Page 34 of The Duke of Ruin
While they’d dined, the other guests had come down to the common room, save Mrs. Taft and her daughter. They arrived at that moment, just as Simon opened the door.
The chilly air swept over him, and he shivered slightly. It was quite cold. Their snowball fight was going to be short-lived. They’d best make it memorable, then.
“Are you ready, Master Jonathan?” Simon asked.
The older boy jumped up from the table, and he and his father moved toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Mrs. Taft asked. The high pitch of her tone seemed to indicate she wasn’t in favor of this excursion.
Mr. Taft waved them on. “Go ahead. I’ll be out shortly.
Simon didn’t linger to watch the parents discuss the issue. He ushered Diana and the boys outside into the gray morning.
Not gray, precisely, because the white snow lent a brightness that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. The blanket of white was pristine and perfect.
And then the Taft boys ran out into the yard, spoiling the flawlessness. Simon laughed.
“What?” Diana huddled beneath her blanket.
“I just remember what it was like to be that age.” Carefree and invincible. As if nothing could harm him. “Are you sure you want to do this? You look to be freezing.”
“I am. But I’m not letting this opportunity pass me by.”
“We won’t take too long. It is rather cold, and I’m confident it will start snowing again soon.”
She looked up at the sky and winced. “Then let’s hurry.”
“How is this snow, Mr. Byrd?” Matthias asked.
Jonathan shook his head at his brother. “It’s cold and wet, silly.” He bent down and scooped up a handful, which he immediately tossed at his brother, hitting him in the shoulder.
“That wasn’t a snowball!” Matthias said. “Only snowballs. Papa said!”
Simon went farther into the yard where the boys were facing off against each other. “You have to listen to your father.”
Matthias pointed at his brother, his small face haughty. “I don’t want to be on his side.”
“I don’t want to be on your side either.” Jonathan crossed his arms over his chest.
“He’s on my side.” Matthias jabbed his thumb toward Simon.
Jonathan opened his mouth, likely to protest, but their father joined them just then. “I’ll be on your side, Jon.” Matthias immediately pouted, and Mr. Taft shrugged. “It’s only fair, Matthias. I daresay Mr. Byrd may be better at this than me.”
Jonathan looked horrified. “Hecan’tbe, Papa.”
A feminine cough drew them all to turn.
“What about me?” Diana asked. “What team am I on?”
“Ours.” Jonathan stared smugly at his brother.
“No fair,” Matthias whined. “They have more people.”
“I’ll be on your team,” one of the Pickford gentleman—the elder of the two—offered. Matthias stuck his tongue out at his brother.
“Then what side am I to be on?” the younger Pickford asked. “It will still be lopsided.”
“Oh, well, I don’t have to participate,” Diana said.
