Page 81 of A Very Bellamy Christmas

Before anyone could answer Lord Shelton called out, “Not hardly, Sylvester.”

The duke’s laughter preceded him inside. He did a doubletake when he saw Stacia standing beside Lord Shelton but smiled politely. “Hello, Miss Martin.” His smile turned into a grin when he faced his cousin. “Fancy seeing you here, Drew.”

Drew. What a perfectly lovely nickname.

“I wouldn’t be here if not for Miss Martin,” Lord Shelton said. “She is the brains of our operation.”

Stacia tried not to preen.

“I’m fortunate to have two clever partners.” The duke gestured to Lady Crewe and Mr. Leeland.

Lady Crewe, who was holding the clue, narrowed her eyes when she saw Stacia and Lord Shelton. “Don’t say anything, Mr. Leeland! Spies are listening.”

Everyone chuckled.

“Come, Miss Martin, I know when I am not wanted,” Lord Shelton said, lightly setting a hand on Stacia’s back and guiding her out of the stables just as two more groups arrived.

“Don’t tell me we are last!” Lord Bellamy demanded of the groom with the clues.

Lord Shelton leaned close and hissed in her ear, “Let’s sneak away while they are all chattering.”

“Do you know where we are going next?” she asked.

“Yes.”

They hurried off unnoticed as the new arrivals engaged in some good-natured ribbing.

“Where is the next clue?” Stacia asked as she took two steps to every one of his and still could barely keep pace.

He grinned at her. “You will see.”

***

“Tell me, my lord,” Miss Martin ordered as she trotted to keep up with Andrew.

“The armory.”

She frowned as if recalling the clue, and then her eyes widened, and she gave him a look of grudging respect. “How clever of you.”

Andrew raised his eyebrows in mock amazement. “Me, clever? Why, thank you, Miss Martin!”

She pursed her lips primly at his teasing. Andrew was amused by her reaction. He suspected Miss Martin had no clue how alluring the expression was. How it drew attention to that full lower lip of hers.

“How are you enjoying the house party so far, Miss Martin?” he asked when it was clear that she would not break the silence.

Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“That was not a trap, Miss Martin, just a question.”

“The Bellamy family is very welcoming and kind.”

“Most of them are,” he agreed.

Miss Martin opened her mouth, but then closed it without asking him what he meant. Her expression changed to one that was almost…curious.

“Go ahead and ask whatever you are thinking,” he said, already able to guess her question.

“I was just wondering why you’ve come to the house of a woman you abducted.”