The Duke of Distraction

by Darcy Burke

  “Why in the devil would you do that?” Anthony sounded a trifle horrified.

  “As if you’ve never played them,” Felix scoffed. “Why do you think? Your sister shouldn’t choose a suitor without seeing if they’re worth a damn sexually.”

  “First of all, a kiss tells you next to nothing about a person sexually. Second, I do not want to discuss my sister in this way.” He looked as if he’d eaten a bad pudding.

  Felix gave him a wry look. “If you think a kiss tells you nothing about a person’s sexual nature or abilities, you haven’t been doing it right.”

  “I said next to nothing,” Anthony said, rolling his eyes. “Can we please talk about something else?”

  Felix smiled as he suppressed a laugh. “It’s nearly time for me to get the races started anyway.” He turned and scanned the picnic area for Dartford. Seeing him standing near a blanket several yards away, Felix started toward the earl.

  Dart made eye contact and met him halfway. “Ready?”

  “I was just going to make the announcement.”

  “I’ll help usher people toward the starting area,” Dart said. “My grooms are tending to the vehicles and horses.”

  In truth, it was a better situation than the park—they had staff, a larger platform for Felix and the spectators built by Dartford’s retainers, and, of course, a picnic. Felix climbed onto the platform, and a footman handed him the horn to amplify his voice. “Thank you,” Felix said before lifting the horn to his mouth. “Welcome to the exciting conclusion of our races! First up is the men’s heat, followed by the exciting women’s final race!”

  Felix waited for the applause to diminish before continuing. “Drivers, report to your vehicles. We will begin shortly. I invite spectators to watch from the picnic area, or if you’d like to join me on the platform, please do so.”

  Several guests, mostly gentlemen, joined him on the platform. He noted that Sarah remained in the picnic area along with Beck and Lavinia. And Mr. Fielding. He’d joined them and now sat beside Sarah. They seemed to be laughing about something. How interesting.

  Felix’s mind reverted to thinking of kissing games. By God, he’d make sure Sarah received a kiss at this party—even if he had to do it himself.

  He froze for a moment. Would he do that? Of course not. She was…Sarah.

  Shaking his head, Felix focused on the impending race and made another announcement for the drivers to position themselves.

  Because the Earl of St. Ives was still out of town, there would be two men’s races—one with three vehicles and the other with two. The top two finishers in the three-way, along with the winner of the two-way, would move on to the men’s semifinal tomorrow morning, with the top two finishers of that race moving on to the final in the afternoon.

  The first race was between Mr. Wakeham and Lord Ponsford. Felix asked the footman for the bell, then called for the race to start before firing it into the air. Ponsford should have won easily, but it was close. In the end, Wakeham beat him by half a length. A gleeful cry from the picnic area drew Felix to turn his head.

  Sarah was on her feet with her hands clasped together in front of her chest. Even from this distance, he could see the triumph on her face. She’d wagered on Wakeham, and she’d just made a tidy sum. Well done, her.

  She turned toward Fielding, who edged closer and said something next to her ear that provoked her to laugh. Felix frowned. She’d said she wasn’t terribly interested in Fielding. Felix hoped he wasn’t being a nuisance.

  He didn’t seem to be, if Sarah’s smile was any indication. Felix would keep an eye on the man.

  “The next race is set, my lord,” the footman said from the ground in front of Felix.

  Felix nodded and announced the race would start in a moment.

  “So glad you put this together, Ware,” Oliver Sherington said. He was one of the bachelors Felix had invited. He didn’t frequent many balls or go to Almack’s. He was young and possessed a sporting nature. As well as a decent-sized fortune. What he lacked in title, he made up for with investments. Though from what Anthony had said, Felix wasn’t sure a title was necessary. It seemed the Coltons simply wanted their daughter wed.

  “Hear, hear,” Sir Rupert Ashburnham said. Another bachelor, he was actually a widower and a few years older than Felix. He had two small children and was actively seeking a wife. Felix wasn’t sure if he and Sarah had met, but Sir Rupert was always exceedingly well-dressed, and Felix wondered if they might find a common interest in fashion.

  Good God, he had become a matchmaker.

  Eager to empty his head of such thoughts, he brought the horn to his lips and told the racers—Dart, Baron Tyrrell, and Mr. Redmond—to prepare. A moment later, he called the start and rang the bell, which the footman had reloaded.

  Dart took an early lead, which Tyrrell and Redmond couldn’t manage to overcome. But the finish between the two of them was incredibly close, with Tyrrell beating Redmond across the line by perhaps a foot. In fact, the two drivers were arguing at the finish line, with Dart trying to keep the peace.

  Around Felix, spectators were voicing their opinions. To a one, they declared Tyrrell the winner. Felix lifted the horn and announced, “From the platform, it is clear Tyrrell crossed the line first. He and Dartford will advance to tomorrow morning’s semifinal. Redmond, there’s a glass of whisky waiting for you in the picnic area.”

  The last was greeted with cheers, and one of the men around Felix clapped him on the back. Felix called for Lady Dartford and Lady Exeby to ready themselves for the final race of the day.

  A palpable excitement settled over the crowd, and nearly everyone in the picnic area moved closer to view the race.

  Anthony joined Felix on the platform, cutting through the other gentlemen to stand at his side. “Exciting day! Should be a rousing party later, even without kissing games.” He kept his voice low for the last bit.

  “Perhaps you should stay upstairs?” Felix suggested.

  “I’m just not sure you need them,” Anthony said. “Sarah seems quite cozy with Mr. Fielding. He’s a rather pleasant fellow. I haven’t seen her laugh like that with any gentleman. Save you, but you don’t count.”

  No, he didn’t. Felix scanned for Sarah and found her standing near the platform next to Fielding. Perhaps Felix’s matchmaking would be over before it even began.

  He turned back to the race and announced for the drivers to get ready. “This is the championship!”

  “What do they win?” someone yelled.

  “The right to brag and the eternal adoration of everyone here. Save perhaps the drivers they defeated on their road to victory.” Felix accepted the bell from the footman.

  Laughter filled the air, and Felix waited for it to quiet before he shouted, “Ready, drivers. Go!” He sounded the bell, and the vehicles surged forward.

  Lady Dartford jumped ahead as they drove toward the first turn. She slowed a bit more than she had in London, and Felix couldn’t help but hold his breath. He tried not to pick favorites, but he liked Dart’s wife, and they were, after all, hosting the event.

  Felix lifted the horn. “Lady Exeby takes the lead as they leave the first turn. Lady Dartford is ducking her head and driving the team a bit faster. There they go, gaining on Lady Exeby.”

  Lady Exeby led into the second turn, but she was perhaps the most cautious driver in the entire field when it came to corners. Lady Dartford did not make the same mistake twice. In fact, she went into the turn at a rather intense speed, and there were gasps as one of her wheels lifted from the ground. Felix heard someone murmur, “Mrs. Childers,” and could feel the tension in the air.

  But she rounded the turn without incident and drove into the lead. She didn’t look back as she thundered toward the finish, easily beating Lady Exeby.

  The crowd rushed toward the finish line as Dart swept his wife from the phaeton and swung her around before setting her on the ground to greet the well-wishers. Felix handed the horn to the footman and than
ked him for his assistance.

  At the finish line, Dart’s retainers poured ale and wine, and the revelry lasted for some time. When the crowd finally thinned, Felix saw Sarah standing with Beck and Lavinia and decided to join them for the walk back to the house.

  “What an exciting day!” Lavinia said. “Well done, Felix.”

  He inclined his head with a small smile. “Thank you. But the excitement was due to the talented drivers.”

  “Yes, but there would be no race if not for you,” Beck pointed out. “People are already talking about next year’s matches, and we aren’t even finished with this year’s.”

  Felix still wasn’t sure he would continue them.

  “Felix may be too bored to repeat them,” Sarah said, sending him a teasing smile.

  He laughed and offered her his arm. “You know me too well.”

  She placed her hand on his sleeve, and they all started back toward the house. Sarah walked slowly, allowing Beck and Lavinia to precede them. Felix took the hint and followed her pace, assuming she wanted to speak with him about their objective of finding a suitor.

  “What do you have in store for this evening?” she asked him.

  He noted the faint color in her cheeks. “In terms of the kissing games, you mean?”

  “I’ve begun my, er, assessment.”

  Felix turned his head toward her. “You kissed someone?”

  She nodded, the pink still highlighting her cheeks. “Mr. Fielding.”

  “I see.” Felix was surprised, but he shouldn’t have been. They’d looked rather cozy together all afternoon. “I hope you were covert about it.”

  She peered at him sideways. “Did you see it?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean someone else didn’t.”

  “We were very surreptitious. It wasn’t difficult—everyone was focused on celebrating.”

  That much was true. It seemed Fielding knew how to take advantage of a situation. Felix hoped he hadn’t done the same of Sarah. “You were amenable to his advance?”

  “Who said it was his advance?”

  A sound that was part laugh and part gasp leapt from Felix’s lips. “You’re incredibly saucy.”

  “Thank you. I’m trying to be.” She flashed him a small smile. “In the hope that it will make me more attractive.”

  “I think you’ve always been this saucy. You’ve just been hiding it. Be yourself.” The recommendation burned the back of his mind where he hid all his own secrets and fears. Just because he gave advice didn’t mean he had to follow it.

  They were nearing the house, and Lavinia seemed to notice that Sarah and Felix had fallen back. She looked over her shoulder at them and slowed.

  Felix rushed to ask, “And how was it? Is Fielding still a possibility, or should we focus our energies elsewhere?”

  “Oh, he’s still on the list. But I should like to compare.” She winced and shot him a slightly pained look. “Is that bad?”

  He laughed. “Not to me, but again, you must be covert.”

  “Or disguise my objectives with a kissing game.” She gave him a faux look of innocence that made him laugh again.

  “We’ll play Kiss the Four Corners. That will give you another four observations.”

  “Brilliant.”

  Lavinia and Beck waited near the door, and Sarah and Felix were nearly upon them. Sarah stopped several feet away and took her arm from Felix’s. “Thank you. I really do appreciate your help and support.”

  Then she turned and went to join Beck and Lavinia before the trio headed inside. Felix watched her go and wondered at the odd sensation in his gut. He felt a bit…unsettled. Because you’re playing matchmaker, his mind reasoned.

  Or maybe because things better left forgotten were nearly stirred to the surface.

  Either way, he shrugged the feeling away. It was time to plan the specifics for this evening.

  The following afternoon was not as bright and warm as the morning had been, and certainly not as glorious as the day before. It was still quite pleasant, however, and no one cared about the clouds moving in when they were too excited for the final race to begin.

  The morning semifinal had been another three-way contest between Dartford, Wakeham, and Tyrrell. Tyrrell had fallen out of contention rather quickly, but Wakeham had given Dartford a good run. Dartford was the favorite for the final, but no one was completely discounting Wakeham.

  Sarah wasn’t at all sure whom to place her wager on. She’d gone to Kinsley’s table three times so far, and on each occasion had retreated without taking action.

  Lavinia joined her as Sarah contemplated what to do. “I hope you wagered on Dartford.”

  “I haven’t placed one yet.” Sarah’s stomach twisted into a new knot. Her mind was telling her to bet on Dartford, both for safety and because he was a closer friend than Wakeham. Indeed, she didn’t know Wakeham very well at all.

  “You really are trying to make money,” Lavinia said, cocking her head. “For the future? It seems as though there are several potential suitors here. I don’t know how Felix did it, but he managed to recruit an excellent group of gentlemen with charm and wit and whom you haven’t really met before.” She shook her head in bemusement.

  “Felix has a gift.” And he truly did. He was able to read people and give them what they wanted. Or maybe what they didn’t know they wanted. Several of the gentlemen here were confirmed bachelors, but that hadn’t stopped them from flirting with Sarah last night.

  “He does indeed,” Lavinia murmured. She fixed Sarah with a direct stare. “And is it working? You kissed no fewer than four gentlemen last night.”

  “Don’t forget Fielding yesterday afternoon,” Sarah said with a laugh. She’d briefly mentioned all this to her best friend earlier in the day, but they hadn’t had a chance to discuss anything in depth.

  Lavinia narrowed her eyes slightly. “I want details. Which one was the best kisser?” She shook her head. “No, never mind, how was it to go from kissing no one to kissing five men in one day. Good God, have you become a light skirt?” She asked the question in jest, but kept her voice low and glanced about to ensure no one was listening to their conversation.

  “In truth, the kisses last night were very brief and rather perfunctory. I will say that Mr. Lytton smelled the best.”

  Lavinia laughed. “Your kiss with Fielding was a bit more involved, I take it?”

  “A bit.” Sarah tamped down the rush of heat flooding her neck when she thought back to the way he’d kissed her. “I’m glad you told me to expect to use my tongue.”

  “Excellent.” Lavinia grinned, looking thoroughly pleased. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I think I did. I mean, I don’t really have anything to compare it to, do I?”

  “No, but I’m not sure that matters. When the right man kisses you, things just…happen.” Her gaze glassed over in a lovesick manner, and Sarah followed her gaze to Beck who stood talking with Anthony several yards distant.

  “I will take your word for that.” Sarah wasn’t sure what had happened with Fielding. Her heart had raced and her insides had…quickened. Perhaps that was what Lavinia meant.

  “Do you look forward to kissing him again?” Lavinia asked after shaking herself from her self-inflicted trance.

  “I—yes, I think so.” She hadn’t really considered it, which was maybe her answer. “It was very nice.” That much was true. Perhaps she was so overcome by finally being kissed that she hadn’t experienced the proper reaction. Yes, another kiss was likely in order. But she’d also like to kiss someone else. Viscount Blakesley, perhaps. He was the most attractive bachelor in attendance, with wavy golden hair and eyes the color of sapphires. He was purportedly uninterested in marriage at the present time, but Sarah thought she might like to kiss him anyway.

  Goodness, maybe she was a light skirt.

  Lavinia swatted an insect away from the vicinity of her head. “What does Felix have planned for tonight?”

  “I’m not ent
irely certain, but I would guess it involves kissing games.” Because she’d asked for them. She looked toward the platform and saw him standing in the center, the horn in his hand, ready to announce the race.

  “How I wish I could come to your side of the house instead of the boring saloon with cards.” Lavinia rolled her eyes.

  Sarah laughed. “Is there any reason you can’t?”

  “I don’t know, but I plan to find out. You’re my best friend. I’d rather be where you are even if I don’t partake in some of the entertainment. I can’t imagine all the games involve kissing.”

  They hadn’t last night. “You’re correct. You should come.”

  “Now I won’t have to die of envy.” Lavinia grinned.

  “Envy? I’m the one who should be envious.” And she was when she watched Lavinia and Beck together. Or the Dartfords. Or Sarah and Lavinia’s friends Nick and Violet, the Duke and Duchess of Kilve, who were also here.

  Lavinia’s gaze softened with empathy, and she touched Sarah’s arm. “You’re going to fall in love. I just know it. You may already have met him. Or kissed him.” Her mouth quirked up in a smile, and Sarah chuckled.

  “Maybe. And maybe not. Maybe I’m not meant to fall in love. Plenty of women don’t, and plenty of women remain unwed. You were once prepared to become a spinster, and I still am. Hopefully, you will still be my friend.” She said this with a lilt of humor. She knew Lavinia would always be her friend.

  Lavinia took her hand and squeezed it. “Always.”

  “I have to tell you something,” Sarah said, wincing. “I’ve been a bit of a bad friend.”

  Lavinia’s dark eyes clouded as she released Sarah. “You could never be a bad friend.”

  “I’ve been a bad friend in much the same way you were when you didn’t tell me about your and Beck’s relationship.” Sarah was referring to when Lavinia had learned Beck was the Duke of Seduction and hadn’t told Sarah about it—or the fact that she and Beck had become friends and then more than that.

  “Well then, you aren’t a bad friend at all. You’re merely paying me back. What have you been keeping from me?” Her eyes widened. “Does it involve a gentleman here?” She glanced around.