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Felix sighed. “I could not ask you to.”

“You may ask.”

Felix laughed. “Would you like to take your wife to the music room this afternoon? You might even enjoy a bit of tea or chocolate and linger for a while. Better yet, you may enjoy my group’s lovely decorations.”

Freddie laughed. “You’re fortunate that I would never object to listening to my wife play the pianoforte.”

“Excellent,” Felix said. Miss Sterling had recruited Lady Cartright as her assistant, so it was only fair that he recruit a bit of help for himself as well. He waved the gold leaf booklet with a smile. “Many thanks, Weymouth. I shall be sure to return this to you shortly. And best of luck with your decorating.”

“You as well.”

“If we win because of your gold leaf, I’ll forfeit the title to you,” Felix assured him.

Freddie cast him a smile. “I’ll hold you to it.”

Felix bid his friend farewell again before returning to the music room. They had made progress in his absence. A few clusters of holly and white ribbon from Lady Dalmeer’s collection were interweaved with the boughs on the mantel and pianoforte. Mr. Newton stood on the opposite side of the room as Miss Sterling, working in silence in his isolated corner.

The Laurences bickered quietly over the position of the hellebore flowers on the wall sconces.

And Miss Sterling stood alone, hands planted on her hips as she examined the wreath she had made on the table.

Felix immediately joined her, drawing her gaze to his as he set the booklet of gold leaf in front of her. “As promised.”

She brushed a dark curl behind her ear with a heavy breath. “I’m afraid I changed my decorating strategy while you were away.”

Felix scoffed. “It was less than five minutes.”

“The gold leaf may look a bit garish. We collectively decided to keep our theme focused on nature. After all, the wallpaper is already gold.”

“But you must impress Mr. Woodward.” Felix raised an eyebrow.

“I’m certain that the opposite is your dearest wish,” she whispered, raising her eyebrow to match.

“Perhaps not my dearest wish, but it is near the top of the list.”

Her lips parted in a gasp, and Felix found himself glancing at them. He had never fully paused to admire her features before. Well, that wasn’t true. He had many times over the past few days, but she only seemed to be becoming more beautiful. It was inconvenient to admire her against his will. Not only her beauty, but her wit as well. Her cleverness. Mr. Woodward must have seen it.

Mr. Davies must have once seen it too.

Felix pushed aside the realization. He couldn’t begin admiring her or sympathizing with her. That would ruin their game entirely, and thus far, it was the most entertaining part of the house party.

“Don’t act so surprised,” he said. “You sent Lady Cartright after me this morning, causing me to neglect Miss Benson.”

Half her mouth curved upward as she worked on the wreath, but she said nothing.

“Did you resolve the urgent matter which called you back to the house?”

“I did.”

“What was the matter, now that you do have time to explain?”

“I needed a glass of water. Desperately.” The look she gave him was half serious, but her lips betrayed her. She was once again fighting a smile. Was she enjoying their game as much as he was?

“I hope you have had sufficient refreshment.”

“I have, thank you.”

Felix watched her carry her wreath to Mrs. Laurence, and he was already counting down the hours until afternoon.