“What if you find Violet?” Lord Buswick asked the question, but clearly knew the answer, as he looked at Anthony as if to make the point clear.
“If you find another hunter’s prey, you must not say anything to that hunter but continue on until you find your own. Telling someone the location of their prey is considered cheating.”
Rothbury squeezed Delilah’s shoulders. “And you don’t want to cheat.”
Leighhall’s face took on a menacing look. “No one is allowed to cheat. No leaving a ribbon on a tree or making loud noises or deciding beforehand where you will be as prey.”
Pemberton pointed to Lissa. “If you do, you must walk naked back to the house, and it’s damn cold out there, so I won’t be cheating…this time.”
“Oh, I’m so relieved.” At Violet’s comment, laughter filled the room.
“This is very creative, my lord.” Alberta gazed hungrily at Leighhall. “Will I be the prey or you?”
He lifted her chin with his finger. “You, of course, my dear. Best that I don’t find you too quickly, or you may very well find yourself in the sling.”
Alberta’s large chest rose, threatening to spill out of her scooped neckline. As the sexual frisson between the two was palpable, the room fell silent. “Hmm, and if you find me last?”
If she hadn’t been watching closely, Lissa would have missed the pure fury that filled the man’s eyes, but she did catch it, and it chilled her.
“Then, my sweet, I will have no choice but to punish you.”
Instead of heeding the warning, Alberta stoked the fire. “I guess we will just have to see how good a hunter you truly are.”
As if he’d forgotten they all watched, Leighhall moved his finger down the woman’s neck to wrap his hand around it. “I’m a very, very good hunter.”
The woman’s eyes widened with understanding. “I never doubted that, my lord.”
Appeased by her sudden capitulation, Leighhall turned back to them all. “Let us all don our coats and cloaks and remove to the tent before the east wood.”
The mood of the guests remained jovial, which Lissa found odd. Had they not seen the look in Leighhall’s eyes? That could well be, since he’d been looking at Alberta, and no one else was left on that side of the table besides Anthony and herself.
As they all walked briskly across the field, the sun broke through the many clouds, making the air warmer. Lissa slowed her step, forcing Anthony to also slow.
He looked at her in question.
When enough space was made between them and the two couples they’d been behind, she spoke quietly. “Did you see Leighhall’s threat?”
Anthony nodded, but didn’t say anything.
“The room is filled with weapons.”
Again he nodded as if listening to her concerns about the hunt, but she understood that he too had seen the walls of the secret room.
“The far wall is a practice wall.”
At that, his brows rose before he frowned. “I understand.”
Relieved that he caught the connection she’d made between the weapons, the man, and the danger, she found her shoulders relaxing. Having Anthony by her side made her feel far safer. How odd that she hadn’t realized that before. Even in France, she’d felt that way, as if she’d never get caught—or if she did, he’d be there. Then again, she was there for him too. They were friends, after all.
“Hey, Bellamore, I hope you aren’t planning a meeting place.”
At Buswick’s call, Anthony laughed. “Hardly. I’ve never been in these woods, so I wouldn’t begin to know what areas they contain.”
Violet looked over her shoulder at them. “You will soon.”
Her laughter caught the attention of Leighhall, who led the way. “You will all learn these woods, as they are different from the ones you last hunted in.”
Did the man actually keep track of who came in what month and what woods? As if he’d read her mind, Buswick looked at them as they caught up and walked beside him. “Leighhall is nothing if not meticulously organized. His forethought is what makes coming here each time such fun.”
