“Do you get the sense that they’re onto us?” Bobby whispers, leaning over to James on their half of the badminton court.
James watches Beth and Gwen giggle and sip at their drinks on the picnic blanket a few yards away, taking a moment for “refreshment” before they’ll be back to decimate Bobby and James for likely the third time. He and Bobby actually make a decent team, but it’s rather hot outside now and they’re both down to their shirtsleeves and it’s... distracting.
“How do you figure?” James whispers back, wiping at his brow. He turns to look at Bobby and finds his eyes dark and wanting. Any concern he had about Gwen and Beth being onto them pales in comparison to the heat that flushes through him looking at Bobby now. Jesus, they’re pathetic.
“Switching sides with us every game, forcing us to bend over to pick up the shuttlecock,” Bobby says, his voice dipping on the hard “k” in a way that makes James’ whole body tighten.
“Oh, so you’re blaming that on them?” James asks, looking him up and down. “Just because you let Gwen’s serve pass you by doesn’t mean you have to wiggle your delectable arse at me when you bend over,” he whispers, unable to keep from smiling as Bobby crowds closer.
But as much as he’d like to throw him down and ravish himin the green grass, he notices Beth and Gwen returning, so he coughs and steps back.
Perhaps a little distance is what they all need, given Beth and Gwen are looking rather handsy themselves, and he and Bobby can barely keep their hands off each other. Lady Harrington is about somewhere. No need to tempt discovery, for any of them.
“Why don’t we switch teams?” James suggests. “Give me and Bobby a fighting shot.”
Bobby groans while Beth and Gwen consider the offer. “I’m just going to keep losing. I’m the weak link,” Bobby admits.
“Ah, but this wayIcan at least win one. Ladies, which of you shall be the bigger person and take poor Bobby?” James asks.
Gwen cackles and Beth nudges her, smiling at Bobby. “We’ll beat them, you’ll see,” she promises. “Go be mean with James,” she adds, shoving Gwen away as she continues to snicker.
“It’s not mean, just practical,” James defends, pleased by how little he has to take her comment to heart now.
Both Beth and Gwen have opened up to him with bright cheer over the past few days, and it’s let him just... float. Stealing kisses with Bobby, playing cards with the girls, basking in the sun, flirting over croquet and bowling, all followed by endless rounds in the sheets—it’s bliss here at Mason Manor, and he wishes idly it could always be this way.
“Ready to decimate?” Gwen asks, tapping her racket against her hand.
“Oh, absolutely,” James says.
He didn’t expect to enjoy spending time with his cousin’s lover so much. But Gwen is vicious and sharp-witted, incredibly quick, and hilarious. He doesn’t have to be nice to her for his cousin’s sake, or Bobby’s sake; he genuinely enjoys her company.
And he thoroughly enjoys beating Beth and Bobby in a punishing 15–2 victory.
“Take that!” Gwen yells, jumping up and down in triumph as Beth and Bobby lean against each other, winded.
“We are the victors,” James exclaims.
“Oh, they’re both poor winners, that’s tragic,” he hears Beth mutter.
Bobby’s loud laughter rings across the lawn and James can’t help but smile, even in his admittedly petty victory.
“We deserve sweets in celebration,” Gwen declares, plucking the racket from his hand to toss both of theirs by the net.
She takes his arm and guides him across the lawn back toward the patio where Mrs.Tilty has just finished laying out a magnificent lunch.
“You are an excellent partner,” James tells Gwen.
She pats his hand. “I know.” He laughs, glancing up to find her looking over her shoulder at Beth and Bobby. “I’m glad you’re here,” she says, turning back to him.
James feels himself smiling. “I am too. It was kind of you all to let me come. I truly appreciate it.”
“I appreciate that you took the time to apologize to Beth,” Gwen says, no preamble, no gloss.
James ignores his fleeting discomfort. “Someone had to. She deserves an apology, at the very least. I’d do more, if she’d let me.”
Gwen smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling, and another unforeseen weight lifts off his shoulders. “I’ve got her covered there, but thank you.”
“I wish it had been different, but I am glad that the silver lining of such a horrible year was you and your father. You both make Beth and her mother very happy.”
