“Nothing.” Luke grinned. “Now, Lord Peter. Perhaps we should give the women a sporting chance.”
“Oh, do not worry, your Grace. We do not need your charity.” Emily said, linking an arm through Lady Natalie’s. “I only thought to spare Lord Peter the frustration of being tied to a stick in the mud like you.”
Luke laughed. “I shall show you exactly what kind of stick in the mud I am when Lord Peter and I emerge the victors.”
Lord Peter let out a delighted whoop.
“Why not make it interesting?” Emily asked.
“And what do you suggest?” Luke raised his eyebrow at her.
“A wager.” Lady Natalie suggested.
“Very well. Five guineas?” Luke held up the sum in his hand.
“Done.” Emily and Lady Natalie each held out their hands to shake.
Lord Peter did so, and so did Luke, liking the surprise that bloomed on Emily’s face.
“You are going to regret ever challenging us.” Lord Peter stuck his tongue out at his twin.
“I think it is you who will regret challenging us.” Lady Natalie retorted.
Luke held up a hand. “Come now, we are all gentle folk.”
“Oh, your Grace, I fear you are very much mistaken.” Emily laughed.
He felt his heart somersault in his chest. “What do you mean?”
“Go!” yelled Duke and Duchess Emberly.
They had all been working their way towards the box with the clues and pouches. Emily and Natalie were just ahead of Luke and Lord Peter.
As soon as the games began, the two women exchanged a look, grabbed a pouch and clue for themselves and then upended the box with the pouches onto the floor, hurling a few far from the door to add to the chaos.
“Surely that is cheating!” Peter yelled at Duke Emberly who was laughing.
“They did not keep more than one for themselves, Peter.” He grinned at his brother.
“It seems the game is on.” Luke grinned.
Emily gave him a wicked grin. “To the victor.”
Luke found himself laughing as she raced away and he and Peter began to wrestle the crowd for their own pouch and clue.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Here it is!” Emily called excitedly as she found the next clue.
The little slip of paper was in a bottle tied to one of the low branches of a nearby tree. There was also a small, untouched coin purse beneath it. Natalie looked up from under the bush and ran over to her.
“And it looks as though we are the first here.” Emily emptied the coin purse into their own pouch and then grabbed the clue.
“Excellent!” she exclaimed gesturing to Emily. “Well, go on. Read it.”
Taking a deep breath, Emily opened the bottle and tipped the little scroll into her hand.You can do this.She repeated the words over and over.
“What does it say?” Natalie asked excitedly.
