Lady Frederica started talking about what games she liked, and Stephen focused on trying to let her win so that she would feel more victorious. Yet, at the end of the first round, Dorothy revealed her crib, only to have won that round instead.
“This is unlike you, Stephen,” Dorothy said with a victorious smile as Lady Frederica finished talking about her favorite games. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, Frederica. His Grace here is secretly very competitive. I have a feeling he is not being his honest self tonight.”
“Oh?” Lady Frederica looked alarmed by the idea, turning her head toward him.
She’s sabotaging my attempts again. How am I to ever win this bet if Dorothy is always in the way?
“I am competitive when it comes to Dorothy, that is all,” Stephen assured her. “I’m much nicer in reality than she pretends I am.”
“Are you?” Dorothy snorted.
Stephen had to bite his lip so as not to laugh as she smiled. Why did she keep having this effect on him? He was staring at her once again when he should have been looking at Lady Frederica. He didn’t even note the lady’s reaction to his words, as he was too busy trying not to laugh at Dorothy’s smile.
“Come, Stephen. You must try harder, or Lady Frederica will think you cannot play cards at all.”
I will not rise to her taunts. I will not.
Stephen played another two rounds to try and let Lady Frederica win, but at each turn, Dorothy quite spectacularly took advantage of his weaker play and won. He got to the end of the second round and gathered up the cards, shuffling them with a hard stare. She just looked back at him with that same amused smile.
“I’m annoying you now, aren’t I?” she teased.
“What was your first clue?”
He dealt out the cards, and this time, he didn’t bother helping Lady Frederica, despite the thoughts in the back of his mind.
Concentrate on Lady Frederica. Forget Dorothy. Just ignore her.
The problem was, he had never been able to ignore Dorothy. Never in his life! He was reminded of last Christmas, when he had come to the house, determined to have a quiet dinner with Allan. Dorothy had come in part way through and joined them. Despite all of Stephen’s wishes to focus on Allan alone, he had stared at Dorothy far too often that night and bickered with her.
They played the round, and this time, Stephen won. He counted up his crib, holding back a satisfied smile.
“Hurrah! I see you have stepped up to the plate, at last,” Dorothy said, clapping her hands together as she moved the pegs on the cribbage board. “This is all in testament to you, Frederica. He must have been too distracted before.”
Once more, Lady Frederica blushed, but she didn’t smile.
This is hopeless. She is not interested in me.
Stephen was surprised by feeling no disappointment at the idea. Instead, his eyes flicked to Dorothy as she dealt out the cards.
Stephen won each of the next three rounds.
“Oh, the game has gone too far for me.” Lady Frederica yawned as she stood from her chair. “I think I am tired after today. If you would excuse me, I shall retire for the night.”
Stephen attempted to stand to say goodnight but felt someone’s shoe pressing down on his toe, keeping him in place. He glared at Dorothy, and by the time he realized she was sabotaging his attempt to get closer to Lady Frederica again, she was gone.
“Dorothy.” Stephen leaned across the table. “Release my foot.”
“So that you can go running after her?” Dorothy asked with a mischievous smirk. “I think not. I’m not letting you win the wager that easily.”
“Easily? In case you haven’t noticed, I am struggling to get her attention at all, with you constantly in the way.”
“Why, thank you.” She batted her eyelashes as if he had given her a great compliment. “I do what I can to sabotage your efforts, as you have embarrassed me multiple times.” She shuffled the cards with great speed now.
“We embarrass each other.”
“I have noticed. Besides, do not worry about Frederica.” She waved her hand, looking down at the cards. “You’re a duke, you have land and money, and you’re young and handsome, too. Any woman you’d propose to—let’s accept it—will have a hard time saying no. The only way I could win this wager is to cause you trouble.”
Wait, what did she say?
