Page 26 of The Earl and Miss Muffet
“Shall we?” Anton urged them all forward.
Elena fell into step between the two men.
“Miss Muffet—” Both men started at the same time.
Anton motioned for Lord Templeton to speak first.
“Where are you visiting from?”
“Heythrop,” she replied.
“Oh, that isn’t too far from here.”
“No, but I regret this is my first time to Banbury.”
Lord Templeton put his hands behind his back. “It is a hidden treasure, is it not?”
“Yes.” Miss Muffet stole a glance at Anton. He studied the ground as they walked. Perhaps he had forgotten what he wanted to say. The need to include him in the conversation felt necessary, but she was still honing her newfound social skills. “Lord Crawford, is there any other tidbits of history about Banbury that I have not been made aware of?”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “More than I could tell you in this short walk. These old stones have seen both bloodshed and glory.” He stopped at the corner of the keep and pointed to the bottom. “That blackish stone there is the one Lord Templeton was referring to. It’s not much to look at, but more eyes have studied it than any other in this great edifice.”
Elena stepped forward and caught her foot on a loose rock. She stumbled, and soon both men had a hold of each of her arms.
“Forgive my clumsiness,” she said, heat filling her cheeks. Lord Templeton seemed reluctant to release her, but he did. Anton, however, did not. Two very handsome, and extremely worthy, gentlemen were both giving her all of their attention. What had she done to deserve it?
“Care to make a wish before we return to the others?” Anton asked.
“Does this stone grant wishes too?”
“Just one.”
She bent her head back to look into his eyes. “Did you use yours up as a child?”
“I’ve been saving it.”
“All these years?”
“I didn’t want to waste it. Gunther wished for a horse, and he got one. Terrance wished for a new sled, and he got one. It might just be an ugly rock, but it’s held quite a bit of magic for us.”
Lord Templeton chuckled, and she remembered he was still standing right next to them. “No one told me about this wish business.”
Anton gave an exaggerated frown. “We try to be discreet in case the enchantment runs out. I trust you understand.”
Lord Templeton bowed. “I swear to never reveal the full power of the Banbury stone.”
With a quick nod, Anton released Elena. “Very well, you may both touch the stone and speak your wish.”
“Aloud?” Elena asked. She wanted to make a wish but could never do so with these men watching.
“In your mind is sufficient.”
She wondered if he had said that merely to put her at ease. She stepped forward just the same, bent over, and touched the stone. In her mind, she wished with all her heart to have Anton’s love. Lord Templeton put his hand down next to hers, and her concentration broke. Pulling back, she almost laughed at herself. The likelihood of her getting her wish was nigh impossible.
Anton cleared his throat. “I should get back to my guests.”
“I will join you,” she added quickly. She turned to see what Lord Templeton would say, but he was still staring at the stone.
“Go ahead,” Lord Templeton said. “I will follow in a moment.”
