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Henry moved through the crowds in the manor’s garden the next day and the release of tension from the end of the first round was palpable. There was plenty of food and drink to be had and a wealth of company to choose from. Henry only had one person in mind this evening. He was worried she might stay hidden away in her room and that would ruin his mood.
“On the hunt again?”
There was the sweet voice of the person he was looking for. He grinned before he turned around to see her. Her appearance was still a pleasant surprise for him.
Henry had noticed how much shorter she was than most other women, and she didn’t even reach his shoulders with the top of her head. Today she wore a day dress in a dark blue color with a hand sewn pattern of roses across the skirt and a large bustle in the back built from a lighter blue fabric. The color made her blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight.
They way her curly hair was pulled up, with a few stray strands falling along her neck were perfect chaos. For a brief moment he imagined burying his hands into them. He forced them into his pockets.
“I never caught my prey the first time. I’m not one to give up easily.”
Her eyes danced when she tried not to smile.
“Where is your partner?” Henry asked. He noticed the old man was missing.
“He found a few ladies that appreciated his company. I thought it best not to crowd him in those situations.”
“Romantic trysts happen at these things all the time.”
“I know. My husband told me about it.”
Henry almost choked. “Your husband told you he was unfaithful?”
This time she didn’t hide the giggle that escaped. “No, but he told me about other people who were indiscreet.”
“A gossip then. I thought only women enjoyed that hobby.”
“My husband was unique in many ways.”
The humor slipped from her face, shadowed by sadness. He chastised himself for bringing up her husband again, when it clearly caused her pain. That wasn’t feelings he hoped to inspire in her. Perhaps he could start a different conversation.
“What would you do when your husband was off playing cards? I haven’t heard you mention any children.”
“We were unable to conceive during the short time we were married.”
If her husband was the same age as his partner that wouldn’t be a surprise. Although many men could still sire children in old age, not all of them could.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Henry genuinely was. “You are still young; perhaps if you remarry you may get the chance again.”
She laughed, but the emotion didn’t reach her eyes. “I have no plans to marry again. Once was enough.”
A shame for such a beautiful and young woman to give up on love for the rest of her life. Rory often accused Henry of being too much of a romantic, but he couldn’t help it. He had always been one to believe in the tender side of life.
“What do you plan to do after your mourning is over? Travel the world?” He didn’t want her to think he was too insistent about the marriage question.
“I might. Patrick has agreed to be my companion for as long as I like. We might see more of the world.”
“Patrick seems like a decent fellow. Have you known him long?”
“He practically raised me. He became my guardian when I was a young girl and he was the one who introduced me to my husband.”
“Were they good friends?”
“Yes, they were close.”
He could hear in the tone of her voice that she chose her words carefully. Henry sensed the tingle of a secret but he couldn’t imagine what it could be. From what he knew of her, her life was simple and plain. Perhaps even boring. Yet, underneath the surface of the refined lady he saw, he suspected there was an entirely different creature.
“You are lucky. When both of my parents were still alive, I rarely got to see them. They spend most of their time in London, where my father liked to be involved in politics and my mother hosted social events. Neither of them showed much interest in their children’s lives.”
“You seem close to your sister.”
“Yes, I was lucky with that. Rory and I have always been on our own, but together.”
“I wished I had siblings.”
“They keep things interesting.”
She nodded and there was a comfortable silence they fell into. Henry allowed himself to admire her as the sun caressed her pretty face. For once she appeared at ease and she appeared so innocent like that.
“What do you plan to do with the money if you win?” He asked when he had his fill of looking at her. “You don’t appear to be lacking in funds.”
“Appearances can be deceiving. My husband’s sudden death has been difficult and such a large sum would help allow me and Patrick to continue living in a comfortable lifestyle.”
“And if you lose?”
There was a hint of panic in her voice. “Then we will have to find smaller lodgings. Nothing dire, but a bit unpleasant.”
He could feel her hiding the truth again.
“I must admit, your determination is a bit intimidating.”
She laughed, creating a sweet and bubbly sound that tickled his ears. “I have never been described as intimidating before. Usually my small size puts people at ease.”
“I’m not so easily fooled.”
Her eyes flickered away for a moment.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Rory approached them with a drink in one hand and some sort of pastry in the other.
His sister often ate to excess when she felt nervous.
“Just getting to know the competition.” Henry said, taking a step back from Kitty to make it less intimate.
“You always were the charmer.”
Henry watched as the two women greeted each other in a rigidly formal manner. Both were cunning and intelligent, not to mention competitive. They were well matched.
“I believe we will be at the table with you tonight.” Said Rory, pushing the last of her pastry into her mouth. “I hear you and your partner are very good.”
“We haven’t had the chance to play often, so I’m surprised you have heard anything about us.”
“You played well last night. Had no trouble getting past the first round.”
“Beginners luck.”
Rory’s eyes narrowed. There was no way she believed that. “Let’s see if it continues then.”
Kitty smiled politely and excused herself to find her partner. No sooner was she out of hearing than he felt a smack on his arm and turned to find that his sister glaring at him.
“Are you letting your desires get the better of you?” She accused him, with a hand on her hip.
“What do mean?” Henry brushed off the crumbs left behind by her hand on the arm of his jacket.
“That woman has bewitched you. I can see the fascination on your face. Are you going to be able to beat her at the table while trying to woo her?”
“I’m not going to throw the game, if that is what you are asking. I wouldn’t let her win the purse to gain her favor.”
“Perhaps not intentionally, but I worry it will affect your ability to play against her. You tend to be too soft when there is a damsel in distress.”
“She is hardly in distress. She’s in mourning but coming out of it soon.”
“That woman cannot be trusted. She has an air of secrecy about her. Especially when her husband is mentioned.”
Rory had the look on her face that he knew from childhood. It was the look she got when she worked on a puzzle.
“Are you suggesting she killed the man? There were a dozen witnesses at the gaming hell that will swear they saw him succumb to a heart attack.”
Rory shook her head. “No, I don’t think she’s a murderer, but she has a secret. I don’t trust people with secrets.”
“You have secrets.”
“I wouldn’t trust me.”
Henry chuckled at his sister’s dry humor. “You don’t have to worry about me. I plan to win.”
“Unless she is a better player than you.”