Page 17 of If Not for the Duke

And what of that moment in the drawing room when Renwick had stepped so close and made her think of a kiss? Had that only been an attempt to seduce her into trusting him?

The notion seemed farfetched. Yet what else could she believe?

Anger took over her shock. She didn’t know what his purpose was, but she intended to find out.

“What exactly does it say?” she asked.

Her grandfather reluctantly held out the newssheet. “Supposedly, progress is already being made.”

Lena scoffed. She was the daughter of a treasure hunter, not a naïve young lady. Progress could mean anything from a new shaft being dug to an ox shoe found in the ground.

Treasure hunters tended to put an encouraging twist to any discovery, regardless of the size or importance, with the hope more people would believe and support their quest. Her father had been guilty of that on numerous occasions.

It was as if the more people who believed, the more it allowed the searcher to move forward, despite the cost financially and emotionally.

She took the offered paper and read the story, her anger building.

“Just because it’s in print doesn’t make it true,” her grandfather said, his quiet tone reassuring.

Lena appreciated that he seemed to understand how upsetting the news was. “Do you know much about Walter Clarke?”

“He’s spoken at the Royal Geological Society on occasion. He can be charismatic at times, though I would tend to think his ego outweighs his actual accomplishments.”

Lena managed a smile and leaned into the one-armed hug he offered. “We shall soon discover if this is his ego talking. Oak Island tends to guard its secrets as closely as the Crown Jewels.”

Grandfather held her gaze. “He will certainly gain attention for this. I am surprised Renwick didn’t mention it when I saw him at the Royal Geological Society meeting last week.”

Lena took some comfort in knowing she wasn’t the only one he hadn’t told. Then again, he surely knew their grandfather would tell Lena and her sisters.

“I, too, am disappointed that his sister didn’t mention it when we had tea the other day.” She didn’t want to mention that Renwick had been there as well.

“Perhaps she doesn’t know.”

Lena considered that for a moment before quickly dismissing it. “I think she does. In fact, I think the duke might’ve decided to start the search with her in mind. The two seem quite close.”

“Oh? I suppose they were united against their father. The late duke was a difficult person.”

“Lady Bernice mentioned that.” While Lena had sympathy for the lady, that didn’t mean she appreciated being used. She glanced at the newssheet. “I suppose my sisters now know about this as well.”

“I would guess that to be the case. I believe both Marbury and Vanbridge read the paper each morning.”

Lena held his gaze. “Do you think they’re coming here, or should we go to them?”

Her grandfather smiled and hugged her tighter. “I have to believe they’re already on their way here.”

She took his arm. “Then perhaps we should ask Davies to prepare tea.” Once again, she couldn’t imagine life without her sisters. Lena might not be sure what to do or how to approach the situation, but she had no doubt her sisters would have a few suggestions.

Chapter Five

Lena’s sisters andtheir husbands arrived soon after her grandfather had shared the news with Lena, much to her relief.

Norah paced the drawing room. “This is unbelievable. Clarke and Renwick working together? What exactly do they hope to accomplish?”

“Why don’t you sit down and take a breath, Norah?” Ella requested. “Let us discuss this together.” She appeared troubled as well, but as usual, she reined in her feelings.

Norah sat with a huff beside her husband. Only after Vanbridge took her hand did she seem to calm down.

“According to what Clarke said inThe Times, he expects his search to soon yield results,” Norah said in a more composed vein.

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