Page 47 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“It’s been a while since I used a bow. Why don’t we take some practice shots while the children snack for a few minutes?” Damon suggested.
Lydia’s mouth twitched. “Are you challenging me?”
“I suppose I am. You should go first.”
Lydia studied the target and smiled, recalling the first time she had bested Blake. Once upon a time, her brother thought no one could beat him. Now he knew better.
Three white circles on the outside of the target surrounded two black circles, followed by two blue, then two red ones. In the center of these sat three orange circles; the smallest inner one was the bullseye. Lydia debated her strategy. Grandfather always said men followed their egos. “I accept your challenge, Your Grace. How many rounds?”
“Three.”
His nearness made it difficult for her to concentrate. She wanted to focus on his lips. Instead, she looked ahead and summoned her grandfather’s instructions. “Focus, young lady. You can do this,” she heard her grandfather say. She adjusted her stance, kept the bow straight, set her fingers and grip, raised her bow arm, and kept her shoulder down. Drawing back on the bow, she aimed and watched the arrow sail into the red zone, just outside the orange circles. Exactly where I aimed, she thought, sighing with relief.
“That’s impressive,” Damon said, already setting up his shot. He discharged the arrow, sending it opposite hers, in the red outer circle.
Lydia planted a second shot in the outer orange circle. She felt no need to win—only to demonstrate credible skill.
Damon landed his arrow on the right side of the second orange circle—closer to the bullseye.
“One more,” he said, smiling, and his green eyes sparkling. “Take your time.”
That infernal, adorable dimple was so distracting! Lydia aimed and released her arrow, watching it land left of the center of the bullseye. It took a long time for her brothers—especially Blake—to be gracious in defeat. If Damon lost to her today would it affect how he treated her? Stop thinking about him. Focus on the target.
“Another remarkable shot, Miss Hammond.”
“She’s good, isn’t she, Father?” Mandy asked.
“She is, that,” he murmured, firing off his shot. His arrow landed next to Lydia’s. “Bullseye! I believe that’s the game,” he said, walking to the target and checking it. Pulling the arrows out, he walked back, grinning. “You beat me,” he said. “Congratulations!”
He was giving her the game—something her brothers would never have done. “You must be mistaken. Your second shot beat mine,” Lydia said.
“Let’s call it a close competition,” he said, looking at her with those amazing green eyes. “Your grandfather was an excellent teacher.”
She braved his eyes and smiled, even though her heart fluttered madly in her chest. “That’s very generous of you, Your Grace,” she said in a quiet voice.
“How long before we can shoot like that?” Michael asked, already pulling back on his bow as she taught him.
“Easy, son. First, take a proper stance,” the duke said.
Damon and Lydia worked with the children until each child successfully landed an arrow on the target. The sun was going down and everyone was elated but tired.
“Perhaps it’s time to call it a day and warm up,” suggested Lydia.
“A spot of hot tea would be nice,” Damon agreed.
“I can’t wait to tell Rosie what we did,” said Michael excitedly.
“Father, may we eat at your table tonight instead of the nursery?” Mandy asked. “Miss Hammond has been reviewing our manners. I think we’re ready.”
Lydia laughed and enjoyed Damon’s rich baritone laugh. “We need only let the cook know where to find us.”
“I’ll tell her,” he promised.
As they approached the manor house, the children ran ahead. Annabelle hurried after them, carrying the stack of blankets, leaving Damon and Lydia to walk behind. Lydia’s stomach turned into a jumble of knots, wondering if he would mention their morning kisses.
“That was fun. I enjoyed myself,” he said, accidentally brushing her arm as he shifted his gear to the other shoulder and picked up the basket. “I had no idea we had a governess with such talent.”
“About this morning…,” she started.
