“Here are the riddles for today. Once the last item is found, please advise my cousin, Lady Sewell and she’ll direct you to the next activity on the schedule for today.”
A footman handed out a sheet of paper to each team and one to Crisp.
“Now, go along everyone while I make the proper introductions for the last team. And remember, you must stay together and not go in three separate directions.”
As guests left the room, Vanessa came forward. “Well played Lady Osbourne, but what would you have done if someone had asked me or Lord Crispin to be on their team?”
“I knew that was not a possibility.” She dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “They are younger, and you often produce a chill when you don’t wish to be bothered.”
That was not true, Vanessa nearly argued. Then considered her words a second time. Vanessa had become more aloof with each year that passed, and as debutantes and dandies became more ridiculous and juvenile.
“I knew they wouldn’t know who Lord Crispin was until I announced his name.”
“You wish us to partner?” Crisp asked.
“Why yes, you can’t be going off on your own searching without inviting speculation and Miss Claxton might very well be of assistance as she is extremely observant.”
Crisp stared at Vanessa. “You know why I am here?”
“It is the same reason as I.”
“Yes, well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I should make the proper introductions. Miss Vanessa Claxton, may I introduce Lord Crispin Tilson.”
He bowed before her, lifted her hand, and nearly kissed her fingers. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Claxton.”
“And you, Lord Crispin.”
Two
ShewasstillMissVanessa Claxton. How was it possible that she remained unwed at the age of six and twenty?
And what had Lady Osbourne meant about her little hobby of being a thief finder?
Those questions could be answered once they were alone. “Shall we try and decipher the riddle and search for the illusive item.”
Humor danced in her sapphire eyes. “Yes, I suppose we should.”
Crisp led her out onto the terrace and then through the gardens until they were far enough away from the others to speak privately.
He stopped and faced her. “It is good to see you again, Vanessa.”
She smiled up at him. “I wasn’t certain you’d remember me.”
“I may have forgotten many things, but never you.” He gazed down at her, noting the finely arched brows and thick dark lashes that framed her lovely blue eyes. “It is obvious that Lady Osbourne doesn’t know of our earlier association.”
“Nobody knew,” she laughed. “We stole away in secret, remember?”
“I do.” He’d also revisited those memories while he traveled and often wondered if he’d made the right decision to leave her.
“It was quite scandalous of us, which was all part of the fun.”
They were so young and foolish, and lucky they were never caught. Not that they ever did anything they shouldn’t but being found alone in a dark garden would have been damaging enough.
They hadn’t even gone there for the reasons most couples slipped away into the darkness. They simply wished to escape the throng of people, overpowering perfumes, the heat of the ballrooms, and the nearly deafening environment filled with music, laughter and people wishing to be heard. Away from all the others is when they became friends and Crisp had started to fall in love.
She sighed. “I missed you, Crisp. London was quite boring after you left.”
Crisp. She had been the first to use such familiarity and only a few called him such. It was good hearing his name on her lips. It eased an ache that he’d learned to ignore.
