Chapter Twenty-Four - Lady Danbury's Den of Iniquity

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I sigh, running one hand through Frederick's hair while using the other to prop my chin up.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Fredrick whispers, a small smile appearing on his face while his eyes remain closed.

"Maybe once or twice," I joke, chuckling.

"Well then, I suppose that I shall just have to show you," Frederick whispers, leaning over to kiss me while wrapping an arm around me and flipping us over.

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Sadly the morning had passed far too quickly for either of us and Fredrick eventually made his way down to the office, where he had stayed for the rest of the day.

"Are you going?" Frederick asks, glancing up from his paperwork to watch as I start towards the door.

"Yes," I sigh and start to make my way into the study, "Lady Danbury's home is a little further than in the past, so I wanted to get going early and not arrive there too late."

"Have fun... don't gamble away all our money," Frederick jokes.

"I will certainly try my best," I assure him, chuckling softly before smiling over at him. "Where will you go? I'm guessing that you are not going to spend the entire night at home?"

"I am meeting Anthony at the men's club... and I believe Simon as well," Frederick says, "that is if I ever get through all this paperwork..."

I walk over to his desk and peer at all the work before sighing, "I believe that you can do it. Just think about all the alcohol you can consume when you are done."

"What a lovely wife you are, my dear," Frederick jokes, rolling his eyes. He stands up and kisses me for a few seconds before playfully pushing me away, "go, go. Go on and spend all of our money."

"You know that I will, my dear," I call back, smiling when I hear his laughter ring through the house.

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Walking into Lady Danbury's house was strange.

The last time that I had been here, was for the first ball of the season... only a few months ago, and now, here I am. Married.

Gone was the sophistic decor of the ball, and in came the dimly lit, smoke-filled room. Countless tables had been brought into the grand room, all of which were filled with married ladies who were elbow-deep into spending away all of their husband's money. The chatter and laughter that filled the room seemed to make the entire place vibrate with some undescrible energy.

"Your Grace," Lady Danbury greets, a small grin appearing on her face. "Welcome to my den of iniquity."

"This is... amazing," I confess, looking around in wonder.

"Don't get too excited, Your Grace," Lady Danbury says, chuckling as she leads me to a table. "I believe that you know Lady Trowbridge, and Lucy Grandville, Your Grace, but have you met Kitty Langham?"

"I don't believe that I have been able to," I say, "well, it is wonderful to see you again, Lady Trowbridge, Mrs Grandville, and it is lovely to meet you, Mrs Langham."

"Please sit," Lady Trowbridge says, "we've just started."

I nervously chuckle and look at the table with a nervous glance, "I must confess, I do not know how to play."

"Not to worry, we shall teach you all the rules," Lucy assures.

And so they do.

We end up playing so many rounds that I had lost count after 20 or so, with Lady Danbury and I winning most of the hands.

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"I do believe our other newlywed has arrived," Lady Danbury announces, standing up from the table and sauntering off toward where Daphne stood. "I shall be back... don't let Mrs Langham steal any of my cards, Duchess."

I giggle and nod my head, "of course... I shall watch them with a careful eye."

Lady Danbury nods her head and starts off towards Daphne, the two sharing a short conversation before starting off toward us.

"I still cannot believe how good you have gotten," Lucy acknowledges, chuckling as she looks at my pile of chips. "I do think that you and Lady Danbury have taken a good chunk of my money already!"

"All in good fun, Mrs Langham," I say, winking at her.

"I do believe you already know Lady Trowbridge, Your Grace," Lady Danbury says, "as well as the Duchess of Windsor... and old friend of your's correct? But have you met Lucy Grandville? And this is Kitty Langham."

"The general's wife, yes," Daphne says, smiling at the woman. "Well, lovely to meet you all."

"Well, do not just stare," Lady Danbury says, "deal the Duchess in."

"We shall teach you the rules," Lucy says, offering her a smile.

Lady Trowbridge hums in agreement before looking toward Daphne and offering her a playful smile. "First, a woman takes her wedding vows, then we gamblers take her virtue."

"If her husband has left any to be taken," Lucy adds in.

The table breaks out into laughter, which causes Daphne and I to awkwardly chuckle alongside them.

"Have no fear," Lady Danbury says, "Each turn, all you have to do is set your token on the card you believe the dealer will turn over. Now, ladies, place your bets."

"If there is one thing that I have learned," Lady Trowbridge says, "it is to follow the Duchess of Windsor... after all, she has taken nearly all my money."

"Oh, but I have not won every round, now Lady Trowbridge," I say, "I could be wrong."

"The Duchess is a quick study," Lady Danbury says, placing her chips down onto the cards, "I'm sure she will have the measure of things in no time. All it takes is a little practice and perseverance."

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Lady Trowbridge lets out a groan as she leaned back against her chair, "the Earl would have my head if he knew how much money I have lost."

"The Earl is but two years old," Kitty retorts, eyebrow raised and a smirk appearing on her face as she takes a sip of her drink.

"Hmm," Lady Trowbridge smiles, "well, then, I'm in luck, am I not?"

We all chuckle for a moment before Lady Trowbridge and Lucy decided to take a small break, deciding to fill up their glasses and taking a walk around the room.

"Seems I have been blessed with some beginner's luck," Daphne says, reaching out and taking the round's winnings.

"The game is not over yet, Your Grace," Kitty says, smiling over at her as she placed down a chip.

Daphne chuckles before glancing over at her, "I wonder, Mrs Langham-"

"Kitty, please, you have won so much of my money it is only right," she insists.

Daphne chuckles before nodding her head, "Kitty, then. There is a soldier in service I am hoping to find for a friend. Do you think your husband might be able to assist me?"

"You will have to ask that of him yourself," Kitty says, "he is so rarely at home.

"I am so sorry," Daphe says, her face falling at her words.

Kitty laughs and waves her off, "whatever for? It is quite the ideal situation to live a separate life from one's husband. I am afforded all the freedoms of marriage while bearing none of the burdens of his company."

Daphne falls silent, taking in her words for a moment, "well, what of your children? Do they not miss their father?"

"It is hard to miss someone you've never known," Kitty says simply.

"You forget, the Duchess is still in the first bloom of marriage," Lady Danbury says.

"Yes, the famous love match," Kitty says, grinning, "pay me no heed. The Duke's company, I am sure, is anything but a burden to you. I can tell you where to write. My husband. Perhaps the general will grant you a response. It is not as if you are his wife."

Daphne chuckles and takes a sip of her drink.

"Daphne!" I exclaim, glancing down at the table with shock.

"You win again!" Lady Danbury finishes, looking down at the table with wide eyes.

"Seeing how you entertain yourself, I rather think you the victor, Lady Danbury," Daphne jokes, "and Florence, look at the pile you have there! I do think it has at least tripled since the last round."

"I rather think so too," Lady Danbury says, waving her hand at the dealer once more. "Again."

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Lady Whistledown's

SOCIETY PAPERS

Dearest reader, a question.

Is anything more exhilarating than taking a gamble? For it is often the highest risk that carries the greatest reward.

Yet, wager wrongly, and you might find yourself left with nothing but regret.

Of course, one can never know for sure whether a wager will make a fortune or ruin it, unless one chooses a more secure pursuit.

But as the season continues, the biggest gamblers have yet to truly show their hand... which leaves gossip in short supply in recent days. In fact, this author, can think of no other event that merits a mention.

It is worthy of note, however, that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have yet to entertain callers together. Our newlyweds are no doubt still secluded in nuptial bliss.

Who could fault them? And who could be surprised if their diligent efforts are rewarded with a new arrival within the year?

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-T