Winning in Wedlock by Tabetha Waite

Author:Tabetha Waite
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tabetha Waite

Chapter Five

Dulcenia stomped down the front steps of the manor house and stalked across the front lawn in the bright sunshine. She wasn’t even sure why she was angry, other than the fact that Lady Jane was nasty.

But that wasn’t true, was it? She knew exactly why she was mad.

Perhaps mad wasn’t the best choice of words. She was… annoyed? No. That didn’t seem right either. Piqued? Irked? Miffed?

That was it. Dulcenia was miffed at the marquess.

She might have easily let Lady Jane’s attempts to upset her roll off her back, but it was the fact that the marquess had chosen to seduce her in the hallway, and then immediately return to Lady Jane’s side that bothered her more than anything.

She was so involved in her thoughts that she nearly ran into a gentleman who was standing on the lawn directly in front of her. “Oh, I do apologize,” she muttered. “I fear I was woolgathering.”

He smiled in a polite manner and offered her a handheld racket that was covered with thick parchment. “I’ve found that the best cure for such an ailment is some friendly sport. Would you care to partner me in battledore?”

Dulcenia accepted the offering, but she merely stared at it uncertainly. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the game,” she said.

The gentleman, who was about middle-aged with dark hair that had grown silver at the temples and had kind brown eyes, held up an item that was made from a cork and tied with goose feathers. “You hit this shuttlecock back and forth between the two rackets. Shall I demonstrate?”

Intrigued, Dulcenia said, “Yes, please.”

He let go of the shuttlecock and proceeded to hit it with the racket, causing it to bounce up and down.

She grinned. “How fascinating.”

He looked at her curiously. “Have you never even played jeu de paume before?”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid not, although I have heard of it.”

He chuckled, but something told her he wasn’t laughing at her expense, but due to a personal amusement. “Indeed. It’s been around for centuries and was even played by Henry VIII. It’s similar to battledore, except the rackets are slightly altered and there is a ball in place of a shuttlecock.” He held up the latter. “But if this is your first time engaging in a match, this would be a safer method.”

“I can see why,” she laughed. “Mr.…?”

He bowed lightly. “Forgive me. My manners are a bit rusty. I’m Lord Everly Cane.”

“I’m Miss Dulcenia Hargrove.” She tilted her head curiously. “How is it that I haven’t been introduced to you before now?”

“I just arrived this morning.” He appeared a bit sheepish. “I didn’t immediately join the party. I fear I am a bit of a free spirit and enjoy the outdoors too much to be inside, especially on a lovely spring day like this.”

“Indeed. I feel very much the same,” Dulcenia returned. She held up her racket. “Let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”

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