Chapter 17
Addison stopped halfway down the well-worn yet steep path and stared back up at the castle looming behind them. The wind gusted, whipping her hair around her face.
“Everything okay?” Devon asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, just getting my bearings.”
They continued down to the crescent-shaped beach. Checking her watch, she noted it had taken them about fifteen minutes to walk down from the castle, but they hadn’t been in a rush. Cliffs enclosed the beach, protecting it from the worst of the wind.
“I think the cave entrance is that way,” Connie said, pointing to the taller cliff at the north end of the beach.
“Why?” Addison asked.
“Because that’s where the butler said it would be.”
“He didn’t find it suspicious that you asked?” Devon asked.
“I didn’t ask. He said if I was interested in playing pirate, there was a cave in the north cliff that guests liked to use. Apparently Tsarevna held a themed party last year. Two guesses what the game for that party was.” She winked at Addison.
“Find the booty?” Graham asked.
“Followed by a rousing game of bury the treasure,” Connie said.
“At least she’s inventive,” Devon said.
They heard voices and glanced up the path. Two women made their way down, trailed by two men. The women waved when they saw them.
Addison and Connie waved back.
“Should we still check out the cave or should we wait?” Addison asked.
“Let’s get a little more cover,” Graham said. When the group reached the beach, he raised an arm. “Argh! Have ye come to follow me treasure trail?”
“What treasure trail?” the woman with brown hair asked.
“The one that goes down here.” His hands moved to the button of his pants, as if he was going to take them off.
Connie smacked him on the chest with the back of her hand. “Stop. Don’t mind him. We were told there was a cave in the cliff, and he won’t stop making innuendos about booty and treasure trails.”
“How exciting!” the other woman said. “I want to see it.” She turned to the man closest to her. “Hector, carry me. I don’t want to get sand in my shoes.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Hector picked her up and cradled her in his arms. With his dark hair and complexion and her platinum blonde hair, they looked like a couple on one of the bodice ripper romances Addison’s mom used to hide in her closet.
“Lead the way!” the woman said.
“Yo! Ho ho!” Graham raised his arm like he held a sword and started down the beach, his new entourage in tow.
“Is he always like this?” Addison asked Devon. She would not have expected this role from him based on their interactions back in South Carolina.
“Sometimes, yeah. Graham knows how to relax and have fun, but when it’s go time, it’s go time. He’s one of the few officers I’d willingly follow into combat.”
They trailed behind the group, and Addison stopped every now and then to pick up a shell.
“What are your plans after we get home?” Devon asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t given much thought beyond finding Braedon.”
“What do you want to do?” he asked.
