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“It would not be prop—” Pippy started, just as Lady Dalmeer walked into the room and clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Now, everyone, find a seat and we’ll start,” she demanded.

She’d arranged chairs in rows forming a large semi-circle around the table at the front. It gave the appearance of intimacy, even while there were at least fifty of them lined up. Freddie led Pippy toward the back row.

“Tonight, I thought it would be diverting if we played charades,” Lady Dalmeer said, and then, as if an afterthought added. “And bullet pudding will follow.” She smiled as if they should laud her as a superior mind for thinking of it.

Freddie gave Pippy a bland look. “Library?” he mouthed and quirked his brow.

While the offer tempted her almost beyond her capacity to decline, she shook her head as they sat down. “You’d surely be missed,” she whispered. “And your family already disapproves of me enough. I do not wish to further earn their ire by taking you to the library.”

He waved away her words. “My sisters adore you. And I’m certain Archie finds you perfectly amiable.”

Pippy looked away. If only theirs were the opinions that mattered most. Although she was happy for the approval of her sisters-in-law.

“Very well, but just remember, this was your doing.” Freddie shook his head in disapproval, but the sparkle in his eyes betrayed him.

She smiled to herself, pleased she’d come to know him well enough to know what the look meant. It was progress, was it not?

“I have cards on the front table, each with a charade written on it. We’ll each take a turn reading one and allowing the group to figure it out.” She narrowed her gaze at her son and then Freddie. “Everyone will take part,” she said. And then, almost as if considering it further, she added, “And everyone will enjoy themselves.”

Freddie snorted out a laugh. “As if she could dictate that,” he said out of the corner of his mouth. “Sometimes I think she believes herself higher than the Queen.”

Pippy turned and looked at him. “Does the Queen demand people enjoy themselves?”

He shook his head. “I don’t believe she does. But that is why I said my aunt thought herself higher.” He clucked his tongue and tapped her ear softly. “You weren’t listening.”

Some might take offense, but Pippy was too absorbed in the way his touch made her stomach dance. Lawks, she was in trouble.

“Must we go in order?” Evie called out. She sat several rows in front of them.

Lady Dalmeer frowned. “What do you mean, Lady Evangeline?” There was an air of impatience.

“In the order the cards are stacked. Or may we sort through and find the one we like best?”

Lady Dalmeer did not exactly glare at her niece. But she did not look overjoyed by the question, either. “Whatever you want to do, dear. I don’t care.”

Pippy glanced over at Freddie. “That does not seem true to her nature.”

“She is an enigma, is she not?” he asked.

“Who wishes to go first?” Lady Dalmeer asked.

“I shall give it a go,” Lord Stanhope said, and he made his way to the front of the group.

He picked the card off the top and cleared his throat. “My first does every day appear, my second to the fair is dear; my whole to man does plainly show, I am Time’s emblem here below.” He gave the group a disinterested look. “Well, what is it?”

People talked to each other in low tones.

Finally, Lady Marguerite shot to her feet. She smiled and tittered before saying, “An hourglass?”

Freddie looked at Pippy and rolled his eyes. “That behavior is the last way to earn Stan’s affections.”

Lord Stanhope nodded as he put the card on the table. “Well done, my lady.” There was nothing congratulatory in his tone. He bowed to Lady Dalmeer and walked down the far side of the room. Only he didn’t return to his chair. Instead, he continued on behind the back row of seats, stopping when he reached Freddie. “Say your charade and meet us in the library.”

Pippy jerked her head around to look at him. Was he trying to take her only source of entertainment? What was she to do, then? She hardly noticed Lord Finsbury walk to the front of the room. “Are you to leave me to manage this on my own?” she whispered after Lord Stanhope moved away.

Freddie picked up her hand and clasped it in his.