Page 33 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

“I don’t know.”

“Close your eyes.”

Vera squinted at her. “This isn’t one of those cruel pranks in which I open my eyes to find you’ve put a mouse in my hand, is it?”

“Of course not.” Candace wanted to lift her feet at the mention of mice but managed only an uneasy twitch instead. “Trust me—it’s a game I’ve played with my sister many times. No rodents involved.”

“Very well.” Vera closed her eyes, clutching her teacup.

“Now, answer without thinking, without a pause. The first thing you think of. all right?”

She nodded, though the twist of her lips belied her nerves.

“What do you want for your future—married or unmarried?”

“Married.” The word whipped out without hesitation, and a pale-pink blush dusted Vera’s ivory cheeks.

Candace grinned—Vera was playing the game. “City or country house?”

“Country.”

A surprising answer since, to Candace’s knowledge, Vera hadn’t set foot in a country house before today.

A devious smile turned her lips. “Is your husband tall or short?”

Vera snorted. “Has anyone ever said ‘short’?”

Candace laughed. The sound and the lightness in her own heart surprised her. “I’m sure someone has. But very well, your husband is tall.”

“This is silly,” she argued, opening her eyes.

“Ah, ah!” Candace wagged her finger. “Close them. Only a few more questions.”

Vera sighed but did as she was told, tapping her nails along the teacup.

“How many children?”

“Four.”

“Four!” Candace cried in mock alarm. “I’ve always thought two the perfect number, but this is your future, not mine. Last question—does your husband have dark hair or light?”

“Dark.”

“Very well. You may open them.” Candace grinned. “So we’re looking for a tall dark-haired man living in the country.”

“We are not looking for any man.”

Candace lifted a shoulder. “We’ll see.”

“It’s your turn.”

“Oh, I can tell you my answers without closing my eyes. Like I said—I’ve played this game many times with my sister. I’m looking for a tall blond man in the city.”

Neither of them mentioned what they both were thinking—that her description perfectly fit her erstwhile fiancé, the Marquess of Shelbourne.

CHAPTER 11- CANDACE

From the Quentin Daily-