“What are you going to tell your cousin?”
His wistful notion burst as quickly as a soap bubble meeting the hard edge of reality. “I will tell Sebastian that I’ve returned home to take on my duties. And I’ll thank him for all he’s done.” Glenraven returned to his chair. “I’ll need my evening wear tonight.” He took out the invitation to Lady Gladstone’s event.
Duncan glanced towards the door as a footman entered, carrying a garment bag. “Luckily, Flemings just had a footman bring up your freshened clothes.”
Glenraven’s attention, however, was elsewhere. “The urgency from Hughes was due to a triviality within my trust’s terms,” he said, his voice betraying a touch of irony. “To be succinct, I must marry by my thirtieth year.”
Duncan’s grip on the garment bag faltered, the bag swaying perilously for a moment before he steadied it. The significance of the news seemed to momentarily unbalance more than just the bag in his hands.
“Barrington will be introducing me to a flock of beauties.” He glanced at Duncan, who was still staring at him. “Close our mouth, man. You look as bad as I feel.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I knew about the conditions and conveniently forgot about them. What’s more concerning is that Hughes mentioned he’s been trying to reach me for the last six months. You didn’t see any correspondence from him, did you?”
Duncan’s face paled, confusion and concern etching his features. “Not a single letter from Hughes. It’s most peculiar. The post has always been reliable.”
“Hughes said he gave the letters to Fletcher to put into the weekly pouch he sent us.” Glenraven glanced at Duncan. “What is that in your hand?”
Duncan paused, a seriousness taking over his expression as he extended a packet towards Glenraven. “When I opened the safe to store your documents, I found this.”
Glenraven’s gaze shifted from Duncan to the packet. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the familiar scrawl of his father’s handwriting. The significance of the find was not lost on him. It was rare for his father to pen letters personally. With a steadying breath, he reached out to take the message, his family’s crest embossed in wax. He carefully broke the seal and opened the document.
“Let no one see this. Burn it if you must. If you are reading this, I have not succeeded in protecting you and your inheritance. You must NEVER let what we’ve built fall into the viper’s hands. Forgive me, but you must marry before your thirtieth birthday or lose everything to your distant cousin. You must secure the title.”
An Ace of Hearts fell from the envelope. His father had an odd habit of leaving cryptic messages or symbols in unexpected places. He recalled a particular instance when he found the playing card, the “ace of hearts,” hidden in his father’s study. It led to a week-long adventure.
Duncan retrieved the card and handed it to Glenraven, who turned it over. The back showed a picture of winding vines with thorns.
“A shadow quest?” Duncan asked, staring at the back of the card.
“That’s what Father called it—a treasure hunt. Father had one next to his bed at Barrington’s.” He turned the card over. Ithad the same strange marking. “We need to find the other two matching cards.”
*
While she preparedfor the evening, Juliet stared into the cheval glass and saw a desperate woman. The situation was far past blaming her brother, although he earned that burden. But that wouldn’t help now. Her father was doing all he could. He had already spoken to those he trusted in London. They helped, but more was needed. Going to the family in Edinburgh was a final effort.
It was time for her to step up and do what no one else could. No matter what her aunt promised, it was more than likely that hers would not be a love match. That was a childish dream or something found in stories by Miss Austen. She let out a heavy sigh. It’s not easy letting go of dreams.
“When the storm clouds gather, and the world around us seems uncertain. We’ll find shelter in each other’s arms, and our hearts will be our fortress. But, Judy, my love, there’s one thing you must know. Our journey won’t always be easy.”
“No, my dear Punch. My journey will not be easy. It’s even more difficult facing it alone.”
Still gazing into the glass, she shook her shoulders as if that would rid her of the melancholy. That won’t do looking for a husband.
She went to her dressing table and glanced inside the box that contained all the items Bradley had with him when they found him in the garden: one cufflink, four pounds ten shillings, and a single playing card, an Ace of Hearts.
Chapter Seven
“Barrington, I thoughtby this time you’d be finishing your second drink at Lady Gladstone’s Gala,” Glenraven called as he stepped down the grand staircase.
Barrington, standing in Glenraven’s foyer, glanced at him with a smile. “I’m here—”
“To make certain I attend Lady Gladstone’s gala. As you can see,” Glenraven gestured at his attire. “I am dressed for the evening’s event.” He came off the last step, and his face brightened. “Entering with you is a good strategic idea.”
Barrington raised a single eyebrow and waited.
Glenraven stifled a smile, knowing his friend recognized his teasing all too well.
“With your usual scowl, you will keep all those hungry mothers at bay. They wouldn’t dare approach us.”
“Don’t be so certain. Mrs. Bainbridge remains in Sommer-by-the-Sea. With her on my arm and her scowl, no eligible woman would dare approach me. I fear this evening, we will both be fair game. You do know that word has gotten out that you are attending the gala. It seems Mrs. Gladstone’s drawing room has had more guests than usual this afternoon.”
