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Freddie shook his head. “No, but he’s delicious. Come sit down and let’s warm up.”

“But I still have the hoard to find.”

He stood next to the rug and waved his hand in front of him. “Be my guest, Lady Pip.”

It didn’t take her long to find the folded paper tucked in a candle slot on the outer wall. It was larger than the others. She pulled it out and cracked the seal, eager to discover the treasure.

A small shield, about the size of her palm, fell into her hand. She turned it over and sucked in a breath when she saw the emblems carved into it. “The Scottish thistle and the Somerset dragon.”

“Perhaps I should have told you there were two dragons on this quest.” Freddie moved next to her. “But it seemed fitting.”

Her chest tightened. Did he understand what this meant to her? She knew it was silly. It was only a carved shield. But it was so much more than that. She could not find the words to express it.

Once the tears cleared, she read the last clue.

Victory!

You have earned your spot

among my knights at the Christmas feast.

Well done, my Lady Pip.

May the praise you receive today reflect

but a measure of the worth you possess.

She looked at the shield and paper, tears again filling her eyes. Then she looked up at Freddie. Before she could think better of it, she threw her arms around his neck, burrowing her face in his collar. “Thank you, Freddie. This was truly the best day.”

His arms tightened around her, and he relaxed with a sigh. “Then it’s my best day also.”

They stayed that way for what was surely an inappropriate amount of time. But Pippy didn’t care. She was home, and for a moment she would not worry about the future. Whatever came, she’d always have that day.

When she loosened her hold, Freddie helped her sit on the rug. “Come, Lady Pip, the dragon is quickly losing his fire.”

She smiled. “Then let’s slay him while we have the chance.”

Fourteen

“Imissed seeing you at the service this morning, my lord,” Mr. Tomlinson said as Freddie and Pippy walked past a group of people at the Boxing Day fete. “I saw Lady Dalmeer and Lord Kentwood, but not you or your wife.”

Botheration! Freddie had been watching for the vicar so they might avoid him. But the sneaky man was hiding among the throngs at the ticket table.

He cleared his throat. “I beg your pardon. My wife was feeling unwell this morning. We thought it best to stay at home.”

Mr. Tomlinson opened his mouth, but Freddie cut him off. “I felt it more important to support the charity fete, which I’m sure the Lord understands.”

Mr. Tomlinson smiled tightly. “Yes, I’m sure you are correct.” He glanced over to Pippy, who thankfully had not refuted Freddie’s assertions. “I hope you are feeling better, my lady.”

Pippy nodded politely. “I am, Mr. Tomlinson. I’m certain I simply overexerted myself last evening. Or perhaps it was the rich food from dinner. Mrs. Jannet is a wonder in the kitchen. And surely Christmas dinner was grander than most, would you not agree, Mr. Tomlinson?”

Freddie bit back a smile.

“Indeed,” Mr. Tomlinson said with a raised brow.

Freddie pressed a small money bag into his wife’s hand. “Why do you not purchase us some tickets?”

“Yes,” Mr. Tomlinson said. “That is why you are here, is it not? And as you missed the service⁠—”