Season for Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page B

highest trump. Does anyone wish to offer for it?”
    Miss Oliver bit her bottom lip.
    He suddenly became envious of her teeth.
    Get hold of yourself, man.
    â€œI don’t suppose you’ll take a half hour for it, and that’s all the time I have left to stake,” she replied at last.
    He thought quickly. “As you said earlier, time is something which we all hold in equal measure. So you need not feel limited by the amount left in the pot. You can raise the stakes however you like.”
    â€œHowever I like? I’ll buy it for an hour, then.”
    â€œA ridiculous price. It’s worth far more.”
    â€œI bid two hours for your next card, Miss Oliver,” Lockwood said. He leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingertips on the felt tabletop. “You would own me for two hours. What do you say to that? Will you take the bid?”
    â€œI’ll sell for two and a half,” interrupted Xavier, ignoring Lockwood’s glower. “A beautiful trump. Ten of diamonds. Will you make it yours, Miss Oliver?”
    She nodded. “Unless you care to bid, Jane?”
    â€œNo,” Jane said. “I’m not buying anything at that price. That’s highway robbery.”
    â€œNot if it means you win,” Xavier replied, sliding the ten toward Miss Oliver. “Shall we turn another card?”
    He flipped the queen of diamonds. Miss Oliver looked surprised, but shrugged off her swift loss and turned over the queen of hearts. “Nothing,” she said.
    Jane had a two of clubs, which she tossed onto the table. Lockwood had a knave, and he looked stormy as he threw an extra fifteen minutes into the pot.
    â€œFortunate that we’re not playing for brandy,” Xavier said.
    The marquess’s brows knit in a mulish manner, and Xavier relented. “That doesn’t mean we need go without brandy entirely, though. Armagnac for you? No, it’s the Grande Champagne you like.” He motioned a footman over and requested a bottle.
    Lockwood looked mollified. “A little eau-de-vie is always welcome. Especially when the play is not in one’s favor.”
    â€œEvidently I need a snifter, then,” Miss Oliver said. “I owe you three hours, my lord. Clearly I am not made for speculation.”
    â€œI’ll wager you’re made for more than you know,” murmured Lockwood, drawing a finger over the back of her hand. She regarded it with mild distaste, as one would a worm crawling out of an apple, until Lockwood pulled his hand back with a peevish expression.
    They all sat, fraught, until Jane snapped the tension. “I haven’t won a thing yet, and I can’t abide it. I’ll pay each of you twelve hours for all your cards.”
    Miss Oliver laughed, but before she could reply, the footman returned. “Beg pardon, my lord,” he murmured in Xavier’s ear, “but I cannot locate the Grande Champagne in your cellars. Is it possible that the stock has been completely depleted?”
    â€œNo, I’m certain it’s there. It’s near the amontillados in the second chamber, beneath the—” The footman wore a desperate look, and Xavier sighed. “Never mind, I’ll come find it.”
    He turned back to the table. “I must interrupt our game. I do apologize.”
    Unholy glee spread across Lockwood’s face. Ready for more mischief, no doubt. Xavier added hastily, “Lockwood, do come with me and see which cru you’d prefer.”
    The marquess tensed, no doubt torn between the desire to look through the stores of spirits and the urge to unsettle Miss Oliver a bit more.
    After a few seconds, the love of fine brandy won out. “Very well. We have nearly two weeks to finish our game, after all.”
    â€œI know it.” Xavier gave his cousin a chilly smile as they stood.
    â€œMust we pay out now?” Miss Oliver asked. “Except that I find myself deeply in debt, so perhaps I