Page 43 of A Love to Remember
“Portia, please do not harass your brother,” was all Grayson would say before striding off to walk in front of them.
“Sorry, Philip, that was rather mean of me.” Portia put her hand through his arm as they walked. “Rose is fine. More than fine, and she’ll talk with you when she’s ready.”
“I was hoping to talk with her in private before we faced the other guests. I don’t want there to be any awkwardness.”
“I’m pretty sure she has more to think about than how the guests will perceive the two of you.” Portia giggled.
“What are you not telling me, sister dear? I know you. You are far too gleeful this morning, given Rose’s illness.”
That made Portia giggle more.
“If I don’t get an answer I’m turning around and going straight to Rose’s room, decorum be damned.”
Philip was about to turn around when he spied movement on the stairs below. Rose was there, holding Drake’s hand, greeting Grayson. She looked beautiful as usual. Her hair was pulled back in an intricate pattern, winding around her head with curly wisps floating around her face like little fairies. She looked ethereal. The delicate lines of her face emphasized her high cheekbones, and although she still looked pale, her eyes flashed with warmth and humor, and the worry holding his muscles tight eased.
When she saw him the warmth in her eyes deepened and a fire lit. It took all his self-control not to step forward and pull her into his arms. He returned her smile, while bowing low over her hand.
“Your Grace, a pleasure to see you as always.”
He could sense those in the drawing room straining to hear the interaction.
Rose surprised him by taking his arm and leading him into the room. “Lord Cumberland, I hope you and your family are well. How is your mother? Did you have a happy Christmas?”
As they conversed the other guests grew bored and settled into their own conversations.
Philip wanted to ask her more intimate questions, like how she was feeling. She was still very pale, but before he could, Lord Kirkwood called for silence. He began putting everyone into teams for the treasure hunt.
“I have broken the group into three teams and I’ve tried to make it fair. At least one person who is familiar with my house in each team.”
Philip barely listened as Kirkwood prattled on. He kept looking at the woman sitting beside him with her son, and wished that he’d been a better man. If he had only made better decisions, Robert would never have gone to war and he wouldn’t feel as if he were suffocating under a mantle of guilt so heavy it was a wonder his shoulders did not break.
Through his painful memories he heard Rose’s name being called. Was Kirkwood trying to annoy him? She was in a group that comprised Tremain and Grayson. At least his friend would keep an eye on her.
Then he heard his name. He was paired with Drake and Henry. He inwardly smiled. He would enjoy this rainy-day game. Drake knew every inch of this house. With Kirkwood as his guardian the boy spent many a holiday here. Philip loved to win and he was sure the boys would find the treasure.
The treasure hunt was a list of riddles. If you found the answer to the first riddle you got the next riddle and so on until you found the ultimate prize.
Riddle one went like this…
Find me with some bars so neat
I stop open flight but not a tweet
When you find me you will admire
My structure made of sculptured wire
“That one is easy,” Drake pronounced. “It’s—”
Philip clamped a hand over his mouth, saying, “Don’t make it too easy for the others. We want to win.”
Drake nodded his head.
“Let’s go into the dining room and we can talk freely.”
The boys raced on ahead of him so excited. He looked across at Rose and saw her stand on tiptoes and whisper in Grayson’s ear. She, too, knew this house. It made him smile seeing how excited she was.
Once in the dining room, Drake, almost bursting with impatience, said, “It’s a birdcage.”
