An Invitation to Seduction by Lorraine Heath Page B

master a game that required physical skill and cunning. She touched her racket to Richard’s chest. “Yes, a pity. Shall we retire for tea?”
    The others had begun to move away from the court when Richard’s pride spoke up. “I accept the challenge.”
    Anne spun around. “I was only teasing. You know you shouldn’t—”
    Silencing her with a hard look that spoke volumes between brother and sister, he held out his hand. “Lend me your racket.”
    “You are too stubborn by half.” She handed it over to him and walked to the side of the court.
    “Let’s make this interesting, shall we?” Farthingham asked. “The best of five. Kitty has an interest in opera that I’ve been unable to satisfy. If she bests you, she and I will have use of your box at the Royal Italian Opera House for the Season.”
    “And if I win?”
    “She’ll accompany you to one performance.”
    “Nicky, no!” Kitty urged, panic in her voice. “You’re being ridiculous even to consider such a wager.”
    Farthingham spun around, took her face between his gloved hands, and kissed her forehead. “I have absolute faith in you, my sweet. You’ll beat him, I’ve no doubt at all. Then you and I shall enjoy the opera while he sits at home brooding over his low opinion of Americans.”
    “Or I shall spend the evening at the opera with Miss Robertson while you stay at home and brood over your misplaced faith,” Richard said drolly.
    Bless her! It took all his strength of will not to smile with satisfaction as a mutinous gleam came into her eyes. He’d known she had too much of a competitive streak within her to accept a taunting of her skills meekly.
    Her chin came up in what he was coming to recognize as her show of defiance. “Would you like to take a few practice swings, Your Grace, in order to warm up? I don’t want to be seen as having an unfair advantage that would cause you to cry foul.”
    “I assure you, Miss Robertson, I would never claim unfair advantage on your part, and I’m quite ready to accept the challenge whenever you are.”
    “Very well.” Reaching up, she unpinned her hat, removed it from her head, and handed it off to Farthingham. “I find hats to be bothersome,” she explained.“Shall we spin our rackets in order to determine who should serve first?”
    “I should say not. As a gentleman, I’ll allow you to begin.”
    She turned to Farthingham. “A kiss for luck?”
    He bussed her cheek. “Now off with you and win us a season at the opera.”
    Richard went to take his place on the court, passing Anne along the way.
    “Do take care, Richard,” she said, concern etched in her voice.
    He glanced over at her and winked reassuringly. “It’s a genteel sport, Anne.”
    “Not the way she plays. You’d think she thought we were playing at Wimbledon.”
    He had a fondness for all sports and had taken Anne to the first amateur event held four years earlier. “As you’ll recall, women don’t play at Wimbledon.”
    “They should,” she snapped.
    Perhaps, but it wasn’t an argument he wished to pursue at this moment. He had other prizes to win, other areas where he needed to place his efforts.
    He walked to his end of the court and took up his position, balancing lightly on the balls of his feet so he could respond quickly if need be. He watched as Kitty tossed the ball down. When it bounced back into the air, she lobbed it over the net.
    He had to move quickly, but only because he’d been mesmerized by her graceful movements, almost forgetting that he was not an observer, but a player who intended to win. He sprinted across the short area and hit the ball harder than he’d meant to. It sailed over the net and out of bounds.
    His competitor smiled. “Are you certain you wouldn’tlike to take a few practice swings, Your Grace? The game isn’t as easy to play as it appears from the sidelines.”
    “I am well aware of that, Miss Robertson. Continue on with the game, and I shall strive to pay closer