At last, I’m free to search.
Hiking up my heavy skirts, I stole off along one of the garden’s outer pathways. On the carriage ride over here, Amelia had told me the precise location of every well that she could remember from her childhood visits. There was one that sounded particularly promising. It was large and located in the far corner of the gardens.
I navigated my way along the winding paths. It was slow going in my heavy gown, but eventually I happened upon a small clearing lined with tall hedges. A massive well stood in the far corner.
Unfortunately, it was in use at the moment.
A Royal woman in a bright yellow and green gown was seated atop the well’s edge. A gentleman stood between her thighs. Ugh. His blue longcoat hid the status of his pants, yet there was no question about what was happening. My face burned with embarrassment. I debated trying another well, but this really was the best location.
I began searching for a stone to toss in their direction. Just then, a servant stepped onto the garden path behind me. “All hail! Your presence is requested at the main pavilion!”
The couple immediately stepped apart and began tidying up their wigs and garments. I exhaled with relief.
Yes. Finally.
The servant kept on his rounds while the couple rushed off along the main path. With any luck, Amelia would convince the Baroness that she didn’t need the tonic after all. I didn’t want any servants coming after me.
My heart thumped harder against my rib cage. I couldn’t count on Amelia’s powers of persuasion, though. I needed to search that well and do it quickly. Once the clearing was truly deserted, I stepped closer. The well was a low stone circle with a huge copper basin sitting in its center. The bowl was shallow enough to serve as a birdbath, nothing more. I hooked my fingers in around the edges and hauled the basin out. Water slopped as I tossed it onto the nearby grass.
I leaned over the opening, feeling a rush of stale air against my face. A sense of triumph charged through my veins. It was just as Amelia said.
This was no well.
I picked up a few small stones and dropped them in. They clattered against a distant stone floor.
Some kind of chamber is down there, definitely.
I listened hard, hoping to hear voices. Everything stayed silent. I patted the inner edge of the well. The stones were wide apart. Excellent for climbing down.
There was only one problem, however. My dress. The well was large enough for a man. My gown was positively massive, however. I had worried about getting it dirty, which was why my top layer was an overdress. It was easy enough to remove. But everything underneath? That was a different story.
I patted my thigh. At least, I’d brought along a small dagger, just in case. There was no other option—I’d simply have to remove my overgown, cut myself out of my underdress, and worry about the rest later. My fingers trembled as I unlaced my overgown and set it carefully onto a nearby bench. I scanned the darkness. No one was about. Moving quickly, I hiked up my skirts and pulled my dagger from its sheath. After that, I stopped. The small hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
Someone was watching.
I flipped the dagger so the point of the blade pointed downward—all the better for an attack. I slowly swung around. “Who’s there?”
The barest rustling sounded from the nearby trees. It could be nothing. Even so, I felt it better to be wary.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist from behind. I gasped. How could anyone sneak up on me so quickly? No matter. They wouldn’t live long enough to do it again. I spun around and raised my weapon, ready to strike. That was when I saw a familiar face in the shadows. Rowan. I exhaled and lowered my arm. “You gave me quite a fright.”
“I didn’t mean to.” His thumb rubbed a soothing arc along my wrist. Tonight, Rowan wore his traditional brown fitted leathers. My favorite. An intense look gleamed in his green eyes.
My desire to smile became almost overwhelming. Somehow, I kept my features calm and pointed at Rowan with my dagger. “Don’t you know it’s rude to creep through the bushes?”
He gave me one of his crooked grins that warmed me to my toes. “It’s far worse to watch someone cut off their clothes without announcing yourself.”
“Oh.” My blush came back, even more fiercely this time. Thank goodness it was getting dark out. “This isn’t as odd as it looks.”
He raised his brows. “Tell me.”
“I have it on good authority that this well leads to the dungeons below. I’m afraid I underestimated the dimensions, however.” I gestured across the massive folds of my skirt. “This is far too unwieldy.”