Everyone seemed more comfortable with one another this evening. The meal was once again excellent and the conversation interesting.
Mr. Melbourne stood after the meal was over. “Rather than having the ladies depart, we thought we would all enjoy a game or two before we’re left to our own devices for the remainder of the evening.”
Joseph hid a smile as the older man didn’t look especially pleased by the idea of playing a game. He couldn’t imagine Mr. Melbourne wanting to be blindfolded either.
Their host nodded toward his wife at the far end of the long table. “Mrs. Melbourne will explain the rules.”
She stood with a smile. “Let us play Twenty Questions with Mr. Melbourne starting us off.”
Everyone at the table seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
To Joseph’s surprise, Mr. Melbourne played the game with good humor, until finally someone guessed his word. The person to his right was the next player, and they went quickly around the table.
Most of the words were relatively easy as if the guests were in agreement not to try to stump everyone. It was good fun, and Joseph couldn’t remember laughing so hard in a long time.
Harriet’s word was marigold, which he managed to guess, though it took nearly all of the questions. Miss Melbourne didn’t seem to enjoy the game, no doubt because of her shyness, but still, she played.
Joseph selected plow as his word since agriculture had been on his mind of late. Harriet managed to guess it after listening to his answer to the other guests’ questions. The smile they shared across the table set his heart hammering.
Though it seemed silly, it was as if time stood still for a few seconds while they held each other’s gaze, something fundamental briefly connecting them.
Then her smile dimmed, and she glanced at Miss Melbourne. Her friend was speaking with someone else and hadn’t noticed their shared look.
For the remainder of the evening, the men gathered in the billiard room, either playing cards or billiards while enjoying a few drinks.
Joseph welcomed the opportunity to speak with Mr. Melbourne again but noted Reverend Henderson seemed to be trying to do the same thing. Joseph did his best to keep his distance from the man, having no desire to listen to his rhetoric. Each day that he didn’t have to engage with him was a good one as far as Joseph was concerned.
The evening was enjoyable, but he missed spending it with the ladies. After a few hands of cards with Sinclair as his partner, he retired relatively early.
Charles was waiting for him in his room. “We have a bit of a mystery, my lord.”
“Oh?”
“It has been requested that you look in a decorative box near the window in the small library.” The valet smiled, seeming amused.
Joseph frowned, thinking it was an odd request. “Why?”
“That is the mystery.”
“Who asked that I do this?”
“One of the other servants who said she was sworn to secrecy.”
Joseph considered waiting until morning but had the feeling he would only lay awake wondering what—and who—was involved. “Very well. I shall return directly.”
He vaguely remembered seeing the box earlier when he’d visited with Harriet. His chest tightened. Could she have left something for him?
Charles handed him a candleholder to take with him as it seemed unlikely any would be lit in the library at this hour.
Within a few minutes, Joseph opened the library door and peered into the room, almost disappointed to see it empty. He’d half-hoped Harriet might be waiting for him.
He strode to the box and lifted the lid to find a piece of paper inside. The feminine handwriting was visible in the candlelight, but the short message left more questions than answers.
Why would Harriet have left it when they’d had the chance to speak several times throughout the evening? Or had she felt the same connection he had earlier and hoped to explore it? Yet the note might not be from her at all but from one of the other ladies.
The thought had him grimacing. When he replied, he would have to take care how he worded his message. How could he make it encouraging but reserved?
He returned to his room and showed Charles the message, who read it with delight.