Page 17 of Lord of Fortune
“The Order wants everyone tothinkit’s all a legend. I didn’t say they believed that.”
Mr. Tarleton returned with Penn’s breakfast. Thankfully, the toast wasn’t blackened.
After the innkeeper left, Mrs. Forrest shook her head. “That seems ridiculous. What is their reasoning?”
“That the treasures are too powerful, that if they were to be found, they would cause strife and conflict.” He sliced off a piece of ham and brought it to his mouth.
“War?” She stared at him a moment, and her shoulder twitched as if she suppressed a shiver. “My grandfather told me once that he gave the heart to the museum because it was far too valuable to keep. He feared someone would steal it.”
Penn relaxed slightly. Her sharing such a thing with him was progress.
Her brow furrowed once more and stayed that way as she spoke. “What he said in the letter… Was he afraid of this Order? Do I need to be concerned?”
It was the perfect opportunity to bind her to him, to encourage her reliance, but he’d also said he wouldn’t lie. “You do not need to be afraid. Concern, or wariness, is always a good thing. Even if you decide to associate with me.”
She gave him a dark but curious stare. “And what do I need to be wary about with you?”
He didn’t think she meant any sort of innuendo, but his brain took that route automatically.Lout.“I don’t plan to steal anything from you. I merely want to share information so that we may get to the heart—pardon the pun—of the matter.”
She rolled her eyes again, but this time, the edge of her mouth ticked up with humor. He suppressed a smile before taking another bite of ham.
After he swallowed, he said, “I only meant that being guarded will serve you well. That said, youcantrust me.”
She let out a short laugh. “One of the first things you said to me was that you didn’t trustme, and now you expect me to trust you?”
Hehadsaid that, blast. And he’d meant it. Did he trust her now? Not completely. But then the list of those he trusted completely was quite succinct—his parents and his sister. “How about we give it a try?”
There was something about her… Something he wanted to discover. She, like all women, was a mystery. The difference was that he wanted to investigate this one.
She studied him, her eyes narrowing slightly before she answered. “I’ll think about it. Where can I find you if I decide I wish to share information?”
Damn. He’d hoped he’d persuaded her completely. “I’ll be near Bath at a friend’s house.” His father’s friend, Baron Septon, lived several miles outside Bath. He was a leading antiquary—if not the premier antiquary in all of the United Kingdom.
“Bath?”
Her instantaneous response and the surprise in her reaction provoked him. “Do you live nearby?” He would bet his collection of Roman coins she did.
She hesitated, perhaps debating whether to reveal the truth, but ultimately did so. “Just outside.”
His lips curled into an appreciative smile. “How fortuitous. It is all but guaranteed we shall meet again.”
A scowl flickered across her features, but she tamped it down. “Nothing is guaranteed, Mr. Bowen. I should think yesterday’s events would be a perfect example.” She rose from the table, and he jumped to his feet with her. “I’ll send word if I wish to speak with you.”
“I’ll try to be patient.” And he’d fail, but he wouldn’t tell her that.
“Good day, then.” She started toward the door, but turned and said, “I do hope Egg is feeling better today. Make sure he uses the salve.” Then she departed the inn, and Penn quashed the urge to watch her leave, or worse, follow her.
There was no need. He knew where to find her. He’d give her two days. Including today? He forked a bite of eggs without answering himself, thereby giving himself latitude.Two days.He could wait that long to continue his quest.
And what if she refused him? What if she never meant to see him again?
Well then his quest would simply become far more challenging, because he planned to win her over.
Penn never surrendered.
* * *
Replacingthe book upon the shelf, Amelia frowned at her grandfather’s library. What had she expected to find? She was familiar with the contents of his bookshelves, and there was precisely one book that contained mention of any of the Thirteen Treasures. It was a compendium of medieval romances her grandfather had transcribed for himself, including the story of Ranulf and Hilaria. Of the treasures, perhaps her grandfather had only cared about the heart and the dagger, which made sense since he’d found them.
