Had she been eavesdropping on them?
The last thing either she or Crisp needed was to be gossiped about. “I just spoke with him,” Vanessa managed to lie. “But it does grow late and we’ve more riddles tomorrow.”
Eight
Crispawokewiththesame question that had followed him into slumber—why the blazes had he followed her?
Why had he said anything?
He had only been teasing, at first. But when Vanessa denied what Crisp had hoped was the truth, his stomach plummeted and he couldn’t let it go, hoping she’d admit to jealousy. He had pestered and ended up being the fool when he proclaimed that he would have been.
Her reaction had been surprise, or perhaps it was disbelief.
He was a bloody fool!
He should not have let his emotions rule his words. He’d buried his love and desire for her for nine years and he needed to bury it again.
Thank God he hadn’t confessed more, or she would have likely laughed at him.
This was for the best, and Crisp would put the pain away just as he had when he sailed. Once he was gone from here, he would never think of Vanessa again. He’d held on for too long and it was time to let go.
And today, he would also find that bloody ruby so that he could be gone.
He stopped inside the breakfast room, noting the guests, and decided that he was not hungry. The same misses were within and looked at him hopefully.
They didn’t know him, or anything about him other than his older, twin brother was a duke who had yet to wed or produce an heir, which made Crisp quite attractive.
It was rather surprising, however, given his family history. But perhaps being close to a lofty title was more important than a brother who would have been in Bedlam if not for those same connections.
As Crisp turned away, he noted that the gentlemen had not looked upon him with favor. In fact, they glowered.
He didn’t even know who they were, other than Percer, but was willing to wager there wasn’t a duke in their families.
Wager! He nearly groaned.
He had to win their wager.
Crisp couldn’t kiss Vanessa in the manner she wished. Not after he’d nearly confessed his heart and she’d been stunned, as if it had never crossed her mind that they could be more than friends even though they’d once loved.
Instead of cooling his heels, Crisp returned to his chamber and waited until the last possible moment to gather with the others.
As soon as he entered the sitting room, she was by his side, looking up at him expectantly and with concern.
He said nothing.
After the riddles were handed out, he took theirs and led Vanessa out onto the terrace where they might review it together.
“A riddle for you. A riddle for me. Look behind the blue door and you shall see.”
“Blue door?” Vanessa questioned. “That should be easy enough to find.”
“The riddles are easier than they were yesterday,” Crispin grumbled. He wanted a challenge. Something to take his mind off what he’d said last evening.
In truth, he wished to forget that it had ever happened.
“The others have barely managed to figure out half the riddles, so I am not surprised,” she offered.
While he wanted to forget, Vanessa behaved as if he’d not confessed a blasted thing to her. As if his words had not mattered, or that she didn’t care.
