Georgiana and Susan’s younger sister, Eliza, let out a delighted but incoherent squeal and shot up from her seat beside Lady Gainsbourne to embrace her sisters.
“This is so exciting!”
Georgiana pulled Eugenia into their sisterly embrace and the four of them hugged fiercely.
“You just think you’re excited to be becoming aunts,” Lady Gainsbourne quipped. “I’m going to be a grandmother, and I positively cannot wait!”
They were interrupted by the knock of the housekeeper, Mrs. Stebbins, at which they all sat down and tried to look demure and ladylike, as opposed to the circus of unbridled joy which the room had been, only moments before. Once Mrs. Stebbins had deposited the tea and biscuits, then left the room, they all looked at one another, squealing with excitement once more.
“Tell us everything,” Eugenia breathed, her mind already racing with thoughts of everything she intended to spoil her niece or nephew with.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE ASHBROOK ESTATE
The women spoke of babies,baby clothes, nursery decorating and such until the gentlemen joined them. Eliza stifled a long yawn and stood, dropping a kiss onto her mother’s cheek.
“While I am absolutely delighted for Georgiana and Edward, I can’t seem to hold my eyes open. I think I’m going to have a nap.”
Lady Gainsbourne gave her youngest daughter an indulgent pat on the cheek.
“Very well, dear.”
Eliza excused herself with a curtsey to Lord D’Asti and a quick peck on the cheek for Edward before she hurried out of the drawing room. Eugenia and Susan both congratulated Edward with a sisterly kiss on the cheek, causing him to blush.
“I’m so delighted for both of you!”
Eugenia gave her brother a fierce hug.
“Well, yes, we’re quite pleased.” Edward crossed to Georgiana. Pulling her to his side, he gently kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling, darling?”
Georgiana looked at Edward with pure love.
“We’re fine dear.”
That longing, wistful ache started in Eugenia’s chest again, and her expression must have given something away, because Edward blushed again and changed the subject.
“What of your portion of Grandfather’s treasure hunt, Eugenia? Have you made any progress on it?”
“Oh.” Eugenia gave a little grimace and a palms-up gesture, her expression growing serious. “I’m afraid I haven’t been giving it my due diligence. In fact, I have not thought of it, at least not consistently, for some time. There have been, well… other things on my mind.”
At that, she darted a sideways glance at Lord D’Asti, then immediately wished she had not done so.
“Yes, of course.” Edward gave a subtle nod, letting her know without words that he was aware of what had happened at Lady Duncan’s Ball, as well as since then. Eugenia knew that their mother and their siblings had been keeping him abreast of her situation. The Calthorpes didn’t keep secrets from one another. Even on the rare occasions when they tried to do so, it never lasted long. For a mere moment, concern flashed through Edward’s eyes, but anyone who did not know him well would have easily missed it. Eugenia saw it, though. “But what better way to distract yourself?”
“True,” Eugenia replied with a wavering smile. “I have the letter in my reticule. I keep it with me, hoping to make sense of the riddle.”
Glad to have a reason not to dwell on all of the mistakes she’d made of late, Eugenia pulled out the letter from her grandfather which contained the riddle meant for her, and passed it to Edward to read.
Lord D’Asti, who had been quietly observing all of the proceedings up to now, cleared his throat and stepped fully into their circle.
“I must admit that I find this family treasure hunt of yours fascinating, Lady Eugenia.”
She looked up, a bit surprised that he’d chosen to engage her rather than Edward. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and offered the Count a genuine smile. He returned her smile, and his handsomeness quite stole her breath. It took her a moment to find her voice.
“It’s all because of our grandfather and his sister, great-aunt Virtue. The concept of the family treasure hunt actually goes back several generations past our grandfather, but he and his sister Virtue are the ones who altered the tradition. Before them, the treasure hunt was only for the firstborn sons of firstborn sons in the Calthorpe family, with no regard whatsoever for their siblings’ welfare.” Eugenia and Edward exchanged knowing smiles before she continued her explanation. “Grandfather realised that he never would have found his obscenely vast treasure without Great-Aunt Virtue, so he split it with her, half and half, and the two of them promised each other that they would carry on the treasure hunt tradition, but a bit differently from how it had been in the past. They agreed that all Calthorpechildren — and grandchildren — should be equally well provided for, especially since there is more than enough treasure to go around – and grandfather had been growing his wealth through investment, as well. Grandfather allotted a certain portion of his wealth for each of his children and grandchildren, bequeathing specific things to each of us, which we must discover during the treasure hunt. I can only assume that Great-Aunt Virtue did the same for her children and grandchildren.”
Lord D’Asti and the Wingfields listened with rapt attention to Eugenia’s explanation, nodding, their eyes all alight with interest.
