Page 3 of If Not for the Duke

“That’s quite a feat.” So unlikely that he had to wonder if it was possible. He could think of several reasons someone would want to give his sister a shove only to save her. The things people did to try to get into his good graces knew no bounds.

Sterling had learned from an early age to trust no one. A pair of pretty blue eyes wouldn’t change his mind. Neither would her heart-shaped face or those long lashes. Certainly not that glitter of defiance in her eyes.

“Is all well?” the other lady asked when she joined them.

“Very well,” Bernie said as she looked between the sisters as if entranced by their similarities.

“May I introduce my sister, the Marchioness of Vanbridge.”

Lena Wright completed the introductions, allowing Sterling to study her a few moments longer.

“A pleasure, Your Grace.” The marchioness was a petite version of her sister with blue-green eyes that shone with intelligence and curiosity.

“I’m acquainted with your husband, though I haven’t seen him for some time,” Sterling said. “I trust he is well?”

“Yes. Quite well, thank you.” Lady Vanbridge smiled. “I shall mention to him that I had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“Your sister was kind to assist me,” Bernie said. “My aunt thinks it terrible that I require spectacles and would rather I didn’t wear them.” She tapped a gloved finger on the edge of them. “But from this point forward, I refuse to go without them.”

“A wise decision, my lady.” Lady Vanbridge pressed a gloved hand to her heart as if to calm herself. “I feared Lena wouldn’t reach you in time.”

Sterling noted the look the sisters shared, certain it communicated more than he could discern. The fact that they talked about the possibility of his sister falling into the fountain only made him wonder all the more.

“Wright?” Bernie’s focus shifted to Sterling and then back to the sisters. “But of course. You’re the daughters of David Wright, the treasure hunter.”

“Yes, we are.” Lady Vanbridge nodded. “May I ask how you’re familiar with him?”

“My sister has been devouring all she can find about Oak Island and its hidden treasure.” Sterling sent a warning look to his sister, though he knew it would do no good. Her enthusiasm for the topic was boundless.

“Truly?” Miss Wright’s expression suggested she was not as thrilled to hear that as her sister was.

“Oh, yes,” Bernie replied with enthusiasm, her brown eyes sparkling. Nothing gave him greater joy than to see her happy. “You see, I love to read. Especially travel journals. I came uponRambles among the Blue-nosesby Andrew Learmont Spedon. Are you by chance familiar with it?”

Sterling nearly shook his head. No matter how many people she asked about that book, none had heard of it.

“Of course.” Miss Wright nodded, much to his surprise. “It mentions my father’s work on Oak Island, though not his name.”

“Exactly. The author’s description of Nova Scotia and the surrounding area was fascinating. Of course, few realize blue-noses refer to people from the area. But the idea of treasure on Oak Island started me on a quest of my own.”

Lady Vanbridge frowned. “Have you visited the island?”

Bernie smiled, albeit ruefully. “Unfortunately, not. Travel is difficult for me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t venture anywhere I want to go in the pages of a book.”

Miss Wright’s slow smile appeared to be almost reluctant. “I enjoy reading as well. I don’t read many travel journals, but I can tell you that Mr. Spedon’s account of the area is fairly accurate, if a bit dramatic at times.”

Bernie’s eyes rounded with excitement. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to share some of your personal experiences with me?”

Miss Wright looked uncomfortable once again, her smile quickly fading as she shared a look with her sister. “I suppose that would be possible.”

Sterling was tempted to reveal what Bernie’s latest hobby had driven him to do if only to see Miss Wright’s reaction. But he would wait and allow Bernie to tell her if she chose to. He was happy to keep it a secret. After all, he’d done it to please his sister. No one else.

Granted, he had always longed to have the freedom to explore the corners of the globe and discover lost artifacts. But that had been impossible. His father would never have allowed him to shirk his duties for such an idle pastime. Now that his father had passed, it seemed he’d have the chance to do a little treasure hunting, even if it was indirectly.

Discovering that David Wright’s partner, Mr. Johnson, was selling the property he and Wright had owned on the island had been a stroke of luck, considering his sister’s interest in the stories that surrounded the place. Sterling had bought it under the name of a company he’d formed to keep the matter private for as long as possible. Bernie had agreed to secrecy as well, preferring the endeavor to be something the two of them shared for a time.

As a member of the Royal Geological Society, which focused on exploration of all forms, including treasure hunting, Sterling was well aware of the mixed opinions on whether any treasure was truly buried on the island. Continuing the treasure hunt using modern techniques and deeper pockets would surely bring quicker results than anything Wright and Johnson had managed.

“I would be honored.” Bernie clapped her hands in delight. “Would you join us, Lady Vanbridge?”

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