Page 40 of If Not for the Duke

He couldn’t remember being as tempted by a woman as he was at this moment. Given his title, he’d had more than his share of ladies trying to gain his notice. But Lena did it with little effort. It was as if she didn’t want anything from him except himself.

The thought had him drawing back to look into her eyes, his heart pounding fiercely. The idea was unsettling. One he didn’t understand. Everyone wanted something from him.

Then she lifted onto her toes to kiss him, and the concern fell away. She opened her lips, and a shiver ran along his skin when their tongues met. The thrill of being inside her in this small way was nearly more than he could stand. And it made him long for so much more.

“Lena,” he murmured, wondering if she understood what she did to him.

“Sterling.” His name on her lips heightened his passion further. She eased back to look into his eyes. The teasing glint had disappeared, replaced with something that looked like surprise mixed with a hint of worry.

Good, he thought. That made two of them. He didn’t pretend to understand what this was between them. But he intended to find out. To analyze it until it made sense. Perhaps then, he’d discover what it was she wanted.

“I should go,” she whispered.

He nodded but didn’t release her. How could he when she felt perfect right where she was?

She released him and stepped back, breaking his loose hold on her. She smoothed her gown. With one last look at him, she was gone, leaving him standing in the dim corridor with the hope his body would calm down so he could return to the ball.

But after a few minutes with only his imagination for company, he realized that was unlikely. With a frustrated oath, he continued down the corridor, away from the ballroom, and turned left, which he knew from previous visits led to a garden door.

He passed Stanhope’s study, surprised to see light shining from the slightly ajar door. He would’ve thought the lord would be in the ballroom to see to his guests. The murmur of voices reached his ears, and he paused, hoping whoever was inside didn’t decide to step into the corridor and catch him wandering about the house.

The conversation was somewhat heated based on the tone of the voices. That would give him the chance he needed to escape before being seen. He took a step forward, listening closely to make certain their voices didn’t move in his direction.

“Clarke insists he’ll find treasure.”

Sterling stilled in surprise at the thought of anyone talking about Clarke and the treasure in a secluded study at a ball. Then he remembered the numerous wagers being placed on the success of the hunt. With a disgusted shake of his head, he prepared to depart when one of the men spoke again.

“He said he’ll advise us of his plan once he knows more.”

Had the person contacted Clarke with the hope of learning more to win a wager? That hardly seemed sporting. Sterling eased back into the shadows as the voices drew nearer, wanting to see who was speaking.

The first man was unfamiliar, but the second was Viscount Ludham, a man Sterling had little use for. Stanhope was nowhere in sight.

“Renwick might think he has Clarke’s loyalty, but he’ll soon learn that’s not true.” Ludham chuckled. “The duke is being played for a fool.”

“Clarke is willing to pay well for more information.”

“With Renwick’s money, I would assume,” Ludham suggested.

“More than likely. The longer Renwick is kept in the dark, the better.”

“Someone must know more about the island. It’s just a matter of discovering who and what. You’re going to see Johnson?”

“I’m traveling to see him next week. Let us hope he has something helpful to share.”

“I’m not sure how you’ll convince him to tell you if he does,” Ludham said.

“I’ll think of something. Have no worries on that account.”

Anger filled Sterling. Once again, he’d been proven right. Clarke couldn’t be trusted. It seemed no one could. He drew a slow breath with the hope of cooling his temper to better think. Confronting the pair now would serve little purpose. They’d only refuse to say anything more. Better that he try to discover what Ludham was up to before raising the viscount’s suspicions. He’d send a warning to Johnson, as well, with the hope the man would take care.

The hunt for treasure on Oak Island had just gotten more complicated. How annoying to realize he’d been right not to trust Clarke. Who else was keeping secrets from him?

Chapter Eleven

Lena looked aboutwith interest as she and Marbury, with Nancy trailing behind, walked along the pathway that led to Professor Lindquist’s residence. Ella had remained home, her unsettled stomach making outings of any sort difficult, according to Marbury.

His concern for Ella increased Lena’s own. If she were to guess, he was more worried than he admitted, based on how distracted he was. When they finished this visit, she intended to press him for details. The drive here had taken nearly an hour, so there would be plenty of time.

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