Athena was peering at the pillow, and the maid shook her head, attempting another curtsey. “No, milady, Your Grace. I asked, and no one recognizes it. It’s not from any of the parlors, either.”
Athena nodded firmly. “Show us where ye found these, and call off the hunt.”
Cash’s brows rose. “Explain,” he demanded.
“Do ye no’ see?” Athena rounded on him, waving the pillow as if it would help make her point. “Callan stole the scroll from my father’s collection, the pillows from our parlor, and the spectacles from Olive!”
He reached for her, turning her to face him with his hands on her upper arms. “What does that have to do with the hunt for the lads?”
“If the pair of them are together, up to something…”
She blew out a breath and shook her head, and for the first time, he noticed her hair had come out of its simple coiffure sometime on the ride from her estate. No wonder the butler and housekeeper had stared at her in such surprise! But Cash didn’t mind. He much preferred her looking like this to that ghastly, wonderful picture of a lady she’d presented at Friday’s ball.
“Yes?” he prompted.
“If they are up to something, something to do with these things Callan’s been stealing, then these things were left forusto find. Matthew is a bright lad, Cash. He would ken I could recognize the things Callan has stolen.”
His grip tightened briefly on her upper arm as he understood what she was saying, then softened as he exhaled. “You mean, our lads have set up an elaborate treasure hunt forus? We’re supposed to follow the clues until we find them?”
Her smile was rueful as she nodded. “Does that no’ sound like something they would do? I am sorry they put ye through such trouble.”
He suspected she meant,I am sorry you had to come and find me, but he wasn’t certain if that was becauseshedidn’t want anything to do withhimanymore, or if…
God help him, going around in circles like this was going to give him a headache!
“Excuse me, milady?” The timid little maid spoke up, and when Cash and Athena turned, she shrank back. Swallowing, she asked, “Your—your son? Is he a young, tow-headed lad, perhaps four or five years old?”
As they both nodded in excitement, the maid glanced between them. “I’ve seen him with Lord Matthew several times playing up here. I—I thought he was a village lad, or belonged to one of the servants.” Of course, someone as young and as new as this girl wouldn’t know all the other servants’ business as well as the housekeeper might. “When they see me, they duck out of sight, but I didn’t think they were doing any harm?—”
Since she was becoming emotional, Cash patted the air in an attempt to calm her. “It will be fine. I’mgladthe pair of them have had time to play.”
Athena huffed, which might’ve been a laugh. “AndIam pleased to ken where that naughty lad has been running off to! Do ye ken he has been allowing me to think he is with his nurse, while his nurse thinks he is with me? We had nae idea how often it has happened, but the lad has been cominghere? All the way to Dumpkins?”
He took her hand once more. “Matthew likely helped him.”
“Och, aye.” She rolled her eyes. “This also explains the fort Callan was going on about weeks ago. How long have they been planning this?”
The little maid was clearly lost. “Planning what, milady?”
Despite not having addressed the last question to her, Athena smiled at the girl. “What is yer name?”
“Millie, milady,” the maid offered hesitantly.
“Well, Millie, it appears our lads have arranged a bit of a game for His Grace and myself.”
As the girl’s confused gaze swept between them, Cash nodded. “Sort of a treasure hunt.” At least, hehopedthat’s all this was; a game set up by Matthew and Callan to make their parents look for them. “And I’ll tan that boy’s backside when I?—”
Athena clucked in exasperation, interrupting him. When he glanced at her, she smiled. “I dinnae think for one moment ye would lay a hand on that lad in anger, Cash.”
He grinned in return. “No harm in putting the fear of God into him though?”
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention once more to the maid who was staring, wide-eyed, at their banter. She’d likely never heard anyone refer to the Duke of Cashard as “Cash.”
Hell, she’s likely never seen you smile either, you idiot.
“Can you tell us where you found this pillow, Millie?” Before the maid could answer, Cash added, “And have Mrs. McLaughlin call off the hunt.” He squeezed Athena’s hand without looking at her. “This is something for Lady Athena and myself, I suspect.”
At the mention of Athena’s title, Millie’s eyes widened further, but she nodded and bobbed a curtsey at the sametime. “At—at the end of the hall, Your Grace. I found it just lying in the middle of the rug.”
