Page 16 of A Kiss from the Marquess

Norah was the shortest of the sisters and the most beautiful, as far as Simon was concerned. She glowed with happiness as she spoke to friends, clearly in her element. Ella appeared more poised with an elegant yet reserved demeanor. She and Marbury seemed to be connected at some fundamental level as they frequently glanced at each other across the room as if sharing thoughts.

Lena was a restless soul, searching the room yet not seeming to find what she looked for. She gestured with her hands when she spoke, her body often moving as well. Yet she was watchful at times, as if drawing in the energy of those around her.

As interesting as the sisters were, it was Norah who drew Simon’s eye time and again. He forced himself to look away, knowing it wouldn’t do for anyone to catch him staring.

With a sigh, he checked the grandfather clock in the adjoining room and realized it was almost time. He made his way to Norah, who spoke with an older woman, doing his best to ignore the rising tension caused by so many people in the small space. To his surprise, Norah seemed to immediately sense his presence and looked at him.

“Shall we proceed?” he asked.

“Yes.” Her beaming smile caught his breath, her excitement impossible to ignore. She looked back at the woman to whom she’d been speaking. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course.” The lady nodded, her gaze shifting to Simon with far too much interest.

Norah gathered her sisters, then the three went partway up the stairs and turned to face the crowd.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Norah’s voice echoed in the entrance hall, easily gaining everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming. Tonight, we have a story to share with you.”

Her brief speech lasted only a few minutes but touched on all the important points—the charity, her father and her sisters, the museum, and the exhibit.

Simon was dismayed when she mentioned him specifically, expressing her gratitude for his assistance with the evening’s events. He dipped his head in acknowledgment as a round of applause sounded, his body tightening with nerves.

Then Norah invited the guests to return to the museum soon to view the other exhibits. Her sisters added their appreciation to everyone for coming, then the three led the way up to the exhibit.

Simon followed but stood to one side so he could see Norah’s sisters’ reactions. The ladies waited for the guests to join them before the curtain. Norah’s eagerness was palpable as she placed a gloved hand on the curtain.

Simon’s stomach knotted, and he wished he were at home in his study where he didn’t have to worry about anyone’s reaction to the exhibit. Then Norah’s shining blue eyes met his, and he suddenly realized he wouldn’t have missed the moment for anything.

“We invite you to follow in David Wright’s footsteps and search Oak Island for treasure.” She drew back the curtain and hooked it to one side, her gaze shifting to her sisters.

Simon watched them as well, hoping he’d done their father’s work justice. He wasn’t sure he would’ve had the perseverance David Wright had, digging for decades only to find so little. Yet, from the research Simon had done, it was clear the activity on the island hinted at something. Even he was tempted to see what other information he could unearth.

Norah’s sisters stilled, staring at the display as if hardly able to believe their eyes. The crowd gave an audible gasp before breaking into applause.

Then the three ladies took each other’s hands and moved slowly forward. Ella reached out to touch the gold in the dirt wall with a gloved fingertip before turning to whisper to her sisters.

Simon dearly wanted to know what she said. The younger one, Lena, wiped her eyes. He couldn’t help but smile.

Then the crowd pushed forward as if the Wright sisters’ reaction made them more curious. Simon remained to one side of the doorway watching the guests’ reactions as they filed through the exhibit, pointing at and discussing the items displayed.

“Well done.”

Simon turned to see Marbury at his elbow, his gaze fastened on the three-sided shaft with its glint of gold in the wall along with the stone tablet just visible in between the guests.

The earl entered the exhibit and gestured for Simon to accompany him.

“Brilliant, in fact,” Marbury continued as he took in the map and other items Simon had used. He looked at Simon, his expression one of surprise and admiration. “You have explained his work in a way that even someone who isn’t interested in what happened on Oak Island will be intrigued. You’ve given us all a better understanding of what David Wright saw.”

The pride Simon felt at Marbury’s words had him shifting uncomfortably. He wasn’t used to praise and tended not to trust it. He waited for the earl to continue. To add the “but” that so often followed compliments and took them away.

Marbury only clasped his shoulder, a grin on his face, before he moved forward to join his betrothed.

“Well done,” Viscount Worley said as he studied the exhibit with interest. “I’m so pleased you were the one to create this.”

A wave of satisfaction settled into Simon as he watched Worley join the other guests to slowly file through the exhibit. The bits and pieces of conversation he overheard seemed to echo Marbury’s sentiments. Many of the ladies reached out with tentative fingers covered in satin gloves to touch the dirt wall as if unable to resist. Several of the men lifted the pickaxe and held it in their grasp, no doubt imagining themselves digging for treasure alongside Wright.

The reaction was exactly what Simon had hoped for. He couldn’t have been more pleased and hoped Norah was, as well. He lost sight of her as she and her sisters exited out the door on the opposite side of the room. Simon trailed behind the crowd, wanting to make certain everything remained in place. He answered a few questions when asked, finding it easier to speak with people when the topic involved something he enjoyed.

Slowly, the guests returned downstairs to where the refreshments were being served, and he breathed a sigh of relief. A few wandered through the rooms of the museum while others visited with friends.

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