could respond. Her mouth set into a determined line. "I need to win back what I lost first."

"Or lose more!" called Lord Travers from the other room.

"Mr. Dorchester is right," I said. "We should go."

Willie seemed not to hear me. She marched back to the gambling room and resumed her seat at the poker table. She tapped her finger on the surface. "Deal."

"Would you like me to escort you home?" Mr. Dorchester asked as the others returned to their seats.

While the offer was tempting, I refused. I didn't know him well enough to walk alone with him in the dark. "I'll wait for Willie."

"Very well. But do be careful, Miss Steele. I'd hate to think of anything happening to you." He bowed. "It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance. I hope we meet again." He collected his hat, coat and gloves and spoke quietly to Mr. Unger, perhaps seeking assurance from him that I wouldn't come to any harm. Mr. Unger glanced at me then nodded, and Mr. Dorchester left.

I was sorry to see him go; not because I missed his company, but because it meant I ought to remain in the gambling room and not retire to the refreshment room. The fellow who'd called me a doxy—Lord Dennison—had fully recovered. He sauntered out too, a glass in hand, and leaned a hip against the roulette table. His cold eyes watched me and his lips twisted. I shivered again.

Lord Travers patted the empty chair beside him. "Come sit by me, Miss Steele. I'll keep you warm."

"I prefer to stand," I said and moved to the hearth behind Willie's chair.

They played a few rounds, with either Lord Travers or Willie winning most hands, even when they lacked good cards. I couldn't tell when either of them was bluffing, but Lord Travers seemed to have Willie's measure. He also had more winning card combinations.