had overheard my speech.
“Your company would be welcomed,” Daniel replied.
I had to make some effort. I had promised my father. Without turning, I said, “Yes, please join us.”
Daniel smirked at my efforts at civility. “As you can see, my lord, our teams are unequal. Alice, would you mind Lord Williams joining your team?”
“Oh.” Alice’s face reddened and she looked down at the ground. “I would be delighted.”
I shot Daniel a glare for placing our sister in such an awkward position, one she couldn’t refuse without being rude. “Alice, if you would feel more comfortable with Daniel or—”
“No,” she said quickly, looking up at me. “It’s all right.”
It shouldn’t be all right. She should not have been paired with a stranger, especially not with the baron. But if I said anything more I would appear ill-mannered, and Lord Williams had already claimed that description for himself.
“It is our turn now, my lord,” Alice said, “but since you’ve just arrived, you can take your turn after Margaret to gauge her skill. It may give you some advantage.”
“A very good idea,” Lord Williams agreed.
I moved to the starting point. Daniel and I would have to clean up the baron’s mistakes as well as Alice’s misshots. I was not going to allow his presence to keep Alice from winning. I angled the ball and tossed. It raced wide, then curved and knocked both the jack and Daniel’s ball. Though Daniel’s was now farther away, Alice and I were tied.
“An unfortunate delivery,” the baron said, stepping next to me with a ball in his hands.
He was referring to the game, of course, but I couldn’t help thinking that his appearance was, indeed, unfortunate. “Quite.” While pretending to assess the play, I quietly continued, “Do not distress yourself on your game, my lord. Just try your best. Daniel and I will fix any poor shots to ensure Alice wins—and now, by default, you as well.” I turned and took up my position beside Daniel.
“That was a poor shot, Margaret,” Alice said. “You knocked Daniel’s ball away. I’m sure you would have won if you hadn’t done that.”
I nodded my head. “Fate certainly seems to be stacked against me today.”
The baron’s tossed ball settled between mine and the jack. It was a good shot. A very good shot. And a difficult one. An amazing stroke of good luck.
Daniel didn’t share my belief about it being luck. “Well done, my lord. It appears, Margaret, that you may actually have a bit of real competition.”
“Are you very accomplished at bowls, then, Miss Brinton?” Lord Williams stepped back to join our little group.
His question was surely meant to mock, since no woman of culture would claim a sport among her refined talents, even if she was skilled at it. Besides, I couldn’t be honest with Alice listening. “I do not believe bowls would be listed among my accomplishments.”
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