Arcana (27 page)

“Actually,” Lord Thornewood says, “I thought you’d be more comfortable sharing a room, as you’re so close.”

I glance down at my plate, suddenly nervous to see her reaction. Much as I love the fact I’ve one-upped her with a spectacular room of my own, I hate to see what she’ll do when she finds out.

“Oh?” she says, her enthusiasm dampened.

“How lovely and thoughtful,” Amelia interjects, a genuine smile on her face.

Eliza glances at my sister, who sits to her left. “I’m sure the room you have with Lucy is quite comfortable,” she says to me.

With a wolfish grin, James speaks up for the first time. “Actually, Miss Sinclair has her own room, with an attractive view of the lake.”

I want to kick him beneath the table.

Her eyes narrow. “Oh?” she repeats.

Lucy folds and unfolds her napkin as I glare at James. Grandmama, who seems to have no interest in the conversation whatsoever, continues to sip her tea.

Lord Thornewood, as unapologetic as ever, merely shrugs. “The lighting in the younger Miss Sinclair’s room is more conducive for drawing whereas the elder Miss Sinclair has a fondness for nature.”

Eliza affects a saccharine smile. “How thoughtful of you to think of such things. You are truly a superior host.”

Lord Thornewood bows his head at the compliment just as the rest of the food arrives.

It isn’t until well after luncheon that we are able to watch the gentleman play a game of cricket. Evidently at least eight players are needed, and the rest of the guests didn’t arrive until noon.

Penelope sits by my side on a blanket beneath a wide oak as we watch James bowl to his brother at bat.

“Are they on opposite teams?” Penelope asks, tilting her head up so she can see from beneath her wide-brimmed hat.

“Yes,” I say with a grin, “they’re competitive that way.”

Penelope gives me a little nudge with her shoulder. “You sound as if you know them well already.”

“Well enough. Lord James seems to love nothing more than to annoy his brother. It’s quite amusing.”

“He
is
rather handsome. Do you believe his competitiveness is out of a spirit of meanness?”

“Oh no,” I say. “Not at all. Lord James is mischievous but still kind.” I pause as I think of how his little game at breakfast has set Eliza and me even more at odds. “Well, perhaps he does tease at the expense of others sometimes.”

Penelope fans herself nervously. “Keep him away from me then. I’ve had enough teasing from Eliza—enough to last a lifetime. And your wonderful brother isn’t here to shield me.”

A cool breeze tugs at our clothes and hair, and I pull my emerald green wrap tighter around me. Lord Thornewood catches my eye as he bats, his grin arrogantly confident. I smile back.

Penelope gives me a little nudge. When I turn to look at her, she indicates I should look to my left. I stifle a groan as Eliza and Amelia approach us.

“You have such a nice vantage point here,” Eliza says with a tight smile, “Amelia and I thought we’d join you.”

“If it wouldn’t be a bother,” Amelia adds.

“Of course not,” Eliza answers for us. “Penelope and Katherine are the epitome of graciousness. I’ve always said so.”

“Please,” I say with a sarcastic edge to my voice, “join us.”

After seating herself on the blanket and arranging her skirts just so, Eliza touches Penelope’s arm. “Penelope, dear, how do you like your room? I was amazed by how tasteful and elegant mine is.”

Penelope sneaks a glance at me, as if unsure what to make of Eliza’s question. I watch Eliza with tension in my neck and shoulders. “Aside from sharing it with Mama, it’s very comfortable.”

“Oh, I see. So you’re sharing with your mother. Lord Thornewood was kind enough to arrange for Amelia and me to have a room together.” She taps a nail against her chin. “But what’s
so
interesting is Katherine was given her own room.” She trills a fake laugh. “What could that mean, Penelope? What secret plans must Lord Thornewood have?”

Penelope flounders for words. A cold feeling churns inside me. Even Amelia shifts positions, as if uncomfortable.

“I’m sure he didn’t give much thought to it,” I say.

Eliza tilts her head. “No? I wonder, though. I wonder about a lot of things, really. That reminds me, dear Katherine. Have you heard any news from Gloucestershire?”

I stiffen and try not to answer her defensively. It’s clear she’s baiting me, and though I have proof Lord Blackburn is a member of the Order, I still have no reason to think Eliza is anything more than a gossipmonger. “Not lately, no,” I say.

The sound of the cricket bat connecting with another ball causes us all to look up, and Eliza erupts in loud applause for Lord Thornewood. Though I haven’t been watching with rapt attention, I can tell he’s been doing rather well—especially since his brother has been wearing nothing but a glower on his face for the past ten minutes. I’m simply happy it served the purpose in distracting Eliza from her current game of torture.

Lord Thornewood turns, his eyes searching for a moment. When they land on me, he smiles widely.

“I
know
there’s something odd about you,” Eliza says, her voice low and much too close to my ear, “and I mean to find what it is. No rebellious country mouse could secure the interest from such a gentleman, of that I’m sure.” Louder she says to Amelia, “Lord Thornewood and Lord James must feel neglected without us to watch and cheer them on. Shall we join them?”

Amelia nods eagerly. “Yes, let’s.”

Eliza and Amelia move closer to the field, and I am left with a cold feeling of doubt. What if Eliza were to make good on her promise?

“What did she say to you?” Penelope asks, the bridge of her nose wrinkled with concern.

“Oh, you know,” I say lightly, “the usual thinly veiled threats.”

She laughs. “Jealousy is such an ugly thing.”

I agree with her there. Unfortunately, jealousy is also a destructive force when wielded by someone like Eliza. It would be different if I had nothing to hide.

It occurs to me I haven’t seen Lucy for quite some time. I spot her still in Grandmama’s clutches and wave her over. She shoots me a grateful look.

“I couldn’t get away,” she says. She folds her legs beneath her and joins us on the blanket. “She wouldn’t stop complaining of the breeze, or of the sunshine, or of the lack of tables suitable for card games.”

Penelope sighs. “I know how you feel. Mama probably isn’t helping matters. At least you didn’t have to endure Eliza’s uncomfortable interrogations.”

Lucy grimaces. “A continuation of breakfast?”

“Indeed,” I say.

Lucy pats my hand. “I’m sorry she’s being so horrible to you both. Perhaps we should talk of other things.” She looks out toward the cricket field. “I haven’t been able to watch the match. Who’s winning?”

“You can’t tell by Lord James’s face?” I ask. “Lord Thornewood is most certainly winning.”

“I’m torn as to whom I should cheer on, then,” Lucy says. “I’m terribly fond of Lord Thornewood, but I do love an underdog.”

“Oh dear,” Penelope says, “don’t let Lord James hear you call him the underdog.”

I laugh, and Lord Thornewood turns in our direction. His eyes light upon my face, and he grins. “Miss Sinclair,” he calls, “come join me for a moment.”

I smooth my skirt as I stand. “Whatever for?” I call back.

He just continues to wave me over. I roll my eyes at Lucy and Penelope, though inside, my stomach is doing that vexing fluttery thing it does whenever I’m around him.

“Yes, my lord?” I ask when I reach his side.

He answers by handing me his bat. “We’ve all grown tired of the game, so I’ve decided you can settle it for us.”

“What are you going on about?” James says, his arms crossed over his chest.

Lord Thornewood leans close to my ear, the whisper of his words tickling my cheek. “I must beg your aid in this. It’s our chance to be the ones to frustrate my brother for once.”

My heart beats faster at his nearness, but I nod. “Certainly. What would you have me do?”

“Miss Sinclair will bat next. However many runs she scores will be the deciding factor in the game. Do you agree, brother?”

James shrugs, grinning despite himself. “Have you ever played cricket before, Miss Sinclair?”

“No.”

James laughs and holds his hand up. “Be my guest, then.”

I take the bat from Lord Thornewood, and he stands behind me. I look back in surprise when he moves so close I can smell his crisp linen shirt and the slightly woodsy scent that is his own.

His hands touch both my arms. “You’ll need to bend your elbows,” he says, his voice deep and rich.

I nod, not trusting my voice.

He takes another step closer, so I can feel his chest rise against my back. I think of the way my hands roved over his muscular chest just this morning. Warmth pools inside me. He gently manipulates my arms into swinging the bat. “Smoothly. Like this.”

After a few more practice swings, I nod again. “I’ve got it.”

“He’ll bowl the ball fast, so you’ll need to swing right as it’s arching toward you,” he says.

I test the weight of the bat in my hands. James’s smug look catches my eye. I truly didn’t intend to use arcana to aid me, but I simply cannot resist the fun of surprising them all.

“I shan’t take my eye from the ball, my lord.”

“Good girl,” he says. I feel him step away, the breeze cool against my now-exposed back.

“Ready?” James asks.

“I’ve trained her well,” Lord Thornewood says, and his brother snorts. I narrow my eyes, eager to prove him right.

James reels back, throwing his whole body into the bowl. I open myself to my power. It flows around me like a warm afternoon breeze, and I channel it. With the sun so warm and bright on my skin, I barely feel the small loss of energy. Inwardly, I direct it to heighten all my senses, especially sight. One moment James is blurry around the edges. The next, I can see the eyelash that has fallen onto his cheek. I watch the ball, seeing every crack in the leather until I can practically feel it in my hands.

When he finally releases the ball, it flies through the air—just a blur really. It hits the ground about two feet away and arches back toward me. I channel my energy into the bat, and it connects with a satisfying
crack
. The ball flies away. Lucy and Penelope let out a cheer behind me, and James looks at me with mouth agape.

Lord Brashier, Lord Thornewood’s friend, scores the last run needed. Lord Thornewood’s team wins. I turn to him with a wide smile, and he lifts me in the air as if I weigh no more than the cricket bat and twirls me around.

“Put me down at once,” I try to say amidst my own laughter.

He lowers me to the ground and keeps his arms around me much longer than is proper. Though with his eyes locked on mine, it’s hard to worry about propriety.

“Well done, Miss Sinclair,” James says with a genuine smile. He turns to his brother. “I must congratulate you on your choice of champion. She did extraordinarily well.” He gives us both a sly look. “Are you sure this was your first time at bat?”

“Quite sure,” I say with a wink.

“I know you will be dancing almost exclusively with my brother, but as the loser of this little game, I beg you will favor me with at least one dance tonight.”

“You honor me, Lord James.” I glance at Lord Thornewood. “And I’m sure Lord Thornewood will not be dancing as many dances as you say.”

“Perhaps not,” Lord Thornewood says, “but only if the younger Miss Sinclair and Miss Hasting will agree to dance with me.”

“Very good,” James says with a clap on Lord Thornewood’s back. “Let us go freshen up then. I’m sure the ladies would like to rest before this evening.”

We start back toward the house, but not before I see not only is Eliza glaring at me like I stole her favorite dress, but my own grandmother has her arms folded across her chest as if I’ve done something terribly improper.

“Lord help me,” I mumble to myself. The evening should be exciting indeed.

NINETEEN

L
UCY
and I enter the ballroom arm-in-arm, the satin of our dresses making pleasant rustling sounds as we move.