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can make and keep,” Winnie said.
    There wasn’t a chance that she’d find the man of her dreams. Not with the secrets she was keeping.
    . . .
    Winnie donned her mask and exited the carriage when Hodgekens lowered the step.
    “Are you sure you want to risk coming again tonight, my lady?” he said, escorting her to the door of The Dove .
    “I don’t have a choice, Hodgekens. I’ll need more money if I intend to hire suitable guards for Mother. You and Tilly agreed that was what I needed to do.”
    “Yes, but you also need to be well rested if you intend to keep your wits about you. If you remember, that was the first rule I taught you all those years ago. Only play when your mind is sharp. You’ve gone more than two nights now with almost no sleep. You’ll be lucky if you can keep your eyes open, let alone make smart wagers.”
    “I’ll be fine, Hodgekens. I don’t intend to stay long. Just long enough to win the money I need.”
    “What if you have to play against the same players as last night?”
    “The chances are slim that will happen,” she answered hopefully.
    “Let’s hope not. You can’t afford to lose.”
    “I won’t lose,” Winnie said, with more confidence than she felt.
    “Promise me that you’ll leave the minute you think that things aren’t going well,” Hodgekens said. “That’s the second rule I taught you.”
    “I promise,” Winnie said, praying she’d be sharp enough tonight that she wouldn’t have to remember Hodgekens’ second rule.

CHAPTER 4

    Nick entered The Dove and searched the crowded tables for Lady Winnifred. Somehow, he knew she’d be here. Although he wasn’t sure why it was necessary for her to come.
    He thought of every possibility. Perhaps risking her father’s money was exciting to her, although he doubted that could be the reason. In fact, he’d wager every pound he possessed that His Grace had no idea that his daughter had ever visited a gaming hell. Especially one with The Soiled Dove’s reputation.
    Another possibility was that the lady had an addiction to gambling. Perhaps she had the same obsession as several men he knew. The same as the addiction some had to opiates. Although that seemed unlikely. If he was any judge of character, the lady in question seemed more level headed, and more in control of her actions than to allow gaming to take control of her life. Being a compulsive gambler didn’t seem like a weakness she would allow.
    The next possibility was the most likely as far as Nick was concerned. Lady Winnifred was desperate for funds. He wasn’t sure whether she needed funds to provide for her mother’s confinement, or funds to pay the staff that cared for her, but if she had indeed found someplace to hide her mother, she’d need money to pay them. Because if there was one fact of which he was certain, it was that the Duchess of Townsend was not dead, but was alive and living in a remote area of England.
    He’d seen the panicked expression on Lady Winnifred’s face when he’d mentioned her mother. He saw that expression intensify when he asked what she’d do if her mother escaped from where she was being kept. That possibility had terrified her. As well it should. The Duchess of Townsend was a cold blooded murderer. She was a threat to more than just her family.
    Nick scanned the area again as he searched for a masked female with hair a dark, rich brown, and streaks of auburn running through it. A female who had skin the same healthy bronze as her father’s. And eyes so dark they reminded him of rich drops of chocolate.
    He wound his way through the crowded Blue Room, going from one table to the next, taking a special look at anyone who remotely matched her features.
    He knew the minute he found her. He didn’t move, but he didn’t have to. She lifted her gaze as if someone had whispered that he was there.
    Her gaze locked with his, then her eyes widened, and he knew the second she recognized him.
    Of course, she didn’t know