Chapter One #4
For a quick second, Meridith hugged him in return, but then, as if remembering herself, she pushed against his chest, breaking the embrace.
That made Drake realise what he’d been doing, and he almost apologized.
Might have found the words, if his entire body hadn’t been tingling and his heart beating faster than normal.
It had been a long time since he’d hugged a woman, other than his cousins. Maybe the look she’d given him earlier had contained the truth: Drake might just have lost his mind, because a simple game had never made him hug anyone in the past.
‘Thank you,’ she said, taking another step backwards. Her face was quite red, and she cast her gaze upon the ground.
He was fully aware that his actions had embarrassed her.
He couldn’t blame her, either. He should have thought before acting.
However, it also made him understand more about her.
She was a shy little spinster, and that made him feel bad.
She should be proud of her win. Should be having fun, enjoying her success.
‘Congratulations,’ Chesterfield said, shaking Drake’s hand and then patting his sister’s shoulder. ‘I will declare a rematch. Perhaps after we eat.’
‘That certainly was an exciting game,’ Alena said, smiling brightly. ‘Meridith, you really took a chance at knocking Peter’s ball out of the way. Good for you!’
‘Thank you,’ Meridith replied. ‘It was my only choice. I couldn’t peg out with his ball in the way.’
‘I daresay this will be a day that goes down in history,’ Alena said.
‘I daresay you are enjoying our loss more than our competitors,’ Chesterfield said to his wife.
Smiling at him with glowing eyes, Alena stretched on her toes and kissed Chesterfield’s cheek.
‘Never fear, win or lose, you’ll always be my hero.
’ Then she slipped her arm through her husband’s and said, ‘Come now, it’s time to eat.
The food was set out while your sister was beating you at croquet. ’
Chesterfield shook his head. ‘I may never live this down.’ Still grinning, he said, ‘Join us, Drake.’
‘Of course he’ll join us,’ Alena said.
Drake had every intention of joining them: he and Chesterfield still hadn’t discussed the proposition he’d come here to discuss.
He was also glad that Chesterfield didn’t appear to be disturbed by the way he’d hugged Meridith upon their win.
Having people believe he was a rake was one thing, but he didn’t want anything to hamper this possible partnership.
As the other couple walked away, he offered Meridith his arm. ‘Shall we?’
Her cheeks pinked slightly as she responded with a slight nod, then barely hooked her fingers around his elbow.
‘That was some very good croquet you played,’ he said as they began walking.
He found himself in a rather delicate position.
On one hand, he wanted to see Meridith happy.
His goal had been to make her smile and enjoy the game.
On the other, his mind reminded him of the importance of securing the duke’s partnership—a venture that would secure the future of Coastal Shipping Line, which was his lifelong goal.
‘You, as well,’ she replied, not glancing his way.
What had he expected? For her to grace him with that very charming smile he’d seen during the game?
A partnership with Chesterfield held a much higher stake than any croquet match, yet he couldn’t deny the genuine joy he’d received when they’d won, or the fact that he truly wanted her to take pride in beating her brother.
Unable to stop himself from trying a bit harder to bring her completely out of her shell, he lowered his voice and teased, ‘I bet you sneak out here at night and practice while nobody is watching.’
‘I do not,’ she replied quite stubbornly.
‘You’re certainly skilled at it,’ he retorted. ‘Are you simply a natural?’
‘I played with my father, but that was a long time ago.’
‘Before he died,’ Drake said, acknowledging the sad undertone in her voice. He felt a hint of guilt for teasing her. ‘Before you went away to school in Bath.’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss. I understand the difficulties of grief. I lost my parents when I was quite young. Was raised by my uncle.’
‘I’m sorry for your loss, too,’ she replied.
‘When did you return from Bath?’
‘Two years ago.’
That surprised him. He wouldn’t consider two years as recent, which had been what Chesterfield had said earlier. But there was no opportunity to say more, because they’d arrived at a long table filled with a variety of foods and Alena was instructing them to collect a plate.
Once they’d filled their plates, they found places at a table already surrounded by other guests. Chesterfield made introductions, and Drake greeted each person before he took a seat next to Meridith.
Chesterfield brought up the croquet game and took a fair amount of good-hearted ribbing before a red-headed lady across the table, the Baroness Montgomery, asked, ‘Captain Taylor, am I correct in assuming you are the same Captain Taylor who recently donated the elephant to the zoo?’
‘I am,’ Drake replied, glad for a subject that he didn’t have to pretend to be interested in.