Page 97 of If Not for the Duke

Sterling watched LadyHavenby approach, disappointed to see Lena wasn’t with her. Each time he’d located Lena and started in her direction, along with Bernie, they’d been interrupted. He wasn’t leaving Bernie’s side this evening. Not when Winslow hadn’t been found.

The look he’d shared with Lena earlier had sent his pulse racing. His body reacted each time he saw her. He caught himself—it wasn’t only his body that reacted. It was his heart. He loved her with all that he was.

The past two days had given him ample time to realize he couldn’t imagine a future without Lena. He might not fully understand her intuition, but he trusted her and wouldn’t allow anything to keep them apart.

Yet it was impossible to make plans for their future until Winslow was found. Once that happened, he would advise Clarke he was shutting down the treasure hunt on Oak Island.

He’d received a report from Richard Norton stating that Clarke was digging in four different shafts and had plans to start two more. The famed treasure hunter was scrambling, taking shortcuts where he shouldn’t in an effort to find the supposed treasure quickly. Two of the men he’d hired had already quit, claiming unsafe conditions.

The dig had caused more problems than Sterling had thought possible. Halting the project would remove a major obstacle that kept him from Lena. After that, he would share what was in his heart.

He was anxious to put his plan in motion. Did he dare share the details with Lena this evening or should he wait until he’d completed it with the hope his actions showed her how much he cared? Attempting to explain in a crowded ballroom seemed impossible.

Before he could decide for certain, Lady Havenby reached his side.

“Good evening, Your Grace.” She gave a rather hurried curtsy while he bowed.

“Good evening.”

She greeted Bernie and Aunt Edith before returning her attention to Sterling. “I wonder if I might have a moment of your time.”

Alarm filled him as he noted her forced smile even as concern tightened her features. “What is it?”

“Miss Wright asked that I advise you that Viscount Worley needs you on the terrace to aid him in capturing Winslow.”

“What?” Shock had him responding more loudly than he should’ve.

“Smile,” she demanded, keeping her own. “We must assume he’s watching.” The drama in her tone would’ve been amusing under other circumstances.

“I do not smile.” That was no longer completely true. Not since Lena had entered his life.

“Oh. Yes, of course.” Her ready agreement annoyed him, much to his surprise. “It would look quite out of character if you did.”

“Humph.” He intended to change that just as soon as he got his hands on Winslow. He glanced at Bernie, who was conversing with Aunt Edith. “Might I ask for your assistance in return?” he asked Lady Havenby.

“Of course.” Her face lit with delight. “It is quite exciting to be needed so much this evening.”

He frowned, not certain what she was speaking about. But he had no time to ask. “Would you remain with Lady Bernice and Aunt Edith? They’re rather nervous after what happened.”

“All the more reason that Winslow is caught this evening.” The lady gave a decisive nod. “I would be honored to remain with them until your safe return.”

“Thank you.” Sterling turned to Bernie and Aunt Edith. “I need to step away to take care of something.” When alarm flared in Bernie’s eyes, he did his best to reassure her. “I will return shortly, but meanwhile, Lady Havenby will remain at your side.”

Rather than wait for their questions, he walked toward the terrace, forging a path through the crowd as best he could. Luckily, most moved out of his way. He truly did need to do something about his reputation as being grumpy, based on the way several of the other guests hurriedly stepped aside.

He reached the terrace doors, but there was no sign of Lena. He looked about again, questions circling through his mind. What was Winslow doing at the ball? How did Lena know he was here? And how did Worley think to capture him?

However, neither Lena nor Worley were in sight. His heart pounded painfully in his chest at the realization that Lena must be outside.

With Winslow.

The thought of her in danger threatened to halt his thoughts. He eased out the doors, doing his best to shove aside his worry and focus on the task at hand—catching Winslow.

The night was dark, the air pleasantly cool after the warmth of the ballroom. If torches had been lit for guests who needed a breath of fresh air, they were now extinguished. No doubt that was Winslow’s doing.

Sterling eased along the wall, out of the circle of light spilling through the doors, willing his eyes to adjust to the dark. The faint sound of voices caught his ears. Still there was no sign of Lena.

It took only one more step for him to realize one of the voices belonged to a woman.Lena. Fear clutched his senses. He drew a slow breath to will it away and make sense of the situation.

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