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“Yes, it’s very likely,” she agreed. “But perhaps it will force him to admit defeat. Or at the very least, we could sound a cease firing and he’ll accept.”

Lord Kentwood frowned. “Perhaps there’s more for you to learn about my son. I’ve never known him to quit or accept defeat.” He gave her a pointed look.

Pippy looked resigned. “Then we must fight our way free.”

Ari grinned. “I rather like the sound of that.”

Pippy shook her head slowly. “You may change your mind once the snow falls down your back.” She looked to her comrades-in-arms. Whether they’d chosen their fate or become such out of necessity, they were in it together.

She looked at their pile of snowballs. They would go fast once the battle started, but hopefully they had enough to free themselves of the park and head toward the house.

She glanced at Lord Kentwood from the corner of her eyes. Would having him be a help or a hindrance? Would Freddie hesitate to throw a snowball at his father? Knowing what she did about their relationship, she wondered if Freddie might actually throw more at him. But could that be the diversion they needed?

She immediately felt guilty. She should not use a man of Lord Kentwood’s age as bait. It was not done. But she could not completely push the thought from her mind. She’d do it only if there were no other options.

“Perhaps we should make more snowballs. We’ll need an ample supply.” She looked at Lord Kentwood and gave him a quick smile. “You may regret throwing your lot in with us.”

He looked from her to Ari. “I only wish to make certain Arabella is safe.”

“I’d never put her in harm’s way,” Pippy said. Did he think she would? As much as she was claiming danger, they all knew it was in fun. If someone should injure themselves, she was certain the game would end, and everyone would go to their aid.

“What about Evie? Why do you not protect her?” Ari paused in her snowball making to put her hands on her hips.

He leveled his gaze at her. “Because Evangeline usually makes prudent decisions.”

“You’re implying I don’t?” Ari’s mouth dropped open. “She threw a snowball at me and allied with Lord Stanhope. Do you think that prudent?”

“I said usually,” Lord Kentwood clarified. “I’m uncertain what your sister was thinking today.”

“You can discuss that later, Ari. Now, you need to make snowballs.” Pippy slowly peeked out from behind the urn and squealed.

Lord Finsbury stood less than a rod away, his arm raised and ready to throw.

“They’re upon us!” She ducked back behind the urn. “Make haste! Make haste!” She picked up several snowballs and darted around the opposite side of the urn, throwing them at Lord Finsbury as fast as she could.

His eyes widened with surprise as a snowball hit him in the chest.

He raised his arm over his head. But before he threw the snowball, he winked.

Winked? Why would he do such a thing?

But then a thought occurred to her. Where was Freddie?

She turned to look behind her, just as strong arms wrapped around her middle and lifted her off the ground.

“Freddie,” she yelled.

“I’ll teach you to side against me, my love,” he whispered in her ear.

“You hardly gave me a cho—” She turned her head, trying to see him. “What did you say?” She thought he’d called her “my love,” but that couldn’t be right, even as much as she hoped it was.

He lowered her to the ground and spun her around to face him. “Perhaps some time in the dungeon will have you thinking clearly.” His words came out as puffs of white clouds.

She leaned back slightly so she could look up at his face. “What did you say before?”

He lifted a brow. “I said it was to the dungeon with you!”

She stared at him. Was he purposely being coy? “Yes, but what did you say before that?”