Page 27 of Miss Devon’s Choice

“The first thing we must address is the proposed treasure hunt. I have spoken with our young ladies present and found them all to be amicable to the idea. Lady Felicity has claimed the assistance of Mr. Harold Berwyn and Miss Dunhill will work with Lord Sharpeton and Mr. Alfred Berwyn. My cousin will be paired with Lord Easton, of course.”

Lucas spoke next, after a nod from Virginia. “The rules are simple. I will give you a riddle. Nothing too complex, never fear. When you solve the riddle, you will find another, and it is the second riddle that will lead you to the treasure.”

“A splendid idea,” Lady Felicity cooed, clapping her hands together. “When may we begin?”

“Tomorrow.” Lucas smiled. “But I will give you the riddle now so you may puzzle it out. Listen carefully.” He glanced down one side of the table and then the other. Rebecca hadn’t thought her cousin’s husband to be all that theatrical, but he clearly enjoyed the building anticipation.

“The next riddle is in a room that is not a room, behind a door that is not a door.” He raised his eyebrows, his eyes glittering with mischief. “That is all, I will say nothing more.”

A murmur started among the other guests. Rebecca tilted her head to observe Christian at her side. His stoic expression and stiff posture gave nothing of his thoughts away.

Keeping her voice low, Rebecca leaned toward him to speak. “Have you any idea what he might mean?”

Christian’s lips remained pressed in a hard line, while his eyes stayed trained on his dinner. She’d nearly given up on him answering when he finally spoke.

“Not at present.” He turned, his dark eyes taking in her face, and she detected the faintest amount of curiosity in those eyes. “Do you wish to win this game?”

Rebecca allowed herself a smile. “I wish to participate. To enjoy myself.” Though it might’ve been brazen of her to say it, or foolish given his earlier reaction to her forthrightness, Rebecca had to add one thing more. “It will be interesting to see if we can work together.”

Something in his eyes shifted and he looked away. The scar across his lips pulled, subtly, when he frowned. It didn’t make the expression unpleasant so much as interesting. Truly, Rebecca found him to be a complex study.

Perhaps she ought to start writing down her observations of him. It had been ages since she’d written in her journal but trying to decipher the man at her side might take more study than intuition, especially given his reaction to the very idea of a romantic attachment. Making note of what she noticed, what others said, would give her the ability to refine her plan.

“I will think on the riddle tonight,” he said at last.

Pressing her momentary advantage, Rebecca asked, “Would you like to meet in the morning, before breakfast? We can discuss our ideas.”

With his only response a nod, Rebecca had to be content. At least he was speaking to her. At least he’d decided to take part in the treasure hunt.

Virginia spoke again, drawing attention back to her. “I am glad you all find the prospect of treasure exciting. But as I doubt you wish to spend all your time exploring my house and grounds in your search, there are other entertainments planned. At the request of the gentlemen, tomorrow’s luncheon will be a picnic. Dinner in the evening will be a more formal affair, as I’ve invited several members of the neighborhood to join us after for cards.”

She went on to talk of the rest of the stay. There would be an excursion to an old church, a trip to the village, lawn games with the children, Sunday services, fishing for the gentlemen, all the usual sorts of country entertainment. Rebecca listened with half an ear. Her thoughts were more busily occupied with how she might discover more about the man beside her when he was perfectly content to sit in silence.

Chapter Ten

Ajax stayed at Christian’s heels on their walk the next morning. The animal sensed Christian’s moods, of this the man was certain, and adjusted his behavior accordingly. In a state of agitation, Christian hadn’t slept well and didn’t rise as early as was his habit. He didn’t have much time to exercise Ajax before he would need to meet with Rebecca.

Why had he agreed to participate in the incredibly juvenile game? Skulking about another man’s property, taking part in sanctioned prying, didn’t sound like something his grandfather would approve of.

Yet all night long, his mind had been torn between solving the earl’s riddle and thinking on Rebecca’s proclamation that she wanted to fall in love with him. He hadn’t solved either dilemma, leaving him irritated.

Ajax darted away when they walked beneath the trees near the lake. Christian watched him go, faintly curious what had captured the dog’s attention. His red-furred companion bent down, retrieving a stick from the ground, and ran back to Christian with all his teeth showing in a canine smile.

I really don’t have time for this. Despite the thought, Christian took the stick and threw it in the direction of the house. When Ajax bounded off, Christian followed. After they repeated the exercise several more times, Christian was halfway up the hill and Ajax was bounding through the grass like a dog half his age.

Bending to take the stick from Ajax’s mouth again, Christian added a fond scratch to the dog’s ear before whipping the stick into the air. Ajax leaped away, but Christian froze on the spot. The morning sun, rising over the house, showing the silhouette of a woman near where the stick had landed. Though her face was in shadow, Christian immediately recognized Rebecca.

She wasn’t wearing a bonnet, several loose curls fluttered around her face in the light breeze. Her hands were bare, too. Had she meant to step out of doors without gloves or hat? There she was, bending down and calling to his dog in the cajoling tones one familiar with animals would use to coax them near.

Ajax abandoned the stick and went directly for her. The traitor. Christian grimaced and continued uphill, attempting to hurry without appearing to do so. His frown deepened when he heard Rebecca lavishing compliments on his dog.

“You are such a handsome boy, aren’t you? And so clever. Fetching that stick so well. What a good dog.” Ajax’s tongue lolled out of his mouth while Rebecca stroked his fur. The dog tilted his head back to look at Christian, his tail swinging through the air in circles.

Ajax flopped onto his back, presenting his belly to the young woman.

Rebecca laughed and knelt in the grass, continuing her attention to Ajax, though she lifted her head as Christian approached. “I didn’t know you brought a dog with you. What is he called?”

Christian hesitated, disarmed by her obvious delight. “Ajax.” Weren’t young women supposed to be enamored with those tiny yapping things masquerading as dogs?