“Nor do I,” Jane promised.
“Well, I for one would like to bowl. And I thank the good lady for her assistance.” Lady Waterburry’s eyes flashed with irritation briefly, before she turned to Blake and said, “Perhaps you would be so kind as to demonstrate whatMissPembleton has just told me? I fear I have not quite understood her demonstration.”
“Of course, though I am sure the good lady would be happy to show you again.” Blake smiled at Lady Waterburry, and Jane turned away, though she felt his eyes on her.
“I would prefer it if you showed me. After all, you have such strong hands. So large, so perfect for… demonstrating.”
Jane only just managed not to roll her eyes, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of red at the brazenness of the woman in front of her.
Perhaps I am being unkind. I have spent too much time with the Duke if I see everything in such an impure light.
“Of course,” Blake replied smoothly. “If you hold the ball like this.”
He took the ball from Lady Waterburry, holding it gently and almost correctly. Jane moved towards him without thinking, adjusting his fingers slightly. His warmth seeped into her.
“Actually, it is more like this.” She stepped away quickly, her cheeks reddening as she glanced away.
“Thank you, Miss Pembleton,” Blake murmured. “This is a much better grip.”
“It is my pleasure, Your Grace,” Jane replied.
Blake handed the ball back to Lady Waterburry. “Why don’t you try?”
She took it from him, her grip still awkward. Jane itched to correct her but held back. She did not want to seem like a know-it-all, and too many times women like Lady Waterburry had fired such an accusation at her.
“Like this?” Lady Waterburry asked, her eyes wide and doe-like.
Jane caught Emily’s eye, and her sister mouthed, “She cannot be serious?”
Jane shrugged.
“If you move your fingers like this.” Blake demonstrated with his hand. “Yes, that’s it. Now just aim, and then move your arm back and release. The ball will do most of the work for you.”
“It is rather heavier than I anticipated…” Lady Waterburry trailed off, her meaning obvious.
“Why don’t you use this one? It is lighter.” Emily smiled brightly as she handed the woman a lighter bowling ball.
“Thank you.” Lady Waterburry’s reply was short but not rude.
It was obvious to Jane that she was annoyed, and Jane found that she quite enjoyed that fact. Lady Waterburry took up the position and threw the ball towards the pins. It struck them squarely in the middle, knocking all but one pin to the ground.
“An excellent strike!” Alexander clapped his hands together.
“Beginner’s luck,” Lady Waterburry replied, fanning herself slightly as she glanced at Jane.
She took up another ball but failed to knock over the final pin. Smiling, she turned to Jane as one of the servants reordered the pins and fetched the balls. “I believe it is your turn.”
Jane smiled back at the woman and picked up one of the other balls. She lined up her shot and threw the ball so that there was a gentle curve to its motion. It struck, the pins fell, and not a single one was left standing.
“Well done, Jane!” Emily hugged her.
“Excellent.” Nigel smiled broadly.
“Brilliant work.” Alexander clapped his hands together. “At last, we’ll have some healthy competition.”
“Never doubted we would,” Blake murmured, and Jane turned to find him watching her.
Their eyes met, his blue eyes matching the blue of the sky above them. Something in Jane’s chest twisted, and a moment later she broke their gaze.
