Page 5 of The Earl's Secret
“Yes,” Gideon said, ire in his tone. “And before you doubt me, allow me to read it to you.”
He carefully took a piece of paper out of a book on the table and cleared his throat before he began.
“Oft surrounded by a deep, wet ditch, where flags fly and women stitch,
Those of the house may never know,
A treasure of magnitude that does lie below.
Right before one goes to bed,
Where that one might set his head,
He guards what many would try to seek,
If worthy enough they will make themselves meek.”
They were all silent for a moment as they pondered the words.
“Interesting,” Rowley said, leaning forward. A learned, intelligent man who, as a second son, had always known he would have to find a way to support himself, tapped a finger against his lips. “Does it mean anything to you?”
“I suppose that the first line could reference a castle – which must mean Castleton, our country estate,” Gideon said. “That desk has been in this house for years now – likely as far back as when my great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather was duke. The country estate has been entailed since then.”
“True,” Whitehall said, and Devon knew he would likely have an objection – he always seemed to. “But if it’s a family fortune, why would one not simply leave it in a will or have it entailed to the estate? Why keep it secret and create some child’s game to find it?”
“Perhaps one must be worthy to earn it,” Ferrington said with a grin. “Do you think that man is you, Ashford?”
Gideon snorted, even though Devon knew him well enough to read him – he certainly did think he was the one who deserved to find it.
“If I can speak to my father in one of his more lucid moments, he might have some ideas,” Gideon said. “Although I do not believe he would be up to solving a riddle.”
The story told regarding the Duke of Ashford was that he had a wasting disease, but Devon knew the truth – he had an affliction to his mind, one that meant he had been kept away in order to prevent him from further damaging the family’s reputation or fortunes. It was part of what had led to the Sutcliffes’ initial downfall.
“What dowehave to do with any of this?” Rowley asked.
“I thought perhaps that you might think on it a bit, see if all our minds together could come up with some answers for the mystery. In the meantime, I will be heading to the country soon. Perhaps there will be an opportunity for you to join me for a house party and we can spend some time searching together.”
They nodded. It was always a rather grand time at Castleton Estate, even if they never held formal parties anymore.
Devon had one more question, however, one that he couldn’t help but ask. “Will you tell your mother and your sister of this?”
“No,” Gideon said swiftly. “You know what Cassandra is like. If she finds out about this, she will stop at nothing to find the answer herself – especially if she thinks it is some kind of competition she can best me in.”
Devon had to hide his smile at that, for Gideon’s words were true. Cassandra enjoyed nothing more than a good battle with her brother.
The five of them debated a few more of the lines before they all called it an afternoon and returned to their respective homes. As Devon was walking out the door, however, Gideon called him back and asked him to stay a moment.
“I have another favor to ask,” Gideon said, and Devon nodded.
“Of course.”
“Would you accompany me to Castleton when I go next week? An extra set of eyes wouldn’t hurt.”
“I don’t see why not,” Devon said after considering it for a moment. “I have nothing keeping me here at the moment, and my mother and sisters are in good hands with Spencer.”
Devon might be the firstborn, but his brother had always been just as responsible, if not more so.
“Very good,” Gideon said, relief crossing his face. “It shouldn’t be for long. I might also need some help keeping Mother and Cassandra from knowing what we are doing. Our excuses would be more plausible if we are both there.”
