Page 81 of Too Many Beds
Clive sauntered away. “Don’t be a stranger, Evan.”
Evan enjoyed the view of Clive’s very fine form as he left and then returned his attention to the clue. The Redbourns were an old family, and he supposed there might be all sorts of references to knights throughout the hall. He was sure there were at least three paintings but given the clue for Mr Scales, he thought Jeremiah wouldn’t be the type to repeat himself. From recollection, there was a suit of armour on the long gallery and thought that might be his best option. He suspected Jeremiah wouldn’t want to make the clues too difficult, as Evan might be after a prize but he wouldn’t be the only one enjoying the reward.
He replaced his mask and picked up Mr Scales, not caring what he might look like carrying a small crocodile under his arm, and went in search of the noble knight. There were several guests in the hallways as he made his way through the house, the sight of him and Mr Scales turned a few heads, but seeing as the majority of people he passed were couples searching for a quiet space to have some fun, no one’s interest lingered on him for too long.
Halfway down the long gallery, he spotted his quarry, a splendid suit of armour complete with a magnificent, but unlikely to be historically accurate, red plume. He stood in front of it and wondered what he needed to do now he was there. The note had said to give him a hand, but he didn’t understand.
He stiffened as someone pressed themselves against his back. “Seems you aren’t just a pretty face.” The voice was deep and went straight to Evan’s cock.
“I’m not the sort to back down from a challenge either.”
“Is that right? Pity Sir Gruesolot is not the knight of the realm I had in mind, but I like your thinking.”
Evan couldn’t think let alone reply as a delicious chuckle accompanied a hand sliding onto his hip.
“You think you’re worthy of the delights Crofton Hall has to offer?”
“I’m more than happy to prove myself,” he croaked.
His head spun with a rush of desire as the hand on his hip moved to cup his cock over his trousers. “You’re certainly a handful. I’ll look forward to testing this later.”
Only then did he realise it was Jeremiah and he wanted to turn around and beg him to fuck him. He was hard and desperate and as much as he liked the thrill of the chase he loved the idea of being fucked into a mattress even more.
“Why wait?”
“Because you agreed to the game, and I like to ensure people I take to my bed are able to follow the rules.”
Then he was gone and Evan almost lost his balance. He turned around not knowing where Jeremiah was, or how he could have disappeared into thin air.
A woman approached him, her plunging neckline not one Queen Victoria would’ve approved of and was more of the fashion two centuries earlier. “Are you perturbed, Mr Davidson?”
Evan was still trying to spot where Jeremiah could have gone. “I’m looking for someone.”
He saw the swell of her belly, she had to be at least six months pregnant, and if she was part of the game then this was Isabelle, the second of Jeremiah’s mistresses. He wondered who was the father. Jeremiah’s heir was just a few months old. Baby Joshua was the first male child, although Jeremiah had other daughters than those by his wife. He might be the father of the bump, but it wasn’t guaranteed.
“You’ll get to find him when you’re ready,” she said with a smile.
“I’d like to think I’m ready now.”
“You haven’t even completed the second clue.” She took his arm. “Some might say I need a helping hand.”
“I’m not sure if I can help a pregnant woman.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure what you think I need help with but there is someone who does, and he’s the hall’s favourite knight. How’s your knotwork?”
“I beg your pardon?” He’d not drunk enough to have his hearing affected but he didn’t understand what she was asking.
“You’ll see. So far you’ve discovered only one bed, and Crofton Hall has many… one of which has an occupant with a very knotty problem.”
For a pregnant woman, she was quick on her feet and he was surprised when she pressed part of a piece of wood panelling and a door swung open to reveal a secret passageway. “Leave Mr Scales with Sir Gruesolot, they’ll protect each other. This way, Mr Davidson.”
Evan popped Mr Scales on the floor next to the pair of armoured feet and patted his head. His escort was already heading into the walls and he was quick to catch up. He’d been in several secret passageways in his time and had a lot of fun doing so, but he’d seen no indication that his guide was interested in them getting close for a few minutes, and Evan was not the type to cross a line.
“My gratitude for showing me the way,” he said as they emerged into a new corridor. He wasn’t sure where he was.
“My pleasure, Mr Davidson. Oh, and you can call me Missy.”
So this wasn’t Isabelle, and Evan was shocked that Missy was involved as she was Jeremiah’s oldest daughter. “You must excuse me asking, but are you involved in the game?”