and handed him a cup, which he accepted. Their fingers brushed, and she snatched back her hand as if she had been burned.
Rupert angled his head and studied her. She was decidedly skittish around him, and he realized he would have to be incredibly careful with his pursuit. He did not wish to scare her, but to draw her close to him so he might learn everything he could about her, and perhaps allow her to assuage any curiosity she might also possess about himself.
Suddenly he felt inspired to ask, “Are you very good with puzzles, Lady Verity?”
Her brows slightly creased. “Puzzles?”
“Mysteries…and treasure hunting?”
“I am considerably intrigued,” she said. “To what are you referring?”
“There is a treasure…a fortune in my home or on my property. I must find it, perhaps I could invite you to help me?”
“To help you find this treasure?” she asked a bit sceptically.
“Yes,” he said, giving her a most charming smile.
She did not sigh with longing or giggle and bat her lashes as other ladies did in the past when he turned this smile on them. No, Lady Verity seemed amused with his efforts, and he was oddly charmed by the devilry glinting in her eyes.
“I can see you believe this to be true, my lord. But a fortune is hidden on your estate?”
“Yes.”
“I cannot believe it.”
“I assure you; it is very true.”
“How eccentric.”
“I have the poem my uncle left me…his only clue.”
“You would trust me to see this? What if I should try to find this fortune for myself?”
Amusement curled through him. “I am a good judge of character.”
She arched a brow, almost playfully. “And what have you therefore, discerned about me?”
It was madness that tempted him to reach out and stroke the back of his fingers over her cheek. Her eyes widened, and her chest lifted on a ragged breath, but she did not pull away from his bold caress.
“That you are soft, sweet and kind,” he murmured, “and you are no thief, but a woman of wit and intelligence.”
Her gaze cut to where Miss Herriot had sat, and he lowered his hand. Miss Herriot had left the room, and neither of them had been aware.
Lady Verity delicately cleared her throat. “Where is the poem?” she murmured huskily.
Rupert reached into his pocket, astonished to note his fingers slightly trembled.
“May I read it?” she asked, pushing a loose tendril behind her ears.
He spread it on the small table before them, and their heads dipped closely together. Rupert closed his eyes briefly, inhaling her sweet scent into his lungs. Hell, she roused in him a desperate need to haul her into his arms and kiss her without thoughts of consequences or another fiery slap.
“So, Daring Deeds of heroes gladly tell
Brave battling Neptune’s briny sway expound
My Rogue, I will always wish you well…”
“My Rogue…is that you?”
“A sobriquet courtesy of Uncle Frederick, the author of this maddening poem.”
“A fitting name, for after our first meeting, I lamented you were a right rogue!” she said with a light and very charming laugh.
“Ah, so you thought of me afterwards,” replied Rupert drolly, “I am pleased you did not cast me from your thoughts to the depths of hell.”
She cast him a quick side-eye glance of amusement before returning her attention to the wrinkled paper.
He hid a secret smile as she continued reading,
“Fabulous Beast ascending Mordant hound
Will ever lead you onwards to your goal
Ages old colours fade yet seek within
Beneath martial courage lies treasure whole”
“That is interesting. The treasures lie beneath martial courage. That might be the most important line of the verse. Where have you looked?”
“My good man Farrant and I have searched the attic and there was nothing. Apart from the servants’ quarters, we have turned the house upside down. There were no clues and definitely no treasure apart from the family silver and heirlooms. Not even any family jewels.”
“A prayer to atone from forlorn sin
A quest of import in heavenly land
Uncover riches select bonny bride
Then perhaps fortune will be close to hand
Giving you all I own I depart with pride
To mouldering bones now I must travel
Leaving you a riddle to unravel.”
“How fascinating,” she said softly. “And do you really believe there is a treasure to be found? A fortune?”
“My uncle was eccentric, but he wouldn’t lead me on a merry chase like this. So, there is something. I understand from his stories that he spent an, er… interesting, early life, and travelled extensively.”
Her eyes searched his expression for a bit. “I gather it is important for you to