I returned the gesture. “Alexander.” My heart picked up speed, but I shushed it. He made me nervous, and I didn’t like it one bit. I couldn’t tell if his flirtations were genuine or made in an attempt to tease me. Either way, it was unacceptable.
His sly smile remained as he strode farther into the room. He wore the same clothes he had worn at dinner—a gold waistcoat, black jacket, and white cravat. The cravat was a little looser than it had been before. He rubbed his jaw as he studied the room in confusion just as I had.
Where was everyone else?
Just as the thought crossed my mind, the footman closed the door behind Alexander. We both glanced back when we heard a clicking sound.
Alexander frowned, testing the door knob. His eyes widened. “He locked us in.”
CHAPTER 9
ANNE
Irushed forward, testing the knob for myself. It didn’t move.
We exchanged a glance.
Alexander’s brow furrowed as he crossed the room to the card table and all that had been arranged on top of it. A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Well, this is certainly unexpected.”
I walked toward him with cautious steps. He glanced up as I approached. I felt his gaze on the side of my face as I inspected the chess board closer. I had played countless games of chess when I had been a companion to my friend Nora. To combat our boredom, we had become quite skilled at it. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have objected to a game of chess, but these circumstances weren’t normal at all.
I was locked in a room with Miles’s brother at midnight.
My invitation had said I wouldn’t be permitted to leave until the game was complete.
My throat was dry. I could hardly swallow or breathe or think clearly. “We have to finish a game of chess,” I said in a flat voice. “That is the only way to have the footman unlock the door.”
Alexander gave a slow nod. “That’s what I’ve gathered as well.”
I pinched the pendant of my necklace, drawing a deep breath. “Lady Tottenham must have chosen us because of what she saw this morning.”
“I have no doubt.” He laughed. “It seems she has a new match in mind. She wanted us to be alone.”
My eyes darted to his. I looked away fast. “She really needs to stop with her matchmaking.”
“Why would she stop now? Her skill is improving.” I could hear the teasing smile in his voice.
“No, it’s not.”
“Do you not agree that you and I would make a better match than you and Lord Kirkham, or Octavia and myself?” The depth of his gaze threatened to throw me off-balance.
“I don’t agree. I think you and Miss Octavia would make a very handsome match.”
“I’m glad to hear that you think I’m handsome.” He walked closer, stopping at my chair to pull it out.
I sat down with a sigh. “You are insufferable.”
He laughed as he sat across from me, resting his folded arms on the table. “Do you know how to play chess?”
I rested my chin on my hand, debating the best way to respond. If I led him to believe I rarely played, he would be more shocked when I took my victory. I shrugged. “I think I remember how to play. Do you know how?”
He tipped his head to one side. “I think so.”
My gaze slid to the tray of tiny desserts and other pickings. What would Alexander think if I began stuffing my face with them? Did I really care what he thought? If the riddle told me I had to eat twenty-three, then I would have to eat quickly before Alexander could snatch too many of them. To start, I grabbed two miniature hot cross buns. I popped them in my mouth, one after the other.
I swallowed, picking up two almond cakes. “I’m hungry,” I said with a laugh.
Alexander didn’t look appalled as I had expected. His smile grew as he watched me fill my cheeks with both cakes at once. “That is completely understandable considering what little we were served for dinner.”
