Read Cast in Ice for Free Online Page B

retreated from the room and he followed her. She’d almost had to forfeit everything she held dear. Just like his cousin’s friend Jenny had had to forfeit everything. And when she couldn’t live with the disgrace of what she’d done, she’d taken her own life.
    Jenny Belden’s bruised and broken body flashed before him. He’d been the one who’d gone to the docks to identify her. He’d been the one who’d had to tell Jenny’s parents that their daughter was dead. Because of what a night of reckless gaming had done. Because of what she’d had to do to pay her debts.
    Nick slapped his fist again his thigh. He’d never allow The Soiled Dove to take another innocent female’s life.
    The closer she got to the door, the angrier he became. The more he increased the length of his strides to reach her. He refused to allow her to get away from him. He refused to let her leave without making sure she knew exactly the risks she’d taken.
    She exited through the door at the front of the Blue Room, then stepped out into the alley. He exited behind her.
    Her carriage waited for her. Not a Townsend gilt-laden carriage, but an unmarked carriage. The driver hopped down and rushed to open the door.
    Nick followed so closely, he almost reached the carriage ahead of her.
    The driver had just handed his mistress inside when Nick stepped up to him. Nick recognized the driver as a man named Hodgekens, and he slipped his mask partially aside to reveal his identity to the man. “I’ll have a word with your mistress, Hodgekens,” he said in a tone that left no room for argument. “I intend no harm.”
    Hodgekens stepped back and Nick climbed into the carriage, then turned back to the driver. “Take us away from here, Hodgekens,” he ordered, then shut the door behind him and slid into the seat opposite her.
    She squeaked a little cry of surprise, then reached for her reticule and worked to open it.
    Nick placed his hand over hers and felt the small pistol beneath his fingers. He pulled the reticule out of her grasp and threw it on the seat beside him. “You don’t need that.”
    “What do you want?” she asked, pressing her back against the rich velvet squabs.
    Nick took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. Trying to calm his fury before he spoke. “We need to talk,” he said as the carriage lurched forward.
    “Get out!”
    “Since the carriage is moving, that’s hardly possible. So you’re going to have to sit where you are and listen to me.” He leaned forward and glared at her. “What the bloody hell were you trying to do in there?”
    She didn’t answer, but glared at him. When she spoke, there was a different fear in her voice. “It’s you,” she said as if just realizing who he was. “You’re the man I played against last night.”
    “Yes, it’s me. And unlike last night, tonight you played like a bloody beginner.”
    “How dare you!”
    “I dare, my lady, because you know the first rule of The Soiled Dove . No unpaid debts. No vowels. No credit!”
    “I know that!”
    “Then answer me this. If you had continued to play, would you have had enough money to cover your losses?”
    Her hesitation was all the answer he needed. “I didn’t think so. What were you going to do then? Go to your father to ask for money to cover your gambling debts?”
    “I didn’t intend to lose tonight,” she said through clenched teeth.
    “No one does,” he fired back. “But The Soiled Dove doesn’t accept excuses. They don’t lose money from their tables. They always come out the winner.”
    “I know that. Tonight was different. I was—”
    “What? You were tired? You weren’t up to playing the hands you were dealt? You thought you’d win the next hand?”
    “I know when to quit!” she said in a voice that held a desperate tone. A voice that hinted that she was on the verge of breaking down.
    Nick knew he should stop badgering her, but he couldn’t. She’d scared the hell out of him. He didn’t