by Anthology
“Of course I checked! I didn’t want to be beside you!”
“Oh… so sorry to disappoint… but I rather requested the honor of sitting beside so beautiful a lady. My apologies.” He faced forward, and turned to engage in conversation with Lord Hamstaff.
As a few minutes wore on, he felt a hand at his arm. Turning, he raised an eyebrow as he regarded Meredith.
“I thank you for the compliment, but you needn’t waste them on me. I will…” She took a deep breath as if the next words were exceedingly difficult. “Make an effort to be more civil. But that is all — all I can offer you.” Her words were laced with deeper meaning, but he disregarded it.
“How kind of you.” He lifted his recently filled wine glass and started to take a sip, then paused. “You didn’t… add anything to my wine… did you?” He narrowed his eyes at Meredith.
“What? No. Though I can see how it would truly be an easy addition… being that of the similar colors of both the wine and ink.” She nodded toward the glass.
“Very good. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened with Jack.” He took a sip.
“Yes…”
“And I’m sure you had nothing to do with that.”
“No.”
“Brilliant. Am I to consider us in a state of truce then?” He took another sip of wine.
“You may consider whatever you wish, that doesn’t make it a reality.” She lifted her own wine glass, taking a small sip.
“Ah, so are the casualties of war.”
Dinner began without incident as the footmen served the first course of consume beef with delicate minced parsley. The peace even continued through the several courses where roasted venison, perfectly cooked pheasant, and a plethora of sweet breads, vegetables, and wine graced the delicately decorated table.
But peaceful was rather… boring.
“Are you enjoying your evening thus far?” he asked as he set aside his napkin.
“The food has been exceedingly delightful, though I find my dining partner lacking.” She gave a pointed look before turning her attention to her wine glass.
“I am of the same opinion. I rather thought that sitting beside you would be diversity, entertaining in the least. I find I’m… bored. It’s disappointing.” He shrugged, biting back a grin as she paused in setting her wine glass back down upon the linen tablecloth.
“Boring? I rather thought you were enjoying the ‘truce’ as you put it.”
“Truce is not equal to monotonous.”
“Ah, I see you’re attempting intelligent conversation. You should stop now.”
“Afraid of a challenge?”
“I do believe the question is, do you present such a challenge?” She raised a delicate brow. “And the answer is, no.”
“I do believe that is another task you have forced me to accept.”
“Task?”
He leaned toward her, keeping his voice low. “Challenge… similar to the one you presented so… enticingly… last night.”
Her face bloomed with color as she wordlessly reached for her wine glass once more and took a long sip.
“You should consider slowing on the wine, Meredith. You’ll simply be making my quest easier.”
“You mean conquest,” she shot back.
“I think we both know that you will not be a conquest. Which…” He lowered his tone once more, his eyes taking in the berry color of her lips left stained by the wine. “…I think frightens you more than if this were simply about conquest.”
Her intelligent eyes shifted away, her brow pinching slightly. “Why?” she asked so softly he wondered if maybe he imagined the question. Yet as she turned to him, the question was echoed in her gaze.
“I do believe that conversation is better suited for a more… private venue.” He allowed his gaze to meaningfully take in the crowded table. Meredith nodded once and turned to her other diner partner, engaging the Dowager of Moorworth in conversation.
Her presence beside him was acute torture. Even when she was sparring with him, using cutting remarks; he found her more and more enticing, intoxicating, just like the wine. It was a dangerous decision he was making, because the more he entertained the idea, the more he spent time with her, the more he realized it was a one-way path he was taking.
And there was no guarantee she would follow him down that dangerous slope.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ALL THROUGHOUT DINNER, MEREDITH could feel his presence like a physical touch. It was as if his body heat called to her, enticed her, reminded her of his presence even when she was trying to forget it. How in creation had this happened? It was just a kiss! Yet she found herself far too drawn to him for comfort. It was a dangerous game, one that could easily be a ploy to destroy her, to get that final payback for all the other pranks, yet some part of her, the one she was desperately trying to silence, kept whispering; What if it isn’t? What if it’s real? What if people really do change?
But Lucas? Change?
The thought was laughable, yet… not.
So, as dinner ended and the ladies rose from the table to congregate in the parlor, her gaze flickered to his. His regard warmed her, his brown eyes flashing with a hunger that she was recognizing far too easily.
Pulling her gaze away, she turned to leave. It was not lost on her, however, the way Louisa’s gaze lingered with Hugh. Suspicion crept in. What was going on between those two? She stole another glance at Lucas, but quickly looked away when she caught him staring thoughtfully in her direction. Never in her life had she been so confused!
Ignoring the annoying emotion, she straightened her shoulders and walked to the parlor, awaiting the instructions from their hostess, the Duchess of Ashbury.
As soon as they were all assembled, the duchess began to lay out the rules for the evening’s diversion.
“Ladies! I am so thankful for your presence here at our party, and I cannot wait to begin our evening activities! I’m sure that you have heard that this evening’s games will require a male partner. If you haven’t a partner yet, you’ll be assigned one.” She nodded to a footman with a list then continued. “Each pair will be given a clue to find hidden objects within the garden and, especially, the garden maze. Each pair will be given a different clue to begin with, and once you find that hidden object, you’ll discover another clue for the next, and so forth and so on.” She waved her gloved hand in the air.
The room was thick with anticipation, especially as the unmarried ladies practically bounced with excitement. Darkened corners? Available gentlemen? This was a matchmaking momma’s heaven! She could see the calculating glint in several women’s expressions as they took in the other ladies within in the room.
“Finally! The pair that gathers all the clues and has reached all twelve clues, will win the honor of being Lord and Lady Frost at the final ball!”
Gasps and whispers accented her words. Meredith twisted her lip slightly. It would be an honor to be Lady Frost. But that would mean that she needed to be Lucas’ partner for the entire evening.
She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that.
Because it wasn’t just the dancing.
Lord and Lady Frost would sit on a raised platform like a king and queen during the ball. The evening of dancing would start and end with their waltz, and, as was customary, at midnight the Lord would kiss the Lady under the mistletoe.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t kissed Lucas before… but she was quite certain that Lucas wouldn’t simply give her a chaste buss on the cheek or lips.
No. Passion like she’d experienced wouldn’t be restrained, and with God and everyone looking, that kiss would compromise her. And the ball might as well be her wedding.
Drat.
Why did he have to ruin everything? Meredith sighed heavily as her competitive streak flared within her. She wanted to win.
She wanted it terribly bad.
Yet at what cost?
Could she trust Lucas? It wasn’t likely, yet what choice did she have
? To simply lose?
No.
She wouldn’t do it.
At least, she wouldn’t do it on purpose. It was a matter of a lady’s honor. She’d not throw the game just so she wouldn’t have to endure Lucas’ company for an evening…
She worried her lip.
“Ladies! The gentlemen will be awaiting your arrival outside in the gardens! Once you find your partner, the footmen will distribute your clues! At the sound of the gunshot, you may start!”
The room echoed with the muted sound of gloved hands daintily clapping. “Let the evening commence!” The duchess grinned wildly as the ladies all filed out the door in earnest search of their partners.
“You haven’t won yet.” Sara’s voice startled Meredith as she followed the mass exodus to the Gardens.
“I know that,” she answered.
“Of course…” Sara’s tone was anything but convinced. “I have just as good of odds at winning as you.”
“Perhaps.”
“Maybe better,” Sara goaded.
“Maybe worse.” Meredith turned to taunt her sister, a grin teasing her lips.
“May the best sister win.” Sara extended a hand, and Meredith took it, the thrill of competition causing her smile to widen.
“Why do I feel as if I should know what you two are planning?” Lucas’ voice interrupted her reverie.
Withdrawing her hand from her sister’s, Meredith turned to regard him coolly. “It is none of your concern.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Oh? Do you honestly think that any of my musings, personal or private, concern you? Or involve you in anyway? I assure you, they do not.” She offered a delicate shrug and walked on.
“You know, last I checked, you were my partner, and… partners must communicate even in small amounts if there is to be any chance at winning the game.”
“Who said I wanted to win?” She raised an eyebrow, though Sara’s unladylike snort from behind her gave away her true colors.
Lucas shook his head and leaned in, his smoky and spicy scent assaulting her with longing. “I find I’m in agreement with your sister. I’ve known you for far too long to think you’ll be disinterested in any sort of competitive game. After all, have we not kept up our little… game?” he teased.
“I have no idea to what you are referring.”
“You are a poor liar.”
Meredith took a deep breath. “Very well, I want to win. Is that so terrible?”
“No, not at all. I’m pleased to see that you have some humility lurking deep within that cavern you call a heart.”
“What?” she seethed.
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “Now, if you’ll follow me, they are distributing the clues and I want to get the first one.”
Stunned by his rude remark, she followed him wordlessly as he withdrew a clue from the selection a footman held on a silver tray. “This will do. Now follow me.” He walked to a torch and glanced behind him. “When the gun is shot, we can read it and start off toward the first clue.
“I have a heart. I just don’t waste it on you,” Meredith asserted, trying not to grab the clue from his hands and hold it to the light… just in case it was readable through the envelope.
“Good to know about its existence. It had been a burning question in my mind for so long,” Lucas drawled in a bored tone. “You must not take my barbs so seriously, one would think you had no sense of humor.”
“I have a perfectly acceptable sense of humor.”
“And here you go again.”
“Stop insulting me!” Meredith poked him in the chest.
“Stop rising to the bait!” He leaned down towards her, challenging her.
“I wouldn’t rise to the bait if you didn’t lay it out!” She bit off the words, leaning forward as well.
“Children?” The Duchess of Ashbury’s voice interrupted their argument, and Meredith noticed just how close they stood. Flecks of amber laced the iris of his eyes, and the shadow of a beard accented his jawline, yet she forced these enticements out of her mind and leaned back, away from temptation.
“Yes, Mother?” Lucas asked sweetly, no repentance in his tone.
“Can I trust that there will be no bloodshed?” she asked, raising a brow.
And it was an honest question… because there had been bloodshed in the past.
Never much.
But nevertheless…
“Of course, Duchess,” Meredith answered, smoothing her skirt and forcing her posture into a stiff control.
“Lucas?” She turned to her son, her head thoughtfully tilted. The expression on her face wasn’t one Meredith would ever like to fall under.
“None what so ever.” He held up his hand as if swearing an oath.
“Lovely. Now, if you two are finished bickering, I believe I’ll give the signal to begin?”
At Lucas’ nod, she raised a hand and a footman sounded the gunshot.
Lucas ripped through the wax seal and opened the first clue. Forgotten was the recent argument as Meredith laid a hand on his shoulder and lifted herself upon her tiptoes to get a better view of the clue.
“Where music takes its leisure in the cool spring,” she read aloud.
“Hmm…” Lucas’ dark brows drew over his eyes. “Music… spring.”
Meredith re-read the missive, heart pounding, as other pairs darted away into the semi-darkness.
“I’ve got it! Come!” Lucas grasped her hand and pulled her towards the hedge maze. However, they passed the entrance and went around the corner towards the garden gate. ”It’s the birdbath,” he whispered quietly.
“Birdbath? Are you certain?” Meredith questioned.
“Yes. Think on it.” He turned to her, his features shadowed yet illuminated just enough to see the delight in his expression. “The music is the song birds, the cool spring is the water that’s drawn from the spring and put into the birdbath.”
“Oh.” She blinked. “That’s actually quite brilliant.”
He froze mid-step. “Pardon?”
“Nothing.” She waved her hand and walked on.
His warm hand grasped her wrist. “Oh, that was anything but nothing.”
She paused and turned to face him, trying to ignore the way the torchlight flickered across his features and made the smolder in his eyes more prominent. “You are more intelligent than I assumed.”
“Ah, you see… that is not what you said.” He pulled her wrist till she took a few steps towards him.
“Then why ask for me to repeat it if you heard correctly the first time.”
“I’m helping your humility grow.”
“I assure you it is the proper size.”
“I have doubts. You said I was brilliant.”
“No.” He pulled her closer still till his boots brushed the hem of her dress. “I said, ‘That’s quite brilliant.’ I was complimenting the riddle.”
“You can pretend all you want… but just know this.” He bent toward her, his gaze tenderly studying her. As much as she told herself to back away, she found herself staying in place and inclining forward as well.
“Know what?” she asked, her tone breathless.
“The only one you are fooling is… yourself,” he whispered.
Her eyes flickered closed as he started to close the small distance between them.
“Here it is! The birdbath! I told you!” Hugh’s voice burst through the moment like ice water, and Meredith pulled away, her heart hammering.
“Ah, I see you two figured out the clue as well,” Lucas answered, sidestepping Meredith and withdrawing the next clue and breaking it’s seal. “Too bad you’ll need to wait till we read the next clue.” He waved the envelope in the air, a defiant expression on his face.
“Well, be quick about it! I aim to win!”
“Me, too.” Louisa gave a silently competitive grin to her sister.
“A moment of privacy, if you will.” Lucas pulled Meredith’s wrist gently into the darker s
hadows. “Let us see what it says.”
“To the middle I’ll go, but I’ll not have to go through any rows.” Meredith read, her brow furrowing as she considered the words.
“It’s not the maze. That’s full of rows.” Lucas mused.
“The garden. The center of the garden! You know, where the—”
“The stone statue is! Yes! You know…” He tilted his head, just slightly, “You’re smarter than I expected as well.” With that, he tossed the envelope and clue into the air and ran toward the statue in the middle of the garden, chuckling as Hugh called foul behind him.
“That won’t stop them for long.” Meredith glanced behind her in time to watch Hugh grasp for the discarded clue.
“No, but I’ll take any advantage I can get.” Lucas replied, his tone thick with amusement.
“Do you think we’re in the lead?”
“Not sure, it is paramount that we continue quickly!” To punctuate his point, he paused and swept Meredith up in his arms and started to jog toward the middle of the garden.
“Put me down!” she insisted, keeping her voice low lest they attract unwanted attention.
“You’re far too slow to keep up. I had no other option since I simply must win.”
“You most certainly had other options!” She punched him in the arm with her fist.
“None.”
“Liar.”
“Oh, look! We’ve arrived.” With abrupt motions, he set her on the ground and searched the statue for another clue.
Slightly wobbly, Meredith righted herself and began searching as well. A crisp white envelope peeked from beneath a nearby bush with a small cherub as guardian. “I’ve found it!”
“Give it here.”
“No. Patience is a virtue. Plus, you’ve read the last two,” she accused as she slid open the envelope.
Lucas tried to swipe it from her hands, but she held tightly and spun away, trying to read the contents.
“Edges and lines make up my design, but when you’re within, you’re lost like time,” Meredith read the words quietly.
“Well, what does it say?” Lucas asked impatiently.
“It’s the maze, but…” Her brow furrowed as she considered the last part. The maze was quite large; the clue was somewhere specific within…