Page 108 of Hearts of Locke Hill

“However,” Lydia added, “he may keep all three marbles for the end count, of course.”

Her smug grin dropped. He kept his steady gaze on hers as he dropped each marble. One. By. One. Into his bag.

Oh, her belly warmed and something fluttered near her heart.

This man.

If she’d been made for a challenge, he seemed to have been made to step up to it.

He must have noted the warmth of her thoughts, because something primal glittered in his eyes.

Heavens. If she had a fan, she’d use it.

“Ahem,” Lydia said.

“Let’s get on with it, young man,” Father said gruffly.

Cyril glanced at him, nodded, and crouched down to resume his play.

Sigh Burke, Violet thought and then chastised herself for allowing the moniker to come to mind.

Y

Florrie pointed with the tip of her parasol. “It is clearly outside the line.”

Oscar shook his head and crouched down. “I’d say it’s directly on the line, and that means it’s still inside the circle.”

“Look at it from this angle.”

Oscar stood beside Florrie, tilting his head. “I still say it’s on the line.”

“Rubbish. See that green swirl there? It’s clearly over the outside of the line.”

“Yes, but if you’d just get down and see it from the other angle, you’d realize the marble is over the inside of the line as well. Making iton the line.”

“I amnotcrouching down in the dirt,” Florrie said, her chin lifted. She raised her parasol and returned it to her shoulder for emphasis.

Oscar folded his arms. “Well then,Your Highness, you’ll have to concede to my judgment, as I have seen it from both sides, down on the ground.”

“I don’t have to concede anything.” Florrie spun and gave herback to Oscar, who jumped out of the way of her parasol before it could poke him in the eye.

Cyril exchanged looks with his sister, each of them biting back grins.

Andrew drew a hand down his face. “I believe we need secondary line judges,” he said.

Lydia nodded with a sigh. “Seconded.”

Y

Violet looked at the remaining marbles and did the math. Four marbles left in the circle, including their taws. She had thirteen in her bag. That meant Cyril had nine in his.

And it was his turn.

Violet held her breath as he took aim.

Clack.

Make that ten.