“The day is still young,” Elodie said, her lips curled up into a smile. “But I am playing to win, Brother.”
“As am I,” Winston assured her.
Elodie didn’t quite look convinced but she didn’t press the issue. “Shall we begin?”
Bennett clasped his hands together and declared, “Let the game begin!” He hurried over to Delphine and offered his arm to assist her in rising.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Leaning closer, Bennett said, “I hope you are prepared for this.”
Delphine offered him a baffled look. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Our games of pall-mall can get rather intense,” Bennett warned. “They are not for the faint of heart.”
“But it is just a game,” Delphine attempted.
Bennett huffed. “Just a game?” he repeated. “Dear heavens, you are not ready for this. Perhaps you should go inside and work on your needlework over a cup of tea.”
Delphine’s eyes grew determined. “I assure you that I can handle a game of pall-mall with your family.”
“So say you,” Bennett said.
Elodie’s voice broke through their conversation. “Are you two quite finished conversing? We have a game that we must play and it is Delphine’s turn.”
Bennett hoped the look he gave Delphine conveyed that he told her so. “Run, Delphine. Run,” he teased.
Holding up her mallet, Delphine brushed past him to where the first arch was set. She positioned herself near the ball and brought the mallet back. In a smooth motion, she hit the ball and it soared right past the arch.
Delphine winced. “I’m sorry, Bennett. That wasn’t my finest shot.”
“No need to apologize,” Bennett said as he came closer to her. “I anticipated this and I am prepared to play like I have never played before.”
Elodie lifted her brow. “What words are you mincing? Are you drunk?”
Delphine giggled. “I asked him the same thing earlier.”
“Will you just hit your ball so Winston and I can beat you two already?” Elodie asked.
Bennett approached his ball and asked, “What is your hurry?”
“I do not wish to lollygag on the lawn all afternoon when I have very important things to do later,” Elodie said.
“Dare I ask what those things are?” Winston asked.
Elodie didn’t look the least bit ashamed as she revealed, “A nap.”
“That is your important thing to do today?” Winston inquired.
With a slight shrug, Elodie said, “Naps are very important. I am a much happier person with a daily nap.”
Winston shuddered. “I would hate to see you without a nap then.”
Bennett made a few practice swings with the mallet before he stepped forward and lined the ball up with the arch. With practiced ease, he hit the ball and it sailed through the arch. He held up his mallet in triumph.
“Calm down, Brother,” Melody teased, “you hit the ballthrough the arch. It wasn’t as if you defeated Napoleon single-handedly.”
“It was an impressive shot,” Bennett declared.
