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Adrian did not want to play parlor games.

He most definitely did not want to participate in a scavenger hunt.

On the other hand, he didn’t want to participate in a hunt that chased after a fox either.

Easton’s mother thought herself clever by arranging two very different sorts of hunts for her guests. Adrian found the entire aspect tedious.

They were going to draw straws to determine teams. Well, he only wanted to participate in this farce with one lady, and he had made his desires very clear to the dowager marchioness.

He had only agreed to play along with this particular hunt when she assured him that she’d arrange for his partner to be Georgina.

“After you find your partner,” Lady Easton continued, “you may come forward to retrieve your first clue. But do not open it until everyone has their clue.”

He waited until Georgina had drawn her straw, and then he stepped forward to pick his own.

The marchioness grinned and poked one up so that he knew which one he should take.

He plucked the straw from her grasp and stepped back.

How she knew which one he didn’t ask. That part did not matter as long as Georgina was his partner in this hunt.

After each person had their straw, they mingled around the room until they found their partner.

Adrian took his time. He did not want Georgina to realize it had all been arranged that they would go through the scavenger hunt together.

Amberwood groaned and Adrian glanced in the duke’s direction.

He almost laughed when he realized why his friend was irritated.

He should have gone on the fox hunt, but Easton had asked him to stay behind for the scavenger hunt at the last moment.

His mother had begged Easton to stay, but he had other plans.

Easton now owed both him and Amberwood a huge favor.

Especially now that Amberwood would be spending the day with Lady Jaclyn. The one lady he had hoped to avoid.

Georgina stepped forward and held up her straw for him to see. “I think you may be my match.”

He glanced at his straw and held it up to hers. They were both tipped on one end with a shade of red. “You are correct,” he said. “Should we go retrieve our first clue?”

She nodded. “Yes,” Georgina said but she didn’t meet his gaze. Instead, she turned away from him and started toward Lady Easton.

Adrian followed close behind her. When they reached the dowager marchioness, he greeted her. “Lady Easton,” he said in a deferential tone.

“You have found your partner then?” Lady Easton’s brow lifted. She turned her attention to Georgina. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”

Georgina blushed a brilliant pink. “We have not, my lady.”

Adrian’s lips twitched. “Lady Easton, may I present Miss Georgina Williams. She’s one of the students at Havenwood Academy.

” The dowager marchioness knew exactly who Georgina was and from where she hailed.

Lady Easton knew everything about every one of the guests at Easton Abbey for this house party. Nothing escaped her notice.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Georgina.” She smiled at her and then handed her the clue. “Remember not to open this until everyone has their clue.”

Georgina took the clue from her and smiled. “I can be patient.” Then she turned toward him. “Lord Foxmoore.” She smiled and handed him the card. “I trust you can wait until we are allowed to open this.”

He took the clue from her. Georgina was testing him.

He was all right with that. He knew that she wanted to trust him, but the archery contest had made her question him and her faith in him.

He should just tell her about the wager.

He had lost. Why hold back the details? Perhaps he would open up to her during the scavenger hunt.

After a few moments Lady Easton clapped her hands. “Attention, everyone.”

All of the guests turned toward her and waited for her to speak again.

Adrian took that moment to step a little bit closer to Georgina.

She was doing her best to keep some distance between them and he couldn’t allow that.

They had been moving toward something real, and she wanted to set them back several paces.

He wanted them to move forward, not backward.

“Now that everyone has their clue you may open them.”

He held up the clue to Georgina. “Do you want the honors?”

She shook her head. “Go ahead and read it aloud.”

He slid his finger under the wax seal and opened up their clue. He skimmed over it quickly before reading it aloud.

Where guests are greeted and tea is poured, soft cushions beckon, and tales are stored. A cozy space for chat and rest, this room’s for leisure, a hostess’s warmest best. Travel to this locale and your next clue you shall find.

Georgina had asked him to read it aloud, but with all the other guests still in the room he handed it to her instead. “Read it to yourself and then we can discuss it out in the hall. If anyone else has a similar clue we don’t wish to aid them in their quest.”

“You’re right, of course,” she agreed. Georgina skimmed the clue and then followed him into the hallway.

“What do you think?” he asked once they were alone.

“It is a sitting room,” she said. “But what one? Certainly not the one we were just in. Is there more than one sitting room in this abbey? I don’t know it at all.”

He nodded. “I suspect it is Lady Easton’s favorite room in the abbey. It’s the hostess’s warmest best. She does all her entertaining in the rose room. It’s decorated in warm shades. I never venture in there.”

“I suspect not. You wouldn’t want to invade the dowager marchioness’s personal sitting room.” Georgina’s lips twitched. “Lead the way, my lord. Since you know where it is located.”

They walked toward the sitting room and found a clue sitting at the entrance. Adrian leaned down and picked it up off the floor. He read it and then handed it to Georgina.

I’m never wicked, but I do have a wick. I come in all sizes, ranging from skinny to thick. I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old.

She grinned. “Well, this isn’t about you now is it.” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Aren’t all rogues a little wicked?”

Adrian lifted a brow. “Are you saying you believe me to be a rogue?”

“Aren’t you?” she deadpanned.

He sighed. “Some might say that I am.”

“Only some? I think you meant most.” She laughed.

He grinned and flashed her a wicked smile. Perhaps he could be considered roguish. He never claimed to be a saint. He loved his life, but perhaps it was time for a change. One he hoped would be for the better. As long as it included this enchanting woman he’d never complain.

“So we should go inside and find a candle. Our next clue will be there.”

He nodded and they both entered the sitting room.

They found a set of candles on a nearby table, and a clue sitting next to them.

This time Georgina opened it up and read it first. She glanced around the room and smiled.

She handed him the clue but left him alone next to the table as she went over to a nearby clock.

Adrian read the clue and realized why she had gone over there.

I have no mouth and no nose, but I do have a face. I also have two hands but no legs or toes.

Georgina opened the clock and found a clue inside. She pulled it out and brought it over to him. “These clues are not too difficult at least.”

“Some might disagree with you,” he said. “They’re cleverly written.”

“Do you believe so?” she asked.

“Perhaps you are more clever than most.” Adrian actually liked that about her. “Some ladies are not nearly as brilliant as you are.”

“Are you attempting to flatter me?” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Most men do not find intelligence in females attractive.”

“Those males are fools,” he said. “No gentleman worth anything wants a fool for a wife. That might result in children lacking intelligence. No one wants stupid heirs.”

“Is that the only reason?” Her lips twitched as she fought a smile.

“It’s a good one,” he said. “But no. It’s definitely not the only reason.” Adrian didn’t add any more information. Let her think of that what she would. She probably would not believe him either way. He opened up the clue and smiled.

Behind a door of quiet thought, where wisdom and books reside, seek the room where quills are caught, and minds in knowledge confide.

After their discussion on intelligence, the library seemed an appropriate next locale for them to visit. He couldn’t wait to find their next clue there. He handed her the clue so she could read it but exited the room with her following close behind. They had another clue to locate.