Page 16 of If Not for the Duke

“While previous treasure hunters made one failed attempt after another,” the legendary treasure hunter declared, “I intend to bring new insights and modern methods to the mystery of where the Money Pit is and what is buried in it. The Duke of Renwick formed Oak Island Company and has chosen me to apply my knowledge and skills to the project.”

The story went on to explain the history of the treasure hunt on Oak Island. The reporter briefly mentioned David Wright and his partner and the decades of work they had performed with few results. That alone was enough to cause Sterling to groan. While the reporter was respectful of their efforts, another quote from Clarke seemed to dismiss them.

“Significant damage has already been done to the original clues, making this a difficult endeavor. But I have no doubt that with my expertise and the ability to bring new methods to the site, we will soon see success where others did not.”

Sterling tossed aside the paper in disgust. He’d requested Clarke not to speak publicly about the project without Sterling’s consent before the man had left for Oak Island. Obviously, Sterling should’ve put that in writing.

“Is something amiss, Your Grace?” Foster asked as he took a second look at the coffee he’d just poured.

“Only with the morning headline,” Sterling replied. He looked up at the servant. “Can you please advise me if Lady Bernice is awake?”

“Of course, Your Grace.” Foster stepped out of the room.

“Damn,” Sterling muttered. Clarke was going to ruin everything. While Sterling had known he wouldn’t be able to keep the dig a secret for long, he’d wanted to announce it on his own terms and without fanfare. This was a treasure hunt after all, and there was no guarantee of success.

There was also his sister’s new friendship with Lena Wright to consider. The last thing he needed was Rothwood, Marbury, and Vanbridge to be displeased with him. He had wanted the news to come from him, not a reporter, and certainly not from Clarke. However, the damage had been done.

He could only move forward and see if he could smooth any ruffled feathers. Yet he knew it wouldn’t be a simple task to advise Lena Wright of the situation. He had the distinct impression she would suspect the worst. And she had every right to. He had deceived her and drawn Bernie along with him into the mess.

First, he’d speak with Bernie to warn her of this complication.

*

Lena looked upfrom the harp she’d been playing that morning to see her grandfather standing in the doorway. It took only one look at his face to determine he hadn’t simply come to listen as he so often did.

His furrowed brow suggested something else was on his mind. And it wasn’t good news.

She plucked the last chord and then held her hands against the strings to silence the instrument. “Good morning, Grandfather.” She rose, drawing a deep breath to ease the sudden knot in her stomach.

“Lena.” He glanced down, bringing her attention to the paper he held. “There’s something you should know.”

“What is it?” She braced herself. As long as nothing had happened to her sisters or the men they loved, she knew she could endure it. Since he stared at the paper he held, he must’ve learned the bad news within its pages. Therefore, she assumed their family was safe. What could the newssheet have said that so upset her grandfather?

The answer came in a rush—it had to do with her father.

“As we already knew,” he began, “the property your father owned on Oak Island has been sold.”

She nodded. “To Oak Island Company.” While Mr. Johnson had written to tell them he intended to sell it, their grandfather was the one who’d uncovered further details of the sale.

“Yes. They’ve started digging. Walter Clarke is leading the search.”

The name was familiar. “He’s been successful elsewhere, hasn’t he?” That alone made her stomach tighten further. As odd as it was, she worried that someone would come along and immediately locate what her father had searched for her entire life. That would make him look like a fool and be difficult for her and her sisters to endure. They’d tried so hard to make certain he and his work weren’t forgotten. Could one article erase all that?

“Yes.” Her grandfather moved farther into the room until he stood before her.

She didn’t want to hear more. Not when what he’d said was bad enough. But ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away. “There’s more,” she suggested, though she already knew.

“Renwick is funding the search.” His bushy brows furrowed, stating just how displeased he was.

Shock had Lena taking a step back, trying to catch her balance as she processed what he’d said. “I don’t understand.”

As often as the topic of Oak Island had arisen, why wouldn’t Renwick have told her the truth? Why encourage his sister to ask Lena questions about life on the island? Had it all been some sort of ruse? If so, to what purpose?

“He owns the majority of shares of Oak Island Company.”

She shook her head. That hadn’t been her question. How could she explain to her grandfather that she felt betrayed by Lady Bernice and her brother? Clearly, their attempt at friendship had been a farce. A scheme.

To what end? They couldn’t think she’d tell them any deep secrets, even if she kept any. She hardly knew them.

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