Page 22 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
On her next shot, Lady Annette bypassed the red ball, tipped her opponent’s ball against the rail, and back out into the center of the table for two more points.“Seventeen,” she murmured to herself.Walking back and forth, she rubbed the leather tip of her stick again as she studied the table.With concentrated aim, she hit the red ball into her opponent’s ball.The white ball rolled into the side pocket, and the red ball plunked into the far corner pocket.She straightened, and a tiny smile tipped her lips.“Game.”
Andrew restrained the hearty laugh that threatened to burst.He was proud of Lady Annette when she took pity on the second man.“I’m quite tired, gentlemen.Would you mind terribly if we postponed this until after dinner?”
Fitzjames let out a loud sigh and agreed, “Of course.The skating will be quite strenuous.Please, take a rest if it’s needed.”
She nodded, gave them another small smile, and left the room.Andrew followed her out into the hall.“You were magnificent.Did you know your brother had a wager on you?”
She laughed, which made Andrew’s heart lighten, and nodded.“He always does.But he’s better than I am.I was his student.”
“Are you really tired or only being kind to your guests?”he asked.
“I knew if I won, it would offend Mr.Fitzjames.I have a feeling he would be mortified to be beaten by a woman.”She shrugged.“On the other hand, Mr.Hawkesbury seems much more confident in his maleness.I also assumed that was why Lucius had him play against me first.”
Andrew shook his head.“The two of you are quite close.”
“Yes, these days we look out for each other.”She checked her sleeve, then looked reluctantly down the hall.“Oh, no.I left my handkerchief in there.”
“I’ll fetch it for you.Wait a moment.”Andrew returned to the billiards room to find Page had left, leaving his friends to continue playing.
“She’s an odd chit,” said Fitzjames.“But I’ll charm her, regardless.”
“She doesn’t talk much.I was hoping for more conversation.”Hawkesbury was bending over the table.“I thought he said she wasn’t shy.”
“I can’t imagine why Page set this up.Doesn’t help the chit’s image at all.She’ll have to learn to act the proper lady, learn her place with men.”Fitzjames chuckled.“I couldn’t care less if she’s mute or talks incessantly.I’ll teach her what she needs to know once we’re married, and words won’t be necessary.”
“Lady Annette is a beauty, but she seemed rather awkward, don’t you think?”
“As I just said, who cares?A hefty dowry, an earl for a father-in-law, and a soft body in my bed.”Fitzjames snorted.“What are you looking for?Love?”
“No, companionship.If anything comes of it, that would be a boon.”
Fitzjames laughed.“I have plenty of women forcompanionship.I need a wife to have my children and run my household.”
“What if she turns you down?”Hawkesbury glanced over his shoulder and froze when he saw Andrew.
“Won’t happen once she experiences the Fitz magic.”
“And how, exactly, will she experience that?”asked Andrew quietly from behind.
“I’ll take the innocent in my arms and kiss her senseless.She’ll be begging for more before I’m done.”
“And Page knows of your plan?”Andrew stepped farther into the room.
Fitzjames had just pulled his arm back to strike the ball when he stopped.He had the grace to look sheepish as he turned around.“My apologies, my lord.We’re just two fellows talking.No harm meant.”
“What I heard said under your host’s roof was bad form.If I catch you trying anymagicwith Lady Annette, my fist will make some magic on your face.”Andrew walked to the corner of the room and retrieved the lady’s handkerchief.“Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” they both said at once.
CHAPTER10
Andrew sat on a trunk containing the wooden blades, watching as Lady Annette and her brother got on the ice first.It was obvious how often they’d done this together.They glided arm in arm, taking the curve of the makeshift pond with such grace.Their legs crossed over in unison, then as they straightened, Lord Page took the lead, moving in front of his sister and skating backward.
I’ll make a fool of myself, he thought.But then Mr.Hawkesbury put a tentative foot onto the ice, moved it back and forth, and returned it to solid ground.He looked about with a frantic gaze and locked eyes with Andrew.Thank you, Hawkesbury.You saved my arse.
He approached the man with a smile.“First time?”
“I’m afraid so,” Hawkesbury said, running a hand through his wavy red hair.“I can do about anything in boots, but these…” He picked up one foot and stuck out the wooden skate strapped to his feet.
