“Come now, Pru. It is only a kiss,” Bradley said. “It can even be a brotherly peck on the cheek.”
“It better be brotherly if it’s coming from you. No blowing raspberries on my cheek like when we were children.”
Bradley chuckled but pledged to be on his best behavior.
“Perhaps weshouldhave a forfeit for those not interested in a kiss,” Lord Gladsby said.
Bradley snorted. “What fun is that?”
“Personally, I find it highly entertaining to see people play acontrary spirit.” Diana eyed her husband, a smirk pulling at her lips.
“You are devious, my love. I am not sure I trust you to call an appropriate action for me to play the opposite.”
Diana blushed. “Really, Bradley. I am not the one who makes inappropriate suggestions in this relationship.”
Everyone chuckled but agreed they would have another forfeit. In lieu of tokens, they agreed that forfeits would be paid as the game progressed. Several calculating glances passed among the members of the room, and Grace nearly laughed. Her brother would find a way to trap his wife into a kiss before the night was out, she was sure of it.
“I shall play the lady first,” Lady Hamdon said. “Anthony, you shall be the brush. Miss Prudence, you are the comb. Alan, you are the hairpin, and Miss Lenning, you are the cologne.”
“What about me?” Bradley asked.
“You are the pomade and your wife can be the mirror.”
With everyone set, the game ofToilettebegan. Lady Hamdon called an “All my toilette” on the first round. Chaos ensued as everyone switched seats and somehow the lady managed to steal a spot and leave her husband as the one without a chair.
Prudence leaned over and whispered, “I think they planned it like that in order to make good on the forfeit.”
Grace snickered.
The couple kissed, and Lord Hamdon took up the seat in the middle. Items were called and people changed seats, multiple kisses were given and a few people chose to play contrary spirit.
When Prudence stole Lord Gladsby’s seat, he chose the contrary spirit. The grin Prudence cast Grace’s way made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. There was mischief afoot, and she worried she was about to be caught in the middle of it.
“Say Miss Lenning is not lovely.”
Lord Gladsby’s blue eyes shot to hers, making it difficult not to squirm in her chair. She should have known Prudence would do something like this.
The room was silent, waiting for his contradictory statement. He turned to fully face her, his gaze intent. The usual light blue of his eyes appeared dark in the low lighting. Grace’s breath caught as she waited for him to speak.
“Miss Lenning isabsolutelybeautiful.”
His words sunk deep into her soul and she had to remind herself it was only a game. He was not actually complimenting her, but her racing pulse and shallow breaths said otherwise.
When the game ended, Bradley complained that Grace had never been caught in the middle. “I think you cheated.”
She rose from her seat, ready to follow Prudence upstairs so they could get ready for bed. “How does one cheat atToilette? I am simply swifter than you. Either that, or youwantedto be caught.”
Bradley rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away to hide a smile, but Diana’s rosy cheeks gave him away.
Grace patted him on the back. “I am not naïve. I remember how competitive you were at this game when we were children. If you had really wanted to best me, you would have found a way.”
“She has you there.” Anthony chuckled as he led his wife from the room.
“Very true.” Bradley leaned down and kissed Grace’s cheek. “Good night, sweet sister, rest well.”
She smiled up at him, then made her way to the door.
“Gladsby, hold up,” Bradley said. “I have something I would speak to you about.”
