Page 29 of An Earl Unmasked
Diana glanced up and asked, “Where is Minerva?”
He peered down at the scattered papers and said absently, “She went out to the gardens for a stroll.”
“She should not be alone.” Worry lines similar to those he had spied on Minerva’s forehead moments ago appeared on Diana’s beautiful face. Diana shoved her brother’s arm. “Gregory, you must go find her.”
Glaring at Diana only like a sibling could, Greg rose. His gaze shifted between them both before he shook his head. “Kent won’t be happy if he finds out I’ve left you alone sans chaperone.”
“Then you should make haste.” Diana grinned and returned her attention back to the stack of papers in front of her.
Greg mumbled, “Bloody, sisters.” Dismissed by Diana, he trudged out through the terrace doors.
Never having had one, Randal surmised sisters required extreme amounts of patience. If he were to entertain the idea of marrying Diana, he would gain two sisters along with a wife. The thought should have sent shivers down his spine; instead, a warmth blanketed his heart. With each additional second in her presence, it became more evident to him—Diana Malbury would make an excellent Countess of Chestwick.
*
Motioning to theseat her brother had vacated, Diana said, “Come join me.” She couldn’t wait for Randal to be seated. She blurted the question that had plagued her since Randal had asked to speak to Minerva in private, “What did Minerva share with you? Our plan of making Drake jealous was somewhat successful. Why would she even entertain the idea of a stalemate?”
“I shall answer both your queries once you have answered one of mine.” Randal arched an eyebrow. “Do you believe yourself a burden to your family?”
“Aren’t all daughters?” Diana asked, falling into old habits of answering a question with a question. It was because Randal was like family. Not an aloof gentleman she didn’t wish to spar or converse with.
“Since I have no sisters, I’m unqualified to comment.”
Wise reply. She reached for the graphite pencil lodged in her hair and pulled. Her long locks fell about her shoulders. Diana tapped the end of the pencil on the desk, formulating an answer to Randal’s question. “The value of a woman is often dictated by the size of her dowry, and thus it is the common belief daughters are naught but a burden.” His eyes widened at the sight of her hair unbound. She hastily pulled her locks into another makeshift chignon and jabbed the writing instrument through the center to hold it in place.
“While common, not all men share such foolish ideas.” He scanned the documents in front of them and then continued to pick up the volume to his right. Randal nodded as he read the spine. “Which of my papa’s clues are you attempting to solve?”
He hadn’t answered her questions as he promised. Torn between demanding to know what Minerva had shared with him and continuing her investigation, Diana reached for the worn parchment and read, “Number Three:Stolen at a glance. Worthless to one, invaluable to two.”
“Would you care for me to share the answer, or would you prefer I merely provide assistance?”
“Minerva believes it the answer to be love. However, it seems too obvious.”
“I would agree with Minerva that love is the solution. Knowing my papa, even after you have solved the eight clues, the answers still may not be exactly as you would expect. I would hazard he would also have foreseen your need for haste.”
His soft tone was filled with fond memories as he spoke of his papa. If she was right and Randal did love his papa, why had he stayed away for so long? The man was a puzzle.
“Very well. I shall make note to revisit this clue after we have solved the others.”
“We?”
“Since Minerva has escaped, you are the only one left.” She lifted the worn parchment in front of her. She could have recited the clue from memory, but she used the paper as a shield, hoping the heat in her cheeks would subside. “Clue number four reads:Turns. Twirls. Tunes. Three. Two. One.” She lowered the paper and found Randal grinning. He knew the answer. It was as if his papa had intentionally drafted them for Randal and not for her. “Both Minerva and Greg believe we need to search the library for tomes of music or dance instruction manuals.” His grin broadened. Diana said, “Would you agree?”
“I do not.” He bent and swooped her into his arms.
She wrapped her arm behind his neck and snuggled closer. She liked the way she fitted perfectly against him. “Where are you taking me?”
“The clue said three turns.” His strides were long and purposeful. “It is three turns from the library to the ballroom.”
“Did your papa leave you any riddles?”
“Not one in a similar manner to yours.” Randal chuckled. “However, there is a pile of correspondence I’ve not yet managed to work my way through. My papa was not the best estate manager, and our old steward should have been allowed to retire years prior. I’ve tasked Cartwright with coordinating with the new steward to weed through and sort all the papers.”
“I suppose you are looking forward to being rid of us and cease carrying me about, so you can attend to more important matters.”
“Cartwright advised me that it would still be another day or two before he would have everything in order for me. And I rather enjoy carting you about. You are a fair amount lighter than the soldiers I’m used to hauling to safety.” His grin faded.
“It mustn’t have been easy—leaving your men. Knowing they continue to fight while we mull about in safety.”
