Page 13 of If Not for the Duke

“Why do you say that?”

She shifted her gaze to meet his and heaved a sigh. “Aunt Edith worries she might be much like the others.”

He waited, not following her thought.

“More interested in you than me.”

“Bernie.” He detested that she had to think twice about meeting new people and whether they were truly becoming friends. Unfortunately, it had happened more than once. “I’m certain you don’t have anything to worry about. In fact, I almost think Miss Wright doesn’t care for me.”

That got her attention. She stiffened in her chair with outrage. “What? I don’t believe that for a moment.”

Sterling had to smile at her upset on his behalf. He might be overly protective of her, but she was with him, too. “She looks at me with something less than admiration.” Though there had been that moment when Bernie had stepped out of the room. Had she felt the same spark he had?

The problem was that he wanted to explore the feeling. He’d had his share of women and knew such chemistry didn’t come along often. But dallying with innocents was not something he did. Ever. And he had no doubt Lena Wright was innocent. Nor did he want to become involved with a friend of Bernie’s. That would end the friendship growing between them. Bernie didn’t have enough friends for him to permit such a result.

“At any rate, I am certain you’ll hear from her soon about her thoughts on the letters.”

“I had hoped to by now. The delay makes me wonder if she, too, has sensed an underlying conversation in them.”

Sterling had read the letters. While he agreed a few sentences were oddly worded, he wouldn’t go so far as to say they said anything more than what was written. There were certainly no specifics about where to find the treasure on Oak Island. But he was no expert in love letters or hidden messages, so kept his opinion to himself.

If Bernie wanted to believe they did, he would let her. He almost hoped she was right, and she discovered a potential clue.

“Miss Wright seems intelligent and kind,” Bernie continued. “Though I do hope she doesn’t truly have an aversion to you.”

“Isn’t that preferable to liking me too much?” he asked in a teasing tone.

Bernie shook her head. “You are incorrigible. The world does not revolve around you.”

“No, it does not.”

Another knock sounded on the door.

“Enter,” Sterling said.

Foster entered and paused in the doorway. “A message has arrived for Lady Bernice, Your Grace.”

“Oh?” Bernie jumped to her feet and hurried toward the butler, leaving Sterling shaking his head.

“I would have happily delivered the message to you, Lady Bernice,” the butler stated, a not-so-subtle reminder that decorum was important at all times.

“I’m sorry, Foster. It’s just that I am anxious to see who sent it.” Bernie took the envelope and quickly opened it. “It’s from Miss Wright.” Her beaming smile remained as she read the message. She swung her gaze to Sterling. “I’m invited to tea tomorrow afternoon. Aunt Edith is invited, too. Isn’t that delightful?”

Sterling nodded. He only wished he was going as well. He wanted to hear what Lena Wright had to say about the letters. Then again, he just wanted to see her, regardless of the reason. He wanted a kiss. Surely Bernie’s friendship with her couldn’t be ruined over just one.

Chapter Four

“What do youthink?” Lena asked as she studied her sisters, both of whom had just finished reading the letters that Lady Bernice had found. Lena had only showed them the ones she thought might hold a clue about the location of the treasure on Oak Island.

The trio sat in the drawing room at Rothwood House as they had so many afternoons over the past three years since their arrival in London. Lena liked to think she was becoming better adjusted to her sisters no longer living there. She should be after this long. Ella had married two years ago and Norah four months later. That made times like this more precious since they weren’t a regular occurrence.

If only the topic of their conversation was a more lighthearted one.

Ella, who glowed with good health despite the concerning subject, cast a worried glance at Norah as if wondering about her reaction before she shared her own. No doubt that was because Norah had spent so much time and effort protecting their father’s work over the past year. “I’m not certain,” Ella began. “It’s difficult to say definitively that they are written in any sort of code.”

“I would have to agree.” Norah stared at the letter she held. “Some of the passages are oddly worded, which makes one wonder. Like here, where he says, ‘I miss you so deeply that I feel as if I’m in a shaft where no light can be seen.’” She shook her head. “Is it a poor analogy or a reference to digging on the island?”

“That’s not the only one.” Ella ran a finger over the sheet she held. “‘Your love is a sign that few will understand.’ What is that supposed to mean?”

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