She laughed. “That’s the best compliment I’ve ever received.”
“Good to hear, because I want a re-match.”
“Challenge accepted, Your Grace.”
All the happiness and sense of freedom Esther had experienced during the cricket game and the promenade with Alexander vanished the moment she climbed into the carriage with her mother.
Not because Mother was disappointed. But because she was too excited.
“Excellent strategy.” Mother patted her hand as the carriage rocked right and left. “Playing cricket with the duke was a stroke of genius. You fooled him so well.”
That hurt. “I didn’t fool him. I was simply being myself, and he was impressed by my skills. He told me he wants me in his cricket team every time we play. It wasn’t a plan, but a genuine bout of happiness. I didn’t manipulate him.”
“That’s even better. Now, we must think about our next move.”
“I refuse to talk about that.” Alexander wasn’t a ‘plan’ or a ‘good match.’ He’d seemed lonely to her, which she hadn’t expected. Selfishly, she’d thought she was more lonely than he was.
“You can’t stop the pursuit now.” Mother released a long breath. “Do you want Minnie to win?”
She tensed. “What does the duke have to do with Minnie?”
“Minnie’s grandmother learnt His Grace will be in Brighton next week for a competition.”
“And?”
“Minnie’s father has a house in Brighton, right next to the duke’s. Do you see what that means?”
“That Minnie will spend a few days with the duke.” She wished she didn’t sound upset.
“Away from London, which isn’t to be underestimated.”
She touched a little blister on her palm. After she’d used the cricket bat, her skin had cracked, but the pain didn’t bother her because she’d laughed too much with Alexander. “If he prefers Minnie, there’s nothing I can do.”
“You must be joking.” Mother’s eyes were ablaze with determination.
“You have the same wild light in your eyes as when you started chasing the wrong gentleman, and I don’t like it.”
The carriage gave a jolt, but Mother didn’t lose her composure.
“When you play cricket, do you admit defeat easily?” Mother asked.
“No. A losing team can recover with the right strategy.”
“Exactly!” Mother said. “That’s why we’re going to Brighton with Minnie.”
“What?” She should be outraged by Mother’s machinations. If Alexander hadn’t been involved, she might have been. But the idea of seeing him again wasn’t bad at all.
“I had a long chat with Minnie’s grandmother.” Mother leant closer and whispered, “She’s a whist fanatic.”
She didn’t understand what Mother implied. “Is it a secret?”
“I challenged her to a whist tournament. One thing led to another, and she fell into my trap, asking me to go with her and Minnie to Brighton to start our tournament.” Mother smirked. “I was very subtle.”
She doubted that.
“Once you’re there, you’ll do exactly what Minnie does, the way she does it, as she does it, and you’ll make sure she stays away from the duke.”
Esther sagged on the seat. How to ruin a lovely day.
