Ignoring her reaction, he held his hand out toward her ball. “Though we’ve just won, I believe it’s your turn.”
She looked askance at him, clearly not happy, but didn’t say a word as she lined up and brought her ball within range.
After his sister and Leighhall made their attempts, his sister also clearing the final hoop, Lady Matilda sent her ball through. Leighhall completed his game last. Or rather, last in their group. He turned around to check on the group behind them. Lady Dorothea’s quartet was just starting hoop five, with the next group close on their heels.
“You seem a bit out of sorts, brother.”
He didn’t turn at his sister’s comment as she stepped up next to him. “I find myself unusually disappointed in my own accomplishment.”
She hooked her arm in his. “Maybe it’s because it was far too easy an accomplishment?”
He glanced down at her, his lips quirking up. “I see you couldn’t seem to let Leighhall win.”
“No. I tried. I truly did, but he was so conceited at the idea that he could play better than I, I grew bored.”
“As did I.” He looked over her head to see Lady Matilda and Lord Leighhall walking arm and arm to the tent set up on the lawn where the elders sat.
More laughter from Lady Dorothea’s group had him turning his head back toward the course. “Did you wish for that refreshment, or would you prefer to discover what makes pall-mall so amusing?”
“Oh, I’m all about learning new things. My lemonade can wait. Let’s do investigate.”
“And so we shall.”
At Rose’s laughter, his mood lightened, and they strolled back the way they had played to find out what was so damned humorous about sending balls through hoops. As they approached, the foursome stopped talking. Lady Arabella and Lord Manning smiled, but Lord Dearling and Lady Dorothea looked sheepish.
His sister cocked her head. “Do you need instruction on playing pall-mall?”
Lord Manning answered, grinning. “Not at all. We all know how to play. We just have a couple of us who are, let us say, less skilled.”
He couldn’t let that pass. “Then perhaps we can be of assistance. My sister and I are quite adept at the game.”
Lord Manning and Lady Arabella turned toward Lady Dorothea and Lord Dearling. Lady Dorothea’s cherubic cheeks were flushed as she laughed. “I could use some assistance in retrieving my ball.”
“To be fair, I did hit it quite by accident.” Lord Dearling pointed to a red ball in the distance. The man must have hit it like canon fire to send it so far.
“And I may have kicked Lord Dearling’s ball back a bit.” Lady Dorothea pointed past the third hoop, appearing quite proud of herself.
He did noticeshedidn’t say it was an accident. “Then, Lady Dorothea, I suggest we retrieve your ball, and I’m sure my sister would be happy to aid Lord Dearling.”
“That would be most appreciated.” Lord Dearling bowed toward Rose.
As Rose left, Lady Dorothea joined him. “I do appreciate your help.” She gave him a shy smile, which added to her already flushed cheeks and shimmering eyes.
He held out his arm, and she moved her mallet to her other hand before taking it. He didn’t look at her as they began the long walk toward her ball. “Am I to understand that you kicked Lord Dearling’s ball out of the way purposefully?”
She giggled. “I did. But to be truthful, he deserved it for hitting my ball so hard, and it wasn’t even with his ball. He thought to prove a point about decisiveness versus accuracy and accidently hit my ball with his mallet when he completely missed his own. Truthfully, my lord, if he goes hunting with you all tomorrow morning, I highly suggest that you don’t allow him a weapon.”
At her statement, he laughed. “I assure you, I will keep that in mind or keep myself far away from said gentleman.”
“Very good. I would not want anything to happen to you or anyone else.”
His curiosity about their play refused to remain unsatisfied. “With Lord Dearling doing so poorly, did you not find it frustrating to continue the game?”
“Frustrating?” She thought for a moment. “No, I don’t believe I did. However, it was quite amusing, as was my own play. And then when Lord Manning and Lady Arabella began to play terribly, it was all quite comical.”
“And you enjoyed this?”
She stopped walking, forcing him to halt. “Of course.” She looked back over her shoulder before facing him once again. “Have you finished your game?”
