The group moved towards the center of the room, where a large, shallow bowl of raisins soaked in brandy sat atop a low table. A footman stepped forward, lighting the brandy, andblue flames flickered to life, casting ghostly shadows across the room as the candles were snuffed out.
“Who will go first?” her mother asked.
“I will.” Niles stepped forward, his movements confident, and deftly plucked a raisin from the flames before popping it into his mouth. “Delicious,” he declared with a triumphant smile.
Not one to be outdone, Elsbeth reached into the fiery bowl and retrieved two raisins in one quick motion. “I do believe I’m winning,” she said with a playful tilt of her head.
Niles chuckled. “Slow down, my lady. The game has only just begun.”
Eugenie removed her gloves and approached the flames, her expression one of determination. “I beat my brother the last time we played Snapdragon,” she informed them.
Niles smirked. “You won by a single raisin, Eugenie, and only because the bowl was empty.”
“Excuses, as always,” Eugenie retorted, rolling her eyes.
Lady Margaret took a cautious step back from the fiery bowl. “This is very much a young person’s game,” she remarked. “I think I’ll observe from a safe distance.”
“You’re unlikely to catch fire, Lady Margaret,” Elsbeth said, trying to reassure her.
“But not entirely impossible,” the older woman replied with amusement in her eyes.
Charles joined Eugenie at the table, his expression contemplative. “It’s said that whoever retrieves the most snapdragons will meet their true love within the year.”
“That’s an old wives’ tale,” Eugenie dismissed, though her cheeks colored slightly.
As the game continued, laughter filled the room, mingling with the scent of brandy and the crackling of flames. For the first time in what felt like ages, Elsbeth felt truly at ease. She couldn’t recall the last time she had laughed so freely or felt sounburdened. Surrounded by friends and family, she allowed herself to savor the moment.
When Niles plucked the final raisin from the bowl, he held it up. “And with this raisin, I declare myself the victor!” he announced with mock grandeur.
“Barely,” Eugenie muttered.
Elsbeth turned to him. “Well done, my lord. It appears you excel at this game.”
Niles’s grin widened. “I excel at all games I play, my lady.”
Eugenie groaned. “Now you’re just being insufferable, Brother.”
“You are only upset because you lost,” Niles said.
A footman extinguished the flames and carried the bowl away, while the candles were relit, restoring the room to its warm glow.
“Would anyone care for tea?” Elsbeth’s mother offered as she gestured to the tea cart.
Niles placed a hand on his stomach, feigning a grimace. “I fear I’ve eaten far too many snapdragons.”
“Serves you right,” Eugenie quipped.
Her mother turned towards her. “Would you care to pour the tea, Elsbeth?”
Elsbeth nodded and rose, making her way to the tea tray. The fine porcelain gleamed in the soft candlelight as she lifted the pot and began pouring. One by one, she handed out the cups as everyone settled into their seats around the room.
“What a delightful game that was,” her mother declared.
Elsbeth arched an eyebrow. “I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t play, Mother.”
Her mother waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, I thought it best to step back with Margaret and let you young people enjoy yourselves.”
As Elsbeth’s gaze swept the room, her brow furrowedslightly. “Where is Alfred?” she asked, the question slipping out before she could think better of it.
