Page 31 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Lady Ella linked arms with Sophie. “Come, a walk will do us good.”

The other guests rose, and Sophie sighed and allowed herself to be led from the room and through the open French doors. Autumn sun beat down upon them, and Sophie breathed deep of the crisp air. She looked over her shoulder at Beatrice and motioned for her to come up on Sophie’s left. Beatrice shook her head and maintained a short distance behind.

Sophie faced forward and, an instant later, they reached bushes a head taller than her. “Is this a maze?” she asked in delight.

“Indeed, it is,” Lady Ella replied.

“I have never been in a maze.”

“Then you are in for a treat,” her host said.

Half a dozen of the guests brushed past them and disappeared around the bend.

“They seem in a hurry,” Sophie said.

Lady Ella laughed. “My guess is they have a wager who can reach the other side of the maze first.”

Sophie looked at her. “Is the maze really that difficult?”

“That depends on who you ask. I grew up here, so I know the maze well. Though Father does have the pattern changed on occasion.”

“Really? Why?”

“I think he does it to peeve my mother.”

“Oh dear,” Sophie said. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“I do not know,” Ella replied with a small laugh. “I think they like to irk each other.”

Sophie wasn’t sure what to make of that, so said nothing.

“How are you finding Edinburgh?” Ella asked.

Sophie thought of last night, the oyster cellar and Adam MacAlister. “I am finding Edinburgh quite wonderful.”

Lady Ella looked down at her. “Indeed? What have you done since you arrived?”

Sophie recognized the curiosity in her eyes and hid a smile. Lady Ella had a taste for mischief. They would get along famously. Of course, Sophie wouldn’t mention her escapades with Mr. MacAlister.

Sophie grimaced. “To be honest, my aunt has had me busy with fittings and preparations for the social life she has planned for me.”

“Such as this luncheon?” Lady Ella asked with no little amusement.

They turned the bend, and Sophie cried out in surprise at the sight of the intersection that led in three different directions. They stopped.

“Which way is out?” she asked.

“Don’t you want to find out for yourself?”

Beatrice stopped beside Sophie.

Sophie looked at Ella and narrowed her eyes. “I believe you inherited your parents’ love of irking people.”

Ella laughed. “I am a slave to my family bloodline.”

Sophie tossed her head. “Beatrice and I will find out way out. Come, Beatrice,” she said, and started down the path directly ahead.

Fifteen minutes later, Sophie had to own that they were hopelessly turned around.