“You’re terrible,” Fairfax said flatly. A big man with craggyfeatures, his huge hands dwarfed the billiard balls heracked.
“Ettu, Fairfax?”
Fairfax gruntedand continued to set the table.
Stephen leanedon his cue as Montford and Fairfax argued over the scoring system.Well, Montford argued while Fairfax stared at him mutely. Pinetcontinued to groom himself while Sutton arranged himself againstthe wall, observing all of them with that superior look on hisface.
“Wehaven’t really disturbed you, have we?” Ash said, coming to standbeside him.
“Would you all leave if I said yes?”
Ash grinned.“No.”
“Then what does it matter?” Stephen asked ruefully.
Ash’s grin fadedinto a comfortable smile. Montford and Fairfax had finallycommenced their game, and Stephen and Ash watched as they ratchetedup the competitiveness.
“When next do you have a football game?” Ash asked.
Gaze on the playbefore them, Stephen said distractedly, “Saturday.” Then, realisingwhat Ash had asked, he looked at his friend sharply. “I donotrequire a cheer squad.”
“Butyou have a ready-made one,” Ash wheedled.
He exhaled.“Leave it be, Ash.”
“Idon’t know why you insist on this solitary life, Farlisle. You knownone of us will allow it.”
Hegrunted.
Shaking hishead, Ash continued, “In any event, I’ll be at your game onSaturday, though itisrather lowering to attend such acommon pastime.”
“Then don’t.”
“Ah,Farlisle. The more you say such things, the greater my desire toattend.” Ash grinned.
“You’re a prat.”
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
“SawSeraphina Waller-Mitchell sniffing around you at the Pruittball.”
Both Stephen andAsh whirled their gazes around. Sutton had not moved from the wall,his gaze levelled upon them.
Frowning,Stephen said, “What?”
Sutton took asip from the glass in his hand. “Lady Seraphina. Took quite theinterest in you.”
He exchanged alook with Ash. The earl shrugged. “So?” Stephen asked.
Sutton swirledhis glass. “Surely you’ve heard.”
“Heard what?” he said impatiently. While he might tease Ashabout being a prat, Sutton actually was one.
“I,too, am intrigued by this pronouncement.” Ash said.
“Every year, Seraphina Waller-Mitchell selects a gentlemen topursue her.”
“So?”
