“The other guests do not know that, and we don’t want to be called out for cheating.”
Crisp was correct, and she really did wish to stay with him, especially after all this time. However, she also wanted to be done with solving riddles so that they could put their mind to finding the ruby. “Let’s begin with archery,” she decided. “The footman standing on the terrace can direct us.”
“Are we allowed to ask questions?” Crisp asked.
“Don’t you normally when on the hunt?”
“Yes, of course. One must know where to find those with the most accurate information.”
“Then it stands to reason that a footman would have such knowledge and we should seek guidance,” Vanessa decided. “If he says nothing, then we will know.” She grinned and marched to the footman, leaving Crisp behind.
“May I help you, Miss Claxton,” the footman asked.
“Yes. Does Lady Osbourne have archery arranged for this house party?”
“She does.”
“Where might that be held?”
“In the field behind the stables.” Then he pointed to the far left.
“Thank you for your assistance.”
With a grin she turned to Crisp.
He then approached the footman. “Might there be a sundial on the estate?”
“There is not.”
“Thank you.”
Crisp was smiling as he offered his arm. “Shall we visit the field behind the stables?”
“Why yes we should.”
A giddiness swept over Vanessa that she had not experienced in a very long time. In fact, she’d only ever experienced such with Crisp. So, even if it took longer than it should to complete the scavenger hunt and find the ruby, Vanessa couldn’t complain because she was with Crisp, her very first love.
Three
Nineyearsmayhavepassed since Crisp had seen Vanessa, but it could have only been yesterday. The familiarity remained, and the desire that he’d kept in check so long ago reemerged. Being with her was like coming home. More than it had been when he first saw his family after eight years.
Upon reflection, Crisp had intentionally pushed his desire for Vanessa deep away and hidden it from himself as the ship he took to Greece had sailed down the Thames. He had fought the urge to demand that he be left off so that he could return to her. Crisp had known he would regret it. He longed to see the world. He needed to explore. He wanted to find antiquities and participate in archeological digs, to discover history for himself. It had been his only passion—until he met Vanessa.
Upon his return, Crisp hadn’t even entertained the idea of taking a wife, nor did he have any desire to return to Society either. He enjoyed freedoms that a wife would hinder. But why hadn’t she married?
“I have a question, if you don’t mind me asking,” he said as they rounded the stables and entered the field. Targets were already lined up along the tree line for a later entertainment.
“What would you like to know?” she asked.
“Why didn’t you marry?”
Though, upon reflection, perhaps he shouldn’t have asked. What if she had waited for his return, even though it had not been asked.
His heart was heavy, and perhaps a little hopeful when she didn’t answer right away.
“I nearly did,” she finally answered. “He walked out on me at the church.”
Crisp stopped and turned to her. “He walked out on you?” What kind of foolish man would walk out on Vanessa?
