Page 28 of A Rogue Worth the Risk

Lady Osborne clapped her hands. “May I have your attention, please?”

Silence descended upon the room as the guests focused on her.

“I’ve kept tonight’s activity a secret.” She smiled, entirely too pleased with herself.

“I’ve organized a treasure hunt for you,” she announced with theatrical aplomb.

Pleased titters and awed whispers buzzed throughout the room.

“For those who don’t wish to participate, I’ve arranged for you to play cards, and afterward, we shall enjoy The Aviary. The rest of you will pair off and must find as many items on the list as possible and return within twenty minutes.”

Why, she was practically asking for secret rendezvous with her madcap scheme.

“I have servants stationed to assure no one wanders above stairs.”

Ah, so she’d considered the possibility of naughty assignations.

Her ladyship produced a short stack of papers. “Here are the clues for the items you will attempt to find.”

“I’m game if you are,” Ronan told Mercy.

She gave an eager nod. “Oh, yes. It sounds like great fun.”

Ronan leveled Caspian a stern look. “I presume you mean to escort Corinna. I don’t need to remind you to be on your most gentlemanly behavior.”

His attention drifted to Corinna, and she gave him a wide-eyed innocent look. She was a horrid actress, and her brother’s raised eyebrows confirmed he’d seen right through her ruse.

“Naturally,” Caspian agreed. “I would never do anything to tarnish Miss Brockman’s reputation.”

Other than kiss me senseless.

Rising, Corinna grinned. “Do you think Lady Osborne hid some of the objects around the house?” she asked as they crossed to collect their list.

“I’d wager on it,” Caspian said. He lowered his voice. “You look exceptionally lovely this evening. The sapphire blue of your gown makes your eyes even bluer.”

“Thank you, kind sir.”

Love beat a tattoo against her ribs. She hadn’t told him of her feelings. After all, he said he’d wanted to court her and see where things led.

He’d never said he’d reconsidered marriage.

Shoulder to shoulder, Caspian showed her the list of eight clues.

“Is everyone ready?” Lady Osborne asked.

Murmurs of assent echoed throughout the drawing room.

“Excellent.” She eyed the longcase clock. “Return at precisely twenty minutes of ten. If you’re late, you will be disqualified. Now off with you.”

In a flurry of laughter and swishing of skirts, the participants hurried from the drawing room. Caspian drew Corinna aside near the base of the stairs.

The other treasure seekers scattered in all directions.

Corinna scrunched her brow. “I think I know what the first item is.”

I sparkle and twinkle like a sunstruck gem on a waterfall.

“It’s a cravat pin.” She touched the emerald and gold pin in Caspian’s ascot with her fingertip. “A waterfall is a neckcloth style, is it not?”