Callum helped himself and served everyone refreshments.
He studied the chessboard and said, “I think this was a deliberate move by Aunt Sasha. With your current skills, you won’t figure out where to place that chess piece even after another day.”
Simon was terrible at chess.
His face fell. He glared at Callum.
No matter how much he sucked at chess, it was no fun to be teased by his nephew as he had some dignity to preserve.
Callum chuckled. He looked toward Sasha for help to escape Simon’s deadly stares.
He was merely stating facts.
Upon receiving Callum’s S.O.S., Sasha told her husband, “Keep it away. We can wrap this game up another day.”
“I’d rather not play against you. Callum can do it in your stead. And Callum, stay at the manor this weekend and don’t make other plans. Let’s play a few games together. Otherwise, I’ll nag you to kingdom come.”
Callum quickly begged, “Sorry, Uncle Simon. I was wrong. You’re exceptionally good at chess. You’re a chess maestro, the best player in the world. Please let me off.
“I won’t last three minutes against you. Where’s the fun in that? It’s better if Aunt Sasha is your opponent. It'll be more challenging since she’s skilled at it.”
If Simon wanted the York boys to play chess with him, they would deliberately lose to him and end the game within several minutes. That way, he would find it unchallenging and let them go.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Cupid's Arrow hit me hard!