Page 48 of Duchess By Accident
He was about to intervene when Lord Peter returned with his two nephews.
“You are supposed to say happy birthday.” The older of the two said, sweeping a lock of black hair out of his face. “I’m Arthur by the way.”
“This is Melody.” Daphne said, full of the kind of self-importance that only children seemed to have.
“And I am Jonathan.” The smallest child stuck out his chest proudly.
Adrian guessed that he would be no more than six or so.
“You can call him Bon Jon.” Arthur added in a stage whisper.
Melody and Daphne giggled, and Adrian felt his heart soar as he watched the two girls exchange looks with each other.
“No, she can’t. It is not my real name. And I do not like it.” Jonathan pouted.
Daphne teased. “Bon Jon.”
“Shut up.” Jonathan scowled, his face turning red.
“Jonathan, do not tell your sister to shut up. Daphne, stop teasing your brother.” The Duke of Emberly gave his children a tired look.
“Why do they call you Bon Jon?” Melody asked, moving closer to Jonathan.
“Because he loves bonbons.” Arthur explained. “That’s why he is Bon Jon.”
“It is not my name!” Jonathan shouted, clapping his hands to his ears as though trying to block out the sound of his brother.
To Adrian’s astonishment, Melody gently reached up and tapped the young boy’s hands. “I can call you Jonathan if you would like?”
“Thank you.” Jonathan blinked at her and then broke into a broad grin before proclaiming, “I like her.”
“Shall we play?” Daphne asked, clearly determined not to be upstaged by her brother.
“Actually, I wondered how you might like to have a little treasure hunt.” Adrian put a hand on Melody’s shoulder.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Natalie stop trying to get her brother’s attention and instead focus completely on Adrian. He resisted the urge to look at her, instead focusing on the children who were now gaping at him with barely contained excitement.
“A treasure hunt?” Jonathan asked.
“Will there be teams?” Arthur’s eyes were wide.
“I want to be on Melody’s team!” Daphne moved to stand beside his daughter.
Jonathan pouted. “I wanted to be on Melody’s team.”
“Fine, then I want to be on Uncle—um… What is your name?”
“You can call me Uncle Adrian.” He smiled at Daphne. “And I do not know if it would be fair if you and I were on a team. After all, I was the one who came up with the clues.”
“Perhaps you can all be on one team?” Natalie ventured, still looking at Adrian curiously.
“But then how will we win?” Arthur asked.
“Well, as you are hunting for a pirate’s treasure… It might be for the best that you all band together. I hear that Captain Black Jack is a most fearsome man.”
The children all gave out a delighted gasp as Adrian procured an eye patch from his coat. Melody’s entire face lit up, and Adrian felt as though his heart would burst. He could not remember the last time they had played like this.
His daughter slipped her hand in Daphne’s. Adrian gestured to Mr. Kember who was waiting at the ready. He pretended to hold Adrian back as he handed the children their first clue.
