“And look what I have found!” He held his prize, a figgy pudding, in front of him. “Excellent.”
Dominic felt an odd sense of foreboding as he saw his cousin’s discovery. “That seems rather too easy to have found. The last time we searched for food, we spent nearly an hour on it.”
“You are being paranoid.” Thomas waved a hand dismissively as he began to look for a fork. “We are all entitled to a bit of good fortune every now and then.”
“I really do not think you should eat that.” He reached a hand towards his cousin.
“You sound like an old woman. I am hungry, and I have earned this fair and square.” Thomas gave him a look. “Do not expect me to share.”
“I want nothing to do with it.” Dominic shook his head. “Do not come crying to me when this blows up in your face.”
“It is not going to bl— Ugh! That is foul.” Thomas made a face and spat out his mouthful. “What on God’s green Earth is in this? It is absolutely vile — try it!”
“Under absolutely no circumstances am I going to do that.” Dominic made a warding off gesture towards his cousin.
“I need you to experience this. It is truly awful.” Thomas wiped at his tongue with a handkerchief. “God, it is like nothing I have ever experienced.”
“That is hardly an enticing prospect.” Dominic batted Thomas’s hand away with a glare. “Stop trying to put it in my mouth.”
“Misery loves company.” Thomas pushed the pudding towards Dominic again.
He shoved it away, laughing at his cousin who was clearly still struggling with the unpleasant taste in his mouth.He should really know better by now.
“And I am not inclined to make myself miserable.” Dominic shook his head. “I told you this was a bad idea.”
Thomas ignored him, putting the figgy pudding down. “I need to find something to get the foul taste out of my mouth.”
“There may be something in the kettle by the fire?” Dominic gestured to it. “Wait, there is something peeking out of the pudding. Look.”
Dominic deftly picked up the little slip of paper that was peaking out of the centre of the pudding while Thomas poured himself a drink. It was a note.
“If you are reading this, then you have failed my little test. I had the cook prepare this with you in mind, and she has replaced all the sugar with salt. I hope you enjoyed your little treat, Thomas.” Dominic read. “Much love, AF.”
Thomas’s head whipped around. “What?”
“The note is addressed to you, it would seem.” Dominic grinned. “Oh Grandmother is very clever, and clearly, she knows you well.”
“She is wicked.” Thomas shook his head disgustedly. “Besides maybe she meant it for a different Thomas.”
“I do not think so. She mentions your future title.” Dominic showed his cousin the note.
“How did she know?” Thomas’s voice was a mix of admiration and frustration.
“Probably because you are the only one of us who is stubborn enough and stupid enough to do this. And because figgy pudding is your favourite,” he replied, laughing at his cousin’s expression.
“Then this was a trap.” Thomas groaned.
“It also says you will be docked two hundred points.” Dominic pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I wonder how many points you have.”
“It does not matter. I have no intention of finding out.” Thomas scowled. “I am leaving in the morning.”
“You are leaving? I know you are not invested in the outcome of the games, but why leave?” Dominic leaned against a wall.
“Because I think there is more going on here than some silly inheritance shenanigans. And I will have no part in it,” Thomas spat again. “Gad, it keeps getting worse.”
“What do you mean? About the games I mean, not the pudding.” Dominic frowned at his cousin.
“It is lucky that you are here as an engaged man, rather than an eligible bachelor,” Thomas said by way of explanation.
