“It would be if I had not gotten here first,” Jane replied, holding her own scroll up for him to see.
“I’m touched. I did not think you cared so much that you would wait for me.” The Duke clutched a hand to his chest in mock affection.
“Perhaps I simply wanted to gloat.” Jane rolled her eyes.
“Then you should do a better job of it, considering I did not even know you already had the next clue,” Blake answered.
Jane laughed. “It is hardly my fault if you are too distractible to see what I am holding in my hands. Besides, I was simply trying to spare your fragile ego.”
“There is nothing to spare, as you have not won.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever.” The Duke stepped away from her and disappeared from view.
“We shall see about that,” Jane murmured, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.
You have not beaten me just yet.
ChapterTen
The Clues
Blake had no intention of losing the wager. Especially not to Miss Jane Pembleton. As he raced towards the lake, he found that he seemed to be enjoying himself more than he had expected.
That was until, as he was wading in the shallows, he slipped and ended up falling into the water. A moment later, he emerged coughing and spluttering, wiping the water from his face.
“Well, aren’t you the picture of elegance,” a voice called from the bank.
Blake sighed and saw Jane standing at the water’s edge, an amused look on her face.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” he called. “The water is rather refreshing.”
“I think I would rather remain dry and warm,” she answered.
Privately, Blake agreed.
I really should have taken my boots off before I waded in.
He glanced around him and saw several bottles floating in the shallows of the lake, in the shade of the weeping willows. With some satisfaction, he realized that Jane would not be able to reach them without having to get wet.
He wondered how she would respond. His conversation with Emily replayed in his head, and he wondered if Jane would surprise him.
“And how do you plan on getting the bottle?” Blake gestured around him. “Unless you are planning on growing wings.
“Perhaps you will do the gentlemanly thing and retrieve it for me.” Jane smiled sweetly.
Blake laughed, unable to help himself. “Ah, but as you so frequently remind me, I am no gentleman. I am a rake.”
He moved towards the bank, the wake he left disturbing the bottles and moving them further away from Jane’s reach. He glanced over his shoulder then back at Jane, grinning.
She shook her head at him and glanced around for something she could use to retrieve a bottle. “You, Sir, are a cheater.”
“I am not. I’m simply ensuring you are adequately challenged throughout this adventure.” Blake smiled, though he did not walk any closer to Jane.
I would not be surprised if she used the stick on me.
“Is tolerating your presence for any length of time not challenge enough?” Jane shot back.
