In a pivotal scene in Lyon on the Inside, Lord Aaran Graham attempts to explain to Lady Freya why he thinks the game of hazard is hard to master, though those who continually do well are much smarter than many think them to be. Lord Graham has saved the lady’s reticule when a thief cuts it from her wrist. They dine together, but as they leave the inn, they are briefly distracted by men playing hazard. Enjoy this short excerpt from the novel:

“Everything ready, Mr. Jamison?” his lordship asked his driver.

“Yes, my lord. Lady Freya’s trunks are in the carriage on the opposing bench. We may place them on top once we rid ourselves of her ladyship’s attacker. The nearest constable is some three miles removed on the other side of the river.”

“Very good, Jamison.” His lordship turned to brace Freya on the coach’s steps. “Did the innkeeper send you out a meal?”

“He did, my lord. Fine meat pie.” The driver smiled easily. “Thank you for your consideration.” 

Freya had never heard her father’s coachman offer words of gratitude for anything Lord Iain Cunningham had ever executed for his servant’s benefit, for true benevolence was not part of her father’s make up. 

Once they were settled inside the coach, she made herself ask. “Tell me what you started to say when we exited the inn. Explain how playing the game of hazard well is an indication of a man’s intelligence.” 

His lordship chuckled. “I did not mean to say all who play the game are intelligent, just those who play it well.” Freya noticed how he adjusted his position on the bench seat as the coach began to roll from the inn yard. “There is a science in playing any game or sport. A man who practices fisticuffs must know more than how to punch someone to be successful at his art. Otherwise, he is merely another brawler.

“When it comes to hazard, the odds of winning never change. The odds of rolling each number, which is called the ‘main,’ meaning a number between five and nine, is six chances in six and thirty throws. Each number has a different odd of winning.” He looked to her and shook his head gently. “I will teach you, and it will be perfectly clear. I promise, and I am not saying that because you are a woman. It is just easier to teach someone the game when holding the dice in one’s hand.” 

Freya knew he frowned, though she could not fully make out his features in the moonlit carriage. “I look forward to the lesson,” she said, “and I would be grateful to spend more time with you, my lord.” 

“Will you truly, Lady Freya?” he asked softly into the quiet comfortableness that had fallen between them.” 

Hazard is an early English game played with two dice. It was mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in the 14th century. Despite its complicated rules, Hazard was very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries and was often played for money. Hazard was especially popular at Crockford’s Club in London. In the 19th century, the game craps developed from Hazard through a simplification of the rules. Craps is now popular in North America, but neither game remains popular within the rest of the world. [The rules may be found by clicking on the link above.]