The first game didn’t take too long as she found Sebastian to be correct: he wasn’t very good at chess. She corrected him more than once about the different options per piece on the board. And when she was one move away from check mate, he didn’t even seem to notice.
“I never had much patience for sitting games,” he said in way of an apology.
Shaking her head, Isabel chuckled and shifted the blanket she’d set on her lap halfway through the match. “You played a fairgame. And I’m sure I can imagine you preferred to be on your feet.”
“Always.” Sebastian hesitated but eventually put his pieces back correctly. “You play well.”
“Thank you. Would you be willing to try another match?”
He raised an eyebrow. “So you wish to destroy the rest of my confidence? Very well. Will you at least permit me to start again?”
“Only if you think you need the help,” she teased.
With that, Sebastian let out a sound that came off much more like a snort. Then he carefully turned the board to offer her white. She couldn’t resist a short giggle. Covering her mouth with her hand, she looked up to meet Sebastian’s playful expression.
It was practically a smile. A slight one, but definitely a smile. The sight warmed her heart. How attractive the man was no matter what he did or where she seemed to find him.
If only…
Brushing off her quiet desires, she nodded. “I would like that very much, Sebastian. And don’t you worry, I’ll be certain to play easy for you.”
“Not too easy, I hope. I’m not that awful, am I?”
“You could be better.”
“And worse.”
They met each other’s gazes and smiled. Reaching out to move a piece, she didn’t look too closely. Her hand brushed against his before he could pull away. Inhaling sharply, Isabel jerked back at the warmth.
“Pardon me,” she murmured.
“Worry not. You should focus on trying to beat me,” he pointed out even while making a terrible move with his knight.
Sebastian paused, still holding the piece, and moved it back after gauging her expression. Looking up at him, she raised an eyebrow to give a slight nod with his next move with a pawn.
“Very impressive move,” she said with a playful wink.
“I learn from the best,” he responded graciously.
Wishing she could wash off the blush from her cheeks, Isabel gave a shake of her head. She made her next move a moment later. The two of them continued their game even when Pearl woke and moved onto Isabel’s shoulder, allowing them time to tease and play the game.
Isabel didn’t try to win, but it was too easy.
“I’m sorry,” she said with a giggle. Sebastian was leaning forward to scowl at the chess set like it had made him fail. “I can try to let you win next time?”
“And let you crush me a third time? No, thank you.” He leaned back and moved to his feet before putting out a hand to her. “Besides, the hour is late and you’ve yawned twice.”
Isabel wrinkled her nose. “I was hoping you hadn’t noticed.”
He pulled her up gently as she had Pearl in one arm. “I notice everything. Shall I walk you to your room?”
“Yes, thank you.” As they made their way from the library down the hall, an idea came to her. “Perhaps another game. What is something you would have a chance at winning? Besides boxing, of course. I don’t think I know how to hit anything and I’m not certain I wish to learn.”
“Nor would I be willing to box you,” Sebastian told her sternly. He thought about it for a moment. “It is a fine notion. Perhaps a more even game for us. What about a race?”
“Running?”
A chortle escaped him, his body rumbling beside hers. “I was thinking more along the lines of horse riding.”
