Read All I Want for Free Online Page A

his night. His streak was invincible. Finally, he could go back home.
    He flipped his final card face up with a flourish.
    “I suspected as much.” Leviston covered his face with his hat.
    A streak of visceral, hopeless dismay flashed across Miss Devon’s face so quickly that Anthony almost missed it.
    “We can play again,” he said. “You might earn your money back.”
    “I’m out,” Leviston reminded him with a sigh of regret.
    “Not you.” Anthony shot him a pointed look. “Miss Devon.”
    Her eyelashes lowered. “I have no more money.”
    “You can wager something else.” When her blue eyes widened with sudden outrage, he regretted his unfortunate phrasing. Anthony had meant to rescue her, not offend her. He added hastily, “A lock of hair, perhaps. I’ve just the locket to put it in.”
    “Don’t do it,” Leviston advised under his breath. “This man is why half of the House of Lords have grown bald.”
    Miss Devon’s lips twitched. “And yet, I am tempted. The same bet? So I might have all my money back if I win?”
    “Of course,” Anthony assured her magnanimously. She wouldn’t win, but he would be certain to return her portion to her after he won. This way, she would feel like she’d had a fair shot.
    “Very well.” She gave him a brave smile and his insides melted with pride. “I’m in.”
    As the most impartial party at the table, Leviston agreed to deal again.
    Fifteen years of daily gaming was the only reason Anthony’s body didn’t betray him with even a flicker of satisfaction upon seeing his first card. It wasn’t going to be the same hand he’d held last time—that was a once-in-a-blue-moon deal he’d dream about for weeks—but it was close enough to steal the breath from his lungs. His luck was damn near unbeatable.
    “I’m afraid you won’t like my hand,” he said when it was time to display the next card.
    Leviston nearly choked into his cravat. “How do you do it?”
    “And I’m afraid you won’t like mine,” Miss Devon said as she turned over hers.
    Anthony froze.
    No . She couldn’t have trumped him.
    It was impossible.
    A cold sweat broke out on his skin as his stomach dropped…and dropped…and dropped. The room was spinning, spiraling him down into a void of nothingness and despair.
    It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t be.
    “I win my purse back,” Miss Devon prompted with delight as the last of the cards was played. “And your wager. And his.”
    Anthony stared at her. He wasn’t breathing, wasn’t blinking. His body wasn’t responding to anything his mind offered. How could it? All Anthony could think was no, no, no . And, this is the end . He needed every florin and crown in order to keep winning.
    How could he possibly have lost it all?
    “Y-you can get your pound back from the serving wench,” Leviston stammered, clearly suffering just as much shock as Anthony. “A barmaid can’t have expected to keep such a sum.”
    “No,” Anthony said severely. “Once I handed over that sovereign, it became hers. The barmaid’s luck was in. Mine will have to come back around.”
    Somehow.
    He hoped.
    Miss Devon motioned toward the pile of purses. “May I, then?”
    Every muscle in Anthony’s body shook with fear and desperation. The night was young. There was plenty more money to be won. Just as soon as he got his winnings back. Or at least a few shillings. Something. Anything .
    There had to be a way.
    Charm , he reminded himself. When his empty wallet got him tossed out through doors, his charm was the one thing that could open new ones.
    “Of course,” he replied easily, and pushed all three purses to her side of the table as if they contained nothing more valuable than handfuls of dirt. “Although I’m sure you’ll return the favor and allow me one last wager, will you not? Just enough to stay in the game.”
    She hesitated, her fingertips mere inches from the stack of full purses. Anthony tried not to fall to his knees and beg.
    No,