Chapter 7

The Game Begins

"Ido not think I had quite realised how much I would benefit from staying with you for the season." Olivia beamed at Lady Cotswalts and Jane.

"Whatever do you mean?" Jane tilted her head curiously at Olivia.

The three women were at Lord and Lady Digby's garden party, and having greeted the hosts, Lady Cotswalts had steered them to what she called a strategic vantage point. This had been somewhere that she could look out over the members of the ton and carefully plan whom to approach.

How on Earth does one manage to think quite so many steps ahead? Olivia shook her head in wonder, occasionally nodding at a guest that Lady Cotswalts pointed out to her.

"Well… I do not want to sound ungrateful to my mother and her efforts; I know that she did her best to help me last season." Olivia felt her cheeks redden. "But well, it never would have occurred to us to attend something like this, not with…"

"It can take some time to readjust to the rhythms of society after such a long time a way," Lady Cotswalts said diplomatically. "Balls are seen as the staple of the season, and if situations require us to target our efforts, then they, of course, would be the natural focal point."

"And of course, your mother also needed to re-establish connections after such a long absence," Jane added kindly.

Olivia felt her colour deepen, but she knew that Jane had not meant any offence. After all, she was correct. Their eight-year absence from the ton had had repercussions — some more severe than others.

"What you both say is true. And I know Mother did and would do her best to support me." Olivia sighed. "Though I do wish I had been able to attend more garden parties last season." Perhaps my courtship endeavours would have been more fruitful.

"I would have thought balls far more enjoyable than something like this." Jane frowned thoughtfully. "Why there is all that dancing and excitement!"

Olivia smiled. "Yes, the dancing and the music is all very lovely and exciting, but… well, it can also feel like rather a lot of pressure?"

"Pressure?" Jane asked.

"Yes, because you have such fleeting time with people, you know, maybe the odd dance here or there, it feels as though you must make every single one count." Olivia bit her lip. "Each dance, I felt like I needed to find the ‘perfect' man, and I could never really just enjoy the experience."

Jane nodded. "That makes a certain kind of sense. And I suppose balls are by their nature rather louder than a garden party."

"Exactly." Olivia glanced at Lady Cotswalts, who was studying her with a neutral expression on her face. "At a ball, it feels as though I am constantly being judged and weighed, even when we are talking in groups. And of course, much of the evening revolves around dancing, and it feels like there is so much pressure to make a connection right in that moment, for you may soon have a different partner or move away from each other. I find the slow pace and relaxed nature of a garden party rather suits me better."

"That is very useful to know. Though I would say that in matters of courtship, the back and forth of a dance can rather add to the intrigue." Lady Cotswalts gave Olivia a sly look. "That is provided that one has the right dance partner."

Normally, Olivia would have leapt at the chance to badger Lady Cotswalts about who her potential suitor was, but at that exact moment, someone else caught her attention. Of course, I should have known something would spoil the day.

In the middle of the garden, talking to a gentleman Olivia did not recognise, was none other than Duke Glassley. His sandy hair was tousled, and he kept running a hand through it, giving him a slightly windswept look. I am sure he probably thinks it's rather fetching.

A sharp pain in Olivia's ankle interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to find Jane staring at her with a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation.

"Did you just kick me?" Olivia forced herself not to rub at her ankle.

Jane nodded.

"Why on Earth did you do that?" Olivia could not keep the incredulity from her voice.

"You were glowering at Duke Glassley so violently that for a moment, I truly worried that you would storm over there and slap him." Jane shook her head.

"I would not do that." Olivia tried to sound as though it was an utterly ridiculous thing to suggest. Although, if I am honest, it is a rather tempting thought.

"Slapping a man in the middle of a party is hardly likely to encourage your suitor." Jane gave Olivia a meaningful look. "Especially if it simply appears that you have slapped him for no good reason."

"Is not his existence reason enough?" Olivia found herself glaring at Nigel once more and was rewarded with another kick from Jane. "Ow!"

"Stop. Doing. That," Jane hissed. "And no, his existence is definitely not reason enough to slap him."

"I was only joking." Olivia held up her hands in apology.

"Mmhm." Jane looked unconvinced. "If you find the man so irksome, stop looking at him."

"I am not doing it on purpose. It is like… you know when there is a particularly irksome fly that you really would rather not think about, but he — it keeps buzzing about, and you cannot help but try and find the source of the noise. It is like that."

"Olivia, the man is on the other side of the garden. He is hardly buzzing about you and causing a nuisance." Jane gave her a flat look.

"Look, he is glowering at me too." Olivia had just caught Nigel staring daggers back at her. Do not stick out your tongue, that would be rather juvenile.

"Then do not sink to his level." Jane tugged Olivia towards her.

"Well, I can hardly let him glower at me unchallenged. He will think he has won." Olivia returned to trying to will the Duke to leave with only her eyes. Or perhaps burst into flames. "Oh good, look he is moving; perhaps he is leaving."

"Or perhaps he wants a game of pall mall." Jane nodded in the direction of the pall mall alley.

"Well, I wish the most sincere luck to anyone who has to endure his company for the length of a game of pall mall." Olivia narrowed her eyes at the Duke's retreating back.

Jane kicked Olivia's other ankle. "Stop this. It's getting embarrassing."

Olivia rubbed her ankle. "I suppose you are right. It is just… he makes me so angry! I didn't think it was possible to find someone this aggravating."

"Olivia, I know that the two of you…" Jane cast a glance around to see if anyone was listening and lowered her voice. "I know that you have some history. But really, if you continue like this, no man will approach you — even with mother's matchmaking skills."

Olivia swallowed and turned away from Nigel. "You are right. I am sorry."

Jane looked relieved. "Besides Mother will return in a moment, and I am sure she will introduce us to the man who is to be your match this season."

Olivia nodded. "That is true. I should focus on that."

"Indeed." Jane smiled. "Duke Glassley is hardly worth your consideration."

"Absolutely." Olivia resisted the urge to turn around and see if the man was still glowering at her. Let him scowl. He is a gnat. An insignificant, irritating, self-important gnat. "I cannot wait to find out who he is."

"Then it is high time I introduce you." Lady Cotswalts voice said from behind Olivia making her jump.

"Truly?" Olivia's heart sped up. Oh God, why am I so nervous? "Is he here?"

Lady Cotswalts nodded. "He is indeed. Now, remember, what we discussed?"

"Appearances are everything. Even if I am nervous, I must not show it." Olivia took a deep breath. "Smile. Ask questions. Invite conversation but keep some mystery."

"Wonderful." Lady Cotswalts took Olivia and Jane by the arms. "Now, if you will both come with me, we have some introductions to make."

As Lady Cotswalts guided Olivia and Jane through the crowd, a nagging worry began to form in the back of Olivia's mind. The worry began to deepen as they passed several groups of men and continued towards the pall mall court.

She cannot be… She is not… Oh no, surely, she cannot be leading us to them? Olivia was just trying to work out how she could ask Lady Cotswalts what exactly she was planning without being rude when Nigel did something utterly unexpected.

The man turned around and spat his drink onto the ground. How barbaric! And this is the man that thinks he is better than me? Olivia barely had time to register her disgust when Nigel straightened, and their eyes locked.

"Ah, Duke Glassley." Lady Cotswalts sounded completely unruffled, as though encountering a man spitting in public was something normal. "So good to see you again."

"Lady Cotswalts," Nigel said stiffly, "I apologise. I… The lemonade does not seem to agree with me."

"It seems there is rather a lot that is not to your liking though I suppose you do have rather exacting standards," Olivia quipped before she could stop herself.

This time, she anticipated Jane's kick and managed to avoid it. Lady Cotswalts shot Olivia a smile that was more terrifying than anything she had ever seen before. The reprimand was so loud, it was almost as though the woman had spoken it. Is this a gift all mothers have?

Olivia swallowed and forced her face into a more neutral expression. I am not going to smile at him. I will not do it.

Lady Cotswalts was speaking, and Olivia intentionally focused on the woman, glad of the excuse not to look at Nigel. "And of course, Lord Briston. It is wonderful to see you as well."

"Thank you, Viscountess Cotswalts." Lord Briston, the man beside Nigel, bowed.

"And of course, allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Miss Jane Pembleton." Lady Cotswalts subtly presented Jane to Nigel and Lord Briston.

"A pleasure to meet you again, Miss Jane." Nigel smiled at Jane and made her a small bow. "I trust your shopping excursion was most successful?"

"Yes, thank you, Your Grace." Jane curtsied, returning Nigel's smile. "Though I am glad that we have now had the chance to be more formally introduced. And it is, of course, a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lord Briston."

"And you, Miss Jane." Lord Briston smiled and bowed to Jane.

"And of course, my dear Duke, I know that you have met Lady Olivia Rokesby. She is my ward for the season." Lady Cotswalts beamed and, to Olivia's surprise, moved her, not towards Nigel but towards Lord Briston. "Lord Briston, I do not believe you and Lady Olivia have been introduced."

Lord Briston smiled and shook his head. "No, I confess I have not had the pleasure of such an introduction. I am most glad to make your acquaintance, Lady Olivia."

"And I yours, Lord Briston." Olivia curtsied, trying to understand the odd sensation in her chest. This is the man Lady Cotswalts means to be my match. "Tell me, how do you know Duke Glassley?"

"We are cousins," Lord Briston answered.

"Do not hold it against him," Nigel laughed.

"Of course not, we cannot help who we are related to," Olivia replied sweetly.

"Do you enjoy pall mall?" Jane asked, clearly sensing the danger brewing between Olivia and Nigel.

"Yes, though I was just saying to my cousin that it is far more fun with more people." Nigel gestured towards the alley.

"That is an excellent idea. Why don't the four of you play a game together?" Lady Cotswalts clapped her hands together in anticipation. "I think it would be rather delightful."

"If the ladies wish to play, I would be most happy to oblige with a game," Lord Briston agreed.

"Splendid. I shall leave the four of you to it; after all, five is rather an awkward number." Lady Cotswalts gestured to the mallets and then left, casting Olivia a look that clearly said, ‘Stop glowering at Nigel when you are supposed to be getting to know his cousin.'

Olivia turned to Lord Briston. "Do you play with the standard rules or is there some variant you prefer?"

Lord Briston opened his mouth to reply, but Nigel answered, "My cousin is rather a stickler for the standard game though I feel the variants are far more entertaining."

Olivia felt the same way, but she was not going to admit that to Nigel. Thankfully, Jane saved her from having to say anything.

"I love pall mall variants. Ol — Lady Olivia and I were talking about our different family variants and how we might combine them." Jane glanced at Olivia. "I believe there were five rules we agreed in the end. Though if Lord Briston does not care for variants, I am sure we could take the traditional approach."

"No, I feel the gentlemanly thing to do would be to give the ladies the choice." Lord Briston smiled as he offered Olivia a mallet.

"Thank you, Lord Briston." Olivia smiled and took the mallet from him. "Though I feel it only fair to warn you both, that our variant does not involve particularly sportsman-like behaviour. And though your gallantry is appreciated, I shall not give you any preferential treatment."

"And do not expect it from us, for I play to win." Nigel met Olivia's gaze fleetingly before turning his attention to Jane.

"Oh, so do I, good sir. So do I." Olivia grinned, feeling the competitive spirit flare to life. "Shall we go over the rules?"

Nigel and Lord Briston nodded. Jane smiled and glanced at Olivia before saying. "There are six main rules. Rule one is to keep the game short — first to seven wins."

"Rule two is that we give no concessions. Be you child, adult, man, or woman, we will not give special treatment." Olivia held up two fingers.

"Rule three is that you must play the ball where it lies from the very start." Jane gestured to the balls scattered across the alley.

"Which brings us nicely to rule four, interference and distraction are all part of the game." Olivia strode towards the alley with her mallet in hand. "And of course, rule five, interference can include a direct strike of your opponent's though not in succession. You can hit their ball but then must return to your own."

"That is rather unusual," Lord Briston murmured.

"And what is the final rule?" Nigel followed Olivia and stood in front of one of the balls she was moving towards.

Olivia grinned, looked down at the gap between his legs and raised her mallet. Nigel's eyes widened as she swung. Her aim was true, and she struck the pall mall ball, sending it sailing between his legs and through the iron hoop at the end of the alley.

She let out a triumphant laugh as she met Nigel's gaze. "Rule five is win by any means necessary."

Grinning at the look of astonishment on Nigel's face, she saw Jane claim one of the better placed balls and smack it towards the hoop. It sailed through.

"I believe that is one point a piece for us both." Olivia said to Nigel. "If you stand there and gawp much longer, then you'll have no chance of winning."

And with that, she turned her back on him and set about finding her ball.