Forty Five

Parlor tricks, parties, cards, and amusements. The past days of the resumed competition had been full of games and jockeying. Caroline had barely seen Sebastien except at night when he‟d sneak over to the cottage. Sarah had been sending her odd looks during the day—puzzled, probing looks. But then she too had been frazzled, her attention always following William.

When the competition adjourned to London tonight, they would need to sit down and chat. Most of the guests were following the competition to the city, so she and Sarah would be left to their own devices.

Cheevers clapped his hands together. The earl must have gone through two scores of gloves by now. "Today we have a special event planned. Not part of the competition, which will begin again tomorrow in London, but instead, an ancillary game in which we can all participate before the carriages leave."

The ladies tittered as he shot them a waggled brow.