She had solved them without moving from her seat. Had Lady Osbourne made them easier today since none of the others had managed to follow the path to Apollo, let alone read the second riddle yesterday? Was that why they were given both today?
Crisp finished his coffee and pocketed the riddles. “Have you finished breaking your fast?”
“I have.” Vanessa smiled up at him.
He rose and assisted her with her chair, then offered his arm before they strolled out into the garden.
“It appears we are off to the stables,” he said once they were away from the others.
“And I assume the orangery after ‘to find the sweet golden joy, one must look beyond the prickly surface’.”If that wasn’t a pineapple, then Vanessa had no idea what else it might be.
“This shouldn’t take long, but it gives us the opportunity to thoroughly search both places since the others seemed rather perplexed.”
How could they not know that the answers were a bridle and a pineapple?
She supposed it didn’t matter and it was for the best since they could search more thoroughly without others underfoot.
In the stables, they were given a piece of straw to prove they were there for a bridle. Crisp then questioned the stable hands as to when Lady Osbourne had last been in the stables.
“I cannot recall,” the head stablemaster answered. “When Lady Osbourne wishes to ride, we take the horse to her.”
“Thank you,” Vanessa said before she and Crisp wandered the area. There was nothing to find, not that Vanessa expected the ruby to be lying next to the mounting block.
“What if she had worn it while out riding? It could be anywhere on the estate.”
“If it cannot be found anywhere else, that is what we will need to do.” Crisp sighed. “We’ll find out where she rides and walk the length of it.”
While it did sound rather daunting, Vanessa didn’t really mind as she would be with Crisp. Further, she wanted to treasure each moment, as she had after he’d sailed to Greece. Those memories had stayed with her over the years, and she did not doubt that this house party would as well.
“We dismissed searching the stables because Lady Osbourne had not been inside,” Vanessa said. “But what if it had been stolen and the thief hid it there?” She knew that it was unlikely, but one couldn’t simply assume.
“I have considered the possibility,” Crisp offered. “But I still believe theft is unlikely.”
“Why?” she asked out of curiosity.
“A heart-shaped ruby would be difficult to fence,” he answered. “First, if taken to the rookeries, the thief would not get nearly what it was worth. If it was taken to a pawn shop frequented by the gentry, the proprietor may ask too many questions. It would be a memorable piece, if not immediately recognized. Nor would the thief wish to be identified if someone came searching for the ruby.”
Vanessa supposed he was correct and did a slow turn to make certain they’d searched every place possible when she spied the carriage house. “Lady Osbourne owns her own traveling coach.” She pointed to the outbuilding.
“It stands to reason that she could have been wearing the ruby last time she traveled,” Crisp agreed as they made their way to the structure.
Vanessa paused just beside the door and looked about before they both slipped inside. They knew that Lady Osbourne wouldn’t care because she wanted her ruby, but others may become suspicious, or follow them since they couldn’t solve the riddles on their own.
It was rather dark and nearly impossible to see anything, especially after they were inside the coach. However, neither wanted to risk lighting a lamp and then need to explain themselves if anyone came upon them.
Together they searched beneath and around the seats, sliding their hands down the sides, often bumping into each other. While the coach was roomy enough for travel if one was sitting, it was not meant for standing, walking, or even bending. At least not for two people.
“I’ve found only a glove and a lace handkerchief,” Vanessa announced as she stood, forgetting she needed to remain bent, and knocked her head on the ceiling before she plopped down on the velvet covered bench and rubbing her head.
“I’ve no luck either.” Crisp settled across from her.
“Then I suppose it is off to the orangery,” Vanessa decided.
With a sigh, Crisp exited first and held out his hand to assist Vanessa, except her exit wasn’t exactly graceful as she tripped on the edge of the door and fell right on top of Crisp. He caught her and stumbled back until his back came up against a smaller carriage.
The feel of his arms about her and her breasts pushed against Crisp’s chest sucked the air from Vanessa’s lungs and she suffered a moment of dizziness.
She glanced up, an apology on her lips, but he was staring down at her, the left side of his mouth tipped in humor.
