Scandal in Spring (Wallflowers #4)(30)

Before he replied, however, Matthew noticed something on the periphery of his vision…a flash of yellow. It was Daisy, her hand lightly resting on Lord Llandrindon’s arm as they proceeded to the hallway that led to the parlor.

The logical part of Matthew’s brain pointed out that if Daisy was going to indulge in scandalous behavior with Llandrindon, it was her own affair. But a deeper, more primitive part of his mind reacted with a possessiveness that caused his feet to start moving.

“Oh, lovely,” Cassandra Leighton trilled, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. “We’ll have such fun.”

This was a new and unwelcome discovery, that a primal urge could abruptly seize control of the rest of Matthew’s body. Frowning, he went along with Miss Leighton, while she spouted a stream of nonsense.

A group of young men and women had assembled in the parlor, laughing and chattering. Anticipation was thick in the air. And there was a sense of roguery, as if a few of the participants had been warned they were about to take part in something naughty.

Matthew stood near the threshold, his gaze instantly finding Daisy. She was seated near the hearth with Llandrindon half-leaning on the arm of her chair.

“The first game,” Lady Miranda said with a grin, “will be a round of ‘Animals.’” She waited for a ripple of chuckles to die down before continuing. “For those of you unfamiliar with the rules, they are quite simple. Each lady will select a male partner for herself, and each gentleman will be assigned a particular animal to imitate—dog, pig, donkey and so forth. The ladies will be sent from the room and blindfolded, and when they return, they will attempt to locate their partners. The gentlemen will assist the ladies by making the correct animal sound. The last lady to find her partner will have to pay a forfeit.”

Matthew groaned inwardly. He hated games that served no purpose other than to make fools out of the participants. As a man who did not enjoy being embarrassed, voluntarily or otherwise, this was the kind of situation he would have done anything to avoid.

Glancing at Daisy, he saw that she was not giggling as the other women were. Instead she looked resolute. This was her attempt to be one of the crowd, to behave like the empty-headed women around her. Bloody hell. No wonder she had been a wallflower, if this was what was expected of marriage-minded young women.

“You shall be my partner, Mr. Swift,” cried Miss Leighton.

“A privilege,” Matthew returned politely, and she giggled as if he had said something vastly amusing. Matthew had never met a woman who giggled so incessantly. He was half-afraid she might cause herself seizures if she didn’t stop.

A hat filled with slips of paper was passed around, and Matthew plucked one out and read it.

“Cow,” he informed Miss Leighton stonily, and she tittered.

Feeling like an idiot, Matthew stood aside while Miss Leighton and all the other ladies left the room.

Men positioned themselves strategically, chortling as they anticipated the fun of being bumped into and groped by various blindfolded women.

A few practice calls from around the parlor—

“Squawk!”

“Meow!”

“Ribbit!”

Rumbles of laughter ensued. As the blindfolded ladies paraded into the room, the place erupted in animal cries. It sounded like a rabid zoo. The ladies set out to find their partners, bumping into braying, cheeping, snorting men.

Matthew hoped to God that Westcliff, Hunt, or God forbid, Bowman, wouldn’t chance to come into the room and see him like this. He would never live it down.

His dignity was dealt a mortal blow as he heard Cassandra Leighton’s voice—“Where is Mr. Cow?”

Matthew heaved a sigh. “Moo,” he said grimly. Miss Leighton’s giggle sailed through the air. She gradually came into view, her hands groping every male form in proximity. A few unplanned squeaks and squawks were emitted as she made her way through the crowd.

“Oh, Mr. Co-ow,” Miss Leighton called. “I need more assistance from you!”

Matthew scowled. “Moo.”

“Once more,” she trilled.

It was lucky for Cassandra Leighton that her blindfold shielded her from Matthew’s murderous glare. “Moo.”

Giggle. Giggle. Giggle. Miss Leighton approached, arms outstretched, fingers opening and closing on empty air. She reached him, her hands fumbling at his waist and sliding downward. Matthew seized her wrists and tugged them firmly upward.

“Have I found Mr. Cow?” she asked disingenuously, leaning into him.

He pushed her back with a firm nudge. “Yes.”

“Hurrah for me!” she cried, removing her blindfold.

Other couples had also been reunited, the animals quieting one by one as they were claimed. Finally only one sound was left…an awkward attempt at some kind of insect vibration. A katydid? A cricket?

Matthew craned his neck to see who was making the noise, and whom his unfortunate partner turned out to be. There was an exclamation, and ripples of friendly laughter. The crowd parted to reveal Daisy Bowman removing her blindfold, while Lord Llandrindon shrugged apologetically. “That is not the noise a cricket makes,” Daisy protested, flushed and laughing. “You sound as if you’re clearing your throat!”

“It was the best I could do,” Llandrindon said helplessly.

Oh, God. Matthew closed his eyes briefly. It would be Daisy.