How to Capture a Countess (Duchess Diaries 1) by Karen Hawkins

Author:Karen Hawkins
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Regency, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781451685176
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2012-09-17T14:00:00+00:00

Eleven

From the Diary of the Duchess of Roxburghe

Goodness, what a fracas! There were arrows and fire and blood and, lud, I don’t know what else. I don’t know when I was ever more entertained. I shall have to plan more archery events for my parties.

Sin stood on the terrace and watched an array of footmen place bow stands hung with colorful quivers at the shooting area twenty paces from the targets, which gleamed with fresh red paint. Each bow stand held arrows painted a different color—either gold, silver, or bronze—all of them twinkling brightly in the afternoon sun. Aunt Margaret is certainly making this dramatic.

As if in answer to his thought, two footmen appeared carrying large rolls of brightly colored ribbon, which they tied to the corners of the viewing pavilion. The wind instantly caught them and made them dance about, adding a festive air, and mirroring the colorful cushions placed upon the white lounging chaises that sat in a line beneath the white tent. Aunt Margaret, Lady McFarlane, Miss Fraser, and Mrs. Stewart were already reclining on chaises while a footman served them iced lemonade and grapes. “Like bloody Romans ready to watch the Christians get eaten by lions,” Sin murmured, shaking his head.

“Ah, Sinclair!” Mr. Munro came up to him, huffing from his stroll across the lawn. “Lady Charlotte just decided to join the contest, which should be quite amusing.”

“So there will be four participants, then.”

“Just enough for a proper match. I’m about to join the other men in the billiards room. Care to join us?”

“Perhaps.”

Noting that Sin was watching the activity at the archery area, Munro added, “There’s a good view of the women from the billiards room, if you’re interested in seeing their little competition.”

Sin doubted that there would be anything “little” about a competition that included both Rose and Miss Isobel, who were out on the archery course eyeing each other with hostility. I might as well pass the time waiting for the tournament between Rose and me by drinking a glass of port. That’s far better than waiting here in the sun. Sin turned to Munro. “The billiards room it will be.”

“Excellent!”

“I’ll join you in a few moments. I just thought of something I should tell Miss Balfour.”

“Ah. Giving her a hint or two, are you? Lord Cameron was doing the same for Miss Isobel earlier, so it’s only fair that someone give some assistance to the other contestants.”

Munro turned a thoughtful gaze toward Rose, who was now regarding her arrows, which had been painted a garish bronze, with distaste. “Perhaps I should give her a hint or two, as well. I haven’t shot an arrow in years, but I used to be quite good at it.”

Sin doubted that. “You are welcome to advise Miss Balfour in my place. I was only doing so in order to appease my aunt, even though I expressly told her I’d rather be shot in the foot with a blunderbuss.”

Munro looked amazed. “You don’t wish to advise Miss Balfour? Why not? I’d jump at the chance, myself.

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