Chapter Five
Dulcenia stomped down the front steps of the manor house and stalked across the front lawn in the bright sunshine. She wasn’t even surewhyshe was angry, other than the fact that Lady Jane was nasty.
But that wasn’t true, was it? She knew exactly why she was mad.
Perhaps mad wasn’t the best choice of words. She was… annoyed?No.That didn’t seem right either. Piqued? Irked? Miffed?
That was it. Dulcenia wasmiffedat the marquess.
She might have easily let Lady Jane’s attempts to upset her roll off her back, but it was the fact that the marquess had chosen to seduce her in the hallway, and then immediately return to Lady Jane’s side that bothered her more than anything.
She was so involved in her thoughts that she nearly ran into a gentleman who was standing on the lawn directly in front of her. “Oh, I do apologize,” she muttered. “I fear I was woolgathering.”
He smiled in a polite manner and offered her a handheld racket that was covered with thick parchment. “I’ve found that the best cure for such an ailment is some friendly sport. Would you care to partner me in battledore?”
Dulcenia accepted the offering, but she merely stared at it uncertainly. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the game,” she said.
The gentleman, who was about middle-aged with dark hair that had grown silver at the temples and had kind brown eyes, held up an item that was made from a cork and tied with goose feathers. “You hit this shuttlecock back and forth between the two rackets. Shall I demonstrate?”
Intrigued, Dulcenia said, “Yes, please.”
He let go of the shuttlecock and proceeded to hit it with the racket, causing it to bounce up and down.
She grinned. “How fascinating.”
He looked at her curiously. “Have you never even playedjeu de paumebefore?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid not, although I have heard of it.”
He chuckled, but something told her he wasn’t laughing at her expense, but due to a personal amusement. “Indeed. It’s been around for centuries and was even played by Henry VIII. It’s similar to battledore, except the rackets are slightly altered and there is a ball in place of a shuttlecock.” He held up the latter. “But if this is your first time engaging in a match, this would be a safer method.”
“I can see why,” she laughed. “Mr.…?”
He bowed lightly. “Forgive me. My manners are a bit rusty. I’m Lord Everly Cane.”
“I’m Miss Dulcenia Hargrove.” She tilted her head curiously. “How is it that I haven’t been introduced to you before now?”
“I just arrived this morning.” He appeared a bit sheepish. “I didn’t immediately join the party. I fear I am a bit of a free spirit and enjoy the outdoors too much to be inside, especially on a lovely spring day like this.”
“Indeed. I feel very much the same,” Dulcenia returned. She held up her racket. “Let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”
Carew was frustratedwhen he glanced over at the table after he’d finished talking to Marcus and found that Miss Hargrove had disappeared. After his search in the lower floors proved fruitless, he headed outside to see if he could locate her. All night long the taste of her lips had nearly driven him insane, and he wouldn’t be satisfied without another nibble from that delightful mouth.
But he halted when he approached the front lawn and found her engaged with another gentleman that was unfamiliar to him. However, he would make his acquaintance soon enough.
He strode forward, just as Dulcenia’s laughter rang in his ears. The sight of her uninhibited joy caused his brow to crease.
“Having fun?” he called out.
Immediately, some of Dulcenia’s merriment faded as she turned her head in his direction. He frowned even deeper, and it irritated him that his presence should have caused her happiness to wane, whenheshould have been the reason for that brilliant smile.
“Good day to you.” The gentleman inclined his head politely. “Would you care to join Miss Hargrove and me?”
Carew’s gaze shifted back to Dulcenia who said lightly, “Indeed, Lord Dalhousie. I understand the game can be played with more than one player.”
Yes, it can.Carew accepted another racket from a nearby footman and his opponent handed him the shuttlecock. “Thank you.” He tilted his head to the side. “I regret that I cannot place your name, sir. I am Carew Fernvine, Marquess of Dalhousie.”
“I do not generally travel in London’s circle.” He bowed lightly. “I am Lord Everly Cane.”
