“Perhaps she thinks he would be a good husband for you, Thea?”
“Or you,” her cousin shot back.
“Not bloody likely,” she whispered. “I am pleased to say a man like that would never look at someone like me.”
“Why not? He is the second son of a viscount. And there is nothing wrong with you,” Thea said loyally.
“Of course there is,” Ivy scoffed. “And I am happy to be imperfect.”
Why did the thought of marrying him make flutters of excitement form in her belly? Looking to where he stood, tall, broad shouldered, she thought it was simply a reaction to a handsome man who had complimented her.
Holding his bow in a large hand, he seemed relaxed. His expression held nothing, but those eyes were looking in all directions. Almost as if he was searching for something.
“The women present certainly can’t keep their eyes off him,” Thea whispered. “I heard that even though he is a second son, he has considerable wealth of his own.”
“Where did you hear that? Honestly, Thea, you are a shocking gossip.”
“Well. Do you want to know or not?” Her cousin whispered the words into Ivy’s ear.
“No,” Ivy lied, knowing Thea would tell her anyway.
“I overheard Father speaking to Lord Archibald.”
“Did you have your ear pressed to your father’s study door again?”
“Of course. I didn’t learn much, actually. Only that Mr. Nightingale has his own fortune which he amassed while traveling.”
“Which the ladies likely know, as their parents would have ensured they did. Clearly, he is on their lists,” Ivy added.
“I should make a list,” Thea said.
“No, you shouldn’t. Now be quiet and watch.”
Like her, Mr. Nightingale was last to go. Ivy dragged her eyes from the tall, still form and moved to the first archer. He shot wide of the target, missing it completely. His bow had everyone laughing.
“I say, Wilton, would you like to make use of my monocle?” someone called.
“He probably couldn’t find his eye to put it in!”
The teasing stopped when the second archer, Viscount Seddon, fired his first arrow. His guests clapped loudly as it lodged in the target a few inches from the center. He also bowed.
“He’s a bit silly,” Thea whispered.
“Silly how?”
“Pompous silly.”
“I think many are, but I don’t think it means they are not good people,” Ivy whispered. She’d come across plenty of pompous people, and some had been nice to her.
“So don’t make judgements?” Thea sighed. “You’re always saying things like that to me.”
“And yet still you don’t listen,” Ivy teased.
The third archer was some distance away from the center with his arrow.
“Miss Birdwhistle, perhaps you could take some of the men for lessons after?” Lady Osborne called.
Ivy wanted the ground to swallow her whole when everyone turned her way. She managed a tight smile.
