"You may find his definition of wholesome has expanded," Louisa said mildly."But we shall do our best to restrain him."
She slid an arm through Esme's."Come.I must show you the prize.It is hideous.You will adore it."
Esme glanced at her mother, received a nod, and allowed herself to be led away.Genny flitted after them.
James caught Esme's eye, then fell into step on the other side of Louisa, feeling Woodmere’s disapproval.
"It's a frog," Genny whispered."A smug frog wearing a laurel wreath.Louisa, I love him."
"He's ghastly," Esme said."Where did you find it?"
"In a shop in Brighton," Louisa said."The proprietor assured me it was tasteful.That was when I knew I must have it."
Esme smoothed her glove."I have never played battledore," she admitted.“Woodmere prefers activities with fewer...flying objects."
"Battledore is perfectly respectable," Louisa said."Provided one does not keep score in blood.It is also an excellent way to send shuttlecocks, and messages, where they ought to go."
Esme's brows lifted."Messages?"
Louisa's mouth curved."You are part of the Mutual Mischief Society, are you not?It seems only fair Foxmere contribute through our hosting privileges."
Esme's heart skipped a beat."You know about?—"
"Genny writes very chatty notes," Louisa said."Also, Redford is not half so subtle as he thinks.Do not worry.I approve, provided your mischief is kind."
Esme smiled."We do have rules."
"Good."Louisa looked pleased."Because I have a proposition."
Esme followed her gaze toward the line of guests waiting to be assigned to teams.
"Miss Eaton," Louisa murmured, "is painfully in love with Mr.Carstairs.Mr.Carstairs is equally in love and utterly convinced he is unworthy.They require a nudge."
"And Lady Honoria?"Esme guessed.
"Requires to be distracted by someone she can torment without doing permanent damage," Louisa said serenely."I was thinking Lord Watford."
Esme's lips parted and her pulse quickened."What would you like us to do?"
Louisa's eyes gleamed."Lord Redford will distract Lady Honoria long enough for Genny to push Miss Eaton and Mr.Carstairs onto the same team.You, my dear, must then ensure they have cause to speak, perhaps by aiming a shuttlecock at Mr.Carstairs's dignity."
"I thought we were not keeping score in blood," Esme said dryly.
"A light graze," Louisa amended, "just enough to make him laugh.It will do him good for he has been terribly grave since his uncle's scandal."
Esme considered this.Across the lawn, James stood talking to Magnus and Alexandra, though his attention was too obviously elsewhere.Every so often, his gaze wandered toward the tent where she stood.
"All right," she said."Let the Mutual Mischief Society come to order."
Genny clapped her hands."Oh, excellent!I feared this would be an afternoon of merely wholesome recreation."
"Never," Louisa said."Not at Foxmere."
"It will be chaos," Magnus predicted, watching Lady Honoria tap a parasol against her palm as she evaluated potential players."Alexandra with a whistle and Lady Honoria with opinions?You may as well hand out helmets."
"I am not missing the opportunity to see you hit in the head with a shuttlecock."
Alexandra blew the whistle, startling birds from the nearby trees."Ladies and gentlemen!The inaugural Foxmere Battledore Tournament is now commencing.Remember our one rule."
