She’d tried kissing several times and understood the appeal but hadn’t met anyone who tempted her to repeat the experience. The best part about a kiss was the moment just before. The lovely breathless feeling, the dip in her stomach followed closely by flutters. When one’s mind was filled with possibilities.

  In all honesty, she’d felt all of that and more with Renwick. How unfortunate.

  She’d found the actual kisses themselves to be less enjoyable, with scrunched noses, awkward positions, and lips either too wet or too dry. Perhaps she was doing something wrong, or maybe it had been her partners. Despite that, kissing might be worth additional experimentation.

  But not with His Grumpiness.

  “Do you intend to visit Lady Bernice again?” Norah asked.

  “I suppose I have no choice since I’ll have to return the letters. It would be rude to send them with a servant.”

  “Agreed.” Norah studied her a moment. “Are you sure the letters don’t say anything interesting about a treasure on Oak Island?”

  “Not at first glance. Though Lady Bernice suggested there might be some sort of hidden message in them. She found another book about Oak Island’s history and is scouring that for information.” Lena pondered the matter further. “Do you know that Renwick calls her Bernie? I think it rather sweet.”

  The puzzled look that came over Norah’s face reminded Lena that she’d veered off the topic, but she couldn’t help herself.

  “He seems to hold her in high regard,” Norah said.

  “Apparently, their father was not an especially pleasant person. Lady Bernice said her brother often defended her against him.”

  “That’s terrible.” Norah looked aghast.

  “Indeed.” Lena scowled. “I didn’t intend to be friends with her, but after learning that, how could I not? My sympathies are now engaged.” Lena preferred to keep others at arm’s length. It was too difficult to have close friendships without revealing her intuition.

  “What of your affections?” Norah asked. “She seems a pleasant person.”

  “I do like her. She’s several years younger than me, of course. I suppose it’s a bit of a novelty to feel like an older sister for a change.”

  Norah laughed. “I never thought you might feel that way. You’re wise for your years and often give me advice.”

  Lena shook her head. “That doesn’t exactly sound like a compliment.”

  “It is. Absolutely.” Norah reached to touch her hand. “I am blessed to be your sister.”

  “Despite my oddity?” Lena pressed a finger to her lips, hardly able to believe the question had escaped. She hadn’t meant to allow it out.

  “Your intuition is not an oddity. It’s a gift. Think of all the good you’ve done.”

  “Think of all the good I haven’t.” Lena swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. That was what bothered her the most—the times she hadn’t understood the feeling or worse, ignored it. The worst had been the day their father died. “If only—”

  “Allow me to stop you right there.” Norah squeezed Lena’s arm as if to emphasize her point. “You helped to find him much earlier than we would’ve otherwise.”

  “But it didn’t save him.” Her breath caught, emotion choking her. “I didn’t save him.”

  “Nor did I.” Norah’s gaze fell. “If I hadn’t argued with him that morning…”

  “Norah.” Lena waited until her sister met her eyes. “You are not to blame. Ella and I have told you that several times.”

  “Nor are you. Yet it seems we both need to hear that regularly.” Norah sniffed, and Lena leaned forward to hug her, holding tight for a long moment.

  “Just when I think I’ve overcome the concern, it creeps back,” Lena confessed in a whisper.

  “I know. I feel much the same.” Norah drew back to hold her gaze. “I wish we had that day to live over again.”

  “Only if we knew then what we know now.”

  Norah frowned. “Though that would make it terrible, wouldn’t it?”

  “And I’m not sure it would’ve changed the outcome. If only I could remember that.”

  Norah drew a deep breath. “Do you really find Renwick upsetting?”

  “Unsettling might be a better word.” She dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “Pay me no mind. I also find Lady Bernice’s interest in Oak Island unsettling. She finds the whole thing romantic.”

  “Hmm. If she lived it for a few years, she might not.” Norah seemed to consider the issue further. “I need only to think of Simon to understand the curiosity that drives her. Perhaps having a purpose is part of its appeal for her. So few ladies have one.”

  “I suppose I should mention this to Ella,” Lena said.

  “That might be best in case something comes of it.” Norah bit her lower lip. “Do be careful though.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “She’s having a few contractions. The doctor has suggested she take care and get plenty of rest.”

  Lena’s heart thumped painfully. “Is there more? Are you telling me everything?”

  “Of course, I am. I called on her yesterday, and she mentioned that Marbury is hovering over her to make certain she doesn’t overdo things. It’s driving her mad.”

  Lena prodded her thoughts as she considered the news but felt nothing out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, that didn’t mean there wasn’t anything to worry about. “Shall I mention Lady Bernice’s interest in passing? Without all the details.”

  “Exactly.” Norah nodded. “Besides, what could come of Lady Bernice’s research? I’m sure she’ll only pursue it until something more interesting comes along.”

  Lena nodded but worried that it wouldn’t be so simple.

  *

  Sterling finished reading the latest letter from Walter Clarke and smiled, pleased with the man’s progress. He certainly seemed to know what he was about. He was already settled on Oak Island and was conducting a thorough survey of the area. His letter stated that more shafts had been dug than expected by previous searchers, including David Wright.

  Clarke had included a map of what he’d found thus far, proposed three suggested areas of focus, and prioritized them. The first was the shaft nearest a tree carving, though Clarke wasn’t convinced the indecipherable markings had anything to do with the location of the buried treasure.

  Sterling thought it interesting that Miss Wright had said a block and tackle had been found hanging from the tree. What sort of pirate would bother to bury a treasure and leave such an obvious sign behind for others to find? He jotted a note to remind him to mention the block and tackle to Clarke. Those sorts of details might change the priority of the shafts the man was going to search.

  Though Sterling had been tempted to ask Miss Wright how many shafts her father had dug, he’d held back. He wanted Clarke to form his own opinion after having a chance to thoroughly examine the area.

  Sterling wasn’t ready to disclose the treasure hunt. He rather liked sharing the secret with Bernie. Once the information became public, he would face numerous questions and comments—and criticism—from fellow Society members.

  He wondered how Miss Wright would take the news. Not well, if he were to guess. Perhaps she’d be willing to share insights once the surprise wore off. He’d heard rumors of her father’s journals that detailed his search. Would she be willing to share them? While the idea was intriguing, he doubted she would.

  A knock sounded on his study door, interrupting his musings. “Enter.”

  Bernie peeked her head around the door. “Are you busy?”

  “Not at all. Join me.” He detested how timid Bernie could be at times. That was his father’s fault for always barking at her. “What are you doing today?”

  “Aunt Edith and I are going to a museum later.”

  “Oh? Which one?”

  “Miss Wright recommended one called the Museum of Olden Things. Apparently, the owner is a friend of her brother-in-law.”

  “Vanbridge or Marbury?” He knew both as they were members of the Royal Geological Society.

  “Vanbridge. I suppose it makes sense to ask since the marquess also owns a museum.” Bernie settled into the chair in front of his desk. “I hope I have the chance to meet Miss Wright’s other sister. Aunt Edith says she’s heard nothing but good things about the Countess of Marbury.”

  “I have no doubt you will. It seems as if you and Miss Wright are well on your way to becoming friends.”

  “We shall see.” Bernie stared in the distance, her brow puckered.

  “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 you think?” 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?”

  Lena sighed. She’d hoped her sisters would see something she hadn’t. Something that might point her in the right direction and allow her to move forward. The idea of finding a clue in the carefully written phrases that would lead to a development as to the location of the treasure was more appealing than she could’ve guessed.

  Perhaps she was more like her father than she’d realized—a treasure hunter at heart who looked for evidence in the smallest details that might reveal a hidden chest of gold.

  How silly of her. Especially when nothing but memories tied them to Oak Island now. Even if she found anything meaningful, what would she do with it? She and her sisters had no idea who was involved in the company that had purchased the plot of land that her father and Mr. Johnson had owned and explored for decades.

  But she couldn’t let it go.

  “Would you at least agree that further study of the letters is warranted?” Lena asked. Then again, she had already decided she would proceed, regardless of what her sisters said.

  “Certainly.” Ella nodded.

  Relief filled Lena. She supposed she wanted justification to pursue this. Protecting their father’s memory was just as important to her as it was to her sisters. If more clues existed that proved David Wright had been close to finding the treasure before his death, Lena wanted to find them. It seemed the least she could do since she hadn’t been able to save him the day he’d died.

  Ella skimmed the letter again. “The part where Ebenezer Jenkins wrote, ‘You will find my love near the marked tree. The same mark I mentioned before.’ Is it referenced in the other letters?”

  “Only once, but it’s just as vague,” Lena said. “Still, it’s so odd that he refers to a marked tree when Father was so enamored with the clue that it started him on the path to Oak Island.”

  “Enamored is a good word.” Norah offered a rueful smile. “The streaks on that tree might have been a result of anything. Bless Father and his optimism, but his insistence that they’d been carved by whoever dug the Money Pit was questionable at best.”

  “I think those were carvings,” Lena argued, despite being uncertain when they’d lived on the island. “We all saw them. None of the other trees looked like that one.”

  “True.” Ella had always been the diplomat of the family. She never discredited anyone’s opinion but still managed to bring reason and logic into the discussion. At times, that had been a necessity to counter their father’s hopefulness, especially after their mother had died. “While not proof, they could be a clue connected to the carvings found elsewhere on the island.”

  Norah scowled. “But none of the carvings on the island matched. Nor do we know what any of the carvings mean.”

  Lena heaved a sigh, wishing she had a valid argument. “The letters are still intriguing.”

  “Very much so,” Ella agreed. “I, for one, would agree that it’s worth taking the time to note the oddly worded passages and compare them to see if there’s a pattern.”

  “Oh!” Norah straightened, her eyes widening with excitement. “Excellent idea. Do you want me to ask Simon to look at them?”

  “Would you mind if I made an attempt first?” Lena asked. She couldn’t explain why she felt compelled to try when she was no expert. Whether the urge came from a knowing feeling or stubbornness, she didn’t know.

  “Of course not.” Norah studied her. “Did Lady Bernice say something more? Anything that is making you wonder if she’s discovered a clue?”

  “I confess that the same question crossed my mind,” Ella said, her head tilted to the side as she watched Lena.

  Suddenly the image of Sterling filled her mind. His interest in his sister’s opinion of the letters had struck her as curious. He seemed like the last person to indulge in a fantasy such as Oak Island, regardless of how much he cared for his sister.

  “Renwick seems to take Lady Bernice’s opinions to heart,” Lena said at last. “I suppose that lends extra weight to them.”

  “What are your thoughts on the duke?” Ella asked. “He is a rather stern man, don’t you think?”

  “Except for when he looks at his sister,” Norah added. “The tenderness he showed for Lady Bernice at the garden party was endearing.” Her gaze took in both her sisters. “The duke is certainly handsome, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Ella blinked as if surprised by the question. “I suppose so.”

  Norah shook her head and shifted her attention back to Lena. “Forgive our sister. She is so enamored with her husband that I don’t think she notices other men.”

  “Why would I when I already married the best of them all?” Ella grinned.

 

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