“He has his issues, to be sure, but who of us does not? I would not like Mr. Cruikshank’s attentions turned upon me, and I am sure you would not either. No one would fare well under the scrutiny of such a mocking man. Why is it that some assume the Prince Regent has no feelings, that they can belittle and sneer and expect him not to be hurt or defensive?” She hitched the case higher. “Where are the novices competing?”

Lady Croft’s nostrils flared, and a dull red crept up her neck. Juliette realized she sounded not unlike the Dowager Duchess of Haverly with that little setdown. Oh my.

“The novices compete at the farthest point from the stands.” Lady Croft’s lips were stiff, as were her words. She pointed toward the tree line. “Few people wish to see the beginners. The top grades compete nearer the Royal enclosure.”

If she hoped her censure would put Juliette in her place, she failed. It suited Juliette quite well to be away from the spectators.

“I had best get down there, then. I’m sure they will start soon.”

Her case bumped lightly against her leg as she walked across the grass. When she reached the far side of the grounds, a kind soul assured her she was in the correct place, and she found her teammates.

“Oh good, our fourth is finally here.” Mrs. Carlyle, the wife of the mill owner—and possible amour of Mr. Montgomery?—reached out from the group and took Juliette’s arm. “I hope you’re a good shot, because the other teams look very skilled for this grade.”

Juliette swallowed her astonishment at both the abrupt greeting and her luck at being placed with a suspect. “I think I can hold my own. I hope so, anyway. I’m Lady Juliette Thorndike.”

“Mrs. Clarissa Carlyle from Wattleford Hill. This is Miss Anna and Miss Rebecca Bunch.”

“We’re twins.” They announced this simultaneously, though they needn’t have pointed it out. They were identical in every way.

“A pleasure to meet you. Are there any rules I should know about? I’ve competed only in school tournaments before.” Juliette clasped her case before her with both hands.

“You can put your case on the table here. We’ll shoot four rounds, and the top three scores from each round will count for our total points. There are four novice teams, and the one with the most points at the end of the four rounds wins.” Mrs. Carlyle tugged on her shooting glove. “The targets are twenty-five paces for novices. As the team captain, I will shoot last.” She smiled and shrugged slightly. “None of us are terribly good, which is why we’re in the novice class, but we enjoy the sport and being with the other teams. And the parties are very good at our club.”