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Lord Kendal played his ball. He struck it with skill and accuracy, and it flew toward the first ring, but stopped short of rolling through it. Melisande hit her ball, but it stopped just short of hitting Lord Kendal’s.

Georgina and Lord Foxmoore were next. Georgina stepped forward to hit first. She wanted her turn over as soon as possible. Her anxiety had started to spike and the only way to relieve it was to take the plunge and just hit the ball with her mallet. She hit her ball, but it didn’t go far.

Melisande laughed. “Wonderful strike,” she told Georgina. Melisande walked over and hugged her. “Truly,” she told her. “Be brave and next time hit it harder. I’m happy for you.” She grinned. “You were not afraid to hit it.”

Georgina sighed as relief filled her. She’d done it.

She’d hit the ball. It didn’t matter that it hadn’t gone far.

This was so far out of what she’d always been comfortable with.

She was trying though. It was the only way she would ever be successful in society, and she did wish to be with Lord Foxmoore.

She didn’t think he would ever offer for her, but that didn’t stop her from hoping for more. He was such a handsome man.

Lord Foxmoore hit his ball, and it sent Georgina’s flying forward closer to the ring.

Was he trying to aid her? She couldn’t know for certain.

The other players hit their balls, some more successfully than others.

Melisande seemed to take offense to how Charlotte had hit her ball and sent her back to the beginning. At least the game had just started…

“Have you ever played lawn billiards?” Lord Foxmoore asked Georgina.

She slid her gaze up to meet his, then glanced away quickly. Georgina didn’t know how to respond to him. He was so handsome and kind, and she couldn’t string together enough words to utter a simple sentence. “I have not,” she mumbled.

“No?” he said. “It can be a lot of fun when played with the right people.”

What did that mean? Did he consider her to be the proper sort to play lawn billiards?

Did he even like her, or was he only being polite?

She was not bold like Jaclyn or Charlotte.

Even Melisande would have demanded answers of him.

Georgina just couldn’t. She didn’t have it in her to be that brazen.

Which was exactly the problem. Her innate shyness hampered any chance of her success.

She drew in a breath and prayed for the fortitude to have a conversation with the earl.

This had been what she had wanted after all.

Time with him… She had hoped to explore something real with him and she had already fumbled it.

What could she do to encourage more conversation with him?

What would the proper thing be to say? Hell…

what would the improper thing to say be?

“Do you play often?” Well, that was clear and concise, and not a mutter or whisper. But it had sounded silly.

He shook his head, then leaned down to line up his mallet with his ball.

Before he took the time to strike the ball to head toward the next ring, he glanced at her.

She wanted to look away but kept her gaze locked with his.

“I don’t play this game often. I much prefer billiards on a table.

” He stood and gestured toward the setup on the lawn.

“This brilliant scheme belongs solely to Lord Easton. I’m not entirely certain why he wished to play, but I can guess. ”

She lifted a brow. “Oh?” Georgina tilted her head to the side. “Why do you suppose he wished to play then?”

“For the same reason he caved to his mother’s demands that he host a house party.” Lord Foxmoore grinned.

“Well,” she began. “I am not privy to those reasons either. Do you care to enlighten me?”

“I don’t think it is a secret,” he said. “You may already have surmised the truth on your own.” He gestured slightly toward Lord Easton and Lady Charlotte. “There is an interest there. I just have not determined if it is reciprocated.”

Georgina considered what he had indicated.

Did Charlotte have an interest in the marquess?

Lord Foxmoore seemed to believe that Lord Easton had designs on her.

He may be right. He would know his friend, after all; however, she was barely acquainted with Charlotte.

“I would not presume to know either way,” she told him.

“I haven’t been at Havenwood long to know any of the other students. ”

“But surely you have an opinion,” he said.

She smiled. “I have many, my lord, but I didn’t realize I was required to share them.”

His lips tilted upward into a devastating grin.

One that made her heart skip a beat or two.

For a brief moment she almost forgot to breathe.

Georgina was ill prepared to become the sole focus of this man.

“Required?” He lifted a brow. “Never.” He lifted his hand and held it over his heart.

“But I would consider it a deep favor if you would deign to offer any to me.”

“You’re incorrigible, my lord.”

“I have been known to be upon occasion,” he deadpanned. He leaned back down and struck his ball and sent it flying. It stopped just short of her own ball.

She nibbled on her bottom lip. Georgina glanced around the field.

Somehow, by a miracle or design they remained together.

In fact, all of those that had been paired up seemed to be still playing together.

Jaclyn didn’t look happy to be with the duke and he seemed equally perturbed.

Charlotte and the marquess were deep in conversation, but that wasn’t enough for her to make any sort of determination.

As to Melisande and Lord Kendal… Those two had a blazing competition in full swing.

Melisande’s laughter floated on the wind and she seemed to be having a grand time.

“Have you ever wondered what your purpose is?” she asked in a solemn tone.

“In regards to what exactly?” he asked.

“Life in general I suppose.” She frowned. “I would never have expected that my father would send me to this school.” She gestured to all the players on the field. “This is not exactly what I ever pictured for myself.”

“And what did you imagine instead?” he inquired. Lord Foxmoore seemed genuinely interested.

“I can’t say,” she began. “I’m not being facetious.

During my one and only season, when I stood with all the other wallflowers, I couldn’t see past that moment.

My life was this series of dances that led nowhere and left me questioning everything.

Some days were better than others, but most of the time I didn’t see a point to my existence. ”

“And now?” he asked in a grave tone.

“Being with the other women at the school has helped me to appreciate that no one is perfect and we all make mistakes,” she began.

“But mostly it has shown me that there is not one way that we should live our lives. Even if I never marry or meet my father’s expectations, I believe I will be all right. ”

“I’m glad you believe that,” he said. “And I must say,” Lord Foxmoore began, “I do not understand why you were ever a wallflower. The sops in London must have been blind fools.”

“It is kind of you to say that,” she told him. “But I’m not a great beauty.”

“I beg to differ,” he told her. “But that is an argument for another day.” Lord Foxmoore grinned. “For now, we have a game to finish, and it is your turn to hit the ball.”

He made her feel beautiful. His words and kindness made her feel she could be loved. A small part of her had already fallen in love with him, and in turn, she hoped he felt the same. Would it be so terrible to dream of a future with this handsome earl?

Georgina shook those thoughts away. They wouldn’t likely lead her anywhere.

For now, she would enjoy his company and be grateful for the time they did have.

She lined up her mallet and swung, then sent her ball careening through the next hoop.

She grinned at him and met his gaze. There was something there in his regard.

Georgina could not identify it, but it made her suck in a breath and heat spread through her.

She may be wrong, but she suspected that heated look meant he desired her, and that gave her hope where there had been none.

It also made her wonder if she was the sort capable of causing a scandal, because with this man she just might be, and wouldn’t that be an interesting development…

Georgina’s heart fluttered in her chest as she made her way to the next hoop, her mind whirling as the intensity of Lord Foxmoore’s gaze lingered.

She had not imagined it—had she? That heat in his eyes, the subtle but undeniable look that had sent warmth spreading through her veins.

She couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps he was beginning to feel the same way.

She swung her mallet effortlessly, connecting with the ball and sending it flying through the hoop with a satisfying thud.

A small victory, but she would take it. She allowed herself a brief moment to bask in the accomplishment.

Then she turned her attention back to thoughts of the earl.

What would it mean, if he truly desired her as she suspected?

Would it be a fleeting fancy, or something deeper?

She didn’t know, but she hoped, with a quiet, fragile hope, that it could be real.

“Your turn, Miss Georgina,” Lord Foxmoore said, his voice low and easy, as though he were sharing a private joke with her. “I do believe you’re quite proficient now. Shall we see how you handle the rest of the game?”

His teasing tone set a blush creeping across her cheeks. She lifted her chin, determined not to let her nervousness show. “I think I might be ready to continue forward,” she replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

As she lined up her next shot, her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickening with every passing moment.

She tried to focus on the task at hand, but all she could think of was the way Lord Foxmoore had looked at her.

And the way he had made her feel. She had never imagined that anyone could look at her like that—so intently, so…

possessively. It was as if, for that brief moment, the world had faded away and it was just the two of them, standing on the lawn, sharing a secret.

With a deep breath, Georgina swung the mallet and struck her ball. It soared across the field, landing neatly in the next hoop. A small cheer rose from her chest as she glanced at Lord Foxmoore, but her smile faltered when she saw the thoughtful look on his face.

“Impressive,” he said, his eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place. “Perhaps I should not have underestimated you after all.”

“Perhaps you should not have,” she replied, her voice lighter than she felt. “But I’m certain I have got a long way to go before I’m as good as you.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her comment. “You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit, Miss Georgina. You’ve done quite well.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing compared to your skill,” she replied, still unsure how to react to the way he was looking at her. She took a breath, her words faltering slightly. “Thank you for your patience and teaching me how to play. I do hope we can continue this… another time.”

His gaze softened, and there was something in his eyes—something tender—that made her heart flutter. “I could not agree more,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “In fact, I think we should.”

Her heart skipped a beat. His words, his tone, carried a weight that made her wonder if there was more beneath the surface.

She dared a glance at him, and once again, she found herself caught in his gaze.

The unspoken tension between them was palpable, and she couldn’t deny that it made her pulse race with anticipation.

Georgina felt a spark of hope flare inside her.

She may not know what the future held, but for now, in this moment, she would savor the possibility of something more with Lord Foxmoore. Something real.