Page 18 of Match Made in Heaven (The Cricket Club #5)

Ella smiled at the young woman. Everyone in the club knew that Beatrice, although a competent cricket player, had only joined because they were low on members and Anna forced her to.

She was a sweet, lovely girl, but was much more interested in the gossip the ladies shared than the tactics of the game.

Before Ella could open her mouth to respond, Myfanwy beat her to it. “Yes, please, Ella, tell us why you decided to miss our last practice and move into the duke’s country house. We’d all like to know when cricket became just a passing fancy that you could so carelessly throw aside.”

Ella tapped her teeth together, knowing that her reprieve was over.

Ever since she’d walked into the tavern, she’d been waiting for Myfanwy to confront her over missing the previous practice.

A year ago, Ella would have been mortified to be called out like that in front of the team, and by the captain, no less.

But knowing Myfanwy—and her unmitigated zealousness for the sport—better now, she understood that the captain couldn’t help herself, nor did she want to.

“I’m sorry,” Ella said, meeting Myfanwy’s eyes. “It all happened so fast. I should have written a note. I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Seeming to accept that, Myfanwy leaned back in her chair, once more adjusting her growing body to a more comfortable position.

According to Ella’s mother, Myfanwy shouldn’t be there, but Ella wasn’t about to tell her captain that.

Per the viscountess, it was mortifying that Myfanwy kept creeping out into Society while she was so far along in her confinement.

Ella had told her mother that Myfanwy’s husband, Samuel Everett, didn’t mind that his wife didn’t want to be cooped up in their home, but the woman had refused to believe it.

Ella supposed that it wasn’t entirely accurate anyway.

Most likely, Samuel would have preferred that his wife stay at home, but she had other ideas.

And to Myfanwy Everett, her ideas were usually the right ones.

“Please don’t let it happen again,” Myfanwy replied wearily.

She rubbed her eyes, and Ella noticed the bags lagging joylessly underneath.

“Our match against the Matrons is coming up fast. We have to be vigilant. I won’t let them think we’re resting on our laurels.

I’d like to beat them soundly, so no one thinks last year was a fluke. ”

“Of course,” Ella replied. “I’m sure we will.”

Myfanwy went on, her tone low, like she was having a conversation with herself. “Everyone’s just dropping like flies,” she muttered irritably. “First me and Jennifer. No offense, Anna, but you’re going to be useless to us soon too.”

Anna smiled, placing a hand on her own ripening stomach. “No offense taken, captain. I can’t wait to be useless to you.”

“And then there’s Maggie,” Myfanwy continued, “who swears that she’s going to be back in time for the game, although I don’t know if I believe her. Who goes on their honeymoon in the middle of the summer?”

Beatrice shrugged. “Probably someone who just got married.”

Myfanwy swept her hand in the air like a knife.

“Normally I would agree with you, but this was her second wedding to the same man. I will allow a honeymoon after the first union, but the second time…” She pinched her lips together, obviously thinking it too difficult to finish her train of thought.

Ella reached over to pat Myfanwy’s hand, but could only do it twice because it felt so odd to her. The only cricket member blunt and courageous enough to calm Myfanwy’s theatrics, to talk sense to her, was Lady Jo Everly, and she was noticeably missing.

“Where is Jo?” Ella asked, hoping the change of subject might lessen the flush in the captain’s cheeks.

Myfanwy groaned.

Obviously not.

“She wasn’t at the last practice either,” Anna answered tentatively. She gazed at Myfanwy like the woman was a wild animal, not wanting to speak in a loud voice or make any sudden movements. “She wrote a note saying she wasn’t feeling well. I assumed she would be back today, but…” Anna shrugged.

“Has anyone talked to her?” Ella asked. Everyone around the circle shook their heads. “That’s odd. I wonder what could be the matter. I’d hate to think it’s something serious.”

Over the summer, Ella and Jo had formed an unlikely friendship as they inserted themselves into the love life of their teammate, Lady Maggie. Their meddling had drawn to a close when Maggie married gambling den owner Harry Holmes, and so had their time together.

Now, sitting amongst the club, Ella noticed how much that bothered her. Perhaps she would stop in on Jo before traveling back to Sutton Park, be the friend she thought she was.

And it dawned on Ella that Jo had a history with Lord Oliver. It wasn’t something she was particularly forthcoming about, but Ella learned that they had grown up together. If anyone could tell her more about the man—what he liked and disliked—it was Jo.

Ella just hoped that she fell into the former category and not the latter.