Unfortunately, she was not the only one who had had the same idea. The familiar athletic shape of the Duke stood before her, also heading away from the crowds.
“You know, if you want to spend a little time together, all you have to do is ask.” He smiled at her, his eyes glittering mischievously.
“Oh yes, I am clearly going this way because I cannot keep myself away from you.” Jane rolled her eyes.
“Is that a note of sarcasm I detect, Miss Pembleton?” The Duke laughed softly.
“Well spotted, Your Grace. I was, in fact, being sarcastic. Now if you’ll excuse me, I was just leaving the estate.” She looked pointedly at the Duke, indicating that he was very much in her way.
He bowed theatrically and stood to the side. “Do not let me stop you. I was on my way to the kitchens to see if I could wrangle up a second breakfast.”
“You are not planning on participating in the hunt then?” Jane asked, frowning.
“No, I had not planned on it. I can have a bottle of fine wine without the need for the hunt.” The Duke shrugged.
“That’s rather unlike you, dear Duke. I thought you were all about the hunt.” Jane raised an eyebrow at him, smiling her dagger-sweet smile.
“Ah, such rapier-sharp wit. I simply do not play games for the amusement of others. But if you enjoy that sort of thing, go ahead.” The Duke inclined his head towards her, his own smile full of daggers as he gestured for her to walk past him.
“Ah. Of course, I should have known you would run from something as taxing as a scavenger hunt. Scared you will not be able to keep up?” Jane goaded.
“Hardly,” the Duke scoffed as he fell into step with her. “You did hear what Miss Minton said about the hunt, did you not, dear lady? To win, you’ll need to be willing to bend a few rules.”
“Bend, not necessarily break.” Jane shrugged, continuing to walk towards the exit.
“Hardly ladylike behavior though, is it?” the Duke murmured.
“Then it would suit you perfectly—you are the least proper and ladylike person I have ever met,” Jane replied sweetly, laughing softly.
“Why, thank you!” The Duke bowed.
Jane hesitated for a moment, as though she were thinking, and then added theatrically, “It is a shame you are too afraid to lose to partake in the hunt. I would have liked the opportunity to beat you.”
“My! Aren’t we feeling confident? Why don’t we make this a little more interesting?” The Duke moved closer to Jane, but she refused to back down, forcing herself to look unaffected.
His familiar scent of orange blossom and sandalwood washed over her. Her eyes found his.
“What exactly do you mean? Nothing sordid, I hope.” Jane folded her arms across her chest, trying to ignore the way her heart rate quickened.
“Me, sordid? Of course not.” The Duke grinned at her. “I was thinking a little wager.”
“You want to play for money.” Jane wrinkled her nose. “How very pedestrian of you.”
An odd look crossed Blake’s face, but Jane could not quite work out the meaning of it. “I was thinking of something a little more fun than money.”
“Which is?” Jane frowned.
“If I win, then you must do something I ask of you.” Blake’s eyes twinkled with mischief, and Jane suspected that the sensible thing to do would be to refuse.
She knew she should refuse. After all, that would be the proper thing to do, and yet she found she could not. Instead, she said, “That depends on what you ask.”
“I promise it will be nothing too arduous.”
“I am not worried about that.” Jane blushed furiously and looked away from the Duke, trying to ignore his chuckling as she did so. “As long as the task is not immoral and would cause no harm to others.”
“Of course. I would not wish you to stray too far from the bounds of propriety.” Blake’s tone was quietly mocking.
“And what if I win?” Jane asked.
