Page 28 of The Duke of Distraction
Chapter 5
After a rousing game of charades and several hilarious rounds of the Toilette, most of the guests had accumulated a number of forfeits, which would need to be repaid at some point, typically after the games concluded.
Felix had earned only one forfeit during the Toilette.He’d taken the role of hairbrush and had failed to jump up fast enough when the acting Lady had requested his assistance.Others had fared far worse.Sir Rupert had at least five forfeits from both games.
Everyone seemed to be having a jolly time, and Felix was keen to unveil the game he’d concocted to ensure Sarah would kiss Viscount Blakesley.The former sat on the settee beside Lavinia, their heads bent together as they whispered.The latter stood near a corner with two other gentlemen, glasses of whisky dangling from their fingertips.
Felix softly rang a bell to gain everyone’s attention.“And now for the premier game of the evening, a new version of Guess the Kisser.”
“The Ware Version!”Mr.Walter Pratt called out, generating laughter and agreement.
Felix bowed.“If you want to call it that.In this version, we will have the same number of gentlemen and ladies.For that reason, I and Mr.Colton will be excused.”He looked toward Anthony, who stood nearby with Beck, who, along with his wife, had preferred to join their entertainments this evening, save any kissing games.
“That’s a shame,” Mrs.Alnwick said, eyeing Felix.She was the only widow among them and the younger sister of Lady Exeby.She’d been flirting with Felix all night, and he was beginning to consider meeting her for an assignation later.
However, he didn’t react or respond to her comment before launching into the explanation of the game.“There are nine young ladies and nine gentlemen.Dartford’s footman and I will distribute a slip of folded parchment to each of you who are playing.On that parchment is a number.There are two of each number—one for a lady and one for a gentleman.”
“What are the numbers for?”Lord Crawford asked, slurring.Thankfully, he was not drinking whisky like Blakesley and his companions.
“The numbers will tell you which room to go to.My staff will direct you if necessary.Everyone must keep their numbers secret.The gentlemen will go to their rooms where they will be blindfolded and wait in total darkness for their lady to arrive.The ladies will then find the room with their number and step inside.Once the door closes, the couple will have one minute to kiss—or not.A bell will ring to indicate the minute is over, and the ladies will depart.The gentlemen will wait until one of my staff fetches them to return here, where the players will attempt to guess their kisser.If they are correct, they win!If they are incorrect, they will earn a forfeit.”
“Oh, this is delightful!”Miss Reynolds said.
“Scandalous,” Fielding murmured.“And utterly captivating.”He grinned, and those around him chuckled.
“The game will be far more entertaining if you don’t cheat—gentlemen, keep your blindfolds on, and ladies, don’t try to discern the gentlemen in the dark.You must base your guesses on the kiss alone.And try not to speak.If you must, disguise your voice.”He looked around at the assembly.“Are there any questions?”
“What if one minute isn’t long enough?”Blakesley asked, eliciting a few titters around the drawing room.
“If you take too long, I’ll have the staff interrupt you,” Felix said.He hadn’t given them that instruction, but he would.“Let us begin.”He went to Gerald, who held two trays, one of which he handed to Felix.Felix exchanged a look with the footman, who’d been instructed to give the parchment with the rumpled corner—number nine—to Blakesley.Felix would ensure Sarah got the same number.Everyone else’s numbers would be random.
Felix began to distribute the numbers to the ladies, careful to save the one with the rumpled corner for Sarah.
When he reached Mrs.Alnwick, who was seated in a wingback chair, she gave him a catlike smile.“I thought of a question after all.Are all the rooms nearby, or are someupstairs?”Since the bedchambers were upstairs, she seemed to be asking if any of the rooms contained beds.
“They are all nearby—a couple are closets used by the staff,” he said, handing her the paper.
“How…close.”She seemed to purr the words as she opened the paper.“Oh, look, number two,” she whispered.
“You’re supposed to keep it secret,” Felix said, amused at her brazenness.
“And I will.From everyone else.”Her lashes fluttered, and her lips curved coyly before he moved on.
“What a deliciously inappropriate game, Felix,” Lavinia said as he arrived at the settee she shared with Sarah.
Felix handed the parchment with the rumpled edge to Sarah with a purposeful look.Her eyes widened slightly, and she glanced, ever so briefly, toward Blakesley.Felix allowed his lip to twitch up the barest bit.“Should I have allotted a room for you and Beck?”he asked Lavinia, smiling.
She laughed.“We have one, thank you.”
Felix handed out the last slip of parchment and turned to address the room.“Gentlemen, please step out, and the staff will show you to your rooms and blindfold you.”
The men shot eager glances toward the ladies before leaving, some of them smoothing their hair or straightening their cravats.The ladies gathered at one end of the room and chattered excitedly about the game.
“How will we ever know?”one of them asked.
“Scent,” Sarah said.
“My lord?”Gerald interrupted Felix’s eavesdropping.
