Page 35 of In Scandal with the Duke
The carriage began to move, rolling smoothly along the cobblestone streets toward Vauxhall Gardens. She felt nervous and excited. Not only was she embarking on an adventure disguised as a man, but she was also spending an evening in the company of someone who stirred complex and compelling feelings in her.
Elizabeth saw a chessboard on the seat and leaned forward to study it. The game set out was intricate and challenging. “Who are you playing with?”
“Myself.”
Startled, she glanced up. “Why?”
“I have an upcoming match, and I was trying to plot the possible moves my challenger could make.”
Oh!“Would you like to practice with me?”
“You know the game?”
“Yes,” she said, plucking up a bishop and making a move.
James glanced down and assessed the board. “Hmm, interesting. I would not have made that play.”
“Of course not,” she said, “I am too incredible. You cannot match or anticipate my moves.”
His low laugh rasped against her senses with delight. “I shall introduce you to my good friend, Lord Radbourne, if you win this game.”
“Why?”
A cunning glint appeared in James’s eyes. “So I can feel the satisfaction of you trouncing him.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said, grinning. “He is the only one to ever defeat you.”
“Hmm,” James murmured, moving a knight in a play she never anticipated despite being able to plot five to ten moves ahead.
“Oh,” she said, rubbing her gloved palms together.
To Elizabeth’s delight, they started to play in earnest. The duke was an incredibly patient and calculating player, his moves bold and decisive. She matched his patience but was more careful with her moves. As the game progressed, the carriage hummed with quiet tension; the only sounds were the softclinkof chess pieces being moved and the occasional rustle of clothing.
“Your knight takes my bishop. Bold, Your Grace, very bold.”
James had made a move that significantly strengthened his control of the board’s center.
“It is a strong position, but not invincible,” James replied with a slight smirk, silver eyes glinting with amusement. “Your move.”
“Prepare to be awed.” Elizabeth leaned in closer, her mind racing through scenarios and potential counters. She moved her queen, setting up a defensive stance while also positioning herself for a more aggressive play. “There, let us see how you handle this.”
“Easy,” he drawled provocatively.
James studied the board; his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he chuckled softly, clearly impressed. “Very clever, Miss Armstrong.”
“Impressed?”
“Yes.”
She grinned. Their back-and-forth continued, each move punctuated by playful banter and the growing respect for each other’s skills. Elizabeth took a risk, capturing one of James’s key pieces and tipping the balance slightly in her favor. “Checkmate.”
James leaned back, evaluating the board with a raised eyebrow. “Well played,” he conceded, his voice rich in admiration. “It seems I may indeed have to introduce you to Lord Radbourne sooner than expected.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Shall we go again?”
“Best out of three games,” he said.
They reset the board and started playing. Several minutes later, the carriage had rolled to a stop, and Elizabeth looked up, momentarily distracted from the intense chess game.
