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And Fyre.
They were walking together toward the group, but where they had come from, he wasn’t sure. Jealousy ran hot and swift through him.
Caulfield lifted his head and locked gazes with him seconds before he laughed aloud. Others glanced at them, and Phillip had to swallow the growl that threatened to erupt.
“Are you going to play, Lord Edais?”
He glanced down to see one of Mr. Tennemin’s sons standing there.
“Is there room for me?”
“Of course,” the boy said with a smile. “Lord Edais is playing and he is on my team. We have to play one the adults know.”
He struggled to hide his smirk. “How about you, Mr. Caulfield? Fancy a game?” Phillip pitched his voice to carry over those gathered, conversing. Looked like they were back to playing the game where you hit the ball through the wires with the mallets.
He watched as Fyre encouraged the man to play. Feeling obligated to extend the invitation to her, even though he wanted her far from Caulfield, he did. “And you, Miss Parker?”
“No thank you, my lord. I learned at a young age that this game and I are not friends. I am sure my brother could tell you how many times I tended to hit him with the ball instead of sending it where it should be going. I will content myself to watch.”
She was invited to sit beside Mr. Tennemin’s wife, and once she had settled on the blanket, he made sure not to stare at her like he hungered for her more than food.
Caulfield was on the other team and the game got rowdy and loud. The children and adults alike had a grand time from all appearances.
His heart approved because he got to hear Fyre laughing and cheering on the children. For a few moments he got to witness her and her brother interact in a way he’d not seen before. And as fast as it had come on, it vanished the moment Cara made her way out to the field. Her children pulled into themselves and weren’t as joyous. An unfortunate change and one the other children picked up on. Eventually, the game finished with lackluster enjoyment. Even Elonne carried himself in a different manner when Cara was around.
He didn’t like the change. The only one who outwardly was the same was Fyre. Not that there was any way to mistake the dislike between the two women, but she didn’t cower from her sister-in-law or appear frightened by her.
* * * *
By the time the sun had begun to lower itself to the horizon, all of his guests had come out to get in on the games. He’d had to set up another course as well. It had taken a bit for the children to accept it was okay for them to play with Cara out there, but it did him good to see them loosen up once more.
Even Mrs. Tennemin got up for a few whacks with the mallet. Only Fyre didn’t play. Neither he nor the children could entice her. It sat wrong with him, for he could see her desire to be included. The servants came out to clean up and to carry in the blankets and dirty dishes from the numerous finger foods that had been brought out. Everyone had begun to head inside for the evening meal.
“You have a visitor, my lord.” Keating stepped into view when he reached the door.
“Very good, Keating. Do not hold the meal on my account.”
“He is in your study.”
Phillip scowled as he watched Caulfield walk in, escorting Fyre. The man needed to get the news. That woman was off limits.
“Party not going well?” Damon’s question had him pausing as he walked into the study.
“It is going much better than I expected. Why do you ask?”
“You look like you sucked on lemons. If the party is okay then it must be that Mr. Caulfield is around your woman.”
He managed a grunt.
Damon laughed before he sobered.
“You saw something.” Phillip rubbed the back of his neck.
“Someone is testing the door. No one got in this time, but the person is here.”
The need for vengeance burned Phillip’s blood. If it was Caulfield, that would make everything better. Because then he would have a legit reason to keep that bastard away from Fyre.
“What time?”
“A few minutes before two-thirty.”
Too many people had been elsewhere at that time for him to start making a definite allegation. There were some people for sure that he could eliminate.
“Round-the-clock watching?”
Damon nodded and cracked his neck. “Are you still wanting one of us on Miss Gwen while she is here?”
“No, focus on the books. I am confident they will be the draw right now.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“You four have all you need?”
“Yes. We are fine. I should go.”
“Keep me updated.”
“Of course.”
Phillip headed to the dining room, slowing as he neared. The sounds of conversation and utensils hitting plates reached him. Stealing a look about the room before he walked in, his gaze immediately landed on Fyre.
