A Duke of Her Own(105)

"I don't see why it's her fault that you succumbed to Gideon's blue eyes. Though may I add that I am astonished by the vapid shallowness with which he is basking in your mother's attentions?"

"Gideon does adore my mother. When his mother died, she became something of a substitute."

Villiers snorted. "Now what are we supposed to do?"

"I think we should probably prevent them from winning," Eleanor said, standing up and stretching.

"That was a very nice nap." "And just how do you suggest—Oh."

Eleanor went to the balcony door, pulled the key from the keyhole, and paused, looking over her shoulder. "You know, I think it might be best if you allow me to handle this."

Villiers got up, frowning. "Of course I will not—"

She didn't hear the rest, because she had closed the balcony door behind her and turned the key.

Then she walked through Villiers's bedchamber, pausing for a moment to look at his silver-backed brushes, and went down the stairs.

It didn't take her long to find the three children; she just had to call for Oyster and then listen for his bark. They were inside the half-ruined folly, another of Lisette's abandoned projects.

"What are you three doing?" she asked, going down on one knee to greet Oyster. Phyllinda's eyes grew very round. "How did you get out?" "The balcony."

Tobias gave a quick look around.

"Your father is still locked in my room," she told him, answering his unspoken question.

His mouth fell open too, so she was faced with three astounded little faces. Inheritance was a truly amazing thing: they could not be anyone else's children. Not even given the fact that Tobias had cool gray eyes and the girls had lavender ones... it was the

turn of their chins, the shape of their eyes, and some sort of shrewd, fierce intelligence.

"So why don't you tell me exactly what you're doing?"

"We're planning to win, of course," Lucinda said. Eleanor could see a dawning respect in her eyes.

"Why did you lock the duke in?"

"I thought he might create more trouble than your plan merits," she said, giving Oyster a last pat and standing up. "So you want to win all three prizes."

"Fifty pounds each!" Phyllinda said with a little gasp.

"A lot of money," Eleanor agreed.

Tobias just waited, his eyes narrowed. He knew her reappearance meant trouble. "How are you doing with the clues so far?" she asked.



Lucinda stepped back so Eleanor could see their collection. Tobias's velvet coat was crumpled into a nest that included, among other things, three rather dirty eggs. "We have all but one," she said, giving her the syrupy sweet smile that Lisette so favored.

"Stop that," Eleanor said sharply.

The smile froze.

"If you want to smile, smile. But spare me the acting. You don't do it very well. Now which riddle haven't you solved?"

"It doesn't make any sense," Tobias said reluctantly. "It's only two lines. Little girl, little girl, where have you been?" And then, Gathering apricots to give to the queen. We were about to go back to Lisette again because we don't know where to find an apricot. I don't think they even grow here. I've only seen one once."

"It's a nursery rhyme," Eleanor said. They all blinked at her. "A rhyme for children," she explained.

Of course they hadn't learned any frivolous rhymes, given their childhoods. "Next line is, Gathering roses to give to the queen. The girl gives the roses to the queen, who gives her a big diamond as a reward. I suppose that Lady Lisette is the queen—she is wearing a crown—and you need to give her an apricot-colored rose."

"That's easy!" Lucinda said. "There's a load of roses around the side of the house."

"They're not the right color. She wants the ones by the river. Come on," Eleanor said.

They walked out of the folly and around the back of the house, Tobias carrying his precious cargo wrapped in his coat.

"Oh, there you are!" Gideon called, walking toward her. He didn't bother to acknowledge the children, just took her arm and brought her to a halt. "I've been looking for you everywhere. You missed the strawberries and cream."

"I'm sorry," she said, pleasantly enough, "I'm engaged at the moment. But! should be back in five minutes."

He didn't like it, but she gently pulled free and walked on. As they left the gardens and started down the path to the river, a small hand slipped into hers. Phyllinda was looking up at her, her eyes clear and her mouth unsmiling. "I don't like him."

"That's because he doesn't like you," Lucinda put in.

"He's a molly," Tobias said. "There's something ratty about him. Just stay away." "Why ratty?"