Page 32 of If Not for the Duke

What had started simply as a way to make his sister happy and to fulfill a wish of his own had become far more complicated than he’d ever expected. He need only think of Lena to know that.

Chapter Nine

Lena watched Ellawith concern as she and Norah settled into Ella’s drawing room three days later. A new story had appeared inThe Timesthat morning detailing the latest on Clarke’s efforts. He’d declared he’d found the Money Pit shaft and had commenced excavating it. He also claimed the only challenge that remained was to navigate the flood tunnels.

Lena had been shocked when her grandfather had shown her the article since it had only been two weeks since the previous one. She was certain her sisters felt the same way. It was impossible to believe he’d found that particular shaft so quickly.

All three of them were stunned by the report, but it was Ella’s pale face that concerned Lena.

“Surely Clarke is exaggerating his progress,” Norah suggested.

“Beyond a doubt,” Ella said, her brow furrowed. “He couldn’t have found the Money Pit already.”

Lena had warned Norah on the way to Ella’s to mask the extent of her anger at the situation. It would only upset Ella more. According to Marbury, she was still having mild contractions and suffering from an unsettled stomach, both of which concerned him and the doctor.

While they didn’t want to disturb her further, no purpose would be served in ignoring the news from Oak Island. Ella would find out eventually, and the realization that they’d kept it from her would only distress her more.

Lena thought it best if the three of them discussed it. Keeping their worries to themselves wouldn’t help any of them, especially Ella.

“With so many holes dug on the island, even Father didn’t know which one it was, despite all the years he searched.” Norah lifted her chin as if to defy them to disagree. They didn’t. “Besides, Clarke can’t have dug deep enough to know this quickly.”

Legend claimed that once a certain depth was reached in the Money Pit, an airlock would be triggered, which would then fill the pit with seawater.

While their father and Mr. Johnson had kept notes and drawings of their efforts as to where they’d searched, previous treasure hunters’ shafts were more of a mystery. In addition to looking for the Money Pit, those searchers had dug shafts with the hope of circumventing the flood tunnels.

“I agree,” Lena said. “And even if he did find it, the flood tunnels will be difficult to manage. One can’t bail out the ocean.”

“Clarke will most likely encounter water even if he’s not in the Money Pit. Digging on an island brings water, even if it’s just groundwater.” Ella’s tone was confident, but her blue eyes remained dark with worry.

“I hate to think what people are saying about Father and his efforts on the island.” Norah shook her head. “Especially when we’ve tried to make certain his work won’t be forgotten.”

David Wright’s decades of looking for treasure on the island with so little to show for it were difficult to explain to those who didn’t realize the complexity of the search. The weather provided only a narrow window to dig each year. The remote island made obtaining equipment and supplies a challenge. Considering their father didn’t have significant resources at his disposal, he had done well to accomplish as much as he had.

“It concerns me as well, but we can’t worry about what’s out of our control,” Ella advised.

“You’re right,” Norah quickly agreed. “Those special pumps Clarke claims to have can’t possibly be any more effective than the ones Father had.”

While their points were logical and drawn from experience, Lena couldn’t halt her worry. She stilled as a familiar shiver crawled along her scalp and down her spine. She closed her eyes, almost hoping she would sense something helpful about this issue.

“Lena?” Ella’s voice sounded as if it came from a great distance. “Are you all right?”

An image filled her mind, and it was almost as if she were back on the island, looking over the meadow where her father had dug several shafts. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped as a sense of knowing filled her. “Clarke’s digging in the wrong place. It’s not the Money Pit.”

Lena blinked, then looked between Ella and Norah, wondering if they believed her. How could they when she didn’t always believe herself? The feelings weren’t necessarily accurate. This one might be nothing more than wishful thinking.

And yet…she felt it all the same.

“Are you certain?” The doubt coloring Ella’s tone sent a wash of uncertainty through Lena.

She jerked to her feet, unable to sit still. “No, I’m not sure. I’m never sure.” She strode toward the window to gaze out, trying to hold back her frustration and examine the feeling with objectivity. “It’s difficult to say when it happens to be what I want to believe.” She spun back to face them. “But this time, I saw something. The meadow near Smith’s Cove.”

It was a place they knew well. But Lena wondered if what she’d seen was simply a memory. The Money Pit could be in that area. However, the feeling remained strong.

“I hope you’re right.” Norah rose and joined her to place a comforting hand on her arm. “Clarke will look like a fool when he finds nothing after making these claims.”

Lena followed Norah’s gaze to where Ella sat deep in thought. Was Ella’s concern lessened by what Lena had just said? Lena hoped so.

“That could be months from now.” Ella’s lips tightened with displeasure. “Maybe even next summer.” Her gaze lifted to meet theirs as she placed a hand on her stomach. “That’s not good enough. If Clarke continues with these ridiculous reports, Father’s reputation, as well as Mr. Johnson’s, will be left in tatters. It won’t matter whether he finds anything. The damage to Father’s memory will be done. It will also harm Grandfather’s reputation.”

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