Page 16

“We are,” Lady Melisande said. She had a knowing smile on her face. As if she saw right through his facade and to the very core of him. He held back a shudder. It was a bit unsettling that… “How are you this fine day, my lord?”

How to respond to that? He was wonderful now that Georgina had arrived. He couldn’t very well say that though. He would be right back to looking like a bloody fool. He may very well be one too. “I’m quite well,” he said. “Are you both going to participate in the archery?”

Lady Melisande’s smile fell off her face and despair filled her stormy gray eyes. “I’m afraid we cannot.”

“Why?” he asked as he glanced between the two ladies.

“Because we’re just terrible with a bow.

I’m afraid we might accidentally injure someone with our ineptitude.

” Lady Melisande batted her eyelashes at him.

It was enough for him to narrow his gaze and study the chit.

Was she being coquettish? He did not normally have difficulty determining such a thing, but this girl had skill.

“I see,” he said slowly.

“Do you?” she asked. She motioned toward Georgina. “We were just discussing it at length. Poor Georgie wishes to learn but she is far too timid to ask.”

He turned his gaze onto Georgina. “Is this true?” Adrian had noticed that she could be a bit shy. “If you wish to learn, it would be my honor to teach you.”

“You would?” She lifted her brows. “I would not wish to be burdensome.”

“Think nothing of it,” he reassured her. “It would be my honor to aid you in this endeavor. I don’t claim to be an excellent archer, but I’m passable enough to help you learn the rudimentary aspects of it.”

This was working out well. It would give him some time alone with her. Something he wasn’t certain at the start he’d be able to achieve. He turned toward Lady Melisande. “And what of you?” he asked. “Do you wish to learn as well?”

“I wouldn’t want you to have to take on the task of teaching two of us, my lord,” she said in an innocent tone. “Perhaps you could find someone else willing to teach me as you focus all of your attention on Georgie.”

He blinked. Then blinked again. Adrian could be mistaken but he was starting to believe that Lady Melisande intended to push him and Georgina together.

If that was her goal, far be it from him to get in the girl’s way.

He’d gladly follow her lead if it meant that he had Georgina all to himself.

“I’m certain I could find you a tutor.” Who could he persuade to spend the day with Lady Melisande?

Then an idea leapt into his thoughts. It was absurd…

Could she want him to return the favor? Did she hope to spend the afternoon with a specific gentleman?

If so, he may even know exactly who she wanted him to set her up with as her tutor.

“I would be ever so grateful for your assistance.” Lady Melisande smiled shyly at him. This lady was not timid in the least. She was the sort that pursued what she desired and probably got exactly what she wanted.

He turned toward Georgina. “Are you all right with this? If you would rather stay with Lady Melisande, we can certainly do so.” He prayed she didn’t wish for that.

“I would like to learn,” she told him. “Melisande thinks this is best. It’s probably best I follow her lead in this.”

“Very well,” he said. Then tilted his head to the side as if his idea just struck him. “Lord Kendal is just over there. I’m willing to wager he’d assist you in learning archery.”

“Lord Kendal?” Lady Melisande said, then nibbled on her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Do you truly believe he would?”

Adrian held back a grin. The chit did have an interest in Kendal.

He should pity the man, but Kendal could handle any adversity—even a young debutante determined to win him.

Though to be fair, he didn’t know exactly what Lady Melisande wished from Kendal.

“I do,” he told her. “I’ll go ask him to join us.

If you’ll pardon me a moment, I’ll return shortly.

” He bowed and then went in the direction that he’d seen Kendal walking.

It did not take him long to reach the viscount. “Kendal,” he called after him.

“Foxmoore,” he greeted. “Do ye have plans tae keep us entertained on this fine day?”

“I may,” Adrian told him. “How are you with archery?”

“Ye wish tae take part in the planned activity?” His brogue was thick as he spoke. “I thought ye might have something else in mind like with the lawn billiards.”

“The soiree that Easton’s mother planned didn’t allow for specific entertainments. The lawn billiards was definitely unplanned.” Adrian grinned. “Are you averse to archery then?”

“Nay,” he said. “I doona mind it. Do ye wish tae make a wager?”

Adrian thought about that. He wouldn’t mind adding some incentive to it. “That is a grand idea.” He gestured toward Lady Melisande and Georgina. “The ladies wish to have a tutor that is willing to aid in their learning of archery. Would you be willing to give Lady Melisande lessons?”

Kendal arched a brow. “And where does the wager fit into this plan?”

“We can have the ladies shoot after our tutelage,” he began. “And the best shot wins the wager.”

“Aye,” he said. “That’s a fine plan. It will give us some incentive tae teach the lasses properly.”

“Precisely,” he said.

“Only one thing left for us to settle,” Kendal said.

“And what is that?” Adrian had thought they had settled everything already. What had he forgotten?

“When I win, what will ye be forfeiting?” Kendal’s smile was almost feral, as if his triumph was a foregone conclusion.

“How about the loser has to help the winner secure a secluded place alone with their champion.” He wanted to find a place he could kiss Georgina without watchful eyes to see him pull her into his arms. He wouldn’t ravish her. At least not yet…

Kendal chuckled. “That’s acceptable. I wouldn’t mind some time alone with the fiery lass. She has a competitive streak and can be a bit reckless. I think it’s best we don’t let them discover our wager or she might take this a bit too seriously.”

Adrian didn’t have any issue with that. With Georgina it was the opposite. It would likely make her more anxious, and she would not shoot well. He needed her to do her absolute best. They had to win. “Agreed,” he said. “Let’s go join them and tell them the good news.”

Kendal strolled alongside Adrian as they headed back to Lady Melisande and Georgina. They turned toward them as they approached. “Lord Kendal has generously agreed to be your tutor.” He smiled. “And I’ll work with you,” he told Georgina.

“Wonderful,” Lady Melisande said. “It looks like they’re done setting it all up. Can we go play now?”

“It’s no’ playing, love,” Kendal said. His eyes seemed to light up with amusement. “We’re tae shoot those lovely arrows at the target. It’s no’ a game.”

“I know that,” Lady Melisande said in a belligerent tone.

“Come, lass,” Kendal said. “Let’s go find ye a bow and a quiver of arrows. Time for yer lessons tae begin.”

Adrian grinned. It would be entertaining to just watch those two.

There would be some sort of disagreement between the two before the day was done.

That would play right into Adrian’s plans.

If they were bickering, then Lady Melisande wouldn’t shoot well.

He turned toward Georgina. “Do you wish to start now?” He didn’t wish to startle her. Adrian needed her to be at her best.

“All right,” she agreed. “I should admit that I’m not a novice as Melisande implied.”

“You’re not?” He frowned. “How much do you know?”

“About archery?” She shrugged indifferently. “Everything.”

He grinned. “Then why did she imply that you needed to be taught at all?”

Georgina sighed. “I am not good at subterfuge. It was easy enough to allow her to talk. She tends to get an idea and runs with it.”

“And what did she hope to gain here?” Adrian was confused. Then everything became clear. The girl had used him to set her up with Kendal. This had nothing to do with Georgina. “She wanted lessons of her own and used you to gain them.”

“That’s accurate.” Georgina smiled a little shyly. “But I don’t mind. It seemed to make her happy, and you’re nice. It’s not a hardship to be in your company.”

He was… nice. Adrian gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to be just nice to her. “So we don’t need lessons?”

“I don’t know about that,” she said. “If we don’t at least go through the motions her scheme will fall flat. It would be far more entertaining to pretend and watch her pull Lord Kendal’s strings.”

“And you said you had no skill with ruses.” Adrian liked her far too much. “Let’s go get you a bow and quiver. It’s time to start those lessons of yours.”

They walked over to where a selection of bows was available for the guests.

Georgina glanced at them all and selected one that she liked and then took a quiver full of arrows.

After that was done, they headed to a target not being used.

He stepped closer to her as they stood before the target.

“If we are going to make a show of this,” he began, “then I need to show you how to hold the bow properly.”

She glanced up at him. He was so close to her he could pull her into his arms and become lost in those violet eyes of her. “Is that so?” Georgina smiled. “Then by all means, my lord, show me what I must do.”

He leaned into her and said, “Nock your arrow.”

Georgina lifted the bow up and did as he’d instructed. Then he slid his arm up so it was alongside her arm. “You feel that?” he said. “The tightness of the string.”

“Yes,” she said in a husky tone that sent streams of desire through his blood.