He gestured to two young women who smiled kindly at Jane. Both were a few years older than her and had giggled as Blake had gestured to them. Jane felt a stab of irritation but pushed it down.
“And bowls is no fun without decent competition,” the Duke of Emberly added.
“And you assume we would be suitably skilled?” Jane smiled.
“Of course, you are so very adept at most things.” Blake caught her eye, and she felt something stir within her. “Unless you do not think you are up to the challenge?”
“If the challenge is beating you, then I would say I am very much up to it.” Jane smiled at Blake. “Though if you think to disarm me with compliments, I would suggest you are wasting your time.”
“Miss Pembleton, there is no need to disarm you—after all, we are bowling, not fencing. Unless you plan on using the ball as a weapon?” Blake grinned at her.
“I have not yet decided. It depends on how irksome certain dukes decide to be,” Jane replied as she moved to eye up the course that had been set up.
“Well, I can only assume you are talking about Rokesby or Maxton, for I could never be irksome.” Blake glanced over his shoulder at the other gentlemen, each of whom rolled their eyes at him.
“Could you not? I find that rather hard to believe.” Jane raised an eyebrow at him, feeling the corners of her lips curl into a smile despite her best efforts.
Blake glanced around and added in a stage whisper, “Of course you do. You see, I never intend to be irksome, as I tend to aspire to far greater things.”
“Such as?”
“Being exasperatingly disagreeable.” Blake bowed as Jane laughed.
Emily and the others joined in, though the two other ladies did not.
Before Jane could reply, a voice said from behind her, “Is there room for one more in your game?”
The overly sweet smell of violets washed over them, and Lady Waterburry slipped in front of Jane, blocking her view of Blake as she did so. She smiled at Blake and then glanced around, seeming to size up every person, her eyes lingering on Jane for a moment before apparently dismissing her.
Jane caught herself clenching her fists and forced herself to unclench them. “I am sure there is always room for one more.”
“How kind. Ah! Emberly, Glassley, how wonderful to see you both again. And, of course, the Duke of Caden.” Lady Waterburry curtsied.
“Lady Waterburry.” Alexander bowed. “Have you met the rest of our party?”
Lady Waterburry’s eyes flicked to Jane, and she smiled unkindly. “Only briefly, it was not the occasion for formal introductions.”
Alexander’s face was impassive as he said, “Well, allow me to introduce you to my sisters-in-law, Miss Jane Pembleton and Miss Emily Pembleton. And these are Lady Davenport and Lady Grey.”
“A pleasure to meet all of you.” Lady Waterburry did not curtsy but simply inclined her head.
“And you. So good to have been formally introduced, you seemed in such a hurry to leave the last time we met,” Jane said, keeping her voice pleasant.
“Well, it was a rather unexpected meeting,” Lady Waterburry replied. “And I do not tend to pay attention to people in such tender moments.”
“Evidently. Though our party is the same size. In fact, it is a little larger than that night. Will you be able to manage?” Jane replied smoothly.
“I am sure I will find a way.” Lady Waterburry’s eyes darted between Jane and Blake, and Jane saw a hunger in them.
“Well, if it is all too much for you, I am sure one of us will be more than happy to escort you to the drinks tent for a little rest,” Lady Grey chimed in kindly.
“Thank you, I am sure that will not be necessary. You will, of course, have to make allowances, for I am only a novice bowler. Perhaps someone might be willing to teach me?” Lady Waterburry’s voice was overly sweet, but Jane was not fooled by her act as the woman pretended to glance around before her eyes fell on Blake.
“I am sure we would all be happy to help you. After all, everyone must begin somewhere.” The Duke of Glassley smiled at Lady Waterburry. “Miss Jane Pembleton is actually a rather fine bowler and a rather good teacher.”
“Is she? How very unusual for a lady to be so accomplished.” Lady Waterburry smiled at Jane, though the coldness in her eyes made the smile seem more like a sneer. “However do you find the time?”
“I have many interests,” Jane replied, refusing to rise to Lady Waterburry’s bait. “And there are many hours in the day.”
