Page 43 of The Jilted Duchess
Margot folded her arms across her chest. “I can’t see why you always have to make everything so difficult, Your Grace.”
“Well, for pity’s sake—I don’t mean to make things difficult,” Alexandra said. “But he wouldn’t have sent this one if he didn’t think it was appropriate. Help me dress, will you?”
Margot did so, but not without considerable sighing. Alexandra could tell she didn’t approve. But that was all right. If Hector hadchosen these dresses, that meant he would be happy to see her in any of them, and that was what was really important.
She hurried back downstairs and found Hector in the foyer. “How do I look?” she asked, turning in a slow circle to give him ample opportunity to admire the dress she had chosen—and at the same time, wondering what she was thinking. Did she really need his approval? Wasn’t she wearing the dress because it was whatshehad wanted for today?
It was hard to explain why she was growing warm at the awareness of his eyes on her, why she turned an extra circle to make sure he had gotten a chance to look at her from every possible angle. She didn’t understand it. She just knew that the idea of him admiring her was something that took her breath away.
“The first carriage is pullin’ up,” he said, clearing his throat. “Ye better go out and greet them, and then bring them around to the lawn. I’ll go on ahead and get things ready for us.”
“Hector,” she said, and to her surprise, she reached out and caught his hand in hers.
He looked at her, eyebrows raised.
“Thank you again for this,” she said. “I can’t tell you what it means to me. I think this is going to be a wonderful day.”
“It’s your turn, Evelina,” Alexandra said.
Evelina laughed. “Since when do you take Pall Mall so seriously, Alexandra? I never even realized you enjoyed the game! When we were growing up, it was all I could do to get you to put down whatever book you were reading and join us at all.”
“That was then,” Alexandra said, doing her best to remain dignified. “I’ve always liked Pall Mall. Certainly since I came of age.”
“It’s true that you did begin to play more as you grew older,” Margaret agreed.
“And she’s very good at it,” Penelope said loyally. “She beats me every time. You had better watch out, Your Grace,” she added to Hector. “She’ll beat you too if you’re not careful.”
“I wouldnae worry about that,” Hector smirked. “We had a similar game when I was growin’ up in Scotland. I’m rather skilled at this meself.” As if to prove his point, he nodded toward his ball, which currently blocked Evelina’s. “Try to best me if ye will, lass.”
“My sisters are telling the truth,” Alexandra said fiercely. “I’m quite accomplished at the game. I wouldn’t plan on getting thebetter of me if I were you, husband. I think you’ll find me a worthy adversary.”
“How fortunate that it’s your turn, then.” Hector extended a hand to the lawn and inclined his head. “Please, let us see what you’re capable of.
Holding her chin high, Alexandra stepped up and took her shot.
The ball sailed perfectly through the hoop. Alexandra stepped back and held her mallet up in triumph. “You see? I have the skill required to win this game.”
“Honestly, Your Grace, I’ve never seen her like this,” Evelina said with a laugh. “Something has really brought out her competitive side today.”
Something or someone, Alexandra did not add. If she had been here alone with her sisters, she would have been happy to play a fun game for no stakes. But she found herself wanting to do well in order to compete with Hector. For some reason, she wanted to beat him at this game.
He stepped up to his ball and hit it, sending it through the hoop after hers. “Ye see?” he said, smiling triumphantly. “Ye’re not the only one with skill here.”
“You’re holding that mallet wrong,” she told him.
“It doesnae seem to be a problem.”
“Perhaps not, but you’ll have even more success if you do it like this.” She showed him her own swing.
He raised his eyebrows. “I’m surprised ye’d offer me any help at all—or don’t ye want to win this little game?”
“I’ll beat you even when you’re holding your mallet properly,” she informed him.
He laughed. “Quite the spitfire today, aren’t ye?”
“I suppose this dress has brought it out in me.” She gave a little twirl. Shedidfeel especially bold in it. “Thank you, by the way,” she said. “I liked everything you picked out for me, but this one is especially lovely.”
“I had a feelin’ ye would choose that one to wear today,” he told her.
