“Absolutely,” Andrew replied, “but you might want to—”

Mr. Berbrooke whacked his ball without waiting for the rest of Andrew’s instructions, which surely would have been not to hit her ball dead-on, which was exactly what he did.

The yellow ball went through the wicket and beyond, making it an additional three feet before coming to a stop. The blue ball also rolled through the wicket, but, having transferred its force to the yellow ball, it came to a stop only directly on the other side.

“Well done, Mr. Berbrooke!” Billie cheered.

He turned to her with a wide smile. “Thank you!”

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Lady Alexandra snapped. “She doesn’t mean it. She’s only happy you knocked her through the wicket.”

“I take everything back,” Billie murmured to George. “Forget Andrew. It’s her we must crush.”

Mr. Berbrooke appealed to the rest of the crowd. “Miss Bridgerton would have gone through on the next turn, anyway, wouldn’t she?”

“I would,” Billie confirmed. “You really didn’t set me too far ahead, I promise.”

“And you got yourself through the wicket,” Georgiana added. “That puts you in second place.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Mr. Berbrooke said, looking inordinately pleased with this development.

“And,” Billie added with great flair, “look how you’re blocking everyone else. Well done, you.”

Lady Alexandra let out a loud huff. “Whose turn is it?”

“Mine, I believe,” George said smoothly.

Billie smiled to herself. She loved the way he said so much with nothing but a polite murmur. Lady Alexandra would hear a gentleman making a casual comment, but Billie knew him better. She knew him better than that pompous duke’s daughter ever would.

She heard his smile. He was amused by the entire exchange, even if he was too well-bred to show it.

She heard his salute. Billie had won this round; he was congratulating her.

And she heard his gentle scolding, a warning of sorts. He was cautioning her not to carry this too far.

Which she probably would. He knew her every bit as well as she knew him.

“Take your turn, George,” Andrew said.

Billie watched as George stepped forward and set up his play. He squinted as he aimed. It was kind of adorable.

What a thought. George Rokesby, adorable? It was just the most ridiculous thing.

She let out a little chuckle, just as George hit his ball. It was a good shot, landing him directly in front of the wicket.

“Oh, my goodness,” Georgiana said, blinking at the field. “Now we’ll never get through.”

She was right. The black and blue balls were mere inches apart, flanking both sides of the wicket. Anyone who attempted the wicket would just add to the jam.

George stepped back toward Billie, clearing the way for the next few players. He leaned toward her, his mouth drawing close to her ear. “Were you laughing at me?” he murmured.

“Just a little bit,” she replied, watching Georgiana trying to figure out her shot.

“Why?”

Her lips parted before she realized she couldn’t possibly give him an honest reply. She turned to look at him, and again he was closer than she’d expected, closer than he ought to have dared.