Page 60 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“Remind me again about a ball being in play,” Louisa said. “I was a bit unclear about that aspect.”

“Certainly, Miss Goulding. Once a bowl is rolled, it must stop within the rink boundary in order to remain in play. If it falls into the ditch, that ball is removed from play unless it touched the jack as it rolled.”

“His Grace called that a toucher, I believe,” she said.

“You are correct. A toucher is marked with chalk and stays in play, thanks to having contact with the jack. And if the jack itself is knocked into the ditch, that becomes a dead end and must be replayed. The jack is placed again in the center of the rink.”

“Once everyone has a turn, what then?” she asked.

“In singles play, each player fires off four balls. His Grace said that partners today would also be awarded four balls. We will toss one at a time. I will have two and you will have the same. We will alternate our tosses. Of course, the other players will go between our turns. We won’t toss all four of ours in a row.”

“That makes sense. Oh, I do hope my tosses won’t embarrass me. Or you,” she added, testing out one of the side glances Owen had her practice and batting her lashes at the viscount.

She gazed across the huge green. “Then once all the tosses have been made, the distance of the bowls closest to the jack is determined?”

“Yes, then points will be awarded. Play usually goes to twenty-one shots, though sometimes twenty-five is used instead. Points are often called shots.” Lord Hurley looked across the green. “This green looks to be fast. I think it will be an excellent competition.”

Louisa saw that Owen arrived last and she noted he did not seem to have selected a partner. Adalyn must have also realized that and took Miss Oxford to him, making certain the young lady would not be left out.

“It looks as if we are ready to begin,” Everett called. “A prize will be awarded to the winning team.”

“What?” cried Lady Sara. “I simply adore prizes.”

“Win—and you’ll find out,” teased Everett. “Let the competition begin.”

Louisa felt Owen’s gaze upon her and deliberately placed her hand on Lord Hurley’s arm.

“I hope we win, my lord,” she said, giving him a brilliant smile.

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