Lucky Bet by Reader Anna

Author:Reader, Anna [Reader, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2015-04-11T04:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

One week later Elizabeth emerged out of the damp November evening and wandered into her uncle’s library, having spent another full day with the unsuspecting Mr Charlbury. She was tired but unmistakeably content, feeling for the first time in her young life that her days suddenly had shape and purpose. The profession she was beginning, very tentatively, to contribute to had a palpable effect on people’s lives; for good or ill, she was learning the skills required to change an individual’s fortunes. It was thrilling for her, and so wonderfully different from sitting in a drawing room working on her cross-stitch.

“Ah, Elizabeth!” her uncle said as she closed the door behind her, greeting her warmly as he moved across the room to offer her a glass of burgundy. “Did you have an enjoyable day?”

“Yes, indeed,” Elizabeth replied earnestly, accepting the wine. “Judgment was handed down on Mr Flint this afternoon - Mary will have her fortune restored to her.”

“Well, that is happy news indeed,” he replied, putting an arm about his niece’s shoulder and leading her towards the fire. “Congratulations, my dear!”

Sir Anthony kicked a smouldering log deeper into the flames and looked across at Elizabeth. “If you are not too tired, I thought we might venture to White’s this evening. Rupert and I have both been members for more years than either of us would care to own to, and we made a trip earlier today in order to nominate you. It has all been arranged, and you may make use of the club at your leisure.”

Elizabeth placed her wine-glass on the mantle-piece and took her uncle’s hand. “I am not tired in the least,” she reassured him, “and there is nothing I should like to do more.”

“Excellent. Rupert will be joining us for a light supper, after which we can all make our way over there together.” His voice became suddenly serious. “It will be a challenge – you will naturally be of some interest as a new face and White’s is frequented by the most well-connected men in Town, so you must be prepared. With that in mind - have you been practising, Charles?”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and drew an ornate mother of pearl snuff-box from her pocket, deftly flicked it open with one hand and, with delicate precision, deposited a small amount of the mixture between her thumb and index finger before lifting it to her right nostril and inhaling briskly. The temptation to sneeze was almost overwhelming, but she stood firm and carried the manoeuvre off with aplomb.

“Elegantly done indeed,” her uncle said admiringly. “You are a quick study.”

“Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth replied with a quick laugh. “I must confess it has taken me many hours to learn to master the technique, and I am still not quite sure that I enjoy taking snuff.”

“Of course you do not,” Sir Anthony said, patting his niece on the shoulder, “I do not believe that half the people who take snuff actually like it – I myself cannot abide the habit.

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