Page 59 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“Oh, that man is bloody pigheaded,” Tessa declared.

Her cousin’s words surprised Louisa. Tessa had a sweet nature and never spoke ill of anyone.

“What did he say?” she demanded.

“It doesn’t matter. I think he’s a fool and deserves what he gets. I won’t let him upset me anymore and ruin the party. In fact, we should both go back outside.”

“Why don’t you go and bathe your face in cool water first,” she suggested diplomatically.

“That is a good idea. Will you come with me?”

They went to the guest bedchamber Tessa and Spencer were staying in and Tessa washed her face and dabbed a bit of scent on her wrists.

“There. I feel much better. Let us return to the others.”

The pair went downstairs and out to the terrace, joining Spencer. He was in conversation with Miss Peterson, Lord Marksbury, and Mr. Hampton.

Spencer slipped an arm about Tessa’s waist. She merely nodded at him. Louisa believed all would be well.

At least if Owen apologized and quit irritating her and her cousin.

Footmen began collecting empty punch glasses and plates and Adalyn moved to the center of the terrace.

“We are going to go down to the bowling green for some lawn bowls. I have decided we will play in teams since that will allow more people to participate. It would be good for those who have played before to join with others who haven’t. His Grace will explain the rules.”

Everett stepped forward and explained what seemed to Louisa to be quite simple rules. She liked that the game would be uncomplicated.

Almost immediately, Lord Hurley appeared at her side.

“Have you played lawn bowls before, Miss Goulding?”

“No, this is my first country house party, my lord.”

“Then I would be pleased if you would partner with me. I am an accomplished player.”

She laughed. “I hope you don’t mind losing. I have never had the so-called beginner’s luck at anything I have tried.”

He looked at her solemnly. “It isn’t always about winning, Miss Goulding. Rather about the fun of the activity—and the company you keep.”

“I would be happy to act as your partner, my lord,” she assured him, feeling pleased that he had sought her out. While she had enjoyed her time with Lord Boxling, this man also interested her.

The viscount offered her his arm and she took it. They strolled to the bowling green along with the others. On the way, he reiterated the game rules to her.

“The jack—sometimes called the kitty—is a smaller ball than the others in play. It is also white. It is known as the target and is thrown out at the beginning of the game as a target.”

“And the point is for the players to see who can get their ball the closest to the jack,” she said.

“Exactly. The game has always been popular throughout England’s history. In fact, Henry VIII worried that too many of his subjects would start playing lawn bowls instead of practicing archery, which was a necessary element of warfare in those days. The king made it illegal for all but the most wealthy to play. In fact, he made it a law that even the few who were allowed to play could only play on their own estates and even required they pay a licensing fee of one hundred pounds for the bowling greens they created on their lands.”

“How absurd,” Louisa declared.

Lord Hurley grinned. “Even more absurd? That requirement is still on the books today. His Grace pays the crown in order to have a bowling green at Cliffside.”

Louisa shook her head. “Then we better help him get his money’s worth,” she joked.

They reached the area, which was a large, rectangular, flat piece of land, the lawn manicured and divided into parallel playing strips.

“Those long strips are known as rinks,” Lord Hurley informed her. “If we were playing a singles competition, a coin would be flipped to see who wins the mat and starts a segment of the competition. The winner would place the mat and roll the jack to the other end of the green. Once the target—the jack—stops, it must be aligned to the center of the rink. Then the players take turns, rolling their bowls from the mat toward the jack.”

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