“I really didn’t need to know that,” Andrew said.
Billie ignored him. “And besides, Felix would never permit it.”
“Then ask Felix,” George suggested.
“That would be unfair to Mary.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “Who cares?”
Billie crossed her arms. “If she can’t play, he shouldn’t, either.”
“Lady Frederica went to the village with her mother and cousin,” Georgiana said. “But I saw Lady Alexandra in the drawing room. She didn’t seem to be doing anything important.”
George was not keen to spend the afternoon listening to more tales of Lord Northwick, but after his vehement refusal of Sir Reginald, he did not think he could reasonably lodge another objection. “Lady Alexandra would make a fine addition to the game,” he said diplomatically. “Provided, of course, that she wishes to play.”
“Oh, she’ll play,” Billie said ominously.
Georgiana looked perplexed.
Billie looked at her sister but jerked her head in George’s direction. “Tell her that Lord Kennard will be among the players. She’ll be here with bells on her toes.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Billie,” George muttered.
Billie let out a self-righteous huff. “She was talking to you all night!”
“She was sitting next to me,” George retorted. “She could hardly have done otherwise.”
“Not true. Felix’s brother was on her left. He’s a perfectly acceptable conversationalist. She could have spoken with him about any number of things.”
Andrew stepped between them. “Are the two of you going to snipe like jealous lovers or are we going to play?”
Billie glared.
George glared.
Andrew looked quite pleased with himself.
“You’re an idiot,” Billie said to him before turning back to Georgiana. “I suppose it will have to be Lady Alexandra. Get her and whomever else you can find. A gentleman if at all possible so we’ve equal numbers.”
Georgiana nodded. “But not Sir Reginald?”
“George is too worried about his teeth.”
Andrew made a choking sound.
Which came to a halt when George elbowed him in the ribs.
“Shall I meet you here?” Georgiana asked.
Billie thought for a moment, then said, “No, it will be quicker if we meet you on the west lawn.” She turned back to George and Andrew. “I’ll see to getting the set pulled out.”
She and Georgiana exited the room, leaving George alone with his younger brother.
“His teeth, eh?” Andrew murmured.
George glowered at him.
Andrew leaned in, just far enough to be annoying. “I’d wager he has very good oral hygiene.”
“Shut up.”
Andrew laughed, then leaned in with what was clearly meant to be an expression of concern. “You’ve got a little something…” He motioned to his teeth.
George rolled his eyes and shoved past him.
Andrew hopped to attention, caught up, and then overtook him, tossing a grin over his shoulder as he loped down the hall. “Ladies do love a dazzling smile.”
He was going to kill his brother, George decided as he followed him outside. And he was going to use a mallet.
Chapter 14
T
en minutes later George, Andrew, and Billie were standing on the lawn, watching as a footman plodded toward them, dragging the Pall Mall set behind them.
“I love Pall Mall,” Billie announced, rubbing her hands together in the brisk afternoon air. “This is a brilliant idea.”
“It was your idea,” George pointed out.
“Of course it was,” she said merrily. “Oh, look, here comes Georgiana.”
George shaded his eyes as he peered across the lawn. Sure enough, she was leading Lady Alexandra in their direction. And, if he wasn’t mistaken, one of the Berbrooke brothers.
“Thank you, William,” Billie said as the footman brought the set into place.
He nodded. “Milady.”
“Wait a moment,” Andrew said. “Didn’t we break one of the mallets last year?”
“Father commissioned a new set,” Billie informed him.
“Same colors?”
She shook her head. “We’re not having red this time around.”
George turned to look at her. “Why not?”
“Well,” she stalled, looking slightly sheepish, “we’ve had very bad luck with red. The balls keep ending up in the lake.”
“And you think a different color might rectify the problem?”
“No,” she said, “but I’m hoping yellow will be easier to spot beneath the surface.”
A few moments later, Georgiana and her little band of players arrived on the scene. George took an instinctive step toward Billie, but he was too slow. Lady Alexandra had already taken hold of his sleeve.
“Lord Kennard,” she said. “What a delight it will be to play Pall Mall. Thank you for inviting me.”
“It was Miss Georgiana, actually,” he said.
She smiled knowingly. “At your behest, I’m sure.”
Billie looked as if she might gag.
“And Lieutenant Rokesby,” Lady Alexandra continued, her hand a tight little claw on George’s arm even as she turned to Andrew. “We hardly had a chance to speak last night.”
Andrew bowed with all due chivalry.