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Where evergreen and holly sing their winter lullaby.

She looked around the grounds. Where had they seen all the holly when they were gathering greenery? It was just on the other side of the gardens. But was that the only place? She glanced over at him, wondering if he’d offer any sort of help.

He looked up at the sky.

She pushed out her lips. Then he was only to help if she could not do it on her own. Her lips curved ever so slightly. He believed in her. Her throat tightened. She grabbed his hand and tugged him behind her. “Come along, my lord. I believe our next clue is this way.”

He surprised her by not pulling his hand from hers. Instead, he curled his fingers around hers, keeping pace beside her.

They reached the woodlands and stopped at the large holly bush. She bent and picked up a branch lying on the ground. It was heavier than she expected, and she dropped Freddie’s hand so she could use both of hers to push the undergrowth aside. She knew what she was looking for this time.

A cream color—quite out of place among the greenery—caught her attention. She flung the branch to the ground and bounded through the ivy. “I found it.” Reaching in, she pulled the paper from the bed.

Freddie winked at her. “Well done, Lady Pip.”

Hearing him call her that made her knees go weak. She cracked open the seal, and the second token dropped into her hand. It had a holly sprig on it.

A deep-red satin bag appeared in her other hand.

She looked up.

“A satchel to carry your tokens in,” Freddie said.

“Thank you.” She dropped both her tokens inside. “Now for the clue.”

You’ve proven a worthy servant.

Don’t give up just yet.

Your third token lies just beyond.

Troubled waters have stopped

many on their quest.

But persevering will bring

your reward within reach.

Pippy folded up the paper and tapped the edge against her lips as she looked around. Her gaze shifted back to Freddie, and she caught him staring at her—watching every tap of the paper. What was he thinking? What did that expression mean?

She pushed the thought away. It was for another time…a time when she need not solve clues for her dinner. “Oh,” she said, suddenly pulling the paper away from her lips. “Could this be the bridge? You can see it from our bedroom window.”

Freddie was the one who reached out and took her hand, intertwining their fingers as they walked out of the trees and onto the path leading back to the house.

After several minutes, she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Thank you.”

He looked over at her, a soft smile on his lips. “For what?”

“For this—” She paused. “For everything. I know you say you needed this marriage too. But we both know I was in greater need.”

He shrugged. “I beg to differ, my dear. And coming here has only confirmed my choice—even if it does vex my aunt greatly.”

Pippy laughed. “I believe vexing your aunt is what you are enjoying most.”

“Perhaps not the most.” He looked intently at her, but then looked away. “But it’s a great side effect.”

She very nearly giggled—again. “I can’t believe you did all this.” She held up the bag. “It must have taken you days.”