Page 43 (1/2)

The group surrounding Mrs Patton turned out to be discussing bookplates and typefaces, none of which Je about Finally the discussion of barth-cast fonts (what ever they were) ended, and Mrs Patton turned to Je to uish smile "I have heard so much of your prowess at chess"

"And I the sahtly

"I doubt I’m at your level I was roundly beaten by Philidor last year when he visited London But he told me of you, and fired my wish to have you be my compatriot at Parsloe’s Rather than cede my place in the London Chess Club to you, I am hopeful that we could be the only two of our sex in the chosen one hundred"

"Is it aard being the only woman?"

"I don’t find it uncomfortable Occasionally a topic is broached that I find tedious, such as the relative iven opera dancer I find that a quick co children will return gentlemen to awareness of my presence"

"Since I have nursed no children," Jemma said, "I shall have to echo you"

"I am certain that you can come up with your own topics by which to distress their sensibilities," Mrs Patton said "Men are so hideously sensitive, you know It’s easy to throw the chess, of course, though soe"

"I would relish seeing you discomfit my husband In fact, I would love to see you play him"

"Ah, but the Duke of Beauether" Mrs Patton’s smile ry "I doubt that he plays chess with mere mortals If he is half as busy as the papers a a house party at Christmas time," Jemma said "I should dearly love to both play you at chess and watch you vanquish my husband I believe I would bet on you over a politician"

"I a ready to refuse

"Oh please," Jemma broke in "It is months away; you can hardly do me the discourtesy to cry an earlier invitation I have just returned froht years in Paris, you know, and I have discovered few people hom to play chess"

"Dear me," Mrs Patton said, "and here I was under the impression that you had monopolized the market when it came to chess masters Your pairedrather widely celebrated"

"I have never played a woman with ability at chess, and I must confess to an unbearable curiosity"

"I fancy I shall find ," Mrs Patton said

"Then?"

"I travel with children Children and--how could I forget--a husband as well"

"You would all be welcome One must have children about to truly enjoy Christnificent Twelfth Night party and put a bean in everyone’s slice"

"There you show yourself to be no mother," Mrs Patton observed cheerfully "It would be the Slaughter of the Innocents as they fought over who got the largest bean and thus got to be King for the Day"

"In that case," Jes so that you, dear Mrs Patton, are Queen of the Pea, if you will cohed "The chance to play chess and be queen, if illicitly gained? It’s hard to resist I expect reeable, but if he is not, I shall send you rets on theattention She swept a deep curtsy, a duchess-to-duchess curtsy "It will be my pleasure"

Chapter 30

The Duke of Villiers to Miss Charlotte Tatlock Novery at my rudeness? It has been months and I find myself still tied to this bed In desperation I write to ask if you would read me Bible verses Such wit and beauty as you have should apply itself to doing miracles, and I’m sure such an influx of heavenly influence would be miraculous My footman ait for your answer

Miss Charlotte Tatlock to the Duke of Villiers ByReturn

You are the most fantastical and unkind e what our heavenly Savior would think of your behavior

PS I am truly sorry to hear that you are still unwell