Newport Summer by Nikki Poppen

Author:Nikki Poppen [Poppen, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-05T19:12:00+00:00

Gannon swung his racquet in a graceful lobbing motion, arcing the shuttlecock neatly over the net and into the back left corner of their opponents’ court. The young man covering the back court made a gallant but futile effort to return the shuttlecock, landing the birdie in the webbing of the net.

“Game point!” Audrey cried a little too exuberantly to be ladylike, her hair coming loose from the thick braid that hung down her back. “We win!”

Gannon was loath to spoil her enjoyment of the victory with a reminder about propriety. It had been a hard fought battle against young Spurling, who was heir to his father’s greengrocery fortune, and a rather capable Miss Van Duyesen, who was imagining herself jilted by the earl. She’d wanted to partner him and lay claim to his at tentions by the merit of the one social call he’d paid her and the two dances they’d had. She’d not been pleased by Audrey’s prior claim to partner him at badminton.

Gannon and Audrey shook hands with their reluctantly defeated opponents and sought out the shady canopy where her mother and friends sat, Caroline Astor among them.

“Splendid playing, Camberly,” Wilson St. Clair said as they approached. “I don’t suppose you sail as well as you play badminton?”

Gannon reached for nearby towel and wiped his face. “I enjoy sailing on occasion,” he said modestly. It would hardly do to say that the last time he’d been boating, he’d crewed with the Prince of Wales’ nephew at Cowes. He could only imagine what the gossip mill would make of that. They’d probably have him next in line for the crown.

Wilson St. Clair slapped him on the back. “There’s a little race coming up-nothing serious of course. But I’d like to have you crew on my boat”

Gannon accepted with a nod. “I’d be glad”

“Hear, hear! A toast, then!” Caroline raised her glass of lemonade. “To our sportsman! Camberly is quite accomplished.” She winked slyly at Violet.

“Speaking of sports, I believe we’re due at the croquet field,” Audrey put in swiftly, slipping an arm through his.

“Yes,” Gannon said, “I do think young Spurling and his partner are eager for another go at us”

The rejoinder made for a good exit, but they weren’t out of range before the comments started behind them. “Audrey’s got him back in line now, Violet. I am sure he won’t stray again. He seems quite taken with her.” Caroline’s voice followed them in snatches.

“Yes, Audrey has him back. Now she just needs to bring him up to scratch,” Violet said. “If she spent more time thinking about snaring Camberly than she did about Beethoven..

Gannon shot a look at Audrey. She was blushing profusely. “It’s awful, it’s just awful,” she said, clearly appalled at the comments. “I’m so embarrassed. I hope you don’t think-” She broke off.

Gannon steered them behind a wide-trunked maple tree that blocked them from view. She needed a chance to collect herself. The remarks had clearly unsettled her. “It’s all right. They’re supposed to say those things, remember? I’d be doing a miserable job of courting you if they weren’t.

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