He knew she could, for he had heard her chatting with Fiona earlier and laughing at one of her jests. The pair had been quite relaxed and seemed to be enjoying their conversation. But Eloise seemed to be terrified of him.
No, not terrified. Dismayed? Bored? Revolted by him?
Well, he had no idea what was going through her mind.
“So,” he continued, as though this was not agony for him, as well, “we are to be on the lookout for a pink egg, a teacup, a lace handkerchief, a lady’s glove, a man’s snuff box, and…” He allowed his voice to trail off, since this was getting him nowhere. “How shall we approach this hunt, Lady Eloise?”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
Ah, she speaks.“Well, some of the items might be hidden under a bush and some might be found up in the trees. Shall I look high while you search low?”
“All right.”
“Everyone has scattered in all directions. Is there any spot you would like to search first?”
“I shall follow your lead,” she said, her voice pinched.
Was she scared of him? And for this reason sounded like a timid mouse?
Since most of the couples had started their search off to the right, he chose to go toward the left side of the woods because the underbrush was sparser and the scavenged items would be easier to spot, assuming any were planted there.
He easily found a pink egg and held it up with glee. “Success, Lady Eloise! We’ve got the egg.”
Fiona would have laughed and perhaps done a silly dance to partake in his cheer, but Eloise just looked at him with a blank expression.
She was a bluestocking, right? Supposedly intelligent, right?
Could have fooled him.
He stuck the egg in the basket. “Right, let’s move on.”
It was not long before he spotted a bit of white lace caught on a twig on the low-hanging branch of a tree. “I thought I saw something in the tree, Lady Eloise.” He pointed upward and feigned excitement. “Do you see it? Shall I lift you up to reach it?”
She backed away as though he were an ogre intending to do her harm.
He sighed. “Never mind. I’ll get it.”
Fiona would have shoved him aside, climbed the tree all on her own, her legs flailing and arms outstretched to grab the item, and then given a victory shout.
“Two items found,” he said with mock enthusiasm. “What shall we look for next?”
“You decide.”
“I see you are agog with excitement,” he muttered, and decided to search for the teacup next. “Of course, we should also keep an eye out for the remaining objects.”
It did not take him long to come upon a teacup.
“Good, we are almost done,” Eloise remarked dryly.
In truth, they were not even halfway to finishing.
He paused in his next search and turned to face her. “Are you not enjoying this game? It is harmless, and an easy way for us to get to know each other. Forgive my bluntness, but it seems you wish to be anywhere but here. Is it me? Or is it just this game you dislike?”
She let out a breath. “Shall we speak bluntly?”
“Yes. In truth, I would just like you to speak, since you have hardly said a word to me all afternoon.”
“I am not trying to be difficult.”
