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