“And what happened after that?”
“He told her what he thought of her attitude, in front of everyone. He said that, since she seemed so interested in making commentary on people’s physical appearances, he wanted to hear what she had to say of him—”
“He did not!”
Eliza all but shot up from her seat, wanting to clap her hands and cheer.
“He most certainly did. And then the Duke joined them, and Lady Camilla asked His Grace if he intended to allow his brother to speak to her in such a beastly manner. You’ll never believe what he said, either. It’s just too delicious.”
“You must tell me at once, Matilda. What did he say?”
“He said ‘I do’ and then had a footman show Lady Camilla and her mother out of the Ball.”
“I wish you hadn’t told me that.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because it makes me like him even more than I already did after we shared that dance last night, and I don’t want to like him.”
“That is the most foolish, nonsensical thing any woman in human history has ever said.”
Eliza glared at Matilda.
“I think that might be a slight exaggeration on your part.”
“It most certainly is not. The man is a Duke. That’s reason enough to like him, but on top of that, he is also handsome, and he appears to be kind, too.”
“And a girl like me has absolutely no business having any interest in a man like him.”
“Oh, hush. You are speaking pure foolishness right now, and I will not hear of it, I tell you. If you are not going to be sensible about the Duke of Elkington, let us change the subject entirely. I’ve been trying to work out this infuriating puzzle rhyme Grandfather left for me, and I am getting absolutely nowhere with it.”
“I’d be more than happy to help you work it out, if you’d like me to?”
“Oh, yes! That would be lovely!”
Matilda pulled the letter out of her reticule and passed it to Eliza.
Dearest Matilda,
I do hope this letter finds you well, and that you enjoy your portion of the Calthorpe family treasure hunt just as much as I trust your elder siblings have, if not more so.
You have always been so keen and bright, and I hope this riddle presents you with the kind of challenge your keen and inquiring mind craves.
You never were the sort to tolerate twaddle and nonsense, so I shall get straight to the point. Here is your riddle, and I wish you luck with it!
You’ll need to twice be clever
To claim your promised treasure.
The first is small, the second tall
And yet they belong together.
Carved, art echoes life
With all its pleasures and strife.
Once you look beside a book
