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Tweak says, "I am NOT taking my gloves off."

Lord Tobias Hurst, Duke of Devon (lord_hurst) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-08-01 21:27:00

Entry tags:

character_development, tobias_hurst

Lord Hurst: A Gentleman's Night In
Subject: A Gentleman's Night In- Gambling at the Hurst's Townhouse
Who: Lord Tobias Hurst
Where: The Hurst's London House
Warnings: None
Open to: All upper class men and their ladies

Lord Hurst allowed his manservant to pour a small measure of wine before he picked up the glass by the stem, and, raising the glass to his nose, inhaled, savouring the elegant bouquet. Then putting the glass to his lips, sipped the smallest of mouthfuls, and paused before swallowing. "Excellent, Humpreys. We shall have four bottles brought." He said, turning his attention back to the card table, lit by candles, and the others gathered about. "Fay De Minot." He explained, "An wonderful vintage for an evening with friends."

He picked up the cards then, and began to shuffle them. "What shall we play, then? Something in which I do not lose too much money, I hope." He said with a grin, as Humpreys poured wine for his guests.

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tigersatthegate
2008-08-01 06:28 pm UTC (link)

Aimé was not used to card games, at least none that seemed fit for an evening with Lord Hurst and his society circle. He hadn't really been interested in gambling in Versailles. They didn't have an especially large fortune and losing it on the betting tables would have been disastrous for the family. He had often observed others at the habit though, invited to drape himself on the arm of whichever patron Antoine had selected for him from the rich dazzling array of Parisian Aristocracy and felt sure he had an upper-hand at least on the tricks and tells of his fellow gamers.

He could use the money Lord Hurst funded him as an allowance. There was no point in spending family money on a game and he could always win the money back later on something he did enjoy like horse racing. He knew Lord Hurst well enough now to know the man could never refuse a bet, especially if it was on one of his own racing stock.

“I don’t mind but nothing too difficult. I do not want to be at a disadvantage because you English know the rules while I’m still muddling through the terms.” He said lightly, picking up his glass to take a sip of the excellent wine.

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rogueblake
2008-08-02 09:27 pm UTC (link)

Demetri laughed and sat forward a little as he took a drink of his rum. It was good to be at the club and with the others. He never could resist a good night of cards or entertainment, with friends and new acquaintances either.

Do not worry my friend, we will teach you the rules he said in slightly accented French. It had been a while for him to have a need to be fluent but he'd used it enough over the years to keep the skills up.

He looked around at the others. "I'm sure we all remember what it was like when we all started playing. Some games have harder or more difficult rules than others." He smiled at Lord Hurst. "What game would suggest M'Lord?"

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angedelacour
2008-08-03 04:22 am UTC (link)

Lady Marie Angélique Thérèse Zéphyrine Worthington was more excited than she had been in weeks. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining nearly as much as the diamonds at her throat. A party, moreover a gambling party! And she was in posession of a purse that could be lightened, emptied or doubled and she was not in a mood to care which.

Her father had allowed her to join the tables since she had experience and in any case, a chaperone in their relative Lord Hurst. What her lady mother thought of it, Angel hadn't spared a moment to guess. She laughed and took a sip of the wine. Not the same as champagne at Versailles, but it would do. She thought of observing as much to Aimé but decided that could come later. Her gaze slipped from him to Demetri who promised, she thought, to be a most diverting acquaintance, before she flashed a charming smile at Lord Hurst.

"Something easy then, please sirs. It wouldn't be kind for those of us who aren't so skilled at English to fumble over words." Not that hers was anything less than spotless but she knew that with enough wine she'd slip into French and garble her English.

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lord_hurst
2008-08-03 01:38 pm UTC (link)

"In that case, friends, for the benefit of our French guests, we should start the evening with a simple game? To get us all warmed up?" Lord Hurst suggests, smiling around the table at his guests, still idly shuffling the cards. A little game to get the mind ticking over pleasantly before any real gambling could begin. He flashed a particularly bright smile to Aimé, who was starting tonight with a gift of coins donated from Hurst's own pocket, but it mattered very little. Angélique was hardly poor, nor was Mr. Blake, and enough winnings would hopefully be made tonight. No matter what Aimé had said, Hurst didn't doubt that the boy had enough knowledge of English and of cards to win more than a few fair hands.

"I suggest Speculation. I hope, Monsieur and Madamosielle, that you are familiar with the game? I am sure Mr Blake and I could explain between us, if necessary..." He said, setting the pack of cards down in front of him, next to the pile of coins he would be using that evening. "Unless anyone has any other suggestions?"

An explanation of the game can be found here: http://www.davidparlett.co.uk/histocs/speculat.html if anyone is interested!

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tigersatthegate
2008-08-03 03:29 pm UTC (link)

Aimé smiled back at Lord Hurst, setting down his cup.
"Speculation? I'm not sure I have heard of the game, but you two could explain it, yes?" He ventured. "I'm afraid card games aren't my usual style, at least not for money. I prefer to make bets so I will follow your lead tonight."

With his father now ill he often spent time playing with the old man, dealing out from a deck of cards but they played simple games – seeing who could find the ace first or reach twenty-one. His father’s attention would wonder with anything more taxing on the table and Aimé was not playing for fun, rather to spend time with his father and see him enjoy himself a little.

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lord_hurst
2008-08-05 01:15 pm UTC (link)

"It's a simple enough game, Aimé," Lord Hurst explained, smiling slightly, "I would be surprised if there was not a French version. Perhaps you would know of it's name, Madamosielle Angélique?" He suggested, before looking back to Aimé. "Three cards are dealt to each player. The top card from the remaining cards is turned, and that suit is the trump suit. Each player will turn over their cards, going around the table until the highest card in the trump suit is found. The highest card need not be the ace but the highest of all the cards dealt within that particuluar suit." He paused, glancing around the table. "I hope I explained that well enough for you all..."

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	angedelacour 2008-08-05 08:21 pm UTC (link)
	Speculation? Angel grinned. Simple, elegant, and ever so much fun. "A marvelous suggestion, Lord Hurst. I'm afraid I've only played it among my father's English associates, though." She laughed and added, "Though it is much simpler to explain in any language than Quadrille or Piquet." Or Preference, which no Englishman seemed ever to have heard of. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lord_hurst
2008-08-07 02:21 am UTC (link)

He smiled at the young lady, inclining his head to her in thanks. "I am glad you think so, Madamosielle. What else do I live for, but to entertain my friends and family?" He grinned around the table. "I hope the game is to your liking too, Mr. Blake?" He asked, beginning to deal, first one card each around the table, then a second, then a third, before placing the remaining cards down in the centre. "However, Angélique, I do think that any ease in explaining the rules may only come from the fact the English are a nation of gamblers. So saying..." He paused, considering his pile of coins. "Five shillings says I claim highest trump."

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