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“Galahad,” he repeated. “I like the sound of that.” He came and stood next to her, angling his head to see the letter. “Now, Lady Pip. Surely you remember our tour.”

It had been mentioned, then. Freddie had instructed her to dress warmly. Did that mean the first clue led them outside?

“Did not the undergardener say there was an ancient oak?” she questioned. “One that has stood since the Saxons?”

He lifted his brows. “Perhaps we should seek that oak and see what it yields. Do you remember where it is?”

She nodded. “I believe I do.”

“To the oak!” He motioned to the French doors leading out to the garden.

She folded the paper and put it in her reticule. They stepped outside, and a cold breeze blew into their faces. “It’s colder than when we returned from church.”

A look of concern creased his face. “Yes, it is.” He glanced over at her. “Is it too cold?”

“Pish,” she said in her best Lady Dalmeer voice. “Arthur would not let the cold stand in the way of his quest. And neither shall I.”

His disappointment vanished. “I’m glad to hear it.”

They walked down the center of the garden until they reached the large circular fountain, then took the left path. At the edge of the woodlands stood the great oak tree. The trunk was so large Pippy couldn’t come close to putting her arms around it.

She walked around the tree—looking for what? She wasn’t certain. The clue had mentioned a token, but what did it look like? She glanced back at her husband. “I confess, this is much better than the pasture walls or meeting with the vicar.”

His eyes nearly bulged. “I should hope so!”

She continued looking. Then she paused and withdrew the paper. She read it again. Up for the taking? Could that be literal?

Her gaze ran up the trunk and into the branches. There, dangling from a branch, was a folded paper. Pippy grinned. “Were Ari’s climbing skills employed?”

Freddie gave her a dismissive look. “I can’t reveal my secrets, my lady.”

With a little jump, she grabbed hold of the clue and pulled it off the branch. She cracked open the seal, and a coin-sized wooden disk fell into her hand. She turned it over and saw a crown painted crudely on the front.

She glanced up at Freddie, but he was looking everywhere but at her.

She opened the paper the rest of the way and read.

Well done, my faithful servant.

You’ve found your first token.

Now find the rest.

Failure is not an option.

She frowned. “But what if I do fail?” She lifted her chin. “Then what, my lord?”

Freddie took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Then we shall find it together.”

She nodded as warmth traveled to her extremities. They would do it together. It’s almost as if he thought they were a team. She sucked in a breath and smiled up at him. “Never you fear. We will prevail.” She lifted her fisted hand for emphasis.

“Indeed, we shall.” There was a huskiness in his voice that only made her warmer.

She looked back at the clue.

Your next token is not easily found.

Look where the world lies sleeping.