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G eorgina wasn’t certain how she felt about participating in the archery contest. When Melisande had devised her scheme of pretending not to know how to use a bow or hit a target, Georgina had not voiced her discomfort.

Sometimes it was best to keep her thoughts to herself, especially when dealing with Melisande.

That girl could be difficult on a good day and if she had expressed her dislike for lying, it would’ve just made their conversation longer than Georgina would have liked.

Now that she had been honest with Lord Foxmoore, Georgina was relieved that she hadn’t created a facade she couldn’t maintain. She wanted him to like her for who she truly was, not as some woman she pretended to be, especially as she knew she could never maintain such a pretense for long.

“My lord,” she began. “Now that we have settled my archery skills are not in need of improvement… How do you suggest we proceed?” He would have to feign giving her lessons, but how far did he intend to carry on with the charade?

“We go forward and win the tournament.” He frowned. “I don’t doubt your skill. Does your friend realize that you have excellent aim?”

She shook her head slowly. “Lady Melisande knows little about me. We are not particularly close.” Georgina shrugged.

“No one really has had a chance to learn much about me.” Not that she had given them the opportunity.

Georgina had always been too reserved in social situations, allowing few the opportunity to truly know her.

They made their way to one of the targets and began preparations for the tournament.

Lord Foxmoore stood by her side giving her instructions.

She followed them to the letter and took aim at the target.

They did that for several shots until it was announced they would begin soon.

Melisande and Lord Kendal were at a target a few rows down from them.

Georgina sneaked a glance in their direction.

“Lady Melisande is certainly not as terrible as she proclaimed.” She nodded in the direction of Melisande and Lord Kendal. “I suspect she is as skilled as I am.”

Lord Foxmoore turned his head in the direction of Lord Kendal and Lady Melisande, then frowned. “You’re correct. She’s a superb shot. I doubt Kendal is that good of a tutor.”

Georgina giggled. “Do you not believe she could acquire such skill in less than an hour?” She lifted a brow. “Why ever not?”

He gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “No one gains such talent so swiftly; she has honed that skill over years. I’d wager on that.” Lord Foxmoore narrowed his gaze. “But forewarned is forearmed so to speak.” He turned his gaze toward her. “Do you wish to win, my lady?”

“I don’t particularly care, if I’m being honest,” she said. “I’d be happy just not to embarrass myself.”

“Nonsense,” he said. His tone suggested such a thing was impossible. “You could never do any such thing. I think you can win, and if you do as I suggest, you will.”

Georgina thought about what he said. Did she want to win?

What benefit would she have if she did? Melisande seemed to really wish to have Lord Kendal’s attention.

Shouldn’t she do her best to ensure that she got what she wished?

Wouldn’t that benefit her far more than winning this tournament?

Then it occurred to her… “What do you stand to gain should I win this competition, my lord?” Lord Kendal and Lord Foxmoore spoke privately before they agreed to tutor them in archery.

Had they placed a wager on the outcome? Lord Foxmoore spoke of wagers as though he engaged in them regularly.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it quickly.

He narrowed his gaze on her. “You’re far too shrewd, my lady.

” His lips twitched. “I stand to gain nothing in particular should you win. Though Lord Kendal seems to believe that his skills at tutelage are far superior to mine. I wish to prove him wrong.”

She wasn’t so certain she believed that.

Not in its entirety anyway. He clearly held something back from her.

He would gain something if they won, but whatever it was, he didn’t wish to admit to the wager.

That meant it somehow involved her. Did she want to go forward not knowing and hope for the best, or end this charade now?

Georgina could see this through and then discover the truth afterwards.

She was skilled enough to win even without his tutelage.

Melisande was an excellent shot. She’d been watching her long enough to discover that fact; however, Georgina was quite certain she was the superior archer.

“Very well, my lord,” she replied softly. “Keep your secrets.” She nodded toward the archery target. “But I’m going to shoot the way I choose to. I do not need your assistance in this matter.”

Georgina turned her back to him and stepped toward the target.

They would start soon, and she didn’t need the distraction.

After they were all in place, someone read through the rules.

They would each shoot the target three times, then allow the next person to shoot.

The target would then be moved farther back, and they would again shoot three times.

The best score would win the tournament.

If a tie should happen, each participant would be allowed one additional shot with the target even farther back.

The best shot would win, and if they should tie again there would be two winners.

“Are you ready?” Lord Foxmoore asked.

“Shh,” she hushed him. “You’re not helping.”

He sighed and stepped away from her. She couldn’t let him shake her focus.

Georgina took a deep breath, then stepped forward.

She closed her eyes and took a deep fortifying breath.

Then she raised her bow and nocked the arrow in place.

She aimed at the target and counted to ten inside her head.

It had always calmed her and helped her find her inner peace.

Georgina let out a breath and let the arrow fly. It hit the target, dead center.

“That’s perfect,” Lord Foxmoore said. “Do you think you can do that again?”

She turned toward him and frowned. “Not exactly. The arrow is there until I’m done shooting. I’ll have to hit somewhere next to it.”

“I know,” he said, “But…” He sighed, again. “Go ahead and shoot. Don’t listen to me. You clearly have this under control.”

Georgina smiled and deftly drew another arrow from her quiver.

She stepped up to the line again and raised her bow.

Once the arrow was nocked, she took aim and let the arrow fly.

It landed directly above the other arrow.

Without preamble, she retrieved another arrow and nocked it quickly.

Without dwelling too much on the previous shot, she aimed and let the arrow fly.

The final arrow landed to the left of the first arrow. As close to center as she would get.

“That’s done,” she said. “For now. It’s time for another to shoot at this distance.”

“Those were excellent shots,” he said, then motioned toward Melisande. “She did a similar shoot. You two are the best here.”

“That may be true,” Georgina admitted. “There is a possibility that we will tie in the end. What will happen with your wager then?”

Lord Foxmoore grinned. “What wager?”

He wasn’t going to admit to it. It had been a nice try, but he hadn’t fallen for her easy toned question.

“The one you have with Lord Kendal, of course.” Georgina tilted her head to the side.

“The one you refuse to admit to.” She shook her head.

“You can tell me. I promise I won’t be disappointed in you.

” She shrugged. “No more than I already am, at any rate.”

“You wound me deeply, my dear,” he said as he held his hand over his chest. “I only aim to please you.”

“I doubt that very much, my lord,” she told him with certainty. “I’m no more than a pawn in your grand scheme.” She turned her back to him. “I think they’re moving the targets for the next round. I must go prepare to shoot again.”

She hadn’t lied. She was disappointed in him. Georgina liked him and he went and used her to further some scheme he had with Lord Kendal. It was thoroughly—exasperating. She had believed he had actually liked her. She’d been a fool.

Georgina took the bow and her quiver over to the line.

She aimed and shot, hitting the target in the center.

Then she shot the other two arrows, each landing on either side of the first arrow.

This was almost too easy. The contest would be over soon, and what then?

What would happen when she either won or lost this competition?

She glanced over at Lord Foxmoore. He was studying Melisande and Lord Kendal. Melisande nocked an arrow to shoot her last one. It flew through the air and landed perfectly on the target. She had shot as well as Georgina had. They would likely have to shoot to break a tie…

*

Adrian had miscalculated. He had not been prevaricating when he’d called her shrewd.

He had known she was intelligent, but he hadn’t taken that into consideration when he plotted with Lord Kendal.

Her clever mind had already deduced they had a wager.

There would be no pulling any wool over her eyes—she had seen right through him.

That was quite disconcerting for him. No lady had ever called him out on his nonsense before.

He might be losing any chance he had with her before they could even start anything resembling a courtship.

Did he want a courtship?