Page 20 of Pursuing a Duke
“I didn’t see you earlier, Hollingsworth. I didn’t know you were attending.” Andrew led Emmeline to a comfortable chair and took the one beside her for himself.
“I’m still in the market for a wife, thanks to Langford,” Hollingsworth said. “I was informed there would be several young ladies attending who hoped to make advantageous matches.”
“And you consider yourself one?”
“Hilarious, Blackstone.”
“What about Lady Priscilla? I thought your banns would be posted by now,” Andrew said.
“Yes, well.” Hollingsworth tugged on his cravat. “It appears she couldn’t escape me fast enough. She ran off and married a naval officer with whom she had secretly exchanged letters. He is the cousin of an acquaintance of hers.” He took a shot and missed. “My self-esteem has become non-existent as of late.”
Andrew couldn’t help himself teasing. “Perhaps you will find a lady who will overlook your damaged person and advanced age.”
Hollingsworth missed another shot. “If you don’t shut up, I will lose this game. And since when is thirty-five old?”
Flinging out his arm, Andrew said, “Just hurry up and finish the game. Mrs. Fitzpatrick and I would like to play.”
“Please take your time,” Emmeline interjected. “There are several hours yet until dinner and dancing.”
Thirty minutes later their game ended with Caldwell winning. Hollingsworth was a terrible billiards player.
Andrew stood and held out his hand to Emmeline. “The table is ours.”
Hollingsworth and Caldwell poured themselves drinks from the sideboard. “Don’t mind if we stay and watch,” Hollingsworth said with a smirk as he sat in the chair vacated by Andrew, and Caldwell sat in the one Emmeline had occupied.
“Not at all. Perhaps you will learn something.” He winked at Emmeline. “Emmeline used to be a fierce competitor.”
Laughing, she picked up a mace. “That was a long time ago,” she said as she concentrated on striking her white ball with the foot of the mace. They agreed the game would end when the first player reached twenty-one points. Emmeline focused on hitting her white ball into the red ball and sinking it into the pocket, which would give her three points.
“You missed,” Andrew chuckled. “I remember a time you could make that shot with your eyes closed.”
“Yes, well. I told you it’s been quite a while since I played. Aiden wasn’t a fan of billiards.”
Andrew winced and shrugged his shoulders before he took his turn. “No. He wasn’t. Which is why you and I played.” He hit his white ball with the opposite end of the mace and put her white ball into the nearest pocket, earning himself two points. He tried not to appear concerned after her mention of Aiden but suspected he wasn’t entirely successful.
“Nice shot,” she said.
The game dragged on, but Emmeline didn’t seem to mind. When they had finally finished several games—she won two and Andrew won three—they both went to their respective rooms. Dinner couldn’t come soon enough.
