Page 45
He shrugged. “My sisters were more than eager to assist.”
“I shall offer my thanks when I see them.”
Freddie waved her words away.
They reached the bridge and found the clue with a token with either a yew or an evergreen branch on it—it was hard to discern exactly which it was.
The clue sent them to the maze.
“We only have two left!” Pippy squealed in excitement. She could hardly wait to see what the dragon looked like and what the hoard was. But in truth, she didn’t care. Walking with Freddie, his hand over hers, was treasure enough. For the first time since that London mercer’s shop, she felt safe—and wanted.
When they reached the maze, she looked up at him. “I assume you know your way through this?”
He shrugged. “Would you like to know a secret about mazes?”
“Indeed.” She leaned closer to him.
“You need only keep your left hand in contact with the sidewall, and you’ll find your way out.”
Her brow crinkled. “Your left hand?”
He shrugged. “I suppose it works with the right as well. The point is to stay with a single hand. If you switch back and forth, you’ll be lost before you know it.”
She nodded. “Are you to come in with me? Or must I do this challenge on my own?”
He shook his head. “You’re never on your own, Lady Pip. I’m always by your side. No matter the challenge.” His voice dropped almost to a whisper.
She swallowed, her reply caught in her throat.
They stepped into the maze, and she put out her hand, running it along the hedge, her other hand holding Freddie’s. They kept walking until they came to the middle where the next clue sat on the lone bench. “It worked!” She chuckled. “How have I never heard of that trick before?”
“I can only guess because Arthur didn’t know of it,” Freddie said with his hands clasped behind his back.
“It’s the last clue,” she said, cracking open the seal.
The time has come.
Your last token awaits.
Will you slay the dragon
and earn your reward?
Or let folly lead you astray
And force you to try again next year?
“Oh, I know this one. It’s the folly,” she said, pointing at the trees that blocked their view of the small domed structure.
“Then let’s face that dragon, my lady.” They left the maze and walked the path through the woodlands. It was growing colder, but Pippy hardly noticed. Indeed, it was the most delightful day she’d had in recent memory. Perhaps since the last time she’d spent Christmastide with Freddie.
They reached the folly, and she let out a cry of delight as they mounted the steps.
Lying on the floor was a rug and a full tea set. Or rather, chocolate and biscuits. She looked around. “Where is the dragon?”
He lifted the lid of the chocolate pot, and a steam cloud puffed out. “Did you not see the dragon breathing smoke?”
She laughed. “He’s not very fearsome.”
