Shall we play youngest to oldest?" Colin suggested, with a gallant bow in Edwina's direction. She shook her head. "I should rather go last, so that I might have a chance to observe the play of those more experienced than I." "A wise woman," Colin murmured. "Then we shall play oldest to youngest. Anthony, I believe you're the most ancient among us." "Sorry, brother dear, but Hastings has a few months on me." "Why," Edwina whispered in Kate's ear, "do I get the feeling I am intruding upon a family spat?" "I think the Bridgertons take Pall Mall very seriously," Kate whispered back. The three Bridgerton siblings had assumed bulldog faces, and they all appeared rather single-mindedly determined to win. "Eh eh eh!" Colin scolded, waving a finger at them. "No collusion allowed." "We wouldn't even begin to know where to collude," Kate commented, "as no one has seen fit to even explain to us the rules of play." "Just follow along," Daphne said briskly. "You'll figure it out as you go." "I think," Kate whispered to Edwina, "that the object is to sink your opponents' balls into the lake." "Really?" "No. But I think that's how the Bridgertons see it." "You're still whispering!" Colin called out without sparing a glance in their direction. Then, to the duke, he barked, "Hastings, hit the bloody ball. We haven't all day." "Colin," Daphne cut in, "don't curse. There are ladies present" "You don't count." "There are two ladies present who are not me," she ground out. Colin blinked, then turned to the Sheffield sisters. "Do you mind?" "Not at all," Kate replied, utterly fascinated. Edwina just shook her head. "Good." Colin turned back to the duke. "Hastings, get moving.
( Julia Quinn )
[ The Viscount Who Loved Me ]
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