𝐁𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝; 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙤𝙣

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖

ADILA'S EYES WERE FIXED ON the mallets, her brows furrowed in concentration. She bit on her lower lip, deep in thought, as she carefully examined each one. With a slight hesitation, she slowly raised her hand and let it hover over a mallet with a delicate shade of light blue and couldn't help but steal a quick glance at Anthony, observing his reaction intently.

Feeling a small surge of mischievousness, she allowed her eyes to remain on his face as she swiftly moved her hand, pretending to reach for the green stick which was seemingly cornered by the black mallet. This caused an unexpected sound to leave the viscount, his face contorting with a mix of surprise and discomfort. "Lovely."

"The mallet of death." Eloise quickly said as the Bridgerton siblings turned to look at Anthony.

"Would you look at that brother?" Benedict smiled, looking down at his older brother with a teasing smile.

"Oh, is this yours?" Adila tilted her head, a small smile pulling at her lips as she extended the mallet towards him.

"Not at all. You're welcome to it." He said, looking away attempting to come off as unbothered.

"You threatened to beat me the last time I touched that-"

"You exaggerate!" Anthony exclaimed, cutting Colin off.

"Do you also have a specific chair I should avoid at the dining table?" He glanced at Adila, who was smiling at him while nodding to the object she held in her hands. With a slight frown, he shifted his gaze between her and the mallet she was holding before reluctantly reaching out his arm to grab it. However, just as he was about to take it, she swiftly pulled her arm back. "Do not tell me you are with this mallet as a child is with his blanket?"

Looking at his giggling siblings, Anthony let out a small huff. "I can play perfectly well with any mallet. I wish you the best of luck."

"Are we to stand around deliberating all day, or shall we play?" Eloise whined, her body slumpin in annoyance. Before she could utter another word, the Bridgerton siblings all jumped and grabbed their desired mallet before Anthony could react, leaving him with the pink mallet.

"To the field of combat!" Daphne shouted, excitedly leading everyone to the starting point.

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"How lovely." Adila exclaimed with enthusiasm, flashing Anthony a radiant grin as his pink ball gracefully settled next to her own black one.

Eloise couldn't help but chuckle at the intense stare down between the two. "You have the chance to best him."

"That would not be very sportsmanlike, would it?" Leaning on his mallet, Colin inquired.

"I regret to inform you that I have no desire to uphold sportsmanship when presented with the chance to defeat the viscount." The girl in purple shrugged, looking over at the man in gray. "Is that not a requirement for this game?"

"I always knew you were a fast learner, Adila." Daphne chuckled, giving the girl an encouraging nod.

Turning to look at Anthony, the girl's eyebrows shot up when he turned to avoid her gaze. "I would inquire if you are feeling defeated, but I simply cannot pass up this chance."

"My mood shall remain unchanged, regardless of your choice." As he flashed a forced smile, he stole a quick glance back at her.

"I hope you keep your word then." She hummed, giving him a teasing smile. "For your sake, that is." Adila wasted no time in silencing him, swiftly adjusting her stance and striking her dark ball directly into his, watching with a sense of pride as it soared effortlessly into the distant woods.