Page 50 of A Perfect Engagement
They hurried across the lawn after Hawksridge. He stopped to wait and open the door for them. Once inside, he took off again toward one of the wall sconces, plucking its candle out from the glass hurricane. He took the list over to a nearby window and pored over it silently once again.
“Lord Hawksridge, can you read the next riddle out loud? This is a game for four people after all.” Charlotte used a sharper tone this time.
He glanced up at the three of them. Was that a blush creeping up from his cravat? He cleared his throat. “Of course, um, the next riddle readsThe more I dry, the wetter I become.”
“A duck?” Lucius guessed.
“What does a duck dry?” Charlotte retorted.
“The sun dries things,” Ellie offered.
“But it’s certainly never wet,” Miles replied.
“Wait! I know,” Lucius exclaimed.
“I swear if you say fish…” said Ellie.
Lucius crossed his arms across his chest. “Really, Miss Spencer. A fish?”
“I don’t think it’s a fish. I just said don’t tell me you think it’s a fish.” She glared at Lucius.
“Mr. Grisham, for goodness’ sake, just tell us what it is,” Hawksridge growled.
Lucius grinned. “It’s a towel.The more I dry, the wetter I get.”
“Excellent, Lucius. Good thinking.” Charlotte gave her brother a pat on the shoulder. “We can go get one from Mrs. Buxley in the kitchen. This way.” She led them down the hallway.
When they arrived at the kitchen door, Hawksridge paused, his posture stiff. “We best wait here for you.”
She tilted her head. “All right, I’ll just be a minute.” As she entered the kitchen, she saw Mrs. Buxley immediately. The housekeeper stood next to the counter, which held a short stack of linen towels.
Mrs. Buxley handed her one. “You are the first group through for this clue.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Buxley.” She gave her a swift hug.
When she returned to the hallway, Lucius was leaning against the wall arguing with Ellie about the merits of blueberry jam over raspberry jam. Charlotte rolled her eyes. The two of them could quarrel over anything. Hawksridge studied the list again.
“Mrs. Buxley said we were the first to come get a towel from her.”
Hawksridge looked up and flashed a grin. “Capital. The next item is in the dining room.” He turned on his heel to head down the corridor. “Let’s go,” he called back.
She turned to the others. “Did you all figure out the next clue without me?”
“No, he figured out the riddle himself, I guess.” Lucius shook his head. “He didn’t consult us. Competitive fellow, isn’t he?”
*
“I have aface that doesn’t frown. I have hands that do not wave, and I have no mouth. I don’t walk, but I move around. What am I?” Daniel read aloud to the three other members of his party.
He glanced around at three blank faces. It had been like this for the past hour. Every time he read aloud a clue, there had been either total silence or copious guessing of ridiculously wrong answers, some more so than others. Miss Fenway had offered her grandmother up as the answer to the clue,I grow shorter as I grow older.
“Perhaps a painting?” Mr. Hollister offered. “A painting with a person that is smiling?”
Miss Thornton frowned. “The clue says it does not have a mouth. That would make for a scary looking painting.” She snaked out a hand and laid it on Daniel’s bicep. “What do you think, Lord Weston?”
“Perhaps it is a ham. Hams don’t have faces.” Miss Fenway clapped her hands together in delight.
“But the clue says it does have a face. I still think it’s a painting,” Mr. Hollister said.
