"No fatalities!"the crowd chorused.
"And no aiming for bishops!"she added."They bruise."
"It's like watching Esme once she is wed," Magnus said quietly.
"An alarming image," James said.
Before Magnus could reply, Genny materialized at James's elbow, eyes bright."Lord Redford, we require your assistance."
"Am I to be used as target practice?"
"Not unless you insist.Louisa would like Lady Honoria occupied while we...rearrange some team pairings."
He glanced at Louisa, who stood near the other end of the lawn, apparently engrossed in a discussion of shuttlecocks with Esme.Their heads were bent close, the picture of innocuous feminine interest.He did not trust it for a moment.
"What is the goal?"he asked.
"To put Miss Eaton and Mr.Carstairs on the same team, without Lady Honoria insisting on inserting herself between them like a particularly determined chaperone."
"Lady Honoria believes it is her sacred duty to stand between people and happiness," Magnus murmured.
"Exactly.Hence our need for distraction.You are very distracting, Lord Redford."
"How kind of you to say so.And what sort of distraction do you have in mind?"He arched a brow.
Genny grinned."Flattery, gossip, perhaps a vague hint that someone here has written a poem about her."
James winced."Cruel."
"Kind for Lady Honoria lives on attention.We are merely feeding her."
Alexandra's whistle shrieked again."Form your teams!Four per side!If you cannot count to four, find someone who can!"
"Go," Genny urged, giving James a little shove."We'll handle the rest."
Honoria was, as expected, at the center of the forming chaos."No, Lord Bertram, you cannot be on three teams.You are barely competent to occupy one body.Lady Agnes, do stop hiding behind the shrubbery."
James slid into her orbit."Lady Honoria."
"Redford," she said, her fan pausing."How nice to see you."
"Duty calls," he said."I could not leave you without proper admiration."
"Mmm."Her gaze swept over him."What do you want?"
"To be on whichever team you deem most likely to win," he said."I seek reflected glory."
Lady Honoria's sharp profile softened."An honest answer.How inconvenient.Very well.You may join my team."
He bowed."I am honored."
As she turned, he caught sight of Louisa shepherding Miss Eaton and Mr.Carstairs toward a far pitch.Esme, racket in hand, drifted that way as well, her expression neutral.Genny darted behind Lady Honoria, seizing the moment to nudge place cards on the small chalkboard that listed teams.
Order of Battle: Eaton-Carstairs-Esme-Genny versus a hapless collection of young gentlemen.
Perfect.
James allowed himself a small smile.The Mutual Mischief Society was in excellent form.
