Page 55 of The Trials of Alaric
“They are, Papa,” Bea declared. “And Papa, Alaric tells me that he has solved the fifth clue in the treasure hunt.”
“Close to, at least,” Alaric amended. “I know the topic, and Lady Beatrice has told me where to find theobjet d’artimplied by the last two lines.”
“Indeed?” Claddach asked. “Then, young man, you had better repair to that location immediately. I take it, daughter, that you were about to ask me if you could take a walk with Redhaven here? You may, if Lord and Lady Stavely go to play propriety. And Versey, Lady Eleanor would undoubtedly enjoy your company. I believe she was intending to repair to the music room.”
“Thank you, sir.” Luke sketched a brief bow to the two ladies and left the room. Alaric offered his arm to Bea and inclined his head to Claddach. “Thank you, my lord.”
“The portrait gallery?” Bea asked.
“The portrait gallery,” said Alaric.
“I take it,” Tarquin murmured to Alaric, as they followed the ladies into the portrait gallery, “that my part is to distract my wife so you can kiss Lady Beatrice.”
It was good having his twin back. Tarquin had always been the friend who knew what Alaric was thinking before he spoke. The breach between them had healed, and he felt whole again. Winning the next clue had to be a priority, but Tarquin was quite right. Alaric would take any opportunity to kiss Bea.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Within an hour,Alaric had satisfied both priorities, and was well-pleased with life.
After the portrait gallery, Eloise and Bea went off together, Eloise pale and determined. Alaric visited the earl’s study, and Tarquin returned to his bedroom suite to wait. Alaric joined him once he had the longest and most confusing verse of them all.
The sixth clue made no sense at all, yet. But he had to solve it and so he would. It was the last in the treasure hunt, the earl said, and there was only one more trial. An interview of sorts would be held tomorrow. “A test of understanding,” said Claddach. Whatever that meant.
Alaric had until that test to complete the treasure hunt and win the treasure, when the only treasure he wanted was Bea. Her smiles, her incisive remarks, her kisses, her loyalty to those she loved, her kindnesses, and her kisses.You have already said kisses, he reminded himself. But it bore repeating.
“Did Lord Claddach give you the next clue?” said Tarquin.
Alaric had forgotten his brother was even in the room. He had been in a daze since the portrait gallery, where Tarquin and Eloise had disappeared into an alcove and Bea and Alaric had celebrated finding the Odyssey panel they needed with an embrace.
None of Alaric’s previous experiences had prepared him for kissing Bea. It was all consuming. He could have kissed her,just kissed her, and touched her breasts, for hours. Even though he wanted more—wanted everything—he wouldn’t dishonor her. Not when he had not yet been given the right.
And somehow, it didn’t matter. Kissing and cuddling had always been a preliminary—to be given the necessary time, since women enjoyed the culmination more that way—but only a stage in the journey to what he really wanted. With Bea, it was different. He wanted her kisses. He wanted her embraces. They satisfied him, thrilled him, in a way that had nothing to do with the physical. He would rather have a single touch of her hand than to bed the most skilled courtesan in all the world.
In fact, even thinking of some of his previous experiences felt wrong. In his heart, he was Bea’s, and she was his. No other woman would ever do. Not ever again.
When he had told Tarquin that, his brother had nodded. “You love her, and you want to make her your wife, your own. Naturally, every other physical encounter pales by comparison.”
It was true, and even if he had been of a mind to deny it, the evidence was clear. He loved Bea.
“The clue?” Tarquin asked.
Alaric dragged his mind from Bea’s soft lips and firm curves. “Sorry.”
Tarquin grinned. “You are in love, and if I must repeat myself half a dozen times, so be it. The clue?”
“Yes. The clue.” Alaric had it clutched in his hand. He opened it and read it out loud.
“The hidden doors the secret keeps
“Till opened by uneasy sleep.
“Where knights once watched for pirates bold
“Discover, man, the secret gold.
“Learn from our verses, if you’re smart.
“The trove you seek is Claddach’s heart.”
