She shook her head as she began picking up her cards one by one. “They know types of players and how to read them. I’m sure some people surprise them, but they know the sort of customers they’ll get. The drunk, the bluffer, the hothead.”
He began to pick up his cards too. “Will I win today?”
“No,” she answered truthfully.
His brows arched in response. “No?”
“Your best games are the long ones. The ones that require strategy. Poker isn’t your suit.”
He chuckled at that. “You might very well be right.”
They played a hand, Mirabelle easily winning. “You know…” She nipped at her lip as she collected the cards. “We haven’t discussed the next boon.”
“Boon?”
“What I get when I win today?”
“Are we even keeping score?” he asked as he reached across the table, wrapping light fingers about one of her elbows.
“Always.”
He laughed again, though he stopped when Tris stirred behind him. “All right then. What will your boon be if you win?”
She tapped her chin. “Same as yesterday. That escort.”
“You know that I will escort you without the boon, don’t you?”
Heat filled her cheeks as she ducked her chin. “Really?”
“Really.” The intensity of his stare stole her breath as she peeked up at him through her lashes. “And you will tell me how Emily fares, even if I don’t win. Though I likely don’t need to check on her, do I?”
Mirabelle shook her head. “She’s getting on very well.”
His shoulders slumped in relief and a small smile tugged at his lips. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, which event would you like an escort to? I’m sure I can secure an invitation if I don’t have one already.”
“So you will help me have a successful season?” Something light and lovely rose in her chest as he slid his fingers down her arm until his fingers twined with hers.
“If that’s what you wish.”
“I do,” she breathed, leaning towards him again.
“Or…” He was leaning toward her too.
Excitement coursed through her. Would he kiss her again? “What?” Her voice came out breathy, like she’d just raced down the hall.
“You could skip the season altogether and we could just wed.”
The light, airy feeling inside burst, making her sink back to reality with a deadening weight. “Marry?”
His brows creased. “You sound rather skeptical.”
“Well.” She swallowed down the lump of dread clogging her throat. “It’s just that I had a whole plan and…”
He grimaced. “Marriage isn’t part of your plan?”
It was. It absolutely was. But she needed to prove herself worthy and she needed to secure her reputation for Anna’s sake. “Right this very moment? I mean…”
Ken’s fingers slipped from hers. “I see.”