A flat expanse of lawn stretched behind the tennis court, the ground a lush green in the afternoon sun. Carefully groomed boxwood bushes edged the grass on three sides. On the lawn, wickets were arranged, along with the stakes, in a familiar figure-eight pattern, while mallets and balls waited nearby.
Though he longed to be elsewhere, Harrison stood alone in the tent aside the court, waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive for a game of croquet. He’d left the gazebo a few minutes ago, having sat there long after Maddie hurried off and disappeared into the chateau.
Their outing hadn’t gone well.
The engagement had thrown him off. Seeing that ring knocked him sideways, stealing his sense of reason and tossing it into the sea. He should have expected it, with Lockwood’s sudden arrival and all, but the garish ring on Maddie’s finger had flipped a switch inside him. Powered up his panic and electrified his desperation.
So, without much forethought, he confessed his jealousy to see how she would react. The end result had been mixed, with her scurrying from the gazebo, unable to get away fast enough. However, her final comment gave him hope.
I am not afraid of you, Harrison. I am afraid of myself.
This meant she knew something was happening between them, something deeper than friendship. Of course, he’d had years to come to terms with how he felt about her, but it was a recent development for Maddie. What did she plan to do about it? He couldn’t let her ignore him, or pretend the gazebo hadn’t happened.
Your timing could not be worse.
He disagreed. In fact, there was not a moment to lose now that she was betrothed. He had to keep pressing, keep trying to convince her, otherwise she would be lost to him forever. It had taken every bit of his restraint to let her walk away, not to chase her and continue their discussion.
But such was not the way to convince her. Maddie had a tendency to dig in her heels and refuse to see logic. Like when she wouldn’t swim in the ocean beyond where she could stand because she thought a fish would eat her. Harrison had finally coaxed her into deeper water by showing her ever-so-slowly that it was safe.
She needed gentle pressure to come around to reason . . . not a harsh shove. If he wasn’t steady and methodical in his pursuit, he would scare her off. Even if the waiting was pure torture.
What if she actually marries Lockwood?
The possibility turned his blood cold.
For now, he had to believe that he could persuade her otherwise. Losing her to another man was not an option.
Suddenly Kit ambled across the lawn, looking far too pleased with himself. “A fine day for croquet.”
Was that a love bite peeking out from under Kit’s collar? “You’re certainly in a good mood. Where have you been?”
“Visiting with a friend.” The nature of said visit was obvious, considering the smug twist to Kit’s mouth. “How was your picnic with the Delafield girl?”
“She never showed. Maddie did, though.”
“And how did that go?” Kit asked.
“I’m not sure yet. Lockwood proposed.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Exactly.”
“What will you do?”
“Split them up, obviously. I just need to figure out how.”
The ladies and chaperones emerged then, converging on the lawn and preventing Kit from offering up a response. The Duke of Lockwood brought up the rear of the pack, and on his arm was Maddie’s mother.
Maddie was nowhere to be found.
Harrison’s stomach sank. Damn it. Was she not planning on joining them?
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Mrs. Webster called. “It’s nice to see both of you eager for an afternoon of croquet.”
Hardly. But there was no way for him to back out now. The guests filtered under the tent, while Lockwood escorted Mrs. Webster over to Harrison and Kit. “Is Maddie coming?” Harrison asked bluntly.
“She wasn’t feeling well,” her mother said, “so I told her to rest. His Grace has volunteered to help instead.”
The duke’s stare held a note of challenge when it turned on Harrison. “I quite enjoy croquet. Seemed like an excellent way to spend an afternoon.”
Harrison ignored him. “How will this work?”
“Maddie said you should play in teams of two.” Mrs. Webster waved her hand, as if the details hardly mattered. “You and the duke figure it out.” She disappeared under the tent.
“Shall we choose partners?” Lockwood asked.
“I’ll sit out. I’ve had enough exercise today,” Kit said before he walked away.
Harrison and the duke decided on two teams of three each. They would play two rounds of croquet, mixing up the partners so all the ladies eventually had a turn.
The ladies drew sticks for teams, and Lockwood was paired with Martha Thorne, who was from an old New York family, and Emily Mills, the daughter of a Chicago industrialist. Harrison’s sticks were chosen by Angelica Dent, a relation to President Grant, and Nellie Young. Before selecting mallets, they had to decide which team would go first.
“Shall we go by rank?” Lockwood sounded bored, but Harrison wasn’t fooled by the casual suggestion. The duke clearly thought getting out in front gave him a tactical advantage.
Harrison didn’t mind. He’d rather trail Lockwood and catch up than look over his shoulder the entire game. “By all means.”
The group strolled out to the lawn. Lockwood, the picture of aristocratic entitlement with a mallet tucked under his arm, leaned toward Harrison. “I should warn you, old boy. You’ll find I am a bit more skilled at croquet than lawn tennis.”
Ah, so that was Lockwood’s plan. Revenge for the morning’s match. Harrison lifted a brow. “Then I look forward to playing against you. Old boy.”
Lockwood’s expression hardened, his lips flat. “She’s not here for you to impress, you know. I wonder if you’ll try as hard.” Without awaiting a response, he strode ahead to the starting stake.
Harrison ground his back teeth together and followed at a slower pace. He burned with the need to steal Maddie away from that arrogant bastard, no matter the scandal.
Martha led off for Lockwood’s team. It was clear she hadn’t played much, as her swings were wild and uncoordinated, and her ball went off course. Angelica started for Harrison’s team and her ball fared better than Martha’s. The other two ladies followed, leaving Lockwood and Harrison as the final two players.
Lockwood sent his ball through the first two wickets easily, then continued on to the next set. Harrison had no interest in the wickets. He did, however, have an interest in sending the duke’s ball flying off the course as much as possible.
When it was finally Harrison’s turn, he easily caught up to Lockwood’s ball, staying a little behind on purpose.
The next round began, with the ladies focused on getting through the wickets as quickly as they could. Emily was a decent player for the other team, while both Angelica and Nellie were aggressive in their play. In the third round, Nellie bumped into Martha’s ball, so she lined up the two balls, put her foot on her own ball, then sent Martha’s ball rolling several feet away.
Lockwood caught Harrison’s eye. “I assume we are respecting the boundaries. A gentleman’s game, nothing out of bounds.”
Resting his mallet head on the ground, Harrison leaned onto the handle with one hand and crossed his feet at the ankles. “I’m not afraid of chasing my ball a time or two. Are you?”
Lockwood said nothing, but when his turn came around, he took revenge on Angelica by sending her ball to the far side of the court. Nellie walked over to Harrison and whispered, “That’s hardly sporting of him.”
“Don’t worry. He’ll get his.”
Nellie chuckled. “I’ll make sure to stay out of your way, then.”
Harrison stepped forward and cleared the fifth wicket. When he lined up his next shot, he didn’t aim for the wicket, but sent his ball rolling into the duke’s green ball. Fighting a grin, Harrison lined up the two balls, put his foot on his orange ball and brought the mallet down with a mighty crash. The orange ball didn’t move, but the duke’s ball went sailing through the bushes and into the brush below.
Lockwood said nothing, but a muscle in his jaw worked as his gaze tracked the ball’s progress. Shoulders stiff, he tramped off into the greenery.
Nellie didn’t bother hiding her laughter. “Nicely done, Mr. Archer.”
The ladies carried on, the mood definitely lighter. They got into the spirit of it, smacking their balls against one another’s, laughing and teasing. Lockwood finally returned, green ball in hand. A grass stain marred his otherwise immaculate white trousers, and the sight amused Harrison immensely.
The duke soon took revenge and aimed directly for the crowded spot where Harrison’s ball rested. In an absolute stunner of a shot, he managed to nudge the orange ball. Harrison expected to see his ball smashed into the Atlantic, but the duke showed remarkable restraint. Lockwood sent the orange ball to the farthest corner of the lawn, where it stopped just inside the perimeter of the course.
The point was obvious: Lockwood was a gentleman and Harrison was not.
Except Harrison hadn’t ever cared about being a gentleman. He didn’t need anyone’s approval or society’s blessing. Only two things mattered to him now: taking everything away from his family and marrying Maddie.
When it was finally Harrison’s turn, he walked by Lockwood to get to his ball. “You are wasting your time,” Lockwood murmured under his breath. “She’ll never want you, not as long as she has someone like me.”
Harrison swallowed the angry retort burning his tongue. While Maddie currently wore Lockwood’s ring, Harrison would not go down without a fucking fight.
And, unlike the duke, he did not play fair.
For the rest of the day, Maddie did her best to ignore Harrison. She skipped the afternoon’s activities, remaining in her room instead, where she’d rehashed what was said in the gazebo.
Something is happening between us, even if you don’t wish to admit it.
It was true, she was attracted to him. However, the connection was more than simple attraction. Simmering under the appreciation of his appearance was a certain fondness, a wish to never leave his side. To tell him everything and share whatever came ahead. The admission of those feelings came as a great relief, even if she could do nothing about it. She’d accepted Lockwood’s offer of marriage, and that was that.
Undoubtedly this would pass. The distraction of her old friend was merely a tiny setback in her grand plan. As soon as Harrison entered into a betrothal of his own, Maddie could focus on Lockwood.
Yes, that was it. She must turn all her energies into matching Harrison with one of her friends. Any other course of action was now out of the question, as the engagement was public knowledge.
Before dinner, Maddie’s friends gathered around her, admiring the betrothal ring and offering up congratulations. Lockwood smiled adoringly from across the room, while Maddie’s mother beamed as if she’d just met the Queen of England. During this time, Maddie hadn’t allowed herself a single glance at Harrison. She was afraid of what she might see.
It was futile—the path to a different outcome had closed. Maddie could not break the betrothal, not without causing a horrific scandal, nor could she act upon the emerging desire for her childhood friend. Her future was set.
And if her happiness felt forced in that moment, well . . . that was only temporary. Her enthusiasm would bloom in the days to come as she made plans for the wedding and starting her new life in England.
After an interminable meal in the dining room, the ladies finally adjourned to the salon. Nellie grabbed Maddie’s arm and dragged her to the far side of the empty room. “You missed a hell of an outing this afternoon,” her friend said quietly, eyes sparkling with mirth.
Maddie was instantly worried. “What do you mean?”
“No one told you?” When Maddie shook her head, Nellie continued. “Your men were at each other’s throats the entire time.”
Maddie’s mouth fell open and she quickly sputtered a denial. “They are not my men.” Nellie’s expression remained dubious, so Maddie moved on. “What happened?”
“Harrison was out for blood. He sent the duke’s ball flying clear into Connecticut. Twice.”
That didn’t surprise her. Harrison played aggressively, as did she. The two of them had been unbeatable at croquet. “What did Lockwood do?”
“It was clear the duke was taunting Harrison throughout the afternoon, whispering under his breath, not that Harrison ever reacted. But the duke sent Harrison’s ball flying a few times. Ended up winning both games.”
Harrison hated to lose, much as Maddie did, so that must have bothered him. “I should have been there.”
“It’s better that you weren’t. You wouldn’t have been pleased with either of them.”
The rustle of skirts alerted them to another arrival. Katherine approached, her eyes sparkling. “Are you discussing the croquet match?”
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “What happened to you earlier? You never returned for your picnic.”
Katherine and Nellie exchanged a knowing glance that set Maddie’s teeth on edge. “Forgive me,” Katherine said, not sounding all that apologetic. “Was Mr. Archer angry?”
I am consumed with jealousy.
She swallowed. “No.”
“Did something happen in the gazebo?” Nellie asked. “Is that why you skipped croquet?”
Maddie studied the curtains and struggled with how to answer. Hardly anything happened in the gazebo, but those few minutes had turned her life upside down.
“Oh, my God,” Nellie exclaimed softly, eyes going wide as her hand clamped onto Maddie’s forearm. “Something happened, didn’t it?”
“Of course not. You are being ridiculous. I am betrothed.” She held up her gloved hand, where the ducal engagement ring rested under the cloth.
“I know something happened. Please, tell me. Was there kissing or groping? Rubbing in all the best places?” Nellie put her hands together in a pleading gesture. “I must know. Please.”
“Stop it.” Maddie glanced around them. “I am engaged and this conversation is unseemly. Someone might overhear.”
Katherine and Nellie sent each other a small smile, and Maddie huffed in exasperation before walking away. Let them speculate without her.
The door to the dining room opened and Harrison was the first to appear. His eyes landed on her and Maddie paused as if caught, his stare igniting flames in every part of her body. Tingles raced along her skin, her breasts swelling, and she grew light-headed, as if she’d played an eight-hour match in the hot August sun.
It was over in a blink. Someone nudged him from behind, and he dropped his head and continued into the room. She hurried to the sideboard and poured a glass of sherry, not caring if she was the only woman imbibing at the moment.
“My dear.” Her father smiled down at her. “Have a moment to spare for your old papa? Your fiancé and I would like a word.”
The conversation with Nellie fresh in her mind, Maddie’s stomach twisted and dropped. Had someone been talking about her and Harrison to the duke? “What is this about?”
“Come along. I’ll not spoil the surprise.”
Her nape prickled as if she could feel the weight of Harrison’s stare on her as she left the salon. Trailing her father, she went into his office, where Lockwood already waited, his mouth curved into a hint of welcome.
She looked between the two of them. “Is it bad news?” Her hands trembled, so she buried them in her skirts.
“No, not at all,” Lockwood said. “I have a surprise and I wanted to tell you right away.”
Daddy sat behind his desk and leaned back, saying nothing. It was clear he didn’t wish to give her any hints, but at least he didn’t seem angry. “Oh?”
The duke folded his hands behind his back, the pose emphasizing the white evening vest hugging his lean frame. “I reached out to Mr. Charles Robb at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon. He is the instructor of—”
“Mrs. Hillyard.” Maddie clasped her hands under her chin as her heart started to thump with excitement. Blanche Bingley Hillyard was one of the greatest tennis players in the world. She had won several championships in recent years, and Maddie admired her career from afar.
Lockwood’s expression softened, as if relieved. “Yes, Mrs. Hillyard. Mr. Robb has agreed to come here, to Newport, in order to train with you this summer.”
Elation weakened her knees and she let out a soft gasp. Mr. Robb, coaching her? It was absolutely surreal.
“I see she likes the idea, Lockwood,” her father said with a chuckle.
She blinked up at the duke. “How . . . ?”
“Think of it as an engagement present.”
“I am stunned. Thank you, Lockwood.”
“I thought you might like it.” Lockwood lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “He’ll sail here as soon as the tournament finishes in mid-July.”
She nearly vibrated with excitement. That meant she could train with Mr. Robb during all of August. Of course, there would be wedding planning to get under way. Perhaps Mama could do most of that without her.
“And one more surprise,” the duke said. “I have requested plans to have a lawn tennis court put in at my country estate.”
Goodness, Lockwood had been busy. “This is tremendous news. Again, thank you. I will tell Mother so she knows not to count on having me around in August.”
“No need to keep it a secret,” the duke said. “Please, tell everyone.”
Had she detected a bite in the way he said everyone? Was this something to do with Harrison and the game of croquet today?
It was clear the duke was taunting Harrison throughout the game . . .
Had Lockwood sensed the attraction between Maddie and Harrison? It seemed improbable, considering the most damning moments had happened when they were alone. Yet Katherine and Nellie had inferred an attachment. There was a good chance Lockwood had, as well.
Her neck grew hot, embarrassment climbing toward her face. Without meaning to, had she cast flirtatious glances at Harrison in front of the others? Was she wearing her heart on her sleeve at all times? How mortifying.
She had to do better at hiding her feelings. No one must learn of her improper thoughts. And it went without saying that she and Harrison could not be alone ever again.