Page 12 of A Game of Hearts

“That is not what I...”

“Lord Limnwood! Miss Everton!” The Duke’s voice carried across the garden. “Have you solved all of the clues? Several couples have already returned to the house.”

Miss Everton’s spine straightened.

“We should go. Heaven forbid that we fail to complete our proper task in the officially allotted time.”

She looked down at the piece of parchment, quietly reading it, then looked up at him and smiled.

“As it happens, this is our last clue – it asks a question – to which I know the answer – and apparently, that answer is all that we need to complete our quest. I gather, from the way that this had proceeded, that there were many correct paths through the clues, but that they all ended up pointing to that one final answer. How very clever of the Duke.”

She moved past him, her skirts brushing his legs, her scent – lemon water, touched by a hint of the jasmine and roses from the conservatory - teasing his senses. He watched her walk away, her head high, and wondered how he could have gone so completely wrong in the space of one morning.

The conservatory had felt like a beginning - her quick mind and generous heart had drawn him in despite his reservations. For a few precious moments, he had glimpsed what it might be like to let down his guard, to trust in something beyond rigid rules.

Then she had helped young Lord Henry, and all of his fears had come rushing back. One small breach of the rules could lead to others. He had seen it happen before - his cousin Charlotte’s reputation ruined by one seemingly harmless moment of impropriety that had led to so much worse. But Miss Everton was not Charlotte. And he was not responsible for saving everyone from themselves.

“Coming, my Lord?” Her voice carried back to him, cool and distant. “Or shall I tell the Duke that you required more time to consider the proper approach to returning to the house?”

He caught up to her in a few long strides.

“Your talent for subtle mockery is quite remarkable.”

“Thank you. I do try to keep it within proper bounds.”

But he saw the corner of her mouth twitch, just slightly.

They walked in silence through the gardens, joining other couples heading for the house. Ahead of them, Lord Henry was explaining excitedly to his partner about finding the clue by the violets. The boy’s obvious joy made Nathaniel’s conscience prick uncomfortably.

“Perhaps,” he said very quietly, “I was overly harsh about your assistance to Lord Henry.”

Miss Everton’s step faltered slightly.

“Perhaps?”

“I...” he hesitated. “I have seen what can happen when rules are ignored.”

“So you said. Though I notice that you have not actually apologised for calling me a poor example to others.”

“Would you accept such an apology if I made it?”

She was silent for several steps.

“That would depend, my Lord, on whether you actually meant it, or were simply being properly polite.”

Before he could respond, they reached the house. Lady Anne was waiting on the steps, her expression brightening as she saw him.

“Lord Limnwood! I wondered if you might advise me about the day after tomorrow’s activities? I understand that we are to arrange flowers for the dinner table, and I would so value your opinion on proper classical forms...”

Miss Everton’s quiet laugh held no humour.

“You need not fear, Lady Anne. Lord Limnwood’s opinions on proper behaviour are quite rigid. I am sure that he will be happy to prevent any unfortunate deviations from absolute correctness. Although perhaps proper attention to the finalisation of today’s activities would be more appropriate, before considering tomorrow’s tasks?”

She slipped past them into the house, leaving Nathaniel to wonder if he had just made things vastly worse, or if that flash of genuine feeling in her laugh meant that there might still be some hope of understanding between them.

Either way, he had a great deal to think about before tomorrow’s activities threw them together again.

Chapter Four