Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
The following morning at Amberhall was filled with excitement.
"Good day, Lady Kane," Lady Seraphine said as she passed Lady Kane on the stairwell as she descended.
"And to you Lady Seraphine, I am headed back to my bedchambers. I have much packing to oversee before returning to London this day," Lady Kane said.
"Of course, I wish you a good return journey," Lady Seraphine said.
"You are very kind, good day," Lady Kane said then continued on her way.
Seraphine could hear the chatter of amusement coming from the drawing room. She made her way toward it expecting that Thalia had something remarkable planned for the last day of the house party.
"Good day, Lady Seraphine," Lord Whickham said as she entered the room.
"And to you, Lord Whickham," she said.
Seraphine stood amongst the gathering crowd in the drawing room, her hands folded neatly before her as she watched servants finish arranging chairs and refreshments. Only one day remained before the guests would depart for London and return to their ordinary lives.
A sudden grip of fear moved through her.
Only one day until I must face William and his plans to send me to the abbey.
She looked around the room feeling hopeless that some of these men had turned out to be suitable matches, but none suitable to be her husband.
She found herself wondering a shocking thought.
Would Mr. Harper be in attendance on this day for the games, or perhaps dinner?
The thought came and went, for though she thought Mr. Harper to be entertaining, her mind always wandered back to the man she had proposed to in a reckless moment of behavior.
Oh how mortifying that memory has become now.
Now that she had become acquainted with the Duke of Wexford more, and his pride, she would never have gone to him in the middle of the night to propose marriage. A blush heated her cheeks as she thought of that embarrassing moment and how he had rejected her.
Foolish girl. What were you thinking?
Around her, conversations buzzed with anticipation and she was glad for the distraction. Whatever Thalia had planned, it was obvious she had no intention of allowing her guests a quiet final day.
"Attention everyone," Thalia announced, clapping her hands together. The conversations gradually died away as all eyes turned towards her.
Thalia stood at the center of the room. Experience had taught her that whenever her friend wore such a smile, chaos was usually close behind her.
Caspian stood nearby with the resigned patience of a husband who had long ago accepted that resistance was futile.
Seraphine exchanged an amused glance with Rosaline.
Her sister merely shrugged as if to say they were all at Thalia's mercy.
Thalia’s smile widened further. "As this is our final full day together, I have prepared one last great adventure for you all."
Excited murmurs immediately spread through the room. Thalia waited until she had everyone's attention before dramatically revealing, "We shall be having a treasure hunt."
A cheer erupted throughout the drawing room. Several gentlemen laughed while many of the ladies immediately began speculating about clues and prizes.
Seraphine found herself smiling despite her recent worries. A treasure hunt sounded infinitely more entertaining than another afternoon spent discussing embroidery patterns. Even Damien's sister could not make embroidery exciting, though heaven knew she had tried before.
"And…" Thalia continued, raising one finger for emphasis, "the winner shall keep the treasure if you find it. It is a beautiful Chinese vase worth a hundred pounds."
The room erupted again. Someone whistled. Another gentleman declared that he was suddenly interested in pottery.
"What a fine game at last," Whickham declared.
Caspian rubbed his forehead as though regretting every life decision that had led him to this moment. Thalia looked delighted by the reaction.
"A valuable prize indeed," Rosaline murmured beside Seraphine, adjusting little Annie upon her hip. "I had no idea Thalia possessed such treasures."
Seraphine laughed softly. "Neither did I."
Rosaline leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Do you think she purchased it solely to create competition?"
Seraphine considered the question briefly. "Knowing Thalia? Almost certainly."
Thalia held up several sheets of paper. "You may hunt alone or pair together if you wish," she explained. "However, there is only one vase. Should partners win, you must decide amongst yourselves who shall keep it."
A few suspicious looks were exchanged immediately. One gentleman announced he trusted nobody. The declaration was met with laughter from every corner of the room.
"The clues will be given in the form of riddles," Thalia said as servants began distributing papers. "Solve one clue and it shall lead you to the next. The final answer will reveal the treasure's location."
She paused dramatically before grinning. "No breaking furniture, no interrogating servants, and absolutely no bribery."
Caspian coughed suspiciously.
Thalia pointed directly at him. "That includes you."
The crowd dissolved into cheerful chaos as guests studied their clue sheets. Seraphine accepted hers and quickly scanned the first riddle. Before she could fully consider it, a familiar voice addressed her.
"Lady Seraphine." She looked up to find Lord Everend offering a polite bow. His pleasant expression immediately put her at ease. Of all Damien's suggested suitors, Everend had remained her favorite.
"I was wondering," Everend said, tucking his clue sheet beneath his arm, "whether you might permit me to partner with you."
Seraphine smiled warmly. "I should be glad of the company."
Everend's face brightened. "Excellent. I confess I am dreadful at riddles and shall require assistance."
She laughed softly. "Then you have chosen your partner very poorly because I am only marginally better."
As they moved towards the doorway with the other competitors, Seraphine found herself thinking unexpectedly of Mr. Harper.
It was rather disappointing that he had not remained for the final day.
He had been amusing company the previous evening, and she suspected he would have enjoyed the treasure hunt immensely.
Unfortunately, he was a local guest rather than a house guest.
Expecting him to appear would be foolish.
Her gaze drifted across the room. Damien sat comfortably beside Caspian near the fireplace, a glass in one hand.
Neither man appeared remotely interested in participating.
Caspian looked amused by the commotion while Damien looked entirely indifferent.
Seraphine told herself she was pleased by that fact.
It will make the day considerably easier if I do not have to encounter him at every turn.
"Let the hunt begin!" Thalia declared with theatrical enthusiasm.
Instantly the guests scattered throughout Amberhall.
Laughter echoed through corridors. Doors opened and closed.
Several gentlemen nearly collided in their haste to reach the same destination.
Servants stepped aside to avoid the chaos.
Within moments the orderly household resembled a battlefield fought entirely with riddles.
Everend and Seraphine began their search in the library.
They studied paintings, examined bookshelves, and debated possible meanings hidden within the clues.
Much to Seraphine's surprise, she genuinely enjoyed his company.
He was intelligent enough to hold a conversation and possessed a dry sense of humor that appeared when least expected.
Still, there was something distinctly brotherly about their interactions.
"I believe this clue refers to the clock in the music room," Everend said, examining the paper thoughtfully.
Seraphine tilted her head. "Because it mentions time?"
He looked pleased with himself.
"Naturally."
She shook her head. "That seems far too obvious."
Everend placed a hand over his heart. "You wound me."
Seraphine smiled. "I am merely preserving your dignity."
The next clue led them through several rooms before eventually depositing them near the conservatory.
Along the way they encountered other competitors equally confused.
Lady Branson was certain the answer involved a fountain.
Lord Nathanson insisted it referred to a statue.
Neither sounded particularly convincing.
Seraphine was beginning to suspect Thalia had written the clues specifically to torment everyone.
"You know," Everend said as they examined another riddle, "if I win the vase, I shall present it to my mother."
Seraphine glanced up. "That is very dutiful of you."
He smiled. "She collects them."
Seraphine folded her arms. "And if I should find it first?"
Everend considered the question. "Then I imagine you shall place flowers in it."
She laughed. "An expensive flower holder indeed."
Several clues later they found themselves standing in the main corridor studying a particularly difficult riddle.
Everend frowned thoughtfully. "Garden," he declared suddenly. "It must be the garden."
Seraphine immediately shook her head. "No."
He blinked. "No?"
She pointed at a specific line. "This reference is clearly to the house itself."
Everend looked unconvinced. "I still think it is the garden," he insisted.
Seraphine lifted her chin. "And I still think you are wrong."
Everend laughed. "You are remarkably stubborn."
She raised an eyebrow. "That accusation comes from a gentleman arguing with me."
He opened his mouth, paused, then sighed dramatically. "A fair observation." She smiled triumphantly.
For several minutes they continued debating the clue. Neither yielded an inch.
Eventually Everend threw up his hands in surrender. "Very well," he said with a grin. "We shall settle this scientifically."
Seraphine narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Scientifically?"
He nodded. "You search the house. I shall search the garden. Whoever finds the next clue is proven correct."