Page 87 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

When we reached the lawn, we found some of the others waiting. There were comfortable chairs spread out for the audience, and a net had been pulled across to divide the makeshift court.

Helena and Agatha had Stefan cornered, and he was laughing easily at whatever they were saying. The sight of him made something tighten in my chest, and I fought to keep the animosity I felt from my face. Agatha looked delicate and blooming in her tennis dress, and there was excitement in her eyes. I felt Helena’s gaze on me as I approached, taking my measure once again.

The dowager countess was sitting in a large cane chair surrounded by plump cushions, a lace parasol in one hand. She looked like a queen, and Nick was standing beside her. I tried not to stare, but my mouth went dry. It could have been because last night had shifted things between us for ever, or it could have been the sight of him in his form-fitting tennis whites, but either way the result was the same. I felt shy and awkward.

“Here’s your partner now,” the dowager countess called, beckoning me over. “I was just telling Nicholas that I expect the two of you to uphold the family name.”

“I’m afraid your grandson has been saddled with the wrong partner, then.” I grimaced. “Tennis is not my sport.”

“So much the better,” Nick replied promptly. “We can get knocked out in the first round and lounge about with a drink instead.”

I met his eye, and despite his usual, impassive expression, there was warmth and good humour in his gaze. I felt myself relax.

“I seem to remember you telling me you had a real talent for tennis, thanks to your height,” I said.

There was a laugh in his voice as he replied, “It’s possible that I exaggerated.”

The Bells arrived then, with the colonel and Jack close behind.

“I shan’t worry about any competition from you, Wynter.” Jack grinned. “Can’t ever stand to get your tennis whites dirty. You look very fetching, by the way.”

“Kind of you to notice,” Nick murmured. “But I’m sure anyone would look fetching next to your rag-mannered style. That poor valet of yours suffers daily.”

“And doesn’t he let me know it?” Jack groaned. “It’s all Lord Wynter this, and Lord Wynter that…”

“A man of exquisite taste, as I have often commented.”

“What do you think, Lady Sophia?” Jack turned to her. “As my partner, are you ashamed to be seen with me?” He turned in a circle, showing off his own perfectly presentable suit.

Sophia giggled. “I think there are certainly few who could compete with Lord Wynter on a sartorial front,” she said mock-seriously. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen white clothes look so white before. Perhaps his plan is to dazzle his opponents?”

“I think you’re right!” Jack waved his racquet accusingly. “Make sure Wynter and Miss Fox are playing in the shade, he’ll be absolutely deadly in direct sunlight!”

“Already making excuses for your inevitable loss, Waterford?” Nick quirked an eyebrow. “It’s sad, really.”

In fact, we didn’t even have to play against Jack and Sophia. Our first game was against Agatha and Stefan, and it was clear from the outset that we were outmatched.

Nick had not exaggerated after all. He was a proficient tennis player and for a while he managed to keep us afloat – those long limbs really did come in handy. I did my best, leaping around, even managing to get in a couple of good shots, but all in all it was a poor showing, and there was one particularly spectacular moment in which I tripped over my own skirts and went sailing over backwards, landing on the ground with an audible thump, the air knocked clean out of me.

I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them, Nick’s face hovered in the blue sky above me. He raised his eyebrows.

“Do you think anyone noticed?” I whispered.

Laughter danced in his eyes, and I felt an answering smile on my own lips.

“I’m sure they were all too dazzled by the elegance of my ensemble,” he replied.

I burst out laughing then, right there on the grass, and he held out a hand, hauling me to my feet. The others cheered, Jack letting out a loud, ear-splitting whistle, and I bowed.

“I think it’s best we concede,” I said. “For the sake of my dignity – or what remains of it.”

Gracious in victory, Agatha rushed forward, her cheeks pink, her grey-green eyes shining. “Miss Fox, what a tumble!” she exclaimed. “You poor thing, you’d better sit down with a nice glass of lemonade.”

“I think you’re quite right,” I agreed, wincing as I brushed off my skirts.

“Still, a good game.” Stefan beamed, coming forward to shake Nick’s hand. “A worthy opponent.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Nick replied evenly.