Clarissa entered the breakfast room the next morning, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Lord Bolton and their interactions on the ice.
As she sat down to eat, she was joined by her mother, who looked disapprovingly at Clarissa’s plate. She had once again piled it high with food. Lady Eleanor’s cook was excellent, and Clarissa took full advantage of the delights on offer.
“Things seem to be progressing well with Lord Bolton,” her mother said, her voice low so as not to arouse the company about them. Clarissa still felt uneasy as she glanced at her. A knowing glint in her eye made Clarissa’s chest tighten.
Before she was forced to defend herself, however, Emily and Rosemary entered the room and came to sit beside her. They were followed by Lord Bolton, who settled himself at the other end of the table. He nodded in her direction with a friendly smile as she glanced at him, and she felt a shiver run up her spine as his eyes darkened.
Mindful of her mother, Clarissa returned to her breakfast and was relieved when Lady Eleanor told them that the activity for the day was to be a treasure hunt.
Clarissa’s heart leaped as they were told that everyone in the party would be split into pairs and made to look for clues throughout the day. Despite her fears, she knew in her deepest desires she wished to be placed with Lord Bolton. No matter the impropriety and dangers of associating with a known rake, she enjoyed his company so undeniably that she could not imagine a better partner for the game.
Eleanor placed a hat on the table that appeared to have the names of everyone present inside it. As she drew out each name,there were cries of excitement from all. Everyone appeared very diverted by the idea of a treasure hunt, and since it was such a grand and beautiful estate, they could not fail to have many places in which to search.
When Clarissa’s name was called, she realized she was holding her knife and fork exceedingly hard as she waited with bated breath to see with whom she would be partnered.
“And Miss Crompton will be playing with… Lord Bolton by her side!” Lady Eleanor announced, although there was a look exchanged between her and her nephew, which Clarissa could not decipher.
She looked across at him, astonished by the intensity of his gaze as he saluted her with his teacup. It was a delicate china thing with small pink flowers all about the edge and a gold rim. It looked quite ridiculous in his large, male hand, and she found a smile spread over her face as she watched him raise his little finger in exaggerated superiority. It was clear that he was jesting about them being the superior team, and she hid a smile.
For her part, Clarissa was unsure whether to be excited or terrified at the prospect of spending all day with him.
After breakfast, everyone gathered to receive their first clue, and Clarissa’s heart was aflutter and her stomach wild with nerves as she approached Lord Bolton. His eyes were twinkling with excitement, and he greeted her with a warm smile.
She held out the clue, shuddering a little as he took it, and their hands brushed against one another. Lord Bolton’s eyes flicked back to hers, and she saw him draw in a deep breath before he opened the paper in his hand. His eyes briefly scanned the words, and he lowered it so that she could read it, too.
They read it together, their heads bowed intimately as they tried to decipher where it might lead them. Lord Bolton's spicy scent surrounded her as she tried to breathe shallowly. It was a faint scent of oranges from his pomade and of pine, woodland,and everything she loved about England.
Before she could be swept away by her wild imaginings again, she focused on the clue, which was brief and in the form of a riddle.
I have a spine but no bones.
Where today comes before yesterday.
They looked at one another, and she could see from his eyes that they shared the same idea. With a conspiratorial smile, they set off. They were mindful that they were competing against the other teams and hung back to avoid being seen by Emily and Rosemary, who were walking swiftly through the hallway.
Lord Bolton had instinctively put a hand on Clarissa’s arm to stay her, and she felt a thrill at the unconscious contact. Once Emily and Rosemary were out of sight, they walked quickly across the hallway, keeping their eyes wide for any other teams. Lord Bolton swiftly opened the library door, and they slipped inside.
It was a magnificent room, and as he closed the door, she took a little time to scan through the shelves, wishing she had known of it sooner. She imagined if she got up early, she could start a new book before anyone else was awake.
Lord Bolton’s eyes were sparkling as he closed the door. Annie, Clarissa’s maid, was with them, always in close quarters to ensure no impropriety could take place. As she entered the room, Clarissa was reminded of her position immediately. She was finding it increasingly difficult to keep good sense in her head when Lord Bolton was nearby.
“We are of the same mind, it would seem?” Lord Bolton enquired, his voice no more than a whisper.
“Indeed, do you think any other pairs have found this clue yet?”
“I do not know, but my aunt told me the clues differ between some teams to make the game more challenging.” He grinned.
Her heart thumped wildly in her chest at the sight of it. She recognized that Lord Bolton’s smile was different in society. It was charming but not genuine. The grin he aimed at her now was wide and unfettered by societal pressures. She had never seen it before, and for it to be revealed when they were alone made something like joy bloom in her chest.
“A spine but no bones,” he said triumphantly, sweeping his hand about the room before them. “A book, one can only surmise.”
“Indeed, but we do not know which book,” Clarissa replied, already enjoying the game, uncertain whether it was the challenge or her partner that was making her feel so alive.
“What was the second part of the clue?” Lord Bolton asked, taking it out of his pocket as they looked it over.
“Where today comes before yesterday…” Clarissa mused, biting her lip as she thought through the options. “Perhaps something to do with history?”
“Or could it be an old newspaper? I know my aunt is privy to reading them in the mornings within this very room.”
