An odd bump happened beneath her breastbone, and she looked away. She had not seen him since he had removed Mrs. Fairchild and her companion from Almack’s on Wednesday evening.

Was he looking for Uncle Bertie? That must be it, for he surely wouldn’t seek her out.

He uncrossed his arms and tugged on his earlobe. A signal he had a message to pass.

Here, on an open field, where dozens of spectators watched every woman wearing a team uniform, and he wanted to pass her a message? A grin tugged at her lips. She loved a challenge. Finally, another chance to use some of the lessons she had been undergoing with Uncle Bertie in the War Room.

She threaded her arm and head through her bow to let it hang across her chest, and twisted her garnet ring, signaling back that she understood. Though she did not stare or otherwise indicate she had any interest in him, Daniel stood out amongst the spectators along the ropes. He was handsome and tall, and the wind ruffled his dark-brown hair.

“Who is that?” Anna Bunch asked.

“He’s quite dashing, isn’t he?” Rebecca smoothed her skirt and lowered her chin to look at Daniel through her lashes.

A stab of disquiet slanted through Juliette. She frowned. Why should she be discomfited? Rebecca was correct. Daniel Swann was attractive. Why should it bother her that someone noticed and commented upon the fact?

Because now that they had, Juliette couldn’t exactly stroll over and get the note without arousing suspicion. Daniel had drawn their attention and foiled the message drop.

“We had better pay heed, ladies. Mrs. Carlyle is nearly finished with her round.” It was always wise to keep your wits about you when on the archery range, and she wanted to turn their focus away from Daniel.

“Oh yes. You shot so well that, with Clarissa’s score, we might move into the next round.” Rebecca shrugged. “They drop the lowest score on each team. I suppose I’ll be the one sitting out.”

“It’s all right,” Anna said, hugging her sister’s shoulders. “You’ll do better next time. And there’s always the shopping later to cheer us up.”

They finished comfortably in the top four teams, with Clarissa and Juliette tied for points.

“I’ll be watching from the sidelines,” Rebecca promised. “You’ll all do well.”

As they waited their turn, Juliette worked over in her mind how to get the message from Daniel without causing a stir. She could do nothing while the rounds continued, so she would have to wait and see what eventuated.

They each shot, and again Juliette and Mrs. Carlyle’s scores carried the team into the next round. They were one of the last two teams, but there would be an interlude before the final match.