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She nearly forgot to breathe.

“Of course not. I shall take you with me, fair maiden,” he said with feigned bravado.

She smiled. “Thank you, my lord.”

Lord Finsbury walked behind them. Goodness, she’d not even heard his charade. He winked when they both looked over their shoulders.

Pippy tried to push down the twisting in her stomach. While she did not wish to stay there without Freddie, she was certain his friends would not appreciate him bringing her along. They were openly kind, but it did not follow that they wished to spend the evening with her. The last time she’d joined them in the library, both men had cried off early. She didn’t wish to intrude on the evening they had planned.

She licked her lips. She should allow Freddie to go alone. Surely Evie and Ari would allow her to sit with them after her charade.

She glanced over and lifted her finger to her lips. There were no chairs by the girls. Was there someone else she could sit beside? But as she looked around the room, the only available chair seemed to be by Lord Kentwood. That would not do.

“I shall take—” Freddie said as he rose. But Arabella shot to the front and cut him off.

“I’m too nervous to wait any longer,” she said.

Pippy dropped her hand into her lap and leaned toward Freddie. “I’ve never seen her nervous.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Nor have I,” he said. “She’s not usually the sort.”

Pippy’s questions died away as Freddie retook her hand.

Ari picked through the cards quickly before smiling and pulling one from the stack. “I found it. That is to say, I found one,” she stammered as she glanced toward Evie. Then, clearing her throat, she read it out. “When I am stolen, I’m more willingly given. My cost is nothing, yet I’m priceless.” She glanced up at the crowd. “What am I?” she said slowly.

It was quiet for a moment.

“Oh, I think I know this one,” Pippy said. “A kiss,” she called out loudly.

Ari smiled widely. “Indeed, that is correct. And it looks as though you are about to receive one.”

“What?” Pippy was confused and glanced at Freddie.

He rolled his eyes and pointed above them. “I believe they’ve caught us in a trap, my dear.”

A sprig of mistletoe hung over their heads between Evie’s fingers.

“Well,” Pippy said. She had no notion of what else to say. Kissing her looked to be the last thing Freddie wished to do. Why must people continuously force it on him?

“Well, indeed,” Freddie muttered. He looked over at her. “It seems their kissing bough has not brought them the entertainment they hoped for.”

“And this is their solution?” she asked.

He shrugged. “They’ll be very disappointed if we do not kiss. I’m certain it took much juggling for them to arrange it.”

Pippy flicked her gaze around the room. All eyes were on them. Her cheeks flamed, but she shrugged it off. “And you believe we should reward them for their chicanery?”

“No.” He shook his head and gave her a look whose meaning she did not know. “You’re correct. We should not reward them.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. She’d given him an opportunity to agree to a kiss, yet he’d declined. It was only further proof that he didn’t want to do it.

“Just kiss her. She is your wife,” Lady Dalmeer said impatiently. She seemed irritated. But whether it was because they were delaying the game or because she had not thought up the scheme, Pippy could not be certain.

“I suppose it can’t be helped,” Pippy said weakly. She knew this was not what either of them wanted. For her part, it would only make her miss what she wouldn’t have once they returned to Somerset.

Freddie leaned over and placed his palm on her cheek, his fingers splaying onto her neck and ear. “Are you certain?” he said hesitantly.

She nodded, as her words were lodged in her throat. What must he think of all this? Did he think she was a part⁠—