The intimate gathering was hosted by none other than Lady Greystone, a widow of considerable fortune and even more considerable influence. Her soirées were legendary for the way they danced along the edge of propriety without quite toppling over. Invitations to such events were coveted, but they came with an unspoken understanding: what happened there rarely stayed there.

Lavinia arrived on Percy’s arm, her nerves hidden behind a façade of calm detachment. The Aldridge heir, as usual, appeared utterly at ease, as though scandal and whispers were merely his natural habitat.

“I must say, Lavinia,” Percy remarked as they were greeted at the door, “you clean up rather well. Though I suspect that dress is designed to incite envy in every woman here.”

She smirked. “And here I thought I wore it to silence the men.”

---

The Game Begins

The gathering was smaller than anticipated, but that only made the tension more palpable. A handful of guests milled about, sipping fine claret and exchanging polite yet pointed remarks. Lavinia immediately noted the lack of an orchestra or parlor games. Instead, the centerpiece of the evening appeared to be a card table at the far end of the drawing room.

Lady Greystone herself presided over it, a glint of mischief in her eye as she dealt cards with the practiced ease of a seasoned gamester. Beside her sat a man Lavinia did not recognize—dark-haired, broad-shouldered, and exuding a quiet confidence that marked him as an outsider to the ton.

Percy noticed him as well. “That,” he said under his breath, “is Captain Rhys Whitmore. Retired from the army. Rumored to have made his fortune in less-than-reputable ventures.”

“And he’s here because...?” Lavinia asked.

“Because Lady Greystone adores troublemakers,” Percy replied.

---

A Wager Too Far

It wasn’t long before Percy was roped into the card game. Lavinia, content to observe from the sidelines, watched as he charmed and sparred with the other players, his wit as sharp as his cards. Captain Whitmore, however, proved a formidable opponent, matching Percy’s every move with an inscrutable smile.

The tension escalated with each hand, until Lady Greystone clapped her hands. “Enough of this cautious nonsense,” she declared. “Let us raise the stakes, gentlemen—and lady.”

She turned to Lavinia, who started in surprise. “Me?”

“Why not?” Lady Greystone said, her grin widening. “Surely you’re not afraid of a little wager.”

Percy’s gaze flicked to Lavinia, his expression unreadable. “Careful, Lavinia,” he murmured. “Lady Greystone’s games are rarely fair.”

Lavinia hesitated, then took a seat. “I’ll take my chances.”

---

The Whispered Confession

As the evening progressed, the wagers grew increasingly daring. Lavinia managed to hold her own, though she couldn’t ignore the heated looks Captain Whitmore kept sending her way.

At one point, he leaned close, his voice low. “You play well, Miss Somers. Almost too well for someone of your station.”

Lavinia met his gaze evenly. “And you speak too familiarly for someone of yours.”

Percy, seated beside her, stiffened. “Whitmore,” he said coolly, “perhaps you should focus on your cards rather than your company.”

The tension between the two men was palpable, and Lavinia couldn’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at Percy’s protectiveness.

---

The Scandalous Reveal

Just as the game was reaching its climax, a commotion erupted in the adjoining room. Voices were raised, and the sound of glass shattering sent a ripple of unease through the guests.

Lady Greystone rose swiftly, her expression a mask of icy calm. “Excuse me,” she said, gliding toward the source of the noise.

Lavinia and Percy exchanged a glance before following.

The scene they stumbled upon was nothing short of chaos. A maid was weeping in the corner, while a red-faced Lord Pembroke shouted incoherently at a pale but defiant Lady Jane.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lady Greystone demanded, her tone cutting through the din.

Lord Pembroke turned to her, his words slurred with drink. “That... that harlot!” he bellowed, pointing a shaking finger at Lady Jane. “She dared... she dared to—”

“Enough,” Lady Greystone said sharply. “Compose yourself, Lord Pembroke, or I shall have you removed.”

The crowd fell silent as Lady Greystone turned to Lady Jane. “Is there anything you wish to say, my dear?”

Lady Jane’s chin lifted, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. “Only that I will not apologize for seeking happiness where I may find it.”

Gasps rippled through the onlookers, and Lavinia realized with dawning horror that Lady Jane had not denied the accusation.

---

A Quiet Departure

The scandal cast a shadow over the remainder of the evening. Lavinia, unsettled by the spectacle, excused herself to the terrace. Percy found her there a short while later, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

“Shocking, wasn’t it?” he said, leaning on the railing beside her.

“Heartbreaking, more like,” Lavinia replied. “She’ll be ruined, it was quite a most unfortunate lure of temptation.”

“Perhaps,” Percy said. “But she seemed willing to pay the price.”

Lavinia glanced at him, her brow furrowed. “Do you think it’s worth it? Defying society like that?”

Percy smiled faintly. “Only if the cause is just.”

“And what, pray, would you consider a just cause?”

He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the darkened gardens below. “Something—or someone—worth the risk,” he said at last.

Lavinia’s breath caught, but she quickly looked away, unwilling to dwell on the peculiar warmth his words stirred within her.