Page 25 of The Duke of Distraction
He laughed.“Not to me, but again, you must be covert.”
“Or disguise my objectives with a kissing game.”She gave him a faux look of innocence that made him laugh again.
“We’ll play Kiss the Four Corners.That will give you another fourobservations.”
“Brilliant.”
Lavinia and Beck waited near the door, and Sarah and Felix were nearly upon them.Sarah stopped several feet away and took her arm from Felix’s.“Thank you.I really do appreciate your help and support.”
Then she turned and went to join Beck and Lavinia before the trio headed inside.Felix watched her go and wondered at the odd sensation in his gut.He felt a bit…unsettled.Because you’re playing matchmaker,his mind reasoned.
Or maybe because things better left forgotten were nearly stirred to the surface.
Either way, he shrugged the feeling away.It was time to plan the specifics for this evening.
The following afternoon was not as bright and warm as the morning had been, and certainly not as glorious as the day before.It was still quite pleasant, however, and no one cared about the clouds moving in when they were too excited for the final race to begin.
The morning semifinal had been another three-way contest between Dartford, Wakeham, and Tyrrell.Tyrrell had fallen out of contention rather quickly, but Wakeham had given Dartford a good run.Dartford was the favorite for the final, but no one was completely discounting Wakeham.
Sarah wasn’t at all sure whom to place her wager on.She’d gone to Kinsley’s table three times so far, and on each occasion had retreated without taking action.
Lavinia joined her as Sarah contemplated what to do.“I hope you wagered on Dartford.”
“I haven’t placed one yet.”Sarah’s stomach twisted into a new knot.Her mind was telling her to bet on Dartford, both for safety and because he was a closer friend than Wakeham.Indeed, she didn’t know Wakeham very well at all.
“You really are trying to make money,” Lavinia said, cocking her head.“For the future?It seems as though there are several potential suitors here.I don’t know how Felix did it, but he managed to recruit an excellent group of gentlemen with charm and wit and whom you haven’t really met before.”She shook her head in bemusement.
“Felix has a gift.”And he truly did.He was able to read people and give them what they wanted.Or maybe what they didn’t know they wanted.Several of the gentlemen here were confirmed bachelors, but that hadn’t stopped them from flirting with Sarah last night.
“He does indeed,” Lavinia murmured.She fixed Sarah with a direct stare.“And is it working?You kissed no fewer than four gentlemen last night.”
“Don’t forget Fielding yesterday afternoon,” Sarah said with a laugh.She’d briefly mentioned all this to her best friend earlier in the day, but they hadn’t had a chance to discuss anything in depth.
Lavinia narrowed her eyes slightly.“I want details.Which one was the best kisser?”She shook her head.“No, never mind, how was it to go from kissing no one to kissing five men in one day.Good God, have you become a light skirt?”She asked the question in jest, but kept her voice low and glanced about to ensure no one was listening to their conversation.
“In truth, the kisses last night were very brief and rather perfunctory.I will say that Mr.Lytton smelled the best.”
Lavinia laughed.“Your kiss with Fielding was a bit more involved, I take it?”
“A bit.”Sarah tamped down the rush of heat flooding her neck when she thought back to the way he’d kissed her.“I’m glad you told me to expect to use my tongue.”
“Excellent.”Lavinia grinned, looking thoroughly pleased.“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“I think I did.I mean, I don’t really have anything to compare it to, do I?”
“No, but I’m not sure that matters.When the right man kisses you, things just…happen.”Her gaze glassed over in a lovesick manner, and Sarah followed her gaze to Beck who stood talking with Anthony several yards distant.
“I will take your word for that.”Sarah wasn’t sure what had happened with Fielding.Her heart had raced and her insides had…quickened.Perhaps that was what Lavinia meant.
“Do you look forward to kissing him again?”Lavinia asked after shaking herself from her self-inflicted trance.
“I—yes, I think so.”She hadn’t really considered it, which was maybe her answer.“It was very nice.”That much was true.Perhaps she was so overcome by finally being kissed that she hadn’t experienced the proper reaction.Yes, another kiss was likely in order.But she’d also like to kiss someone else.Viscount Blakesley, perhaps.He was the most attractive bachelor in attendance, with wavy golden hair and eyes the color of sapphires.He was purportedly uninterested in marriage at the present time, but Sarah thought she might like to kiss him anyway.
Goodness, maybe shewasa light skirt.
Lavinia swatted an insect away from the vicinity of her head.“What does Felix have planned for tonight?”
“I’m not entirely certain, but I would guess it involves kissing games.”Because she’d asked for them.She looked toward the platform and saw him standing in the center, the horn in his hand, ready to announce the race.
