I would have lingered to hear more but Harry grabbed my hand and led me away in the opposite direction, out of the gardens and through a copse of trees as if we were fleeing a crime scene. To be fair, for my understated Englishman, I’m sure overhearing the argument was akin to witnessing a murder.

“Well, someone’s weekend is off to a rocky start,” he said as we strode along a well-worn path that led over a wooden bridge that arced over a narrow brook.

“Do you suppose there are other events happening here this weekend?” I asked. “I mean, I know Piper rented out the entire castle, but the grounds are big enough for a circus to come through and not be noticed.”

Harry hesitated and then said, “I don’t think Piper is the type to share—even things she’s not using.”

“Got it,” I said. That meant that whoever the woman was, she had to be involved in Piper’s wedding somehow. Interesting.

We continued to hurry through the woods until I was positive we were going to get lost and they’d have to send out a search party for us.

“Harry, slow down,” I said. “It’s not like anyone is chasing us.”

“But there was drama,” he said. He made it sound as if it were something that was contagious like the flu and we had to outrun it.

“Yes, and instead of bolting, we could have lingered and heard more,” I said. “Now I’m going to spend all weekend wondering who was bickering and why.”

“But that would have been rude,” he said.

I stared at him. Truly, I was boggled by his definition of bad manners sometimes. We broke through the trees and found ourselves on the far side of the castle.

“How do we get back to the entrance of the castle from here?” I asked. “Because it feels like we are miles from where we need to be.”

The trees had opened up to a steep hill on top of which sat a circular tower, which formed one end of the castle. Man, this place was huge.

There were flower beds planted all along the base of the hill and several trellises with vines twining around them. Their leaves had started to unfurl and their fat buds were plump and nearly ready to open. Behind one trellis I saw what appeared to be a wooden door.

“Where do you suppose that goes?” I asked.

Harry stepped forward and stared at the door. He shrugged. “Back to the castle.”

“Let’s go in,” I said.

“What? No, we have no idea what’s in there,” he protested.

“Aw, come on, Harry, live a little,” I said. “It’s an adventure.”

I didn’t wait for his answer but stepped behind the trellis and reached for the doorknob.

“Scarlett, wait,” he said. “What if that’s where they keep their pet tiger or lion?”