“Without fingers, I point, without arms, I strike, without feet, I run. What am I?”I did it.She felt a surge of excitement. And read the sentence again, unable to keep the grin from her face.
“I do not understand.” Natalie frowned at the paper. “What does it mean?”
“I have no idea.” Emily admitted, realising she had not actually taken in a word she had read.
“Then why are you so happy?” Natalie asked, laughter and confusion on her face.
“Because it is a beautiful day and I am with you.” Emily replied.Because I can read. Because I am reading.“Without fingers, I point, without arms, I strike, without feet, I run. What am I?”
The answer struck her a moment later, only adding to her excitement. “It is a clock!”
“But there are so many clocks. It could be any of them!” Natalie exclaimed.
“That is true. But let us think about this strategically. I doubt they would put it in any of the clocks that are fragile and old—after all, the children are playing too.” Emily closed her eyes, trying to think of all of the clocks in the castle and any that might be significant to Rose or Alexander.
“That is true.” Natalie said and then clapped her hands together. “Oh! I know! There is a grandfather clock that Arthur broke three years ago that we have never fixed. I am sure that is where the next clue is.”
“Then let us go.” Emily looped an arm through Natalie’s indicating that the younger woman should lead the way.
Natalie glanced over her shoulder. “Do you think Peter and the Duke are ahead of us or behind us?”
Emily shrugged. “I have no idea, but I do not plan on waiting a moment longer.”
“If we use the servant’s entrance, we can take a shortcut through the secret passage behind the portrait of grandfather.” Natalie pulled Emily in the direction of the servants quarters.
Emily frowned at her friend.How is it that I am always learning something new about the castle, no matter how many times I have visited?“How many passages does the castle have?”
“Many.” Natalie replied. “I rather like it, and Alexander insists it keeps us all safer.”
As they hurtled into the kitchen, they found themselves face to face with Luke and Peter. Peter grinned at them while Luke’s blue eyes found Emily’s.
“You two snails have finally caught up, have you?” Peter folded his arms across his chest, a satisfied grin on his face.
Natalie retorted. “We thought we’d give you a sporting chance.”
“A likely story.” Her twin rolled his eyes.
“Well, we cannot damage your egos too much.” Emily said sweetly.
Luke moved towards her, his voice low and full of humour. “How very considerate of you.”
“We try.” Emily did not take a step back, instead allowing him to close the distance between him.
“Well, such consideration should not be without reward.” Luke said, mischief dancing in his eyes.
The hairs on the back of Emily’s neck stood on end and she canted her head towards him, her eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
“Just that you look like you could use some light refreshments.” Luke grinned and that was when Emily noticed the scones in his and Peter's hands.
“You would not dare!” She took a step away from him, her voice a disgruntled hit...
“Oh wouldn't I?” Luke flung the scone at her at the same time that Peter released his.
Emily let out a shriek and dove out of the way, colliding with Natalie as she did. They fell in a tangle of limbs, scones crushed between them and beneath them. The sound of Luke and Peter’s laughter echoed through the kitchen.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emily saw a maid let out a dejected sigh before handing over something that looked like a small coin to the chef.Clearly they are used to such tom foolery.
“We will make you pay for this.” Natalie growled as she helped Emily to her feet.
