Free Lord Nick's Folly by Emily Hendrickson Page A

would have made any difference, mind you."
    If Nympha was curious to know what her great-aunt meant by this observation, she wasn't to know. Nothing more was said on the matter as the carriage rolled down the avenue.
     

Chapter Five
     
    After a bit of silence Mrs. Coxmoor asked, "Do you play tennis, my lord?"
    "Tennis, ma'am?" Lord Nicholas looked as confused as Nympha felt.
    "I have had a neat little court some distance from the house. I thought perhaps one or both of you might enjoy the game. Perhaps Mr. Milburn as well?" Mrs. Coxmoor folded her hands on her lap, looking for all the world as though she sat in her drawing room rather than bouncing along a country road in a closed landau.
    The carriage rolled onto the main road leading to Mansfield.
    "As to that, ma'am," Nick replied, "I have played some while in London. There is a tennis court just off Piccadilly. Several of us enjoy a hard game now and again. Scropes Davies is a splendid player and a good opponent—almost a professional. Have you learned the game. Miss Herbert?"
    Nympha calmly returned his look. Did he assume she was so provincial she wouldn't have even heard of it? "My father does not consider it seemly for us to play tennis, although I have observed the game. My sisters and I have played battledore and shuttlecock, sir,"
    "Similar games," Great-Aunt Letitia declared. If she observed Nympha's annoyance when Lord Nicholas addressed her, she gave no indication of it. "I would appreciate it if you would teach Nympha, my lord. Do you know if Mr. Milburn also plays?"
    "I believe I have seen him at the London court, although he's not been my partner."
    Nympha frowned while staring out of the window. She couldn't imagine why her great-aunt was the least interested in their playing tennis!
    "And archery? I trust you both indulge in that sport?" her great-aunt persisted.
    Nympha shook her head, definitely puzzled.
    Lord Nicholas smiled. "You are trying to make me out the sportsman, I gather? I also enjoy archery, although I do not belong to the Toxophilic Society. Our Prince Regent used to be active there, I believe."
    "But now he is too fat, I imagine." Great-Aunt Letitia sniffed. "I think were he to exercise more, and eat less, he would find himself in better health. I enjoy a number of outdoor activities. I was used to play tennis, but my health no longer permits it. However, archery is one of my enjoyments. We shall indulge in a few matches while you are here."
    Nympha exchanged a guarded look with Lord Nicholas. She had observed his mother walking across the fields to paint a watercolor. It was quite something else to partake of a round of archery with a lady who was rising seventy!
    The matter was set aside when they approached the town. A neat wooden sign proclaimed they were entering Mansfield Woodhouse.
    "You merely call it Mansfield. It seems to have another name attached." Nympha gazed about with curious eyes as the carriage jounced on the cobbled street.
    "Simpler to keep to the one. Now, we shall meet in the Mansfield Arms for a nuncheon. We shall be mostly in the marketplace, but I think we will also stop at a few of the shops on Stockwell Gate. I requested we be set down in front of Binch's. I want some silk thread, and I am persuaded that Nympha had best select a few ells of silk and muslin. Will you join us, Lord Nicholas?"
    Nick immediately agreed, recalling the slip of paper he had found in the dead man's pocket that had the name of Binch on it and that his hostess had slipped into her reticule. He was not certain what Mrs. Coxmoor had in mind, but he would take advantage of so innocuous a visit.
    Miss Herbert gave him an apprehensive stare that quite decided him. Did she think he might poke his nose into her selection of fabrics and color? Upon reflection, he might.
    "I should be pleased to join you, ma'am." He exited the carriage first and assisted the women. Mrs. Coxmoor wore lemon kid gloves of the finest quality, and stepped from the