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Jane blinked in confusion.

“You were pouring me a cup?”

Her smile was pasted on out of sheer habit. Her head pounded from lack of sleep, and she had been yearning for that first sip of coffee to fully rouse her before encountering company. But now that Mr. Dunsford had seen her reaching for the gentlemen’s beverage, she had little choice but to forfeit her cup. “Of course,” she replied with forced cheer.

She poured, breathing in the rich aroma with unspoken longing before setting the pot down. Reluctantly, she picked up the cup and handed it to him, feeling the pang of sacrifice as the warmth left her fingertips.

“One wonders why the servants are providing cream and sugar?” he mused, gesturing toward the tray.

Because that is how I prefer to drink it!

Jane shrugged. “Perhaps some guests prefer to add it.”

“Fie! That is something a lady might do. What type of man would drink it in such a feminine manner?”

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the tray. It was time to change the subject, lest she reach over and snatch the cup back from his hands. She had noticed a certain propensity for grumpiness before her first coffee of the day, and she was liable to say something unladylike if she lingered too long on the injustice. Mr. Dunsford was blissfully unaware of the havoc he was wreaking on her patience. It would hardly be fair to take it out on him.

“Were you looking for me, Mr. Dunsford?”

“I was. I was hoping you might be available to play lawn bowls? Several guests have gathered on the east lawn. Do you play? I can teach you!”

Jane suppressed a smile. She had grown up in the country as one of six children. They played bowls every Sunday, and Jane was the best player among them. Again, it was not Mr. Dunsford’s fault that his comments grated on her nerves. Her mood had everything to do with the absence of that dark, glorious brew she so craved. Perhaps she should call for tea instead?

“I have played it before.” The temptation to refuse and hunt down another cup of coffee flared in her mind, but she recalled her resolution after reading to Tatiana. It was time to consider her future—time to seek a husband and turn the page to her life’s next chapter. “I would love to play.”

Mr. Dunsford’s boyish face brightened. “Excellent!” He stood, placing the cup down with careless abandon.

Jane’s gaze flickered to the untouched coffee, her mouth practically watering at the sight. How she longed to take it up, savor its warmth, and let it work its magic. She forced a smile at the young gentleman, but her eyes drifted back to the cup. “I shall need to collect my bonnet, Mr. Dunsford. How about I meet you on the lawn?”

“Of course! A lady as fair as yourself must take care of her complexion. I shall wait for you by the terrace.” He bowed, his expression brimming with hope. Jane realized that with a bit of encouragement, she might easily secure a proposal from him. He was clearly keen. All she had to do was spend time with him and decide if he was the sort of man she could tolerate for the rest of her days.

The moment he left the room, Jane sprang into action. She prepared her coffee with swift, efficient hands, her heart lifting as the rich aroma filled the air. Lifting the cup to her lips, she breathed deeply before downing it in one long, indulgent sip. The tension in her shoulders melted, and the pounding in her head dissipated, leaving only the hum of satisfaction in its wake. She dabbed her lips with a handkerchief to remove any evidence. It was not the leisurely ritual she craved, but at least she was fortified for whatever lay ahead.

Feeling invigorated once more, Jane collected her bonnet from her room and washed her mouth with the dental elixir before making her way through the manor. The sun streamed through tall, mullioned windows, casting long beams of light across the polished floors. She exited onto the terrace, where several guests had already gathered, their laughter drifting through the manicured gardens. Tables were laid out with neatly arranged lawn bowls, the polished wood gleaming in the late morning sun.

Mr. Dunsford spotted her arrival and hastened over, his long legs carrying him swiftly across the lawn. He took her hand and bowed deeply. “Miss Davis, I am very much looking forward to demonstrating the nuances of play to you.”

“That would be delightful.” She returned his smile, her eyes bright with amusement.

“We are playing in teams of two. Mr. Ridley and his sister will play against us.”

Jane glanced over the bowling green, its smooth surface bordered by trimmed hedges and shaded by towering oaks. The duchess approached, her jaunty bonnet bedecked with elegant feathers that bobbed lightly with each step. Sunlight caught the rich color of her brandy eyes, making them gleam with anticipation.

“Jane, we finally play a game together. I grow weary of sitting as a spectator.”

“Which rink is ours, Your Grace?”

“We are playing on the first one.”

They strolled over to where Mr. Dunsford and Mr. Ridley stood waiting, the men deep in conversation. Upon their arrival, Mr. Dunsford tipped his beaver hat with a modest bow. “Your Grace, I am honored to play against you.”

The duchess beamed in response. “And I, you, Mr. Dunsford. I must warn you that my brother and I have played together many times.”

“If you win, I shall be able to say the Duchess of Halmesbury bested me,” he replied with a polite grin.

“Excellent. Let the best team win.”

Mr. Dunsford and Mr. Ridley performed the coin toss, the bright glint of silver catching the sunlight as it spun through the air. The duchess won the right to toss the jack, her smile triumphant. Her brother dashed forward to collect it, running out to center it on the pitch after it came to rest.