Upon entering the hall of portraits, the atmosphere shifted. The grand paintings lining the walls seemed to watch them, each figure frozen in time, their stories waiting to be discovered. “Which portrait should we look for?” Diana asked, her voice filled with awe.
“There must be another clue somewhere, Tristan said, his tone focused as he approached a particularly striking painting of a lady in a flowing gown, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “What about her? She seems like she could have secrets.”
Diana smiled at his playful banter, but her attention was drawn to a different portrait—one of a stern-looking gentleman, his gaze fixed intently upon the viewer. “What about him?” she suggested, pointing.
Tristan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Very well. Let’s investigate.”
As they drew closer, Diana noticed a piece of paper tucked behind the frame of the portrait. She leaned in, brushing her fingers over the frame. “Here!” she exclaimed, her pulse quickening. “There’s something written here.”
With bated breath, they gathered around as she unfolded the note and read it aloud: “To find the next treasure, one must look where the sun sets and the shadows dance.”
“A riddle,” Diana said, her eyes wide with wonder. “Where the sun sets…it must mean in a westerly direction?”
“It must mean the west garden!” Tristan said, smiling at her. “We must hurry.”
They dashed back outside, turning in a different direction this time.
“I can see now why you suggested that this was an activity only for the younger guests,” Diana said, panting slightly as they walked quickly across the lawn. “I think that the dowager and her friends would have had trouble keeping up.”
“I must say, lady Diana, that it is a pleasure to see you more relaxed,” Tristan observed. “I am glad that you are enjoying the treasure hunt so much.”
Diana bristled. “I do not know what you mean. I am always relaxed.” She knew, as she said it, that it was a lie, but she could not admit it to him.
“All I mean is that you do not have to be so perfect all the time,” he said. “Not with me, at least.”
They had fallen into a rhythm, walking along together, but Diana felt her shoulders tense a little at his words. “I do not try to be perfect all the time!”
He laughed. “You know that is not true.”
She sighed. “I suppose it might be true,” she conceded. “But I do not think you understand how it is, to be a young lady in society. We are expected to be perfect, all the time. No one praises us for showing our true selves, only for concealing our feelings and being polite, and going along with what everyone else wants.”
“You are right,” he replied. “I do not understand it. We have much more freedom, as gentlemen. I am sorry that you have had so much pressure on you throughout your life.”
“Well, it is nothing,” she said, trying to sound dismissive. There was something about him, she thought. How did he always manage to get her to speak to openly to him? It was most infuriating, really, when she was trying to get to know him better. And his true character was as opaque to her as it had always been.
“There is a certain charm in imperfection,” Tristan said. “Perhaps you should embrace it.”
“And perhaps you should concentrate on the treasure hunt,” Diana retorted.
Tristan chuckled. “We are at the west garden now,” he declared, as they entered a small, enclosed area surrounded by a tall hedge. “I wonder what we shall find there?”
As they continued deeper into the garden, the path narrowed, leading them into a maze crafted from meticulously trimmed hedges.
“Oh!” Diana said. “A maze! Do you think it is quite appropriate for us to be here alone?”
“Lady Diana, it is precisely the purpose of the maze, to allow for such inappropriateness,” he said softly, drawing a little closer to her. “But do not worry. There are plenty of other people around. There is nothing improper about it.”
“Well, I hope that we do not get lost,” Diana said, feeling a little anxious as they entered the maze. “Are you sure that the answer to the clue will be within the maze?”
“If I know Haxby at all, then I am sure that the clue will be hidden in here somewhere,” Tristan replied. “There was something in the clue about shadows, yes?”
Diana nodded.
“Then it will be hidden in some dark corner, I expect,” Tristan said, lowering his voice a little. “Haxby is a naughty old dog, really. I’m sure he’s convinced we’ll all get lost in the maze, and then he won’t have to trouble himself with luncheon.”
Diana giggled. She could not help but enjoy Tristan’s banter, even though she disapproved of him in so many ways. They reached a junction in the maze, and Diana paused, unsure which way to go.
“I do hope you have not lost your way already, Lady Diana.”
