Alexander’s smile brought a surge of dread to my over-filled stomach. He reached for the plate, and I jumped to my feet. I nearly lunged across the table. “No!” I clutched the back of his wrist to stop him from taking one of my final three cakes.
His eyes rounded as he stared up at me. I released his hand, my face burning. I sat back in my chair. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I didn’t realize I was so competitive.”
His lip quivered with laughter. “Over sweets?”
“I—well…” my voice faded. “I found a clue to Lady Tottenham’s game,” I whispered.
“A clue?”
“Yes.” I could hardly sit up straight. My stomach felt close to bursting. “Did you have a note tied to your bedpost today?”
He shook his head. His dark brows pinched together. “I haven’t seen any clues.”
“Did she only leave the clues for me?” I mused, more to myself than to him.
“What did she leave you?”
I eyed him with caution. “Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
I sighed. “One moment.” I picked up the last items from the plate, finishing them in three bites. I drained my teacup, forcing myself to keep a proper posture. I had already been behaving like swine; I could at least maintain a shred of elegance. Alexander’s wide eyes made a laugh bubble out of my mouth. I swallowed hard to keep anything else from coming up with it. “Now I can be sure you won’t sabotage me.”
“Please do explain,” he said with a nervous smile. His eyes flickered to the trail of crumbs on the table.
“Close your eyes for a moment,” I said.
He hesitated, but finally obeyed, his dark lashes fluttering closed. I reached in my bodice and withdrew the clue I had found in the blindfold. I unfolded the foolscap just as his eyes opened. I read it aloud.
“If you wish to pass the test
You must stand out from all the rest
Take part in my peculiar feast
And eat no less than twenty-three.”
His eyes widened. “Twenty-three of these?” He gestured at the plate.
I nodded, and my stomach lurched with dismay. “I have never eaten so much in my entire life.”
A laugh burst out of him. “Why the devil would Lady Tottenham require you to do that?”
I shrugged. “Her games are never ordinary. She seems to enjoy watching her guests embarrass or torture themselves. Don’t forget that as we speak, we are locked in a room after midnight being forced to play a game of chess.”
“That is true.” His gaze settled on my face for a long moment, eyes narrowed in thought. “Are you determined to participate in her game, then?”
“If I have no choice but to stay at Birch House, then I see no reason not to. It will help pass the time. She obviously wants to see her guests enjoying their time here, embracing her ideas, and searching for her secret ‘prize.’”
“She also wants her guests to fall in love with one another,” Alexander added with a sideways smile. “Do you plan on participating in that?”
I took a sip of tea, meeting his gaze over the rim of the cup. “You already know that answer.”
“You might not have a choice if I win this game.” He grinned, lifting his next piece on the chess board.
“You are not going to w?—”
My eyes blurred for a moment, my stomach roiling as I inspected the board. I had been far too distracted. “Drat it all,” I muttered, gritting my teeth.
