Page 34 of Good Duke Gone Hard

Margaret could only stare at her mother feeling like a girl caught with a stolen dessert. She was not ready to disclose this newfound revelation of possession. She was hardly ready to accept it for herself. She certainly did not want to divulge any of her feelings at the moment.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” For the moment, the needlework and tea remained untouched. Her mother keenly observed her and waited. Margaret counted almost eight seconds before her mother continued. “How is he feeling? How are you feeling?”

Margaret took a sip of tea. “Fine.”

“Fine?” Eight more seconds passed.

“Well, I’m glad everyone is fine.” Her mother picked up her needlework. “That is perfectly…fine.”

If only Margaret had known how not fine her mother perceived all things to be, she might have spoken up a bit more.

***

The next day the entire house was awoken to trumpets. Where they came from, Margaret had no clue. But she discovered soon enough that her mother had some surprising plans for the house party this week.

“Thank you all for gathering in the drawing room. And so promptly.” The dowager duchess skimmed the room, nodding to the various clumps of haphazardly dressed guests. “I know this is entirely unusual, but I was hoping to inspire you all with a game this morning. Winter will soon be here, and we must take advantage of every nice day before that time arrives. I have been planning a surprise for you all, and I’m entirely delighted to say that the weather has cooperated enough to indulge us. Therefore, today we are going to have a lawn game tournament.”

A few gasps with a smattering of clapping echoed in the room. Then without missing a beat, a few murmurs inquiring of breakfast flitted around.

“Breakfast will be served shortly, and picnic baskets will also be provided to each pair as you compete in the games.”

Margaret made eyes with Jonathan anticipating their partnership.

“I have the ladies' names in one basket and the mens in another. I’ll draw for teams.”

Within a few moments, Margaret realized this was not going to be the morning of amusement and merriment she had expected.

Agatha was paired with Reggie. Kat was paired with Lyle. Charlotte was paired with Davin, Viscount Ingleby. Margaret was paired with Colonel Hastford, and Jonathan was with Bella.

Before she could even think of implying a swap, her mother decreed, “No changing partners. Now, let’s begin.”

Apparently the trumpet had come from the Earl of Winchester and he was beyond ecstatic to blow the horn for each new game. And each round of each game. That is, until he grew fatigued and spent the rest of the morning under the canopy sitting in one of the cushioned armchairs eating tarts the footmen had arranged.

The first game was horseshoes. Margaret clapped her hands then grabbed Colonel Hastford’s arm. She let out a short squeal. “We’ll surely win this one. I’ve perfected the toss.”

The Colonel’s grin split his face. “Then I believe we are off to an excellent start in this competition.”

Margaret couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard Jonathan scowl at her. Yes, now she was certain she had heard the scowl.

And then, “Bella, how would you rate your tossing abilities? Nil, fair, outstanding?”

“I daresay it would be untruthfully humble to say nil, or fair, but I cannot bring myself to claim outstanding.”

Jonathan chuckled. “Then let your toss do the claiming for you. Come.” Walking past Margaret, straight to the game, he handed Bella the first horseshoe.

Bella flipped the shoe softly in the air to catch in her hand, familiarizing herself with the weight. She drew her arm back, then pushed forward letting the horseshoe float in a perfect arch. It clanged around the stake in the ground.

As Bella turned toward Jonathan, Margaret noticed that she had the audacity to blush. Blush! Bella never blushed. This did not bode well for the game.

When it was Margaret’s turn to toss the horseshoe, she couldn’t remove Bella’s blushing face from her mind, and instead of floating the horseshoe around the stake, she flung it wide.

“Perfection is in the eye of the beholder,” Jonathan commentated.

“Oh hush,” Margaret unsuccessfully feigned nonchalance.

The rounds continued until it was only Jonathan and Bella competing against Margaret and the Colonel. The other pairs had drifted off for early snacks and refreshments.

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