“It is nothing, just a slight tumble. Mr. Kincaide was kind enough to assist.”
“Yes, that was kind of him. Everyone else just stood gawking, absolutely no manners,” Diana said, upset.
Clara lifted her brow, surprised by her naivety. Did Diana really think that any of these people her mother terrified would assist her? More likely her tumble would make for good gossip among the lords and ladies. All she could hope for was that it would be forgotten before the start of the next season.
As she started to speak, a bell chimed, signaling Lady Adderly was ready to announce their game for the day. Their host clapped her hands excitedly, jumping up and down. Clara wasn’t sure she knew anyone who loved games as much as their host.
“Today, my friends, we will have a scavenger hunt. Hidden throughout the grounds are three golden eggs and whoever finds them gets to keep them.”
The crowd murmured in excitement. Clara patted the book in her dress. For once, one of Lady Adderly’s games seemed divine. She would find herself a spot among the trees and read while everyone ran around wildly.
“Lord Adderly and I will give you a clue for each egg, and then we will ring the bell and the fun will begin.”
“The first clue is I count the bright hours only.”
A sundial, Clara thought. Everyone was murmuring and talking with their groups. Lady Adderly continued on, “The second clue is I connect the earth over that which runs but does not walk.”
The crowd’s talking became louder; clearly everyone had ideas. A bridge, Clara wondered. Lady Adderly clapped her hands again, silencing everyone. “The last clue is the old man is always surrounded by the always changing young, but he always stubbornly stays the same.”
Clara rolled her eyes. How would anyone decipher such an awful riddle? The bell rang and everyone scattered. Diana’s face was flushed with excitement, her head swiveling back and forth trying to determine the best direction to go. Poor Hensley. Clara could tell all he wanted was to return to the house and read his business papers. Diana wrapped her arm in his, pulling him along. She looked back at Clara and said, “Come along, Clara.”
Clara grimaced. “I think my foot still hurts from my tumble. You go ahead, I will catch up.”
At Diana’s hesitation, she added, “Go. I will be fine.”
Clara strolled in the opposite direction of the crowd, hoping to find a quiet place to read. She wound her way through a patch of trees and came out into a clearing with a mammoth rock surrounded by flowers and plants. She smiled, excited to find such an idyllic spot to read. Clara walked around the rock and found a little portion jutting out. The perfect natural bench. She sat, pulled her book out, and tucked her feet under her. Hopefully, she had a few hours to read. She thought the first two riddles would be found within an hour, but the last one seemed too confusing. Perhaps that one would keep everyone busy. She opened her book and started reading, then a rustling startled her. She quickly sat upright, unsure who was on the other side of the rock. The shadow of a man appeared on the side of the rock and for a moment she was nervous, but then the man whistled. She rolled her eyes. Of course, it would be Kincaide.
He rounded the rock and stopped, clearly startled to see her. Clara’s eyes narrowed, and she said, “Are you following me?”
He chuckled and took a seat next to her. Clara sat more upright, uncomfortable with his presence. “I am doing what you are doing, Lady Clara, hiding.”
She snorted. “From your many admirers.”
He pulled a small flask from a pocket and took a sip. “I was just running some numbers in my head for my passenger vessel company.”
She bit her lip and scrunched up her nose, not believing him. “Are you trying to put me in a scandalous position?”
He leaned his head against the rock, crossing his long legs in front of him. His thigh muscles flexed as he stretched. Clara's eyes traveled down the length of him. She doubted Sam Kincaide had a soft part on his entire body. She flushed. Why was she thinking about his body parts?
“Are you?” she asked again.
He chuckled and took another sip from his flask. “Young, innocent, far too proper ladies are not my type. You have nothing to worry about in that regard.”
Clara pinched her lips in anger. “Well, this is my spot. You need to leave, Mr. Kincaide.”
“Sam.”
Clara’s brows furrowed in confusion. He couldn’t be suggesting that she address him so informally? He stared back at her with a mischievous smile.
“You do not think I would ever call you that?” she asked in disbelief.
“Clara, I very much insist that you do.”
She balled up her hands frustrated. “There are plenty of other spots. Go find one,” she snapped.
He opened his hazel eyes and smiled at her. “I love it when you drop your ice princess routine.”
The man was insufferable and improper. Clara would just ignore him. She picked her book up and started to read. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked over at him as he took another swig of his flask. She frowned at him disapprovingly. Sam chuckled and offered the flask, dangling it before her. She gasped, scandalized by his offer. “Are you offering me a drink?”
