Season's Feather

Chapter Twenty-Three

And the game was on. A sure competition between everyone, though as Delilah had said, her and Anthony seemed in a competition of their own. Glares - true glares - a look you wouldn't find between the couple usually. Competitive comments. Delilah almost resorted to kicking in his knee.

Even the mothers had come out to watch. Delilah felt a small pang in her heart realizing Mary would no longer be up there. She thought back to the argument with Williamson, but shook her head. She had to remain strong. Take her sorrow out on the game.

After Anthony's shot, she turned and walked over.

"Allow me," She nodded. And made it.

Shot, after shot, after shot. Still Delilah and Anthony were in their own game. Everyone at this point had stepped back to let the two compete on their own. It was so much more fun watching them anyway.

Finally it came to the point their balls were sitting side by side. Delilah walked over with a confident stature.

"You have the chance to best him." Eloise smiled.

"That would not be very sportsmanlike, would it?" Colin teased.

Delilah smiled, "I think unsportsmanlike conduct is a requirement for this game, isn't it?"

"An informative player you are, Delilah." Daphne laughed.

Delilah smiled at her friend before turning to her fiancee, "What do you say, my lord? Are you in a losing mood?"

"My mood shall remain unchanged, regardless of your choice."

"Ah is that so," Delilah pressed, "You would bravely bear the crushing shame of defeat?"

Anthony laughed, "No pleasant playing with you, is there, my love."

"I suppose not," Delilah nodded, "Then you shall not mind this."

She hit it hard. The ball flew, and it rolled a waze into the woods. All around her the group chuckled and laughed. Claps sounded. Delilah certainly hit well. Then Colin hit Anthonys, and all more laughs sounded.

The Bridgerton brother turned to the viscount and lady, "You two better go fetch them. Unless you would like to quit, here and now?"

Delilah and Anthony shared a look before both bounding out into the forest. Delilah began to hurry, tracking through the woods to find her ball. She heard Anthony behind her searching for his own ball.

"You best hope your play does not hand victory to my brothers," Anthony breathed, "Or we shall never hear the end of it."

Delilah laughed, "Oh, and how treacherous it would be to lose the streak you have garnered over each summer."

They continued to walk through the small brush until they came to a small opening. Across was a pit of mud, resting on said mud was the couple's pair of balls.

Delilah surveyed the pit, "We shall go and pluck them out."

Anthony smiled, "Oh, how honorable. I shall do it, we do not want to ruin your dress."

"So, you do have honor then. My, I was afraid your competitive nature was overtaking the man I love."

"That and the fact I suspect you'd loudly advertise my cheating the moment I stepped out of line, Delilah."

Delilah let out a snort, "Do not act as if you would not do the same."

Coming up to the mud pit. It was clear the balls were much further in than they had anticipated. Delilah could see no way of getting them out without going in. But, it didn't matter, because she had experience with mud as a girl.

She hiked up her dress and walked forward. Stepping into the mud, even into the puddle, and hitting her ball out. She looked up at Anthony who wore a shocked expression.

She flashed a small smirk, "Your turn, my lord. Unless you are afraid of dirting those polished boots."

"Do not worry about my boots." Anthony said. After a moment, he trudged into the mud. Gave Delilah the most flattering smile ever and then hit his ball out. He turned quickly to walk out.

Delilah made a move to follow, and found that she was stuck. "Help!" She called.

Anthony turned around and saw her struggle before he laughed softly and grabbed her outstretched hand and pulled her out. However, her foot would not come out. Anthony was dragged farther in.

And suddenly, the two went back, laying in the mud. A shocked yelp came from both of them, before it turned into a laugh from Delilah as she looked around at their situation, "Oh, how cozy!"

Anthony frowned, "It is not amusing."

She shook her head with a smile, "I did not say it was."

Anthony huffed a couple of times before the two erupted into full on laughter. And, it was a small moment of pure happiness. A moment shared between the two. There was beauty in the way it was so unruly. It was just pure joy. Delilah stood, her entire back, hands, and legs covered in mud. She reached over to help her fiancee up.

He smiled at her, "I underestimated you, Lady Silvester."

"Oh," She smiled back, "The competitiveness of the game, that is all."

He walked over in his muddied glory and kissed her sweetly. Delilah hummed into his lips and then drew back, "You are a wonderful man."

But, Anthony didn't respond. Delilah looked around. Her eyes dimmed, her shoulders dropped slightly, and she frowned. Of all places to end up on the estate, how fortunate they end up at the little wooden bench.