“Where indoor songbirds are heard,” Crisp read. “And,Comedy or tragedy, upon the boards the stories were told, except for these, which in your hand you can hold.”
“These are easier than yesterday,” Vanessa whispered.
“Somewhere in the music room,” Crisp said. “But I’m not certain of the second riddle.”
Vanessa rose to her toes so that she could whisper in his ear. “Shakespeare’s sonnets.”
“Ah, yes,” Crisp said. “As I do not appreciate his work, the answer did not come to me quickly.”
Vanessa gasped. How could he not enjoy Shakespeare?
“Obviously you do.” He snorted. “Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers? I could see the appeal, she liked sneaking around and not doing as she was told either.” He chuckled.
Vanessa nearly punched him in the arm for his teasing. “I will have you know that it isA Midsummer Night’s Dreamthat I enjoy.”
He cocked his head and stared at her. “I can see where you’d find the appeal. As for me, if I had to pick one that I liked, it would be…” He grinned at her. “Taming of the Shrew.”
“Of course, you would.” She snorted and turned on her heel. “I am certain many men find delight in taming women to keep us in our place.”
She knew that Crisp was teasing, but it irritated her that women had so few options and the best of those were to marry and beget heirs and manage a household. She wanted more. Until Crisp came back into her life, it had been independence. Now she wanted him as well, but to also be free to do as she wished. One is either married or free and the two could not exist together.
In less than an hour, they presented a feather and a handwritten sonnet to Lady Sewell.
“As usual, the two of you have completed the task while the others wouldn’t be able to solve a murder if it occurred in front of them.”
Crisp stiffened at the word murder but said nothing. Not that she could blame him as the scandal had been on everyone’s lips for months. Then it occurred to her that there may be another reason, which she should have considered, for why he had not gone into Society.
“Shall we enjoy this fine day?” Crisp asked as he offered his arm.
Vanessa smiled up at him. “I would like that very much.”
As soon as they were outside and near the statues, that were not and never were Apollo, they stopped.
“There are few places left to search,” he said.
“Two common rooms remain in the manor, and we’ve walked a good portion of the estate already.”
“Does that mean we’ll need to walk where she normally rides?” Vanessa nearly groaned.
“I promise to catch you if you trip.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “That will be the last place we look. There is still the front lawn of the manor, and the walk and drive. We could also search for any place on the terrace where it may have fallen.” So much for not sharing her list of places with him. Then again, she’d never had to keep a secret from him before.
He offered his arm again. “To the front of the manor.”
Vanessa slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and glanced up at Crisp. Did she dare ask? Nine years ago, she wouldn’t have hesitated, but now was different, and neither of their families had done anything near as scandalous as what had occurred last summer and fall.
Blast! It would bother her until she knew.
“Is that why you avoid Society?”
He was silent for the longest time and Vanessa wished she hadn’t said anything. He had to know to what she referred, but she didn’t want to say it directly.
“I am sorry. I should not have asked.”
“Don’t be. It is not like my family is a secret.”
“I understand if you do not wish to speak of it.”
