Page 30 of A Foreign Crown
Layton offered his arms for the princesses to take. As soon as they were out of earshot of their mother, he asked, “Will we see your father?”
Princess Elizabeth stiffened.
Her sister shook her head.
“Is he well?”
Princess Mary waved her hand. “Of course. He just isn’t one to spend time in his gardens or to play.”
Layton nodded. Aribella had mentioned something about him being unwell at times, but the princesses seemed to brush that notion aside.
They continued on down the green to the shuttlecock net. And the day brightened considerably when Lady Aribella arrived with Lady Mallory and one other woman Layton hadn’t met.
He bowed. “Most excellent. I feel vastly outnumbered by beauty, but I shall try to do justice to my manly roots.”
Lady Aribella laughed, which he appreciated. The sound traveled over him in a happy wave, easing some of his concern over his efforts to meet with the King. He grinned, then bowed to her companions. “Lady Mallory I know, and who might this lovely lady be?”
Lady Aribella curtsied alongside the other two. “We are all ladies to Queen Charlotte. This is Lady Smithing.”
He pressed his lips to their gloved hands, saving Lady Aribella’s for last. When rising from his bow overherhand, he paused for a moment to look into her soft eyes. “I’m happy to see you again.” His hunger for a response from her held his attention for perhaps longer than was socially expected, but he was not disappointed when her cheeks colored with a soft pink.
Then her responding grin gave him new energy to be charming. “And now, one of you lovely princesses will need to explain the rules of this enticing game.”
Princess Mary moved forward quickly and stood closer than she ever had. “Here’s your racket. These oddly shaped pieces are for your smashing enjoyment.”
“Smashing?”
“Precisely. We will send it back and forth over this net with the hopes that the other team cannot return it.”
“Are we to be a team, then?”
Princess Elizabeth moved across the lawn. Lady Mallory joined her, which left Lady Smithing and Lady Aribella. Layton found himself silently urging Lady Aribella to join him and Princess Mary.
When Lady Aribella and Lady Smithing exchanged looks twice, Layton smiled. “Well now, from the looks of them, they’re both quite accomplished and trying to determine how to win when they’re stuck with the rest of us on their team.”
Lady Aribella chuckled, then turned to Lady Smithing. “Is what he says true? Are you that accomplished?”
Lady Smithing stood taller, and Layton was as surprised as anyone to see her wink. “I’m proficient with that battledore.” She waved her hand as though holding the racket. “And I can return any shuttlecock you send my way.”
“Oh, is that so?” Layton grinned and then pointed to the opposite team. “Let’s see what we might have to say about that challenge.” As Lady Aribella moved toward him with a small smile at her lips, Layton nodded. “Because Princess Mary andI ... we might have just earned ourselves the champion.”
“The champion. Really?” Lady Aribella shook her head. “I only hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
“I don’t imagine that’s possible,” he said.
They spread out, each now holding a battledore in their hand.
“What? Why not? Can we not all embarrass ourselves from time to time?” Lady Aribella said.
“Those of us with strange faults or discomfort in dealing with others might find ample embarrassment, but not you.”
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks colored that lovely pink. “Oh no?”
“No, for you are all that is grace and charm.” Layton barely noticed the stiffening of Princess Mary beside him.
“And yet, I shall prove you wrong straightaway, for I can’t think of anything clever to say.”
Princess Elizabeth waved her battledore. “Are we ready?”
