Atticus had been waiting all day for someone to sit at the giant chess boards; he couldn’t con Anthony into playing with him - while his dear cousin was better at croquet, he was better at chess. Poppy had wandered off to see some of her friends, and Basil… Well, they weren’t on speaking terms at the moment. So when Miss Mountbatton sat on the white side of the board, he couldn’t help the grin that spread across his lips. He took long, deliberate strides across the lawn before he slid into the seat on the black side.

“Good afternoon Miss Mountbatton,” He greeted as he nodded his head. He was excited. Atticus loved to play the game, and she seemed like she would be a formidable opponent. “I do hope you’re not going to be a sore loser.” He couldn’t help the tease that followed.

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