Page 74 of The Brothers Hawthorne

There was something in Rohan’s tone that made Jameson wonder how long he had been waiting to run his own Game—and what he’d done to earn the right.

“Hidden somewhere on this estate,” Rohan said with a flourish, “are three keys. The manor, the grounds—they’re all fair play. There are also three boxes.”

One, Jameson thought,for each key.

“The Game is simple,” Rohan said. “Find the keys. Open the boxes. Two of the three contain secrets.” Rohan smiled, and the expression was dark and glittering this time. “Two of yours, as a matter of fact.”

Avery hadn’t been required to pay her way into this game, but Jameson had—and so had Branford. Zella had been dismissed from the room before the Proprietor asked for their secrets, suggesting that she, like Avery, was in the clear. Katharine was a wild card, but she responded to Rohan’s statement with the slightest, satisfied curve of her lips.

Jameson thought about what he’d written down, and it took everything in him not to look at Avery, because suddenly, her presence here didn’t seem like a boon. It was a risk.

After all, Jameson could hear the Proprietor saying,these things are always more interesting when at least a few players have “skin in the game.”

Anyone reading those words would be bad.Averyreading them would open Pandora’s box.

“So, two boxes with secrets. In the third, you’ll find something much more valuable. Tell me what you find in the third box, and you’ll win the mark.” Like a magician, Rohan produced a round, flat stone out of nowhere. It was half black, half white. “The mark may be redeemed for either a page from the Mercy’s ledger that has been forfeited this year or an asset the Mercy has claimed during that same time period. As for rules and limitations…”

Rohan made the mark disappear once more.

“Leave the manor and the grounds in the condition in which you found them. Dig up the yard, and you’d best fill the holes. Anything broken must be mended. Leave no stone unturned but smuggle nothing out.” Rohan laid his palms flat on the dark, gleaming table, leaning forward, his arm muscles pulling at the fabric of his suit. “Likewise, you may do no damage to your fellow players. They, like the house and the grounds, will be left in the condition in which you found them. Violence of any kind will be met with immediate expulsion from the Game.”

Three keys. Three boxes. No damaging the house, the grounds, or the other players.Jameson’s mind reflexively catalogued the rules.

“And that’s it?” Katharine asked. “There are no other limitations or rules?”

“You have twenty-four hours,” Rohan said, “beginning at the top of the hour. After that, the prize will be considered forfeit.”

“And let me guess,” Zella said, drawing out the last word, “if we forfeit,youget the mark.”

Rohan offered her a slow, wicked smile. “If that’s your way of asking if I’ve made it easy for you all, I have not. No rest for the wicked, my dear. But it would hardly be sporting if I hadn’t given you everything you needed to win.”

Without another word, Rohan walked toward the room’s only exit. He went through it, then pulled the heavy wooden door closed. A moment later, Jameson heard the sound of a bolt being thrown.

They were locked in.

“The Game starts when you hear the bells,” Rohan called through the door. “Until then, I suggest you all let the wheels turn a bit and acquaint yourself with the competition.”

CHAPTER 52

JAMESON

Jameson had grown up playing his grandfather’s games. Every Saturday morning, a challenge had been laid out in front of them. One lesson that it had taken years for him to learn was that sometimes, the best opening move was to take a step back.

To watch.

Tosee.

“I should have known he would send you.” Branford walked to stand next to Katharine. His tone was polite, his expression austere.

“Perhaps I’m here on my own behalf,” Katharine replied archly. “After all, Ainsley has a secret in play, and you know I’d love to see him unseated.”

“So you’re saying that you’re not here for Vantage?” Branford arched a brow. “Thathehas no interest in it?”

“I find it quite interesting,” Katharine said evenly, “how much you want to know the answer to that question.”

Jameson would have snuck a glance at Avery to see what she was making of all of this, but Zella chose that moment to step between them.

“Checking out the competition?” she murmured.