Chapter 5

Five

L ady Godderidge assigned the women their places before the men finished their port and joined them, explaining that after each hand, the men would rotate tables and the ladies would remain. Phil's heart swelled knowing her mother's friend planned an activity where Alex could remain seated, leaving no reason for anyone to stare at the limp that became more pronounced when her sister was nervous.

Phil found herself seated next to Miss Simesson as they waited for the men.

"Which do you prefer, whist or piquet? Lady Godderidge instructed each table to choose what game is to be played. I'm frightfully bad at both." Miss Simesson twisted the finger of her glove back and forth.

While she preferred the more challenging piquet, she would not force Miss Simesson to make a poor showing. "I often play with my sisters. You choose the game. Both are enjoyable."

"I choose piquet." The decision came quicker than Phil expected, considering Miss Simesson claimed not to play well.

"You're positive? Whist is easier and the scoring more straightforward."

The grin on Miss Simesson's face resembled the expression on Rose's when she convinced the cook to give her an extra treat or her sisters to end classes early. "I am certain."

"Is this your first Season?" asked Phil.

"Yes. Are you being presented at court?"

It had been an option, since both Mother and Aunt had been presented years ago, however Alex fell over mid-curtsy more often than not. In the end, they'd made the practical choice to use their dress allowance for something they could wear again and forgo the experience of a court worthy gown and crinoline. "Not this year. Are you?"

"Mother found the perfect sponsor for me. I can hardly wait." Miss Simesson's nose tipped up ever so slightly.

So, she paid for the privilege of being introduced to the Queen. The Simessons must be more desperate for their daughter to wed a title than Sir Lightwood. For the first time, Phil sensed the amount and type of competition she might face in this game of catching a husband. Would that she had the luxury of finding love as her aunt did.

As the men entered the room, Lady Godderidge assigned them to their tables for the first round. Edward sat opposite Phil as her partner. His brother-in-law, Lord Endelton, partnered with Miss Simesson. Phil nodded at both men. No warmth came to her cheeks as they were apt to do over every minor embarrassment. Hopefully, the viscount would forget her fall ever happened. With his slightly mussed hair, lean build and tall frame, he would be highly sought after. He had also been kind, which Phil valued more than looks.

"Tell me, Phil, do you still cheat at cards?" asked Edward, as jovial as she remembered.

Did their old friend have no sense? Beginning the conversation with this could only taint her in the eyes of all at the table. Defending herself would be worse.

A gasp came from Miss Simesson. "Phil?"

Edward reddened. "You must forgive me, Miss Philippa. The moment I saw you and your sister, I drew my mind back to our younger days. I meant no disrespect."

The corner of Lord Endelton's mouth inched up, otherwise he kept his face a mask. He would be difficult to play against.

Phil tapped her fan on her palm. "None taken. After all, it took me several moments to recognize you without mud on your person. And I have not cheated at cards for years. I only did because you taught me."

Edward laughed. "Touché, Miss Philippa. What is our game?"

"Piquet." Miss Simesson moved the cards in front of her partner.

Lord Endelton dealt the cards. True to her word, Miss Simesson was as terrible at cards as she claimed. Hand after hand, she laid down her cards out of turn or didn't follow the play. Phil worked to keep a polite smile in place. Edward raised his brow when Miss Simesson picked up another mislaid card.

Turning to Phil, Miss Simesson blinked her eyes rapidly. "I told you I could not play well."

Phil tilted her head in disbelief. "Which is why I advised you to choose whist."

"You said piquet was easier." Miss Simesson waved her fan viciously in front of her eyes.

Denial flowed through Phil's veins. This woman wanted her to argue. Three years of rearing her younger sisters had taught Phil the futility of such a move. Meanwhile, the fan Miss Simesson held increased its speed. Phil worried her opponent might injure herself, which would serve her right for the ruse she tried to play. Phil placed her hand on Miss Simesson's arm, pulling the fan away from the danger zone. Miss Simesson's fluttering froze. Phil took advantage of the moment. "It is a simple enough thing to fix. We can rearrange the cards for whist."

"Or perhaps you would prefer loo?" offered the viscount.

"I'm quite good at vingt-et-un." Miss Simesson smiled as if she shared some secret with the viscount.

Across the table, Edward gathered the cards. If there were points given for monopolizing the men at the table, Miss Simesson won. Being married, Edward wasn't her target. Phil glanced at the viscount. If he was so easily taken in, then he wasn't someone she would be happy with. Any husband she or Alex found needed to see through their father's subterfuge. The light cleft in his chin could not make up for a weak mind.

Pity. She'd hoped with his kindness, he'd be a match for her sister.

The third rotation of cards commenced with Michael partnered with the elder Miss Lightwood. Beside him, Edward partnered with his mother.

Lady Godderidge beamed. "Oh, this should be the best match of the evening. I may have a chance of winning with my son as a partner."

"Mother, it may not be fair as we have played together so often."

Miss Lightwood shifted in her seat. A flash of pain crossed her face and was quickly masked by a half smile. "Having firmly trounced your mother and her last two partners, I see no problem with the arrangement unless Lord Endelton objects?" She nodded in Michael's direction but didn't meet his eyes.

"No objection whatsoever."

"Edward, deal for piquet if you will." Lady Godderidge handed her son the cards.

Edward, in turn, handed the cards to Michael. "I believe you could use the advantage. Luck has not been with you tonight."

"Did Philippa lose?" Miss Lightwood's attention focused on the table on the far side of the room.

"The game went poorly, but it was not your sister's fault. Miss Simesson seemed most determined to lose." Edward's answer differed from Michael's perception of the game.

Michael paused in his deal. He had thought Miss Simesson to be the victim. She insisted Miss Philippa had chosen the game, and Edward had accused the woman of cheating. Not wishing to disparage Miss Lightwood's younger sister, he continued the deal. Lady Godderidge played the first card. By the third round, it was obvious Miss Lightwood was skilled at the game.

When the final card was laid, Lady Godderidge conceded the loss to Lord Endelton and Miss Lightwood. "What a delightful game. I wish we had time for a rematch. I didn't expect to lose with my son as a partner."

A smile lit Miss Lightwood's face. "I would advise you not to play against George and Jane. They are the true experts of the family."

"How are your sisters?" Lady Godderidge asked. "I haven't seen the twins in ever so long."

"They are well. George—" color bloomed on Miss Lightwood's cheek. "I mean Georgiana has brought Mother's gardens back to order, and Jane has been learning Greek."

"And your youngest sister?" asked Edward.

"Rose is determined to grow up twice as fast as she should, if only to not attend to her studies in the schoolroom. She was quite put out that she could not have a Season yet, despite being only ten years old." Again, Miss Lightwood's smile didn't touch her eyes despite her light tone. "I suppose, like all of us, she is too excited to meet the next phase of life to enjoy the one she is in."

A mantel clock chimed.

"It is time for me to end the games. It has been delightful to see you again, Miss Lightwood, Lord Endelton." Lady Godderidge stood, and her son escorted her away.

Michael retook his seat. "Thank you for the game, Miss Lightwood. I was afraid I would go all evening without winning a hand."

"I am sorry your earlier games did not go your way. Philippa is more skilled than I at most games."

"Really? Edward said she cheated."

"She doesn't. She hasn't in years. Not since we ordered the cards in the deck and Edward and his brother caught us. Phil was only twelve. It is hardly fair to hold such an old offense against her. It was not as if Edward and David were blameless. They taught us how to stack cards with their own cheating."

"Your association with the Godderidges goes back some years?"

"One of my earliest memories is of Lady Godderidge's nursery. The boys were teasing Isabel, Philippa, and me. I don't remember specifics, only that our mothers were not pleased. Here is my sister now." Miss Lightwood turned her attention to the woman approaching behind Michael.

Michael stood. "Would you care to join us?"

Miss Philippa nodded in greeting but didn't take the offered seat. "Lord Endelton, I hope you fared well with my sister as a partner."

"We were fortunate enough to have won our match."

"I'm glad." Miss Philippa slipped around the table and removed a cane from behind a planter near the wall. "Aunt insists we leave now."

Miss Lightwood frowned slightly. "Lord Endelton, may I impose on you for a moment? I require assistance."

"I—" The sound barely crossed Miss Philippa's lips as she moved to her sister's far side and handed her sister the cane.

Miss Lightwood extended her gloved hand toward Michael. He held out his own. Instead of taking his hand, Miss Lightwood clasped his arm above the wrist with surprising strength. Michael instinctively reciprocated, supporting her as she slowly rose. Miss Philippa moved the chair out of the way, giving her sister room to balance. Miss Lightwood froze in place for a moment before releasing Michael's arm.

"Thank you." The appreciative words came from Miss Philippa, whose eyes never left her sister's progress. Miss Lightwood nodded with a tight-lipped smile. Their aunt stood by the parlor door, talking to Lady Godderidge. Slowly working their way across the room, the Lightwood sisters joined her.

Miss Simesson and her mother appeared at Michael's elbow. "Such a pleasant evening." The mother pushed her daughter forward.

Miss Simesson fluttered her fan. "Thank you for understanding about our game."

Her mother patted her daughter's arm. "You poor dear. I can't believe that woman tricked you."

Michael glanced at the retreating Miss Philippa. Which woman was to be believed? A year away from the ton had dulled his senses. How had he thought choosing a wife would be easy?