Page 66 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
“Mother,” Rebecca cried out as she ran forward into her mother’s arms, sobbing.
“Rebecca, my darling,” Theodocia cried out in relief as the two women embraced, crying.
“I am leaving now for Ravenshollow. According to the viscountess, the treasure that Mr. G seeks is between our family estates,” he told Colin as he passed him on the stairs. “I do not wish to take you from your beloved Rebecca, but I could use your help. I refuse to lose the woman that I love a second time,” Michael declared, his heart and mind filled with a dread that threatened to be the undoing of all that he held dear.
“You helped me save the woman that I love. The least that I can do is to help you save yours,” Colin agreed. Bidding Rebecca a loving farewell with the promise to return as soon as he was able, Colin joined Michael in the coach.
The head of the Bow Street Runners stepped forward. “We will follow along behind to provide support.”
“Thank you,” Michael said.
The Runner nodded, took a step back, and began commanding his men to mount up and follow after the carriage.
Michael shouted for the coachman to drive with all haste, then braced himself for the bumpy ride. To his surprise, Rebecca took a step forward.
“You are not leaving without me,” She said.
“Rebecca, you have just been through a harrowing ordeal. You are within your rights to remain here in the safety of your home with your mother. Bathe, rest, we will bring Emmeline back to you.”
“With all due respect, Michael, no,” Rebecca retorted. Running into the house, she quickly changed her clothes, then emerged with a food basket and a blanket in tow.
It looked as though she had taken a wet cloth to her skin and pinned her hair up in a haphazard way, but she did not seem to care one jot about her appearance or everything that she had just been through. All she seemed to care about was being there for her sister.
“You have chosen well, Cousin,” Michael complimented Colin under his breath. “Not every woman would be so strong in the face of such danger and adversity.”
“That I know,” Colin agreed, smiling in adoration at his love.
Rebecca tucked herself in next to Colin, placing the basket at her feet and covering her lap with the blanket. Michael noted that she shivered as she did so, and he wondered if she was cold or if the blanket was her own secret armor that separated her from the world she had just been rescued from.
The ride to Ravenshollow seemed to take forever. When they finally arrived after many hours on the road, Michael hit the ground at a run. Colin followed along close behind. Michael’s heart pounded as he raced toward the love of his life.
So help me God, we will save Emmeline and bring her safely home, or I will die in the trying.
Chapter 27
As Norman’s carriage pulled up in front of the Frampton family estate, he and Emmeline stepped out of the conveyance out onto the road.
“We will go the rest of the way on foot. I do not need your cousin seeing my face and informing the entiretonthat I am alive,” Norman informed her. “Which direction is your father’s treasure? Do not try to lie to me, or your sister will suffer the consequences.”
Emmeline frowned but did not argue with him further. “The treasure is exactly between the Ravenshollow and Frampton estates. The line is there,” she pointed toward a line of trees down the way from where they stood. “If we follow those trees, we should eventually find the place marked on my father’s map.”
“Lead the way,” Norman instructed, motioning for her to walk in front of him. Turning to his men that had accompanied them in a second carriage with Ezra, he instructed them to follow at a distance to watch their backs.
Emmeline did as Norman commanded, stepping off the road and into the line of trees. She sighed as the comfort of being home once more fell over her, as it always did. It surprised her, given her current circumstances, but she was grateful for the feeling, nevertheless. It was almost as if her ancestorssurrounded her, her father among them, and let her know that all would be well.
As she led Norman deeper into the estate, memories of the many hours that she and Rebecca had run about playing together skittered through her mind. Michael had been a part of many of their games over the years.
It was in those times together that their love had bloomed and grown. Now, she was about to take the husband that she detested to the place that symbolized her love for another man. The irony was not lost on her.
“Do you truly believe that whatever my father has buried here is worth everything that you have undergone to get it?” Emmeline asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“It had better be worth it,” Norman replied. “I have risked much in showing my face to your family. I will not be pleased if it is anything less than the value that your father spoke of.”
“Why did you risk so much? With your death story intact, the debt collectors would have no way of finding you. From what I have seen of your life thus far, I do not see you emerging from the shadows to pay your debts with the treasure.”
“Power,” Norman answered bluntly. “Money is power.”
“You had power as a marquess,” Emmeline reminded him.
