Page 5 of A Scandal In July
Luckily, Aunts Constance and Prudence were some of England’s finest meddlers. They loved nothing more than poking their noses into other people’s business,especiallyif that business included a Davies, and they both nodded with gleeful enthusiasm when Lenore told them of her predicament.
“Well of course we’ll help you, darling,” Prudence had smiled. “Although are you sure he’s the one? He’s outrageouslyhandsome, I’ll give you that, but the man must be blind not to have noticed how wonderful you are.”
Lenore wrinkled her nose. “Oh, he’s noticed me. He just does an excellent job of pretendingnotto whenever we’re in the same room. And when he does deign to look my way, he acts as though my looks are an annoyance, not an attraction.”
“That’s still an excellent start.” Constance grinned up from her knitting. “At least you’re arousing a primitive reaction. Anger is still passion, after all. If he were indifferent, that would be far worse.”
“I suppose,” Lenore shrugged. “But I need to show him there’s more to me than just a pretty face. I am funny and clever and resourceful.”
“You just have to spend some time with him, alone,” Pru said. “If he deserves you, then he’ll come to appreciate your excellent qualities. And he’ll show you his own.”
“There will be plenty of opportunities to be alone with him this week.” Constance nodded. “Especially if we make them happen.”
Lenore smiled. “What are you thinking?”
“Well, you and Rhys are the only ones who aren’t married, which means the others will naturally form their own couples whenever it comes to playing games. And you know how much we all love a little friendly Davies-Montgomery rivalry.”
Pru grinned. “Connie and I had the marvelous idea of doing a treasure hunt of some sort. It’s going to take place here, in the Newstead grounds, and on Davies land, around Trellech Court. That way there can be no claims of an unfair advantage for either side.”
“We’ll put everyone in teams of two, of course,” Constance chuckled. “One Davies and one Montgomery.”
Lenore chuckled. “Genius.”
“We have at least four Davies-Montgomery couples already. Gryff and Maddie, Carys and Tristan, Morgan and Harriet, and you and Rhys.”
“What about Caro and Lucy? Neither of them succumbed to the dreaded Davies curse.”
“Their husbands will be honorary Davies. Just for this week.”
“I love it,” Lenore laughed.
Prudence gave a satisfied nod. “Knowing how ridiculously competitive you all are, I predict all manner of amusing skullduggery. I can’t wait.”
“And with you teamed up with Rhys, we’ll make sure to send you all to the most remote locations to find clues.” Constance gave a wicked wink, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Nothing like having to work together through adversity to really find out what the other person’s made of.”
Prudence nodded. “You might find him completely obnoxious and unbearable.”
“It might be a blessing,” Lenore said wryly. “At least I’d be cured of this ridiculous infatuation.”
“Or you might discover he’s been harboring exactly the same infatuation,” Constance snorted. “And he’s been too stubborn to do anything about it. I think that’s far more likely. Either way, you’ll have your answer by the end of the week. You’ll either love him, or be free of him.”
Lenore nodded. “Let the games begin.”
Chapter Four
“Montgomery.”
Lenore smiled at Rhys’s typically dry greeting as he strode across the lower lawn towards her. She tried, unsuccessfully, not to notice the divine way his pale buckskin breeches molded to his thighs, nor the careless disorder of his hair that made her fingers itch to stroke it.
“Morning, Davies. It seems we’ve been paired together for this challenge.”
Rhys’s lips gave a cynical twitch. “Indeed. I see you’ve dressed for the occasion.” He sent her pretty lavender day dress a disapproving frown.
Lenore hid a grin. The dress might not be the most practical outfit for a treasure hunt, to be sure, but it did wonders for her figure and the color was the perfect foil for her coppery-brown hair and green eyes.
“We’ll be searching the grounds, not paddling up the Amazon.” She sent him a challenging, sideways look. “Which I’ve done, by the way.”
A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Yes, I know. Your sister Caro told me all about your intrepid adventures when we were seated together at dinner last night.”