“I am certain Liza has come home with something new from London. Perhaps I could borrow something from her and surprise you?”
My innocent act was not lost on Mama. “That would require a visit to the Ollertons. How very convenient.”
“The duke deserves my best,” I said with passionate seriousness.
Mama squinted her eyes, likely trying to decide whether or not to believe my act. “You have worked hard today. But the standards of the aristocracy are hard to attain. We must continue working hard with what little time we have left. So”—she cleared her throat, holding my gaze—“be back well in time to practice before dressing for dinner. If I do not hear your voice carrying down the stairs at half past five, Rosalind ...”
I grinned. “Thank you, Mama!” My mind whirled so fast, I had to get my bearings before racing toward the door.
She followed. “Do not forget the aria. Italian.Apposito!”
I flew out the door, half running toward the back pasture before Mama could stop me.
Figures moved on the expansive, manicured lawn rolling out in front of Ivy Manor. A woman in a thin yellow dress floating out in the wind faced a gentleman in a straw top hat.
As I drew nearer, they both turned.
“Ros?” Liza’s enthusiasm carried on the wind, and I quickened my pace.
Seeing Mr. Winston again so soon sent a flutter of nerves to my stomach. His clothes were more formal than he’d worn that morning, his hair tamed, and he twirled a stick around in his hand. A few steps closer sharpened my vision, and I noticed a long head at the bottom of his stick. He held a pall-mall mallet.
“Liza,” I called back, holding my arms out wide as I approached. “You are out of doors!”
She embraced me, then nodded surly to Mr. Winston, who picked up a wooden ball and tossed it in the air. “Charlie whined all afternoon about how terribly bored he is in the house. So here we are out in the sunshine.”
I flicked my attention to him, and he acknowledged me with a small bow. Familiar, but somehow still foreign.
I crossed my arms and shook my head. “If only there was something meaningful he could do with his time.” I raised my brows. Although, he had unwittingly aided me in two of my list numbers already. “He must be bored indeed with such a dreary schedule.”
Liza’s eyes filled with mirth. “Do not tempt his bite, Ros. He has only been awake for a few hours.”
Mr. Winston grew smug. “I do like to sleep late,” he said, then measured my countenance for my reaction.
Oh, to give up his secret! What pleasure I’d have. What fun. But it would cost me too dearly, and he knew it.
“Papa dug up his old pall-mall set. We thought we’d play. Join us?” Liza asked.
“Pall-mall is really only for two players. Or teams.” Mr. Winston made a pained face that did not look very pained at all, then he shrugged. “Though you are welcome to follow along and watch me play.”
Liza swatted at him. “Leave herbe, Charlie.”
“I am afraid an audience would give you too great a pleasure,” I retorted, and he laughed, stepping so near that our faces were as close as they’d been while boxing. But his scars and bruises and scruff did little to intimidate me now.
He did not back down. Instead, he stepped one foot closer. “And what bringsyouout of doors, Miss Newbury? I imagined you more of a morning person.”
I raised my chin. I would not react to his taunting. “I have actually come on an errand. Mama wishes for me to prepare an aria from an Italian opera for the duke, and I wondered if Liza might have something new that might suit me.”
“Ros!” Liza cut in with wide eyes. “Did you hear? The opera is in session starting tomorrow. Our box is just begging to be filled!”
I frowned. She knew—
“I know you hate the opera—hate it—butif we can convince Charlie,” she whispered at full volume, “the music would be so lovely. We could have an evening out, and things will be just as they once were!”
Mr. Winston blinked and flicked his eyes at mine. “No.”
Liza deflated. “You are a miserable toad, Charles Winston.” Then she turned to me with a sigh. “I have a beautiful new aria, Ros. I shall send it over.”
“Perfect. Pall-mall?” Mr. Winston brightened, tossing his ball in the air. Several strides away stood a tall metal arch.
