He nodded, evidently still not quite understanding her humor.
They came to a stop with the others in a circle around the stone, and she was thankful only half of the party had arrived yet because the stone was so unimpressive as to be fairly engulfed by them all.
Rose stepped forward, bent her knees a bit, and laid her hand on the top of the stone. “This is the Devil’s Stone. It’s just a wee one, so there is no need to fear.”
The gathering laughed before turning back the way they’d come. Obviously, this had simply been an excuse for an outdoor journey, and no one seemed to mind.
But Dory wished to investigate further. Slipping her hand from Lord Manning’s arm, she crouched down to examined the stone, which came to no more than two feet high. “It does look old. Maybe the other two stones are even smaller and so not as noticeable.” She rose, looking around as she did. “Maybe only the tops of them are above the soil.”
“Do you mean to say the Devil has uneven jumps?”
She looked over her shoulder at him to see his brows raised in question. “Or mayhap he jumped too hard the first and last time.” She pointed toward the north of the stone. “I’ll take this side. You take that side.”
He didn’t look pleased with that idea. “Why don’t we both take the same side?”
She set her hand to her hip. “Because we can cover more area my way.” When he continued to frown, she shook her head at him. “Don’t you want to get back to the activities?”
He shrugged. “I’m perfectly happy here.”
Heaven save her from stubborn men. Exasperated, she gave up and began walking the ground looking for anything that could resemble the stone. After going a ways alone, she turned back to find that Lord Manning was doing the same. At least he was helpful. “Did you find anything?”
“No.” He didn’t look at her, continuing to walk in a pattern.
That was probably what she should have done. “How far do you think a devil jumps?”
He stopped at that. “Now that I think upon it, the next jump could be in the next town.”
She shook her head. “No, you said the Devil came upon a man inthisfield.” She looked north and then south. “This is a very big field.”
“Yes, it is, and I’m growing hungry. Would you be willing to leave the search for a while so that we may eat?”
“I would be amenable to that arrangement.”
“Excellent.” He held his arm out to her, and she lifted her skirts and strode toward him.
She hadn’t quite reached him when Lord Harewood walked up. Despite the sunny day, or maybe in honor of it, he wore gray pantaloons, but his tailcoat was still black. She halted. “Oh, youarehere.”
Lord Manning turned. “Lord Harewood. Did you ride in a coach?”
“No, I headed out earlier than the rest of you, as I had to make arrangements with the inn across the lane for tea for the ladies and spirits for the men.”
“That was thoughtful. Lady Dorothea and I were just about to return to the trees for our meal.” Lord Manning looked around the earl. “I see they have laid out tablecloths for the occasion.”
“Yes, they have. My sister has set up one for you. And I am to escort Lady Dorothea for the meal.”
Lord Manning opened his mouth then closed it. He obviously didn’t like his plans undone. Finally, he nodded. “Of course.” Turning toward Dory, he gave a nod. “We can continue our search later, then.”
“I look forward to it.” Though actually, she was quite convinced now that there were no other stones.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode past Lord Harewood in search of Rose.
She smiled warmly. “I admit it is a relief to see you here.”
Lord Harewood raised his brows. “Indeed?”
She took the last steps that brought her to him. “Yes. I was worried I would have to count sentences the entire day. You don’t know how tiring that is.” She rolled her eyes like she’d seen Lady Northwick do at school.
His lips twitched. “So you are only pleased to see me because you can relax and say what you please for as long as you please?”
