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Theo’s eyes met the captain’s, and she recognized the humor there, present also in the twist of his lips. Yes, she’d thought her game was better before the lieutenant’s “help.”
“I say, Balfour, are you feeling quite all right?” the lieutenant asked. “You’ve done nothing but criticize my game the whole time.”
“I would have less to comment on if you played better, my friend.”
“You just wish you could stand here, teaching two such lovely ladies.”
“Perhaps.”
Theo’s heart curled foolishly, and she averted her gaze to where Becky stood, cue in hand, gazing at the lieutenant with a smile that gave her heart away. Oh dear.
“Miss Mannering. Are you ready to continue?” The lieutenant held up his cue.
“Oh, yes. Yes, please!”
“Right. Well, if you care to shift just the slightest to the left, then I can show you the best way to hold the cue.”
Sensing her time with the lieutenant was closed, Theo pressed her stick back in the rack and moved to sit on the only other chair available. The chair next to the captain.
“You play well, Miss Stapleton.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, “although it seems as if someone feels my game needs a few pointers.”
“You would not begrudge a man who seeks to impress a lady, would you?”
She faced him. “Even if he cannot tell when the lady plays better than he?”
He laughed. “Poor chap doesn’t realize you are more skilled.”
“Well, at least he’s found a more grateful recipient of his attentions now.”
His shoulders straightened. “You do not wish for his attentions?”
“Not when they seem designed to make me feel inferior.”
“It sounds to me as though you have read Lady Wollstonecraft’s book.” He subtly readjusted his injured leg.
“I will admit that I have. But it surprises me that you should mention it, sir.”
“My aunt, the one I would provide as chaperone to Becky, is what some might term a trifle blue.”
“How shocking.” She smiled, unable to resist the impishness in his eyes. “You do not strike me as being one who sees women as less than men.”
“How could I? Not when the Bible makes it plain we are all created in God’s image, thus must share an equal value and worth.”
“It encourages me to hear you say this. Most enlightened, particularly from one of England’s heroes.”
He chuckled. “I appreciate such approbation, Miss Stapleton.”
“As well you should.”
Oh, it was too easy to banter with him. She needed to take heed to herself, to not give in.
From the other end of the room, Becky softly confessed she would like to be shown once again just how to hold the cue.
“Men’s superior strength is not a sign of their superiority in mental or moral situations,” the captain spoke quietly. “Time at war has shown just how fallible men can be, whereas time spent here has shown just how remarkable some women can be.”
Her heart glowed. Oh, she was a fool to sweep his words into her heart. A fool to think he meant her. But after days of keeping him at a distance, her head seemed to be losing its battle with her heart.
