Yet, it still mattered that he had disappeared so quickly and she intended to find out why before the holiday came to an end, otherwise she would always wonder. Yes, it may hurt to hear the truth from his lips, but she needed to know. Yesterday, upon first seeing him after such a long time, fear had claimed her, but could she truly move forward without knowing his reasons for certain?
“He is a family friend,” she added since each woman continued to watch her as if waiting for further information or a confession of her heart, or possibly anything worthy of gossip, which she would not provide.
“Yes, well, I did observe you often and since Shrewsbury was keeping you company on the terrace and in your favorite reading place that last day, I did not feel the need to do so.” Hannah smiled as knowing lit in her green eyes.
Deborah’s face heated. Had Hannah witnessed the kiss? Had she seen Deborah on Percy’s lap? Goodness!
No! Impossible!
That was a secret her sister would not have kept.
Or, perhaps she would have, but why hadn’t she mentioned it to Deborah before now?
“It appeared as if the two of you had grown quite close that last day, but then he left.”
She had seen something! Why hadn’t Hannah ever said anything? Except, she hoped that she did not elaborate on what she witnessed now in a room full of women.
“What games are we playing tonight?” Wingate asked as he entered the parlor, the gentlemen following.
It was then that Hannah reached under the table, grinned and produced a large bowl and bottle of brandy. “Snapdragon.”
“Not I,” Miss Damaris quickly announced and moved away from the center table to stand far away and by a window.
Given the two accidents that Deborah was aware of, she certainly understood Damaris’ reluctance.
“We saved you a seat, Lord Shrewsbury,” Bernice smiled and indicated to the empty chair. “You should not be made to stand for too long.”
“Thank you,” he murmured and Deborah did her best not to glare even though jealousy pierced her heart.
Were all the misses going to flock around him in hopes of gaining his favor?
“I hope that you do not intend to use my brandy,” Wingate complained.
“Only the bottle that you were not fond of,” Hannah assured him as she started pouring it into the bowl before she retrieved the raisins to add to the brandy.
Deborah watched as they slowly sank to the bottom with dread. Hannah had always loved this game and usually won. Deborah did not.
“I believe that I will also only observe,” Percy said. “Given my lack of balance, I would likely fall into the bowl before I retrieved even one raisin.”
“Yes, well neither will Deborah.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “She fears being burned.”
“No. It is foolish to risk pain and discomfort on account of a game,” she retorted and settled back, glad that she was not required to participate either.
“They have all sunk.” Hannah clapped her hands. “Who would like to go first?”
Peter narrowed his eyes. “I will and this time you will not beat me.”
“A challenge has been issued,” Wingate announced as he put a candle flame to the brandy causing a whoosh of flames to fill the top of the bowl.
As the guests gathered around the low table to watch and take their turns, Percy anticipated being smothered, but it wasn’t until someone accidentally bumped his knee, then apologized that he removed himself from his seat and stepped away to make his way toward one of the klismos chairs. Deborah was quick to join him while Miss Damaris did not leave the far side of the room.
“I believe Miss Damaris is ready to escape out a window or door if someone or anything goes up in flames,” he observed.
“Peter already burned a hole in his sleeve, even though he rolled them up,” Deborah commented. “I am not surprised. He has yet to best Hannah at this game.”
"You are being very friendly toward me when I thought your intention was to avoid me,” Percy said. “At least, that had been my perception yesterday after I had arrived.”
“Yes, well, we were once friends, were we not.”
