Page 90 of If Not for the Duke

Sterling hadn’t told his sister. Not yet. Perhaps it was best if Lena allowed him to explain to Bernie how he’d come to find her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes.” Bernie walked toward her only to frown. “Wait. How did you know something was wrong?”

“I was speaking with Sterling just before he left.” Lena didn’t wait for Bernie to question her statement but leaned forward to hug her, grateful she was well. “What happened?” she asked as she pulled back.

Bernie was obviously still confused based on her furrowed brow but responded to the question. “A man approached me in Hyde Park. He insisted I knew where Clarke should be digging on Oak Island.”

Lena gasped. “Do you know who it was?”

“Sterling called him Winslow.” She shook her head. “When I told him I didn’t know anything, he pulled out a gun and ordered me to come with him.”

“Oh, Bernie. How terrible.” Lena held Bernie’s arms, hoping to comfort her. “You must be beside yourself. Let’s get you a chair.” She glanced at Foster, who watched with a concerned expression. “Will you have tea sent to the drawing room?”

“Of course, miss.” The butler hurried toward the kitchen.

“Excellent idea,” Bernie said. “My brother should return at any moment, I hope.”

The hint of doubt in those last two words squeezed Lena’s chest, her worry for him mounting. She wrapped an arm through Bernie’s and guided her toward the stairs. The idea of a gun pointed at her friend had Lena taking a deep breath. Thank goodness she’d warned Sterling.

“You must have been so frightened,” Lena said as she guided her up the stairs and into the drawing room.

“I couldn’t think what to do.” Bernie’s voice trembled, telling Lena that something stronger than tea was needed.

She glanced around the room as she escorted Bernie to the settee, then strode toward the decanters and glasses on the side table. She splashed some brandy into a crystal glass and returned to Bernie’s side. “Drink this.”

Bernie reached for it with hands that trembled even more than her voice, confirming Lena’s choice of beverage. Still, Bernie eyed the glass warily. “I don’t think—”

“I insist,” Lena said. “Drink it all. To help with the shock. I promise you’ll feel better.”

Bernie took a sip and grimaced, but at Lena’s expectant gaze, she emptied the glass then shuddered. “Oh, my.”

“Well done.” Lena set aside the glass. “Tell me the rest.”

“I was arguing with him, telling him that I didn’t know anything. He kept talking about the letters, but I explained that both you and I had looked at them and found nothing of importance.”

Winslow had gone too far. Unease spread further through Lena at the danger in which her friend had been. At the danger Sterling could be in.

“Then Winslow told us we had to go with him into the woods.” Bernie’s breath came faster, and Lena put a hand on hers, hoping to comfort her.

She looked at Lena with gratitude and then drew a deep breath. “Sterling arrived in the nick of time. Otherwise, I don’t know what we would have done. He used his riding crop to force the man to drop the gun. Then the man fled. The groom and Sterling went after him.”

Alarm filled Lena. She dearly hoped he didn’t take any unnecessary risks. She delicately probed her thoughts but came up with nothing. Did that lack of anything mean Sterling was unharmed or was her gift failing her once again?

Before she could decide, Sterling strode into the room, causing both women to draw a breath of relief. His gaze shifted between Bernie and Lena. “Bernie, how are you feeling?”

They both rose as he neared and took Bernie’s hands in his.

“I’m fine.” She smiled tremulously as she looked at Lena. “Thanks to you and Lena’s comforting presence.”

Sterling’s gaze shifted to Lena, and her heart began to beat out of her chest. She could see the questions in his eyes but didn’t want to answer them.

Not when she knew it would be the beginning of the end.

Then she gave herself a mental shake. The end had already come the moment she’d told him Bernie was in danger. There was nothing she could do to change the situation.

She lifted her chin. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She had done what she thought best and would do it again if given the chance. She looked away from his assessing gaze and returned her focus to Bernie. “I am so relieved you’re all right. You’ll want to rest, so I’ll be going.”

“Wait.” Sterling’s firm tone brooked no argument. His expression softened briefly as he looked at Bernie before hardening as he returned his attention to Lena. “Allow me to see Bernie settled, and then I will speak with you.”

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