“You have to,” the matron said firmly. “That’s what a competition is.”
Lady Tabitha bit her lip, then brightened. “All right. I’ve got it.”
All six hopeful children stared at her expectantly.
“In keeping with centuries of Marrywell tradition…” Lady Tabitha pointed at each badger in turn. “That one is the May Day badger king, that one is the May Day badger queen, and the other four are the May Day badgers fair.”
“That’s not how it work—” the matron began.
It was too late. The children were squealing with joy, delighted at all the badgers having won prestigious titles. Before the aproned matron could interrupt further, the children ran off in all directions to brag to their parents and show off their newly crowned royal badgers to anyone who would listen.
Hudson grinned at Lady Tabitha. “That was very well done.”
She let out an exhausted sigh and rested her temple briefly on his shoulder. “I was terrified for a moment there.”
“You were perfect.” He fought the urge to kiss the top of her head. She was not his, no matter how much he wished otherwise.
She straightened and gave him a shy smile. “I’m having more fun with you than I’ve ever had before in my life. I’m glad we ended up here together.”
His heart warmed and his skin flushed. He wished he could promise to give her a lifetime of happiness. “Do you know what you need?”
“Please don’t suggest livestock of my own,” she moaned.
He pulled her to her feet. “How does a lemon ice sound?”
“Like a life saver,” she said fervently, and took his arm with a smile. “Lead the way.”
Chapter 6
“Who’s the chit with the crown?” Mr. Frampton asked later that evening.
“May Queen,” Tabitha answered. “It’s the very highest honor to be so crowned.”
“Ah. Like the badgers.” He paused. “Why aren’t you the May Queen?”
“I’m ineligible.”
“Ineligible!” He reared back to stare at her. “You must be one of the most eligible young ladies here. Intelligent, beautiful, the daughter of a marquess—”
A blush heated her cheeks. “Not ineligible in that way. The May Queen and King are always the pair considered the most successful love match made during the festivities the year before. I was betrothed long before I attended my first May Day festival.”
And they both knew hers was no love match.
Mr. Frampton considered her. “You’ve never been courted before.”
She stared at him in confusion. “Viscount Oldfield—”
“—has been betrothed to you since you were a fetus. That’s not courtship. That’s a foregone conclusion. You’ve never had a true suitor?”
“How could I if, like you said, I’ve been promised elsewhere since birth?”
Mr. Frampton looked appalled. “Not even a stolen kiss?”
Of all the impertinent… She slid her hand from his elbow and crossed her arms. “Who I do and do not kiss is my business, not yours.”
“That’s a ‘no’,” he said. “Are the men in your life all corkbrains or cowards?”
“Perhaps too wise to risk the wrath of a viscount and a marquess,” she reminded him. “You wouldn’t have tried to steal a kiss either.”
