Margaret let out a sigh. “You mustn’t let her bother you, Lord Castledon. She’salwayslike this, and I have to live with her.”
Amelia steepled her fingers and flashed the earl a bright smile.Not for long, if I get my way.
David couldn’t remember the last time he’d played a game with so much cheating. Amelia had openly moved her tin piece too many squares forward, and when he’d corrected her, Margaret had subtly moved her own piece.
They were like wolves, taking turns attacking their prey.
Amelia’s face was flushed, and she bit one edge of her lip while she slipped a glance at him.
“Don’t,” he warned.
Her foot brushed against his as she put her game piece back where it had been. The gentle nudge was meant to be playful, but he froze at the touch.
Now he was beginning to wonder why he’d come here at all. Margaret Andrews might be the woman he was meant to get acquainted with, but it was her sister who was provoking stronger reactions.
He didn’t need or want Amelia Andrews in his life. David pushed back his chair, creating a physical distance between them, and he decided it was time to end the game.
Margaret and Amelia had begun writing down wagers on a scrap of paper, pretending to keep score.
“What exactly are we wagering?” he murmured beneath his breath. It was bad enough that they were playing a children’s game. Gambling was even more inappropriate.
“Oh, anything.” Amelia shrugged. “Sometimes we wager for favors.”
He wasn’t certain that was a good idea. Even more disturbing was that his mind was conjuring the vision of favors from Amelia, not Margaret. A light flush came over her cheeks, as if she’d read his wayward thoughts. “What sort of favors?” he asked.
“Notthatkind,” Margaret chided him.
“Sometimes we wager for confections,” Amelia said. “If I lose, I’ll buy Margaret a sugared plum. Or if she loses, she’ll loan me one of her gowns.”
“What if I win?” he suggested.
Margaret set down the teetotum, her expression worried. “I suppose we could buy you a sugared plum, if you wish it, Lord Castledon.” From the tension in her posture, he sensed that she was wary of the direction of their conversation.
“I don’t care for sweets,” he said.
“You don’t like sweets?” Amelia was aghast. “What sort of a manareyou?”
He gave no explanation, but kept his expression neutral. “You could buy a doll for my daughter, or a toy, if you’d like.”
At that, Margaret relaxed. “Higher stakes, then.”
“Indeed.” He spun the teetotum, flicking his wrist to ensure that it landed upon a five. It placed him within three squares of winning the game.
“If your daughter is eleven years old, she won’t want a doll,” Amelia pointed out. “You should buy her dresses more befitting a young woman.”
“She’s still in the nursery,” he felt compelled to answer. “It’s too soon for her to be putting up her hair.”
“Yes, but neither should you treat her like a child.”
“Sheisa child,” he interjected. There were years left beforeChristine would be old enough to attend a soirée or assembly. He couldn’t even conceive of the moment when she would marry.
“Not for long,” Amelia answered.
“Margaret, darling, may I see you for a moment?” Lady Lanfordshire touched her daughter’s shoulder. “Your aunt and I have something we need to discuss with you.”
Margaret nodded and stood from her chair. “I’m going to remember where those pieces are,” she warned. “No cheating whilst I’m away.”
“Of course,” Amelia said, but David suspected she was cheerfully lying.
