Page 77 of Rakes & Reticules
She nodded.
There was a quaint church built of Cotswolds stone at the end of the village. It was small, but had a towering spire. Much of the building was shrouded in ivy, and Amelia thought the blend of gold stone and ivy greenery was the most beautiful thing.
Indeed, the entire village of Marston was quaint and appealing. This was a place where someone could be happy, for everywhere she turned, she was surrounded by the beauty of nature and yet also within easy reach of the small comforts one might need. London was nothing to this charming village.
Beside the church was a cemetery. “Oh, one would also find silence in a cemetery,” she commented as they approached the church and were about to go in.
He glanced toward the open field dotted with crosses and tombstones. “I don’t see anyone out there. Let’s try the church first.”
The vicar was waiting for them and handed them a card with the wordsI now pronounce you man and wifeinscribed on it. “Your uncle wrote this one especially for you, Your Grace,” the vicar said with a laugh. “Make of it what you will. But you now must move on to your fifth clue.”
They walked out and Amelia could not resist grinning with mirth. “Seems your uncle is eager to see you married. That was a not so subtle kick in the pants.”
He gave a jovial wince. “Indeed. We are not known for subtlety in my family. Hide that card from Dorothea or she will have me tied and trussed like a Christmas goose as she hauls me to the altar.”
“Oh, I think you are quite a clever man and will find a way to escape her clutches. But she will certainly come after you.” She sighed and then began to read their next riddle. “I am a ship that does not sail.”
“Gad, I am going to throttle my uncle once we are through.”
She brushed back a curl of her hair blown loose in the stiffening breeze. “What a clever man he is to have come up with a hundred of these riddles. Ten for every couple, and we are ten teams.”
“No, he simply needed to switch the order of the same clues to have us all running in opposite directions. Our first clue could have been someone else’s fifth clue.”
“Oh, you are quite right. Still, he had to come up with at least ten riddles. What sort of ship does not sail?” She began to think aloud. “A ship still in dry dock. But we are landlocked here, so where would we find a dock within the confines of this village?”
“We wouldn’t. There are none.”
“Um, then a boat with a damaged hull? Something small that fits on a lake.”
“No lake, either. I have a pond that is too small for anything other than swimming, and a stream that runs behind my property but it is only good for fishing. The closest lake of any note is two towns over.”
“And a ship brings to mind something larger than a punt or raft or sailing skiff. So I think the meaning has to be something other than sailing vessels. But what?”
He shrugged. “No idea. You’ve done the lion’s share of the work so far. I have contributed shockingly little.”
“Not at all. I think we work rather well as a team. But this clue has me stumped. Your Grace, would you mind if we stopped in at Miss Blake’s Tea Room?” She pointed to the prettily decorated shop across the street. “I could do with a lemonade. I am thirsty and my head is obviously a little clouded.”
He took her hand and smiled in triumph. “You shall have your lemonade, but not at the tea room.”
“Then where?”
“At the Friendship Tavern. Get it? What is a ship that does not sail?Friendship.”
She laughed. “Brilliant deduction, Your Grace.”
“Glad I could contribute. You are the brilliant one, Amelia. You’ve solved most of these riddles.”
“Are we counting? I think we are fairly even.”
“Perhaps over the span of these ten clues we shall be. But you are well ahead of me right now, I feel. By the way, I am not put out by it at all. I like the clever way you think.”
They walked to the other end of the High Street where the tavern was located. Several teams had already stopped in and ordered a bite to eat as well as something to slake their thirst. “Amelia, are you hungry? We do have time to eat. After all, the rules only require us to return by four o’clock. There are no extra points for finishing fastest.”
“Your Grace, what happens if all the teams come back with their ten items found? Does that mean we all win?”
He nodded. “It is a house party game, Amelia. The object is to enjoy oneself. If all are winners, then I shall kiss all ten ladies, and the other gentlemen shall each have their choice of a lady to kiss.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise.
