He assumed this was a slight on his preference to sit back and watch rather than participate. “I shall play whatever you wish, Lady Alice.”
The look she gave him was almost pitying. “I hope that you do. Just... remember Miss Tilney’s goal, will you?” She then looked to where Sir Charles was drinking his coffee and admiring Eleanor’s breasts as she leant across the table to hand Dryden a spoon.
He had never admitted it to anyone what he felt for Eleanor, but Vaughan, who knew him best, could see it, and Lady Alice seemed to know his feelings too. He wondered what Eleanor’s brothers thought. Frederick probably had no suspicions, and if Henry suspected Philip longed for someone he could never have, he would tease him mercilessly—unless that woman was Eleanor.
Of course, Henry’s sympathetic feelings would be lost if he knew what had happened last January at Northanger while the others were playing cards.
“Mamma, Miss Tilney and I would like to arrange a game,” Lady Alice said to Lady Longtown. “You do not mind, do you? A social game.”
“No, I should like it very well. I only want to watch, you know, but you can arrange as you like.” She turned to Lord Longtown. “The young people ought to play, should they not?”
“Yes, my dear. I trust you to tell me all the amusing anecdotes later. Would you ring for the butler to light my candle?” As his wife went to do so, he kissed her on the cheek. He then said to the others, “I shall retire,” and went to the door without another word.
Philip shook his head to himself. How could so abrupt a man also be downright uxorious?
General Tilney also stood. “I think I too may be excused from the games. I have many pamphlets to finish,” he said to Sir Charles. “I am often poring over the affairs of the nation. Good evening, everyone.”
Philip saw Eleanor’s shoulders settle down into their normal place as her father left, and Lady Alice called everyone to attention. “We are to play a game. Each gentleman selects and assumes a name from history or character from some comedy, novel, or romance.”
“I do not read novels,” Lord Dryden muttered.
“That is why you are a dull creature, George!” The look Lady Alice gave him could be called nothing less than withering. “When you are all suited, the gentlemen choose one from amongst you to offer to one of the ladies for a husband.”
“Oh, that is not enjoyable,” said Sir Charles. “I say let any of the men offer himself to a lady. It shall render the game livelier.”
“Very well.” Lady Alice gave a strained smile, and Philip wondered if she wanted to hit him for interrupting her. “The gentlemen must stay in character to propose, and the lady is obliged to assign her motives either for accepting or refusing him. And”—she raised a finger and looked round mischievously—“on giving her assent, she must suffer a salute from her husband, whom she is for the rest of the game to call by his assumed name or pay a forfeit.”
Lady Alice’s request and commiserating look earlier now made sense.She hopes to forward Eleanor’s scheme and does not want me to interfere.
“If Miss Tilney and myself are engaged,” Alice went on, “we will interrogate our chosen partner as to the motives that have induced him to marry.”
“I suppose we must give reasons in association with the historical name or character we have assumed?” Vaughan asked.
“Yes,” cried Lady Alice. “The discussions between the couples should render this game amusing. Go on then, and decide your characters while Miss Tilney and I await to be addressed.”
Philip turned an expressive eye to Eleanor, but she was blushing mightily and not looking at anyone.
“I shall cry off,” Dryden said as the men gathered on the other side of the room. “One of the ladies is my sister.”
“You shall just have to offer your hand to Miss Tilney,” said Vaughan.
“No, no. I will play cribbage with my mother. Besides, Lady Harriet would not like me saluting another lady,” Dryden said as he walked away.
Considering all of Dryden’s coarse talk in the dining room, Philip thought a chaste kiss in a parlour game was the least of the concerns the future Lady Dryden should have.
“Well, three men and two ladies,” said Sir Charles. “Very good odds.”
“They might both refuse you,” Philip said.
Both Vaughan and Sir Charles gave him a sharp look, and Philip tried to keep his expression mild.
“Care to wager on it?” Sir Charles asked him in a low voice. Philip was tempted to agree, but the point of the game was for Sir Charles to win. And unlike Sir Charles, Philip did not throw his money away on a trifle.And I cannot keep Eleanor from what she wants.
While he was settling in his mind how to reply, Sir Charles added, “If you can afford to wager, that is.”
He felt the slight, but kept his anger in check. “It is crass to bet on a lady’s heart, even in a game, don’t you think?”
Sir Charles narrowed his eyes, but only said, “I have my character. Are you both ready?”
