Read Online Lady Falls (Black Rose Trilogy) by Renee Bernard - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Renee Bernard
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just considering all the scurrying about and unnatural excitement of the thing.”
Lady Morley glanced at her husband who nodded his approval.
“Yes, I would enjoy the diversion! What fun!” Millicent said.
“Very well, everyone who wishes to participate will meet in the library for your lists at ten.” Raven warmed to the subject. “You will have until three in the afternoon to get as many items on your list as you can. We shall meet there and see who is the champion of the day.”
“And if there is a tie?” Sheffield asked.
“Then the clock will decide,” Trent intervened. “I’ll position myself in the library later and make a note of the time of your arrivals. Lady Baybrook may join me if she wishes to act as my lieutenant. If two of you have the same number of tokens, then whoever checks in earlier will gain the advantage.”
Mr. Sheffield nodded. “That seems fair.”
“It is more than fair,” Trent said with the authority of a man long used to having the last word. “I should also add that anyone who fails to reach the library by three will forfeit the game, even if they have achieved every item on their list.”
Phillip smiled. “I can see my strategy coming together.”
“It is nearly ten now, so if you’ll excuse me,” Raven said as she pushed back her chair to stand. “I shall gather the lists and see you in the library.”
She left to do as she’d promised but also to have a brief word with Kitty who was waiting in Raven’s bedroom.
“How did she appear, Miss Wells?” Kitty asked.
“You knew she would be out?”
Kitty shrugged. “Mrs. Lindstrom said as much after we’d finished the morning’s dressing and preparations. Lindstrom said she was real grateful for the help of the salve and I gave her the recipe in case…”
“In case Lady Morley ever has need of it again?” Raven asked with a sigh.
“Oh, it’s certain to come to hand, sooner or later. But Lindstrom’s given me the nod and I think I’ll be the first to know if she decides she wants a friend.” Kitty held out the lists, each folded and sealed, from Raven’s writing desk. “Nothing to be done for it presently. So here. Enjoy the day!”
Raven took the papers nervously. “I may do just that. Thank you.”
She hurried back downstairs to the library where the group awaited their assignments. Phillip Warrick was present and one look at how handsome he appeared leaning against one of the carved columns near the section on histories made her question her sanity.
“Let’s have them then!” Mr. Sheffield barked. “The sooner we start, the sooner I have the prize in hand. No offense, ladies, but I fail to see how the odds can favor you in what is sure to become a foot race.”
Raven didn’t bother answering him directly, a smile tugging at her lips at the realization that the man who’d protested the scavenger hunt the loudest was now its most eager player. “Here, we are. Please don’t open your lists until after the clock has chimed.” She started handing each person the folded lists with their name on the outside of it, above the black wax seal she’d borrowed from the earl’s desk. “Everyone’s quest is unique, so no use trying to cheat by stalking your opponents.”
“I’m looking forward to this,” Mr. Warrick admitted and held out his hand.
She nearly hesitated but it was too late to change course. “Good luck, sir.”
“Thank you.”
The clock chimed and all the guests unfolded their extensive lists to read them with smiles and gasps.
Mrs. Carlton clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, what fun!”
Mr. Carlton nodded. “I am enamored of the day ahead! Come, let’s be off and may the best man win!”
“Or woman!” Lady Morley added, her humor more apparent in her husband’s absence.
“That’s the spirit,” Raven said.
Everyone quickly moved to begin the hunt with one notable exception. Phillip read
Lady Morley glanced at her husband who nodded his approval.
“Yes, I would enjoy the diversion! What fun!” Millicent said.
“Very well, everyone who wishes to participate will meet in the library for your lists at ten.” Raven warmed to the subject. “You will have until three in the afternoon to get as many items on your list as you can. We shall meet there and see who is the champion of the day.”
“And if there is a tie?” Sheffield asked.
“Then the clock will decide,” Trent intervened. “I’ll position myself in the library later and make a note of the time of your arrivals. Lady Baybrook may join me if she wishes to act as my lieutenant. If two of you have the same number of tokens, then whoever checks in earlier will gain the advantage.”
Mr. Sheffield nodded. “That seems fair.”
“It is more than fair,” Trent said with the authority of a man long used to having the last word. “I should also add that anyone who fails to reach the library by three will forfeit the game, even if they have achieved every item on their list.”
Phillip smiled. “I can see my strategy coming together.”
“It is nearly ten now, so if you’ll excuse me,” Raven said as she pushed back her chair to stand. “I shall gather the lists and see you in the library.”
She left to do as she’d promised but also to have a brief word with Kitty who was waiting in Raven’s bedroom.
“How did she appear, Miss Wells?” Kitty asked.
“You knew she would be out?”
Kitty shrugged. “Mrs. Lindstrom said as much after we’d finished the morning’s dressing and preparations. Lindstrom said she was real grateful for the help of the salve and I gave her the recipe in case…”
“In case Lady Morley ever has need of it again?” Raven asked with a sigh.
“Oh, it’s certain to come to hand, sooner or later. But Lindstrom’s given me the nod and I think I’ll be the first to know if she decides she wants a friend.” Kitty held out the lists, each folded and sealed, from Raven’s writing desk. “Nothing to be done for it presently. So here. Enjoy the day!”
Raven took the papers nervously. “I may do just that. Thank you.”
She hurried back downstairs to the library where the group awaited their assignments. Phillip Warrick was present and one look at how handsome he appeared leaning against one of the carved columns near the section on histories made her question her sanity.
“Let’s have them then!” Mr. Sheffield barked. “The sooner we start, the sooner I have the prize in hand. No offense, ladies, but I fail to see how the odds can favor you in what is sure to become a foot race.”
Raven didn’t bother answering him directly, a smile tugging at her lips at the realization that the man who’d protested the scavenger hunt the loudest was now its most eager player. “Here, we are. Please don’t open your lists until after the clock has chimed.” She started handing each person the folded lists with their name on the outside of it, above the black wax seal she’d borrowed from the earl’s desk. “Everyone’s quest is unique, so no use trying to cheat by stalking your opponents.”
“I’m looking forward to this,” Mr. Warrick admitted and held out his hand.
She nearly hesitated but it was too late to change course. “Good luck, sir.”
“Thank you.”
The clock chimed and all the guests unfolded their extensive lists to read them with smiles and gasps.
Mrs. Carlton clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, what fun!”
Mr. Carlton nodded. “I am enamored of the day ahead! Come, let’s be off and may the best man win!”
“Or woman!” Lady Morley added, her humor more apparent in her husband’s absence.
“That’s the spirit,” Raven said.
Everyone quickly moved to begin the hunt with one notable exception. Phillip read
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