Elizabeth clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle as the marble rolled across the floor and hit the boot of the finely dressed gentleman sitting in the armchair across from her uncle.
The gentleman’s leg leapt in the air, and he muttered a startled oath as he looked about the floor trying to discover what had thumped his foot.
In her hiding spot behind the velvet draperies, Elizabeth sat as still as a five-year-old girl possibly could. She was sure she was not supposed to be hearing those words. Mama scolded Papa when he said that. She waited, counting to ten before she sent another marble rolling. This time, she could not quite catch her giggle.
Edward Gardiner felt the marble hit his foot and heard the muffled giggle. He smiled and looked at his guest. He gave a little nod of his head toward the window and placed his finger on his lips, indicating that neither of them should pay attention to the wiggling fabric. He studied the chess board which lay on the table between them. Selecting a piece, he made a show of moving it. Holding up a finger to indicate that his opponent should not make a move, he turned back toward the fire and continued the discussion the two men were enjoying.
Elizabeth crept out of her hiding place. Fortunately, the back of her uncle’s armchair was just as tall as she was, so she could stand behind him without being seen.
Cautiously, she reached out her hand and grabbed the chess piece that her uncle had moved. She had just wrapped her fingers around it when she was snatched from behind.
“I caught you.” Edward Gardiner swung Elizabeth around and placed her firmly on his lap.
Elizabeth squealed and laughed. Her eyes sparkled with delight. “What are you up to my little scamp?”
“You were going to lose. You moved the wrong one.” Elizabeth reached over to the table and placed the chess piece in what she considered a better location. “There that is better.”
Elizabeth looked pleased with herself for a moment before concern crossed her face. She placed a small hand on each of her uncle’s cheeks, tipping his face so she could look in his eyes. “Did you mean to lose? Papa does that sometimes when he is playing with Jane.”
Her uncle chuckled. “No, I did not mean to lose. I meant to tempt my tormentor from her hiding place, and it worked.” He gave her nose a little flick. “Matlock, I would like you to meet my niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Bennet’s second daughter. Lizzy, this is Lord Matlock.”
“It is an honour to meet you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Elizabeth used her most proper voice and bobbed her head instead of a curtsy since her uncle still held her securely within his arms.
“And what is a young lady such as yourself doing hidden away in a study?” asked Lord Matlock. “Should you not be playing games with the other children?”
“But, I am, my lord. I am playing with Jane. I am hiding, and she is looking for me, and since Jane never comes in here, I am going to win.”
“Now, why would Jane not come in here?” Her uncle raised his brows in question.
Elizabeth looked at her hands. “Aunt told us not to disturb you because you were working. But you are not working. You are playing.” She caught the corner of her lower lip in her teeth and turned soft brown eyes up at her uncle.
Her uncle chuckled. “It definitely would appear that way to young eyes, I suppose, but I assure you, we are working. Now, I think you should go back to the nursery before your aunt discovers you here.”
“Yes, Uncle.” Elizabeth slipped off her uncle’s lap and gathered her marbles. She stuffed them in her pocket before dipping a quick curtsy that caused her chocolate brown curls to bounce. Opening the door to the study, she looked up and down the corridor before racing toward the nursery.