“Good morning.” She smiled at him and his chest felt as if a small bird had taken up residence.
“I wish to depart no later than nine,” Adeline said. “Earlier if possible.”
“Of course.” He tucked into the baked eggs and ham he’d taken from the sideboard. “I hope today will prove to be interesting.”
Littleton made a choking sound and quickly carried his napkin to his mouth.
“Are you all right, my love?” His wife began to rise.
He held up a hand, forestalling her. “I’m fine.”
Georgie waved her fork in the air. “I do wonder what a gypsy hunt could be.”
“As long as we are not hunting real gypsies, I have no idea.” He took a piece of toast from the rack that had been set next to him.
Other than glancing at Gavin, his friend did nothing to give away his dislike of games.
“Oh.” Georgie’s eyes widened. “You don’t think they could . . .”
“I cannot think either Mary or Amanda would consider such a thing.” Adeline shook her head. “Surely not. It must be some sort of game.”
Georgie set her fork down and picked up her cup. “I suppose we will not know until we arrive.”
He hoped she would like being with him. Ever since his failed proposal, he’d been having trouble reading her. “I wish I knew as well.”
Adeline looked at the clock. “Georgie, if you are finished, we should fetch our gloves and bonnets.”
“Yes, I’m done.” Gavin leapt up to pull out her chair. She gave him a small smile. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He watched as she left the room, before turning to Littleton. “I believe I still have a toothbrush and powder here.”
“If you do they will be in the room you normally have.” Littleton swallowed the last of his food. “I’ll come with you. I’ll never hear the end of it if my wife doesn’t leave when she wants to because of me.”
The journey over seemed to go more swiftly than it had last night. Georgie and Adeline kept up a stream of talk regarding what other surprises might be in store for them during the course of the week.
“I certainly never expected to have a missive waiting for me when I arrived in my rooms,” Georgie declared.
“Nor did I,” Adeline agreed. “I am very glad we are keeping country hours.”
“Yes, indeed.” Georgie’s eyes sparkled as if she was looking forward to an adventure. “We would not be up and about at this time of day.”
One of Littleton’s brows rose. “If I recall correctly, my love, you were up and about very early in the morning even in Town.”
“I was.” Adeline blushed lightly. “However now that I have the baby and you I am finding it more difficult.”
“I daresay,” he drawled, “that one has something to do with the other.”
This time Georgie’s cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. Gavin wondered if he and Georgie would feel comfortable enough to engage in this type of banter when they married, or if it was reserved for people who fell in love. Once again she was gazing out the window as if she was studiously avoiding looking at him. Or perhaps, she was attempting to ignore their friends’ conversation. He considered saying something but decided to let well enough alone. So far they had been getting on well. He did not wish to go backward.
They passed the gateposts to the Turner estate. “Here we are.”
Gavin hoped he’d have luck convincing Turner to talk his wife into putting Georgie in his group or with him if they were in pairs. Gavin had seen games done both ways. Acting as couples would be the best for him. He had been on his best behavior this Season and last Season. That had, apparently, caused Georgie to doubt him. It was time to show her how he felt.
Chapter Sixteen
As the tall and intricately carved walnut case clock began to chime the hour, Mary Turner and Amanda Fitzwalter gathered their guests in the hall.
“I’ll wager that clock wasn’t made here,” Turley whispered to Georgie.
His breath was like a soft warm breeze caressing her cheek, and she had to stifle the urge to step closer to him. The timepiece was covered with depictions of creatures both mundane and fantastical. Flanking the clock face on each side stood a man and a woman garbed in practically nothing. “I certainly have never seen anything like it.”
“Now,” Mary said smiling. “From your questions this morning, I take it that no one knows what a gypsy hunt is. It is not hunting for gypsies I assure you.” Next to her, Turley let go of the breath he’d apparently been holding. “It is a searching game that our families played. I have the list of teams and the instructions. Each team will search for different objects. After I read out the names please find your partner, and Mrs. Fitzwalter will hand you your tasks.”
She read the first few names then announced, “Miss Featherton and Lord Turley. Lady Aurelia and Lord Lytton . . .” When Mary had finished, she stepped back as people glanced around for their partner.
“How fortunate that we do not have to search for someone.” Turley’s voice was low and clearly meant just for her.
“Fortunate indeed.” Georgie must remember to thank her friend for successfully pleading her case. She made the mistake of looking up at him at the same time he glanced down at her. His light blue eyes twinkled with something close to merriment, but not quite that. Satisfaction? He must have hoped they would be together as well. After all, he had made it clear that he still wished to wed her.
“Lord Turley.” Amanda’s impatient voice caused them both to look at her. “Here is your task. Good luck. The first person to complete all the requirements wins the game.”
He took the folded and sealed paper. “What, may I ask, is the final prize?”
“That, my lord, depends upon who wins.” She turned away and went to the next pair.
A line formed between his brows. “I never knew she was so devious.”
“Yes, you did.” Georgie took his arm and strolled away from the rest of the group. “Do you not remember that she plotted to trap Frits into marriage last Season?”
“You’re right. I had forgotten.” He glanced back at the lady who was now with her husband. “Thankfully, he managed to drag Fitzwalter to a ball to meet her.”
“Only after Frits promised him Gertrude.” At first Georgie couldn’t believe he had given a heifer away, but he was determined to marry Adeline.
“That actually worked out to his benefit.” And to Gertrude’s. She was expecting her first calf.
“Yes. It did.” Georgie took the paper from his hand and cracked the seal. “Let us see what we have.”
I am made of chalk and the egg white of a goose. Gold surrounds me.
“What the dev—deuce does that mean?” Frowning, Turley took the bit of foolscap and read it out loud. “Chalk and egg white of a goose? They must keep geese here.” He handed her back the clue. “I’ll have your bonnet and cloak fetched.”
She tightened her grip on his arm, stopping him from leaving. “I believe we should visit the portrait gallery first.”