He reached Stephen, who was standing with his bow dangling from his fingers while he studied the spectators.
“Your mother is looking for you.”
“What a surprise. She probably wishes to retie my neckcloth,” Stephen said.
“It is crooked,” Patrick said, moving to the quiver that held his arrows.
“No, it’s not, because as always, I am a picture of masculine perfection.”
“Braggart.”
“Jealousy is unbecoming on a man of your age,” Stephen said. “You will be weeping shortly when I beat you.”
“When has that ever happened?” Patrick drawled, looking around them.
He found Sophie standing with Miss Logan. They were laughing at something, and that genuine smile on her face made his chest ache.
“Damn.”
“Problem?” Stephen said, following his gaze. “Ah. No need to explain.”
“Which means what?”
“That Doddy’s master is standing over there, and you’ve just realized how lovely she is and?—”
“Shut up,” Patrick snarled. He turned away from Stephen as he started laughing.
“If I can have your attention!”
Lady Shubert was to be the adjudicator. She stood before them dressed in acres of gold fabric and a crown that sparkled with rubies and emeralds.
“That’s probably worth more than your hunting box,” Stephen said. Patrick ignored him and refused to look at Sophie.
Who had really taught her how to ease a headache? Yet another question he had no answer to.
“My husband and I are most pleased to have five very skilled competitors taking part in our archery competition today! Each has three arrows, and after the first round, three competitors will be eliminated!” Lady Shubert boomed, enjoying her moment of fame. “The last two competitors will then fire a single arrow, and we will have our winner.”
“She should sing for a living with those lungs,” Stephen whispered, having moved closer to where Patrick stood.
“That’s rude.”
“Don’t tell me you did not think it,” Stephen added.
“I, however, did not mention it, which is a sign of true nobility,” Patrick said.
“We will begin!” Lady Shubert shrieked.
He shut out all thoughts of Sophie and focused. Losing wasn’t an option. Like him, Stephen was also excellent at archery. They had both spent many hours as boys learning and continued as adults.
After three men were eliminated, it was just Stephen and Patrick left, and the crowd clapped loudly when Lady Shubert once again stepped forward.
“Now, this year, we have a slight change to the competition for the final two archers.”
“Christ, what is she about to make us do?” Patrick muttered.
“I will select two ladies to distract our gentlemen!” Lady Shubert declared as she walked to where everyone stood watching.
Patrick had not been in an archery competition before where a lady was called upon to distract him, yet as he watched Sophie take a step backward as their hostess headed toward her, he was quite happy with the change of rules. She tried to slip behind several other guests; fortunately, they held their line, and she was left standing before Lady Shubert.
