Alice shook her head in agreement. “She isn’t very good, but it’s more that she’s unlucky. The only time she wins is when she plays against Daniel.” Alice looked suddenly concerned. “Margaret, am I bad luck for you?”
“Of course not. You are a good luck charm, which is probably why his lordship’s ball placed so perfectly. And I only win against Daniel because he lacks focus. Any small comment ruins his game. Silence, too, because then his mind wanders.”
Alice nodded solemnly. “He isn’t very good, is he?”
Daniel’s gaze shifted heavenward in an act of long-suffering.
Lord Williams smiled. “It sounds as though you are the champion bowler in the family, Miss Alice.”
She smiled. “I do enjoy it.”
I rolled my eyes. Flattery would get the man nowhere.
Daniel leaned close to me and taunted, “You won’t get out of this one.” Then he addressed Lord Williams. “Margaret is excellent at bowls. She surpassed me years ago. I would very much like to see the two of you matched.”
Never had I believed Daniel would turn on me so easily, openly placing me in such an awkward position.
Alice threw her ball wide.
“Daniel, it is your turn,” I squeaked, trying to redirect the attention away from Daniel’s suggestion.
His jaw set in concentration as he took his stance, ball in hand. But when he released, he flinched, and the ball went wide. I groaned but refrained from saying anything that might provoke him into insisting on the proposed match between me and the baron.
Lord Williams had more luck, tapping the jack so his two balls and one of Alice’s remained closest, securing them three points if I shot badly. I hesitated. It was obvious the baron played with more than luck. That last shot was much more difficult than his first, and he had accomplished both with ease. I wanted Alice to win, but the baron’s skill rankled. I couldn’t allow him to believe he was better than I was because I purposefully lost. It would be best to knock the jack away from the baron’s shots and closer to Alice’s. Then none of his shots would count, but Alice would still win.
I shifted my stance slightly and tossed. The ball went straight, knocking the baron’s out of the way. However, it also knocked the jack farther from Alice’s ball. Mine was closest—which meant Daniel and I won.
“A winning shot,” Lord Williams said, his tone laced with irony.
I turned in horror to Daniel, then focused on Alice. “Oh, Alice.” I couldn’t think of anything to say.
To my surprise, she smiled. “Perhaps this is a lucky day for you, Margaret.”
I glanced away. There was nothing at all lucky about this day.
“Shall we play again, Miss Brinton?” Lord Williams asked.
“Thank you, but no.”
“Of course you should,” Daniel said. “Deliver the jack, Margaret. And then, since yours was the winning shot, the first toss falls to you.”
I glanced from Daniel to Lord Williams, who indicated the starting spot with a sweep of his hand.
“Oh, yes, do play,” Alice said.
“Alice.” Daniel put his arm around her shoulders and turned her toward the house. “Why don’t we watch from the seats on the portico?” He motioned toward the bench and chairs situated next to the house.
In desperation, I turned back to the baron. “I’m certain playing lawn bowls is not how you would like to spend your afternoon. You probably long for some exercise after your travels. Perhaps you wish to see the estate?”
“That would be agreeable, if you wish.”
He had obviously misunderstood. “I wouldn’t be going.”
“Oh?”
“Daniel would be the best escort for such an excursion. I am sure I would only slow you down.”
“Tomorrow will work for seeing the estate. Let us begin our game.”
He was either so conceited he couldn’t imagine my not wanting to be around him, or he was dense. He was very likely both. “My lord, I am certain my mother would be appalled if you spent your afternoon playing a lawn game.”
“Are you afraid to lose, Miss Brinton?”
The directness of his challenge made any further attempt at escape impossible. I lifted my chin. “Of course not.”
“Then, please.” He again gestured toward the starting point.
Gritting my teeth, I strode to where the balls sat on the ground, picked up the jack, and tossed it. I would play one game, but that was all. And I would not speak to him.
My first toss was a good shot, but Lord Williams’s toss was equally good. I knocked his ball away with my second, but he moved the jack on his second, regaining the lead. I threw my third ball a little gentler and it stopped just in front of the jack, blocking any thought he might have had of moving the jack again. To my surprise, his next toss knocked mine to the side of the jack while his rolled into its place. Allowing myself a quick glance at him, I found him wearing a very self-satisfied grin.
No gentleman should ever look that way when playing against a lady.
There was only one thing to do. I aimed for his third ball, intent on knocking it away. Instead, mine rolled wide and short. I had lost.
Lord Williams picked up his ball and, with his toss, knocked his ball away from the jack. I had won after all.
I scowled. “My lord, please do not mistake me for one of those women who require a man to lose. That last shot was intentionally not in your favor.”
“You think I deliberately lost? Perhaps we need a rematch.”
I stepped back. I wouldn’t play another game. Why was he even here? “There has obviously been some mistake. Certainly you never meant for this to happen.”
“We’ll consider that game a practice. Now that we have taken the measure of each other’s skill, let us see who truly is the better player.”
He was being purposefully obtuse. “My lord, I am not speaking of the game.”
His cold stare met mine. “Our being together is no mistake.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I have my reasons.”
Ire flared within me. “And I am not to be privy to those reasons? I gather I am supposed to be honored by your offer because most women would be and not question your actions?”
“We’ve already established your lack of sense when it comes to behaving as other women, as well as how little regard you have for my opinions. So you will forgive me for not confessing my reasons. It is your turn.”
My hands clenched into fists. “Excuse me, but—”
My father walked around the corner of the house, as though to remind me of his words. I cleared my throat. “Perhaps you would like to go first this time?” I shot the baron a smile, then turned to watch my father disappear into the stables.
“Your father is gone,” Lord Williams said quietly, so close that his chest almost touched my shoulder. I looked at him in surprise and stumbled a step away. “There is no longer a need to appear civil.” Amusement filled his eyes.
My body warmed from embarrassment and anger. He was laughing at me, finding humor in my discomfort as though everything that had happened today had been orchestrated to entertain him.
“Thank you for your permission, my lord. Please excuse me.” I spun and strode to the house.