“I do,” Amberwood said. “And as it happens, he just arrived.” He gestured toward a tall gentleman with dark auburn hair. He was a Scotsman whom Declan knew well. His estate was a half days’ ride from his own, and other than Havenwood, he was his closest genteel neighbor.
“Viscount Kendal?” Declan asked.
“Yes,” Amberwood told him. “He will make it all the more entertaining. He has a competitive streak that I envy.” He grinned. “And he’ll play, that I can almost guarantee.”
Declan nodded. “All right. You go invite him, and I’ll convince the ladies they’ve always wanted to participate in a game of lawn billiards.”
Amberwood and Foxmoore headed in the direction of Viscount Kendal and Declan went toward Charlotte. There were other ladies with her, of course, including the two chaperones entrusted with the students’ care He paused as he reached them and bowed slightly. “Ladies,” he greeted them. “I trust you’re all enjoying yourselves.”
“It’s rather humdrum,” one of the ladies said. He hadn’t been introduced to this girl. She had raven black hair and gray eyes that almost appeared silver in the light. “But I suppose that is the reason we’re allowed to attend. Not a scandal in sight.” She sighed as the lack of excitement seemed excruciating for her.
“Melisande,” one of the chaperones chastised her. “We’re to avoid such things as scandals. There is nothing wrong with a respectable soiree.”
Melisande laughed. “You’ve never experienced a scandal then, have you, Miss Abernathy?”
Miss Abernathy’s hair was nearly as dark as her charge’s, although her eyes were not the same alluring silver. Instead, they were a bright green that almost flared with anger at the young woman’s words. “You will be on your best behavior. What I have or have not been privy to doesn’t apply to what is expected of you, you silly girl.”
Declan cleared his throat. He had to stop this before it got out of hand. “If the soiree isn’t to your liking, I do have a suggestion.” His gaze landed on Charlotte. She had been quiet the entire time, and he had to wonder why.
“You hope to create a scandal?” Lady Jaclyn asked. There was a gleam in her eyes that could be dangerous.
“No,” he said slowly. “I would never suggest anything like that.” He smiled. “My servants set up lawn billiards. Four of us have decided to play, but we have room for four more, as I have eight mallets available, if you would like to join us.” He kept his gaze off of Charlotte as he spoke. “We could even play in pairs. One gentleman to one lady, if that is all right with your chaperones.” He met Miss Abernathy’s gaze. He didn’t even glance at Charlotte’s chaperone. The less anyone knew of his actual interest, the better.
“That’s a lovely idea,” Miss Abernathy said and glanced at Melisande. “Some of our students do better with an actual activity to participate in. Thank you for suggesting it.” She motioned at Melisande and her other charge. “Do you wish to play?”
Before either of the ladies could respond, Amberwood, Foxmoore, and Kendal strolled over. Melisande’s eyes widened as she stared at Kendal. Well, that was interesting. He would have to ensure she was partnered with the viscount. “I’m willing,” she said. “Are you, Georgina?”
Ah, the shy girl. Declan did recall her. “I trust your ankle is healing, Miss Georgina?” he asked the girl. She glanced away, and a slight blush tinged her cheeks.
“It is, my lord,” she said softly, “and I do wish to play.”
“Wonderful,” he said. Now he just needed Charlotte and her friend Jaclyn to agree. “What about you, Lady Jaclyn? You seem interested.”
“I am,” she said. “And so is Charlotte. I trust you will explain the rules to us?”
“Of course,” he said. “If you will follow me, I can show you where the game is set up, and you can choose your mallet.”
They all walked over to the field where the rings had been strategically inserted into the ground. Eight mallets were in a holder on one side of the playing area. “Here are the mallets,” he began to explain. “We have, black, red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, and white.” He held up the blue mallet. “I am going to take this one, and the matching ball.” He plucked a blue ball from the basket. “Everyone come forward and choose your mallet and retrieve your ball. After we all have made our selections, I will explain the rules.”
“I’ll take the black,” Kendal said. “It matches my heart. So it seems fitting.”
Declan rolled his eyes. “If you believe it suits you, then it’s yours.”
Charlotte still had not looked at him. She waited her turn to choose her mallet. Everyone else stepped forward and chose. Still she held back until there was only one mallet left: the yellow one. Not quite gold like her eyes, but still it suited her.
“Now that everyone has made their selection,” he began. “We will go over the rules of play, then pair off.” He grinned. “First rule, follow your ball. Where it lands, you go.”
They all nodded. “That makes sense,” Lady Jaclyn replied. “But what if it goes off course?”
“Then you go off course,” he said.
“But we’re to play in pairs.”
“Well,” he began. “As long as you are able to. The pairs are just to start us off. You may end up near someone else depending on where your ball lands.”
He fully intended to ensure his ball followed Charlotte’s. Declan wanted to remain near her as much as possible. “Second rule,” he began. “Your objective is to get your ball through all the rings on the course, going from left to right until you get to the final ring at the far end of the course.”
They all glanced toward the rings. They were spread apart almost forming a rectangle with the final ring at the end.
