Page 86 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
A pendant with a glowing green peridot fell into her palm. The design was older, with intricate filigree around the stone. As she held it to the light, it sparkled, changing colour as it spun around. She placed it around her neck, closing the clasp.
It reminded her of Robert. She felt a little confused, but reading those words has made her feel calmer and more poised. It was more than her concern for Henry that was giving her a melancholy mood.
The colour of this peridot reminds him of my eyes. She gazed at the green stone and closed her eyes, remembering that special moment on the island.
The loving words lifted her spirits as she gathered her basket with clues for the hunt. It didn’t take long to set out the clues on the Horton Hall estate and around the side of the lake nearest to the hall.
Jim, the stable hand who used to work at the Beehive, would distribute the other clues. She could have asked Judd to help, but she enjoyed a walk in the sunshine and could imagine Henry’s face as he found the clues. As she looked out towards the direction of the lake, she felt the heavy pendant around her neck and the feeling of comfort and calm that cocooned her body.
After hiding the clues, she climbed up to the castle, which was in a state of upheaval as the house staff prepared for the ball.
“I declare I shouldn’t have suggested a treasure hunt the day before the ball, but I thought it would make it more special for the boys,” said Elinor, looking flustered.
“Well, maybe it’s best to be out of the house while it is in chaos. And I’m pretty sure Mr Chalston knows how to prepare for a large event,” Arabella told her.
She sensed rather than heard the person arriving behind her. The cloying scent of sultry spice warned her who it was.
“Rosalind,” said Elinor. “You see we are at sixes and sevens with preparation for the ball. Can I help you? Mama will be in her morning room, and I haven’t seen Simon this morning.”
“I did, in fact, come to congratulate Lady Farrington on her conquest of the duke,” Rosalind said, although her tone was far from complimentary.
Arabella curtseyed, feeling the hairs on her arms stand on edge. The duchess looked her directly in the eye, and the emptiness of those limpid blue pools was chilling.
“Quite a surprise to hear the news. They do say still waters run deep,” and she laughed in such a way that Elinor looked at her with concern.
“I recall when Robert and I became betrothed, his mama organized a support party to celebrate, and I believe we had a ball in our honour. What is this event you’re doing today? A treasure hunt? Well, do enjoy it. I’m having fittings for my ball gown all afternoon,” the duchess said condescendingly.
She looked at Arabella and what she was wearing with a look of total disdain. “I look forward to seeing your gowns.” Before either could reply, she had disappeared towards the orangery.
“I feel quite cold,” shivered Arabella, remembering how she had seen the duchess enclosed in the duke’s arms on that moorland path.
“I suspect she thinks we will be dressed in grey dimity for the ball. Mrs Cribbage has flair in her designs, and Rosalind is going to be surprised,” said Elinor with a smile.
“I don’t think she wishes me well,” mused Arabella. “She seems to dislike me intensely.”
“Never got over Robert. It’s the green-eyed monster eating her up,” replied Elinor, and she was deadly serious.
***
“Mama, I’ve found a clue,” came an excited voice, and Arabella raced towards Henry and Freddy, who had located their first clue.
Two heads touching, the boys concentrated on deciphering the clue. “I think the clue is next to the chicken coop,” said Freddy, and they raced off together.
Some of the adults were joining in the treasure hunt; the others were waiting by the lake shore, looking forward to the picnic. Only Colonel and Lady Lloyd from the house party had joined the treasure hunt, making it feel like a family occasion.
The exciting part was when they were ready to find the clues on the Isle of Avalon, and Robert was ready to row them across to search for the clues and buried treasure there.
The dowager stood with Elinor and Arabella and told them what a wonderful, relaxing day this had been. “Some time out to laugh and have fun was exactly what they had all been needing,” she said.
They heard shrieks of excitement from the island. “They must have found the gold doubloons,” said Arabella.
“They have had such a wonderful day,” added Elinor.
“And I must say,” said the dowager, “as it is the first opportunity I have had, that I am delighted the boys will be family together now that you and Robert are to marry. I am truly delighted at your news.”
Arabella felt reassured and knew this was genuine warmth from the dowager duchess.
“We must meet, my dear, and talk of household matters and how you would like things to proceed, as you will be mistress of Castle Montbury,” the dowager said to Arabella. “However, I suggest we leave that till this situation with your co-guardian is resolved.”
