In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark Read Free Book Online Page A

quit too, Father. Then you’ll at least come out ahead.”
    “You sound like my wife,” Terence remarked, though his voice sounded a little unsure. “And what do you mean ‘come out ahead’? I didn’t call last time. I still have all my money. And my luck’s holding! Today’s my lucky day anyway, eh, Warden? Today I’m really lucky.”
    “Then I hope you keep having fun,” Jeffrey said icily.
    Gerald Warden breathed a sigh of relief as Jeffrey left the room. Now the coast was clear.
    “Then let’s double your winnings, Silkham,” he encouraged the lord. “How much is that now? Fifteen thousand altogether? Lord almighty, so far you’ve lightened my wallet by more than ten thousand pounds. Double that and you’ll have as much as you got for the sheep!”
    “But…but if I lose, then it’s all gone.” The lord was now having misgivings.
    Gerald Warden shrugged. “That’s the risk. But we can keep it small. Look, I’ll deal you a card and myself one as well. Peek at it. I’ll uncover mine—and then you can decide. If you want to play, all the better. I can, of course, also decline after I’ve seen my first card.” He smiled.
    The lord received the card doubtfully. Didn’t this peek go against the rules? A gentleman should never look for loopholes or shy away from risks. Nevertheless, he stole a look at his card.
    A ten! Except for an ace, it couldn’t have been better.
    Gerald, who kept the pot, revealed his card. A queen. That counted for ten points. Not a bad start. Still the New Zealander wrinkled his brow and seemed doubtful.
    “My luck doesn’t seem to be holding,” he sighed. “And how about you? Shall we play, or leave it be?”
    The lord was suddenly very eager to continue.
    “I’d gladly take another card,” he declared.
    Gerald Warden looked at his queen with resignation. He seemed to be wrestling with himself, but dealt another card anyway.
    The eight of spades. Eighteen points total. Would that be enough? Silkham broke out in a sweat. But if he took another card, he was in danger of going bust. Better to bluff. The lord attempted a poker face.
    “Ready when you are,” he declared curtly.
    Gerald revealed another card. A two. So far twelve points. The New Zealander reached for the cards again.
    Terence Silkham prayed for an ace. Then Gerald would go bust. But still, his own chances weren’t bad. Only an eight or a ten could save the sheep baron.
    Gerald drew—a three.
    He let his breath out sharply.
    “If only I were clairvoyant…” he sighed. “But, no matter, I don’t imagine you have any less than fifteen. So I’ll risk it.”
    The lord trembled as Gerald drew his fourth card. The danger of going bust was huge. But it was the four of hearts.
    “Nineteen,” Gerald counted. “And I’ll stay. Cards on the table, my lord!”
    Terence revealed his bluff. He had lost by one point. And he had been so close!
    Gerald Warden seemed to see it the same way. “By a hair, my lord, by a hair. That cries for revenge. I know I sound crazy, but we can’t let that stand. Another hand.”
    Terence shook his head. “I don’t have any more money. That wasn’t just my winnings, that was everything I had to bet. If I lose any more, I’ll be in serious trouble. It’s out of the question; I’m out.”
    “But I beg you, my lord!” Gerald shuffled the cards. “It just starts getting fun with high stakes. As for a bet…wait, let’s play for the sheep. Yes, the sheep you wanted to sell me. That way, even if things go badly, you won’t lose anything. After all, if I hadn’t suddenly shown up to purchase the sheep, you wouldn’t have had the money in the first place.” Gerald Warden flashed his winning smile and let the cards pass nimbly between his hands.
    The lord emptied his glass and prepared to stand. He swayed a little as he did so, but he still articulated his words clearly: “That would suit you, Warden! Twenty of this island’s best breeding sheep for a few card tricks?