Page 25 of Sleepless in Saunton
Feeling invigorated once more, Jane went to collect her bonnet from her room and wash her mouth with dental elixir before walking through the manor to exit from the terrace. Several guests were gathered and tables were laden with lawn bowls.
Mr. Dunsford spotted her arrival and came racing over. Taking up her hand, he bowed deeply. “Miss Davis, I am looking forward to demonstrating the nuances of play to you.”
“That would be delightful.”
“We are playing in teams of two. Mr. Ridley and his sister will play against us.”
Jane looked out over the bowling green that had been created. She waved at the duchess, who walked over with a jaunty bonnet bedecked with elegant feathers, her brandy eyes luminescent in the sunlight. “Jane, we finally play a game together. I grow weary of sitting as a spectator.”
“Which rink is ours, Your Grace?”
“We are playing on the first one.”
They strolled over to where Mr. Dunsford and Mr. Ridley were waiting for them. Mr. Dunsford tipped his beaver with a little bow. “Your Grace, I am honored to play against you.”
The duchess beamed. “And I, you, Mr. Dunsford. I must warn you that my brother and I have played together many times.”
“If you win, I shall be able to say the Duchess of Halmesbury beat me,” he responded with a polite grin.
“Excellent. Let the best team win.”
Mr. Dunsford and Mr. Ridley proceeded with the coin toss, the duchess winning the right to toss the jack. Her brother ran out to center the jack on the pitch after it came to rest.
Jane walked over to the table where the bowls had been laid out, and Mr. Dunsford joined her. “I shall bowl last because it will be more difficult. You should do your best to place your bowl near the jack.”
She smiled amiably in response. They had not discussed who was to play first or last on their team, but she had no wish to quibble over it. Jane turned to watch as the duchess approached the mat, dropping to roll her bowl, which curved out before arcing back and coming to rest just four inches from the jack. Jane was impressed. The duchess must be quite strong to have bowled so far up the pitch. She must have played as much as she had claimed.
“Well done, Annabel.” Mr. Ridley leaned down to peck his sister on the cheek, holding the brim of his hat to prevent it from slipping.
Mr. Dunsford rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Her Grace has done very well. Please do not be alarmed if you cannot place closer than her, Miss Davis. Just do the best you can.”
Jane smiled enigmatically. Taking her place at the mat, she studied the placement of the bowl and jack. Then, kneeling down, she bowled a slow arc which came to rest just two inches from the jack.
Mr. Dunsford walked forward, viewing the placement with his jaw agape.
Mr. Ridley, too, inspected, then called out an instruction to his sister. The duchess picked up another bowl. Returning to the mat, she bowled once more, getting the shot a smidge closer to the jack than Jane had to take the winning position.
As the game continued, the duchess formed a head with her remaining bowls, blocking any direct route. Jane studied her options, then went to the mat. She bowled a fast run shot, which sped down the pitch, knocking into two of the bowls obstructing the jack. They skidded out, one dropping into the ditch and out of play while Jane’s own bowl knocked into the jack. They quivered and then dropped apart.
Jane quelled a victorious grin from crossing her face. Her run shot had been fast and precise.
Mr. Dunsford shook his head in disbelief, his beaver teetering for a second before settling back down. “Miss Davis, I believe you should have been last to play! I hope Mr. Ridley is a poor player, because I cannot do better than you.”
“Not at all, Mr. Dunsford. I am sure you could have thrown a run shot more impressive than mine. You are stronger, after all.” Nevertheless, Jane was pleased. Mr. Dunsford should know she was a sensible young woman in her own right. She would forgo drinking coffee in front of the gentleman until she knew his sensibilities, but she would not curb her talents.
The game progressed slowly until eventually the duchess and Mr. Ridley won by just one shot. It had been exhilarating, no one certain which team would win until the very last end was played. Mr. Dunsford was an adequate player, but not quite good enough to knock apart the head that Mr. Ridley had formed, which won the last point for the opposing team.
They congratulated each other on a fine game, with a number of notable shots, before returning to the terrace, which was now shaded. The afternoon sun had moved behind the manor sufficiently to escape the heat of its rays. They found tea and biscuits laid out, which Jane was delighted to see.
Walking over to take a seat next to the duchess, the two of them watched the game on the third pitch, the only remaining in play.
“I must say, Jane, I was happy to observe that you did not restrain your skill to pander to the gentleman.” The duchess spoke in a low voice to not be overheard, indicating Mr. Dunsford with a nod of her head. “Many young ladies would have done so.”
Jane sipped her tea and grinned. “I think there should be some honesty during courtship. I would not want the gentleman to get the wrong idea of who I am.”
“You seem quite a competitive young woman.”
“Not really. I love feminine pursuits. I embroider well. I am adequate at pianoforte. But I do not wish to be controlled when I marry. I would like a partnership such as the one my sister and Perry share.”
