Page 10 of The Earl and Miss Muffet
“I thought so.”
“Very well,” Anton said. “What about stocking?”
“We could pretend to knit and then point to our feet,” Gunther answered. “You really can’t complicate that one.”
Miss Muffet pinched her lips to keep from laughing. Anton wanted to see her smile again, but how often could he justify looking at her? “All right,” he said, directing his gaze to Gunther. “The third scene, we should have Miss Muffet hold a book and then stand on top of us. Just to give the right dramatic effect.”
The giggle finally came out. He caught her alluring smile, and his whole body seemed to take note.
“What do you think of our ideas?” he asked her.
“I like the idea very much. Are we practicing this?”
“Heavens, no.” Gunther shook his head. “Only amateurs rehearse.”
Anton needed space to think over his reactions to her, so he took a deliberate step back and said, “Practicing detracts from the flair of spontaneity.”
“So, we are to be three court jesters?” Miss Muffet asked.
“Exactly,” Anton replied.
“Then please,” Miss Muffet said in a soft but bold voice, “lead the way. Our audience awaits.”
Anton blinked away his surprise at her sudden authoritative tone and extended his arm to give her permission to walk ahead of them.
Gunther jumped in line after Miss Muffet and turned to give Anton a curious look. Then he pointed to Miss Muffet and quirked his brow in question.
Shrugging, Anton followed them into the drawing room. This was not the time to explain the strangeness that was Miss Muffet. Indeed, he could not wait to see what she would do or say next.
Chapter 6
Elenahadneverbeenallowed to participate in charades before. The very idea made her giddy. This morning, she had committed to keeping herself aloof, but now she could barely remember her reasoning. It was hard to always watch from the side and never let herself experience any joy. This was a small group, and they acted as if they wanted her. When would another moment like this come around?
Her team stepped into the drawing room to find Mr. Hadley assisting two footmen with hanging a rope and some blankets to resemble stage curtains.
“What do you think?” Lady Mary asked, looking directly at Elena.
“It’s charming!”
“See, Terrance,” Lady Mary said to her brother. “I told you it was just the thing.”
Terrance stepped back to admire his handywork. “I am more interested in whether or not the production will be entertainingenough to deserve a backdrop, but I am impressed with how we managed to secure this.”
“Prepare to be thoroughly diverted,” Lord Crawford said. “Gunther will likely hurt himself, but Miss Muffet and I will deliver an enthralling performance.”
“Go ahead then,” Lady Crawford said, laughing at her children. “Some of us aren’t as young as we used to be and can’t stay up for all hours.”
Mr. Gunther, Lord Crawford, and Elena put themselves behind the curtain and assumed the first position. Lord Crawford squatted and put out his arms for their imaginary vat of dye. Mr. Gunther opened the curtains, and Elena held up three fingers to signify the number of syllables. Then she bent over to pick up a pretend bolt of cloth. But as she moved to dip it into Lord Crawford’s arms, she felt a small push from behind. Since she was already leaning forward, she fell headfirst against Lord Crawford.
She squeaked in surprise. Lord Crawford managed to open his arms to catch her, but his perch on his toes did not lend for a steady base. He toppled over with Elena sprawling on top of him.
Their small audience laughed as if this was part of their act. Lord Crawford lifted her up by her shoulders, and their eyes connected. He froze, his face a mixture of astonishment and fascination. Mortified, she pulled away and managed to get back on her feet, all while Mr. Gunther danced rain around them.
“Stop!” Mary said, holding her stomach from too much laughter. “Blake, I cannot watch you another moment. I’m afraid for our future children.”
This caused Elena to snort with laughter and, before she knew it, her and Lord Crawford were laughing at Mr. Gunther’s ridiculousness too. Lord Crawford caught her eye and grinned just as the curtain closed.
“I am so sorry,” Elena whispered to Lord Crawford.
