Page 57 of The Trials of Alaric
“I did? Oh yes. I asked about the plans for tomorrow.”
Papa planned to interview each of the leading aspirants for her hand, but Lucy was right. The list was down to two at most. There was no reason why the rest of the gentlemen could not join the ladies for an excursion. Having them out of the house would also give Papa time for a rest, which he must have needed after the exertions earlier in the day.
“Would you care to visit the ruins of St. Benigna’s Abbey? Those who wish to sketch could do so, and there’s a hermit’s cell part way up the nearby hill, for those who would prefer to walk up to see the view. We could take a picnic.”
The door opened and Mr. Howard walked inside. “So, this is where you have hidden yourselves,” he said. “Fairweather? Meadowsweet? The ladies are here.”
Dorrie began telling the gentlemen about the visit to the abbey ruins, and then had to start again when first Luke, and then Alaric arrived. Lord and Lady Stavely joined them a few minutes later and were the next to hear of the planned expedition.
After that, it was all repeated to Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Lady Dashwood, who had been walking in the garden, then to Mr. Maddrell and Mr. Whittington, and finally to Papa and Lord Lewiston.
“An excellent idea,” Papa told her. “However, I shall need Mr. Redhaven and Mr. Fairweather during the morning. Perhaps they can join you in time for lunch?”
That was it then. The final trial and only two of them left. Bea presided over the tea pot, but her mind was on her trial, which was still to come. How would she turn Mr. Fairweather down? She had no experience with proposals, either refusing them or accepting them. More importantly, how would she find out whether Alaric loved her?
Papa was pouring drinks for those who preferred something alcoholic, attracting most of the men to the large sideboard, but Alaric came to sit beside her. “Bea, I have the next clue, and it is the last,” he murmured, his voice too low for others to hear. “Can we meet somewhere so I can show it to you? Perhaps the portrait gallery?”
She found herself thinking about how to divest herself of all the other guests and her aunt, so she could have another of his mind-altering kisses. No. Not an hour ago, they had agreed to wait until the trials were over. His eyes dropped to her lips, and she knew he was thinking about it too.
“After dinner,” she said, her voice husky, and she swallowed before she spoke again, her voice more normal, this time. “I shall suggest a stroll in the portrait gallery. If you and I walk together with your brother and sister, or perhaps Luke and Ellie, we can stay apart from the others without attracting comment.”
It was easy enough. Nothing had been arranged for the evening beyond the usual cards and the expectation that some of the young ladies would sing or play the piano. Bea suggested a walk before they settled to the evening pursuits, and most of the young people accepted. Bea noted with some amusement that Sir Henry Dashwood, having had an interview with Papa before dinner, ignored Bea and gave all his focus to Lucy.
So much for having his heart broken, but poor Sir Henry. Bea doubted Lucy would have him, or that Uncle Lewiston would allow a proposal even if Lucy were interested.
“Dashwood did not take long to shift his interest,” said Ellie. “He would be better to leave the house party and try elsewhere.”
“Why is that?” Eloise asked. “He is a baronet, and passably attractive.”
Ellie replied, “If one lacks a high title, a fortune, or looks that are more than ordinary, one should at least practice being agreeable.” Which was acerbic, but true.
“Oh,” was Eloise’s only comment.
“Bea?” Alaric said.
Bea looked at her friends and the Stavelys, whom she believed would become friends. “Would you please allow us a moment to discuss the last clue in the treasure hunt?”
Luke’s eyes widened. “Alaric, you’ve solved the clues?”
“Five of them,” Alaric admitted, “with Bea’s help, and Tarquin’s on the fourth clue. This is the sixth and last, and I don’t even know where to start.”
“I gave up after two,” Luke admitted. “By the time I received the third, Ellie and I… Well, there didn’t seem to be any point.”
“Show it to us all,” Tarquin suggested. “Let us see what we make of it.”
It was a good idea, and Alaric must have agreed, for he nodded. “We need to make sure the others don’t see us reading and ask what we have,” he said.
Bea couldn’t see the problem. He had won, after all, even without the treasure hunt. However, the others agreed, and moved together to mask Bea as Alaric handed her the clue.
She read it carefully and then gave it to Ellie to read. Ellie passed it to Eloise. Tarquin passed it to Luke, saying, “I have read it.”
“Any thoughts?” Alaric asked, when Luke looked up from the piece of paper.
Bea spoke first. “We have watchtowers all along the coast to warn us of pirates, but the mention of knights makes me think the verse must mean one of those here in the castle.”
“The one nearest the coast, I imagine,” Eloise said.
“Yes,” Bea nodded. “It could be the highest tower of the keep, but I think the more likely answer is one of the watchtowers at the ends of the inner wall.”
