“No. I am well,” she mumbled against his tattered peacoat.
A shudder went through Lucian. “Good. But I am still going to kill the bastard.”
Emma leaned back. “How is Sean?”
“His fever broke this morning. He will be fine.” He gave her a swift kiss, then pulled back. “Come. Let us leave this place.”
Emma hesitated, then shook her head. “Renfield doesn’t have the gold.” She glanced at the road. “But I know where it is.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “The note you left on the floor. That wasn’t to find you?”
She cupped her hands together. “I had begun to suspect the sailors buried the gold straight away and made a map to keep from getting lost.” She shrugged. “My theory proved accurate when we did not find the gold at the end.”
Lucian’s hands wrapped around her arms. “You could have been killed, Emma.”
She pulled away from his grip. “But I was not.”
He opened his mouth, stopped, and ran a hand down his face. “You are most exasperating, minx.”
Emma grinned and turned to her horse. “Help me up, Lucian. We have some gold to find.” Back in the saddle, she turned to Jeremy. “I was certain you would come when we failed to arrive. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, pet.” Jeremy’s brows rose. “You said something about locating the gold?”
“Don’t encourage her, Jeremy,” Lucian said, bringing his horse closer.
Emma ignored him and nodded to the shovels and picks on the ground near the road. “We will need those.”
Jeremy nodded to his men. “You heard the lady.”
Excitement pounded in Emma’s breast as she made her way to the jagged tooth. She glanced around, tapping a finger to her lips. How would she locate the gold? What clue was there? The men made no mark on the map, nothing at all to indicate where they hid the gold.
She glanced at the rocky cliff rising high to her right. Would they have climbed that to hide the gold in a crevice? She turned to her left and found the jagged tooth rock formation a few feet from the shore, gray ocean water rocking back and forth against its sides. As she studied the waves, she realized the tide was retreating. More of the rock formation was showing and soon she would be able to walk to it.
Emma glanced again at the cliff, but her gaze kept straying back to the jagged tooth. When the water thinned enough between the shore and the rock, she headed for it. Something told her this was the spot. The men would have wanted to bury the gold on the first piece of land they came to, and this was it. She knew it, deep down.
“This way,” she told Lucian.
He nodded and followed her to the rock, helping her up. The craggy surface was dangerous and she picked her way over the deep crevices and sharp edges. Scanning the surface, she moved out to the tip of the tooth and searched the holes and clefts. Would the gold still be there after so many years? She gazed to the hazy ocean. Severe weather often caused pounding waves that might have dislodged the gold. It could well be lost forever.
About to turn, something caught her attention. A piece of rusted iron. She lowered to her knees and slipped her hand into the deep fissure. Her fingers met the knobs and bumps of a leather-clad box. Her breath caught. Something the Spanish would have used two hundred years ago.
“Lucian! It’s here.” With a pounding heart, her fingers tried to pry the box loose, but it was wedged in the stone. “Bring a pick.”
Lucian raced to her side, a pick in hand, and Emma scrambled to her feet. “Move aside,” he said and worked the stone with the sharp metal.
Sparks flew as Lucian chiseled away chunks of rock, the clinks echoing off the high cliff. Jeremy and his men crowded around the rock, watching.
Emma held her breath as Lucian set the pick down and heaved the black leather box from the rock. “It’s heavy,” he grunted, then smiled at her. “A good sign.”
“A very good sign,” she agreed.
Lucian straightened and motioned to the box. “The honor is yours, minx.”
Taking a deep breath, Emma hunched down. The iron lock, about the size of her palm, long since rusted, was sealed beyond opening. But the rust worked to her advantage. Emma pulled away the brittle locking hardware from the shriveled leather, then set her fingers on either side of the lid. Closing her eyes a moment, she opened the box.
Her vision blurred and tears stung her nose at the sight of the shimmering gold pieces crammed inside. How proud would her father have been? She wiped her nose with a sleeve then glanced at Lucian.
His open mouth and wide eyes said it all. “My God,” he whispered, leaned down and lifted one of the pieces from the horde. Then he turned and showed the others. Cheers rose, bouncing off the cliff and Emma laughed.
Closing the lid, she rose. “Now, we can leave.”
As Jeremy’s men secured the gold, Lucian helped her on her horse. Emma hummed with energy, excited to get to Bristol and show the gold to Sean. “How long until we reach your cousin’s house?” she asked as Lucian hefted himself on his horse.
“About two hours.”
Emma nodded and turned her horse, the men clustering around her and the gold. Two outriders in the front and two in the rear kept watch for trouble as they made their way to Bristol. The excited energy waned and Emma yawned wide behind her hand. Would be good to sleep in a soft bed, she thought. Food and a bath, also a must.
The troupe slowed to turn right down a long, oak lined drive. A rolling green yard spread before a gray stone mansion in the distance, its wings extended out on either side of the columned front. Emma turned to Lucian. “This is but one of your cousin’s homes?”
His grin flashed in the waning light. “One of the smaller ones.”
“Poor dear, having to live in such a hovel.”
Lucian chuckled as they made their way around the circular drive, to the front of the house.
They stopped at the steps and Lucian helped her down. The front door opened and a man emerged, dressed in the black of a butler, a shock of thick silver hair on his head. Lucian bounded up the steps. “Bennings, do you have everything prepared?”
The man’s dark brows shot up. “Lord Hartford, I hardly recognized you.” He gave a bow. “All is prepared as you requested, my lord. Lady Fielding has been anxious for your return.”
Emma walked up the steps with Jeremy. Two of the men followed with the gold. Her heart pounded as she stepped inside the marble foyer. Polished suits of armor lined the sides and a domed glass ceiling rose above her. Boots clopped against the marble as they followed the butler to a large room on the right, glittering with so much gilt, it hurt Emma’s eyes.
Evie rose from the sofa and hurried to Jeremy, grinning. “I was right.” She lifted on her toes and gave him a swift kiss as the two men set the gold on a marble-topped table and left the room.
“No need to gloat, my delicious little pet,” he grumbled before gathering her in his arms and giving her a proper kiss.
Emma turned away and found Lucian staring at her, his lips curling up. Before the fool man could give her the kiss she wanted, Emma cleared her throat and glanced around. “Where is my brother?”
Evie stepped from Jeremy, drawing her brows. “He did not arrive with you?”
The words echoed around in Emma’s mind before she understood their meaning. Her breath caught. “He isn’t here?”
She heard Lucian’s voice. “We used Renfield’s coach and helped him in. Four of Jeremy’s men went with him.”
“Coaches can be slow,” Evie said. “Perhaps he will show before long.”
Emma shook her head. “We would have seen the coach on the road.”
The room went silent, confirming Emma’s fear. Something had happened to prevent Sean from getting here. But what? Did the coach have an accident? They would have come upon it. Did Sean’s condition worsen, forcing the coach to stop at some inn along the way? If that were the case, one of Jeremy’s men would have sent word.
Emma wrapped her arms
around her chilled body, her gaze finding the black box containing the gold. There was but one explanation. One she was not yet ready to face.
A scratch at the door startled her. Jeremy opened the door and spoke quiet words to the butler, who then handed over a note. Lucian stepped forward and the two men read it together, lips grim.
Even though Emma already knew what the note said and who wrote it, she held out her hand. When Lucian straightened and shook his head, she expelled a sigh and stormed to them. She plucked the note from Jeremy’s fingers and glanced at the long, elegant scrawl.
The girl is to bring the gold to the summer house before noon tomorrow or Wickham dies. She must come alone. –R
“No, Emma,” Lucian said. “You are not going.”
Emma folded the note and slipped it into her pocket.
Lucian’s hands stopped her from turning away. Fingers digging into her shoulders, he leaned down. “You are not going.”
Saying nothing, for there was no need, Emma pulled away. She opened the door and walked from the room.
Chapter 18
Lucian pressed two fingers to each temple. The little minx was going to get herself killed. He had to think of something to keep her safe. Tie her arms and legs to the bedpost? Blowing out a breath, Lucian lowered his hands. Perhaps.
“I will take Emma to her room,” Evie said, hurrying away.
Jeremy went to the liquor cart and poured whiskey into two glasses. “We will think of something.” He brought the drinks and handed one over.
After a large pull and letting the liquid burn a warm path to his stomach, Lucian walked to the box.
“What are you thinking, old man?”
Reaching out, Lucian grazed the rough surface of the thick leather. “If we hide the gold, then Emma cannot take it to Renfield.” He turned. “What do you think?”
Jeremy sipped his whiskey, eyes narrowed in thought. Then he shook his head. “I am afraid that would not prevent her from going. To try and secure her brother’s release.”
Lucian swallowed back a groan. “You are right. She would go anyway.” He took a pull of his whiskey. “What should we do?”
Drawing his brows, Jeremy started to lift his glass, then stopped. “Something unexpected.” He grinned. “Something Renfield would never anticipate.”
“What is that?” Lucian asked, shuffling closer.
“We sneak back to the summer house and get Wickham the hell out of there.”
Lucian took another drink, then shook his head. “You’ve seen the man’s condition. Sean cannot sit a horse.”
Jeremy nodded. “And that is why we first pay Renfield a visit. Get him to change his mind about keeping Wickham hostage.”
“When do we leave?”
Lucian cringed and turned to the doorway. Emma stood there, arms crossed, with Evie at her side. He shook his head. “You are staying here.”
Unfurling her arms, Emma stormed to him and poked a finger at his chest. “I am going.”
Lucian set his drink beside the gold and took her hand. “It isn’t safe, Emma.”
She pulled back her hand. “I am well aware of the danger, Lucian.”
Straightening his shoulders, towering over the little minx, Lucian eyed her a moment before speaking. “When Renfield had you and I waited helplessly in the summer house, all forms of ugly images filled my mind of what the man was doing to you.” He ploughed fingers through his hair. “I cannot let him have another chance to capture you, Emma.”
Some of the anger lifted from her eyes. She cleared her throat. “He will not capture me again.”
“I cannot take the risk.”
Emma raised her brows. “Why not you and Jeremy storm the mansion, and when the men guarding the summer house see about the commotion, I will lead Sean to a waiting coach?” She nodded. “Keep the men distracted for as long as you can. Give me enough time to bring Sean here.”
Lucian crossed his arms. “You need not go anywhere. Jeremy can storm the mansion and distract the guards while I get Sean out.”
But the minx was shaking her head before he finished. “I go with you.”
He leaned forward. “No.”
“Yes.”
Lucian gritted his teeth, then slid his gaze to Jeremy. “Will you please talk some sense into her?”
Biting back a smile, Jeremy shook his head. “You are going about this all wrong, old man. Honey, not vinegar, and all that.”
Closing his eyes a moment, Lucian searched for something to keep the minx from going. Short of tying her to the bed, he came up with nothing. Exhaustion blurred his mind, made his eyes sting. He needed sleep.
“Jeremy, you and Lucian take half your men to the mansion, and I will take the other half to the summer house.”
Popping open his eyes, Lucian frowned at Emma. “If you are going, minx, I go with you to the summer house.” He held up a hand when she started to argue. “Or I swear, I will tie you to your bed and keep you here.”
She rocked back on her heels. “Fine,” she snapped.
“We eat first, then rest for a few hours.”
Emma shook her head. “Renfield’s men are tired as well. If we leave now, we will have a better advantage.”
Would the minx fight him at every turn? Lucian ran a hand down his face. “A compromise, then. We eat something while the coach is made ready, then rest along the way.” He shot her a warning glare. “If that does not suffice, I will send Bennings for some rope.”
Her lips twitched. “You need not send for the rope. That does suffice.”
With a chuckle, Jeremy went to the door. “I will have Bennings prepare the coach and send word to the men.”
Evie grinned and followed her husband. “Dinner isn’t for another two hours, but I will see what can be prepared now.”
Emma shuffled to the black leather box and ran a finger over the knobby exterior. “Samir must have returned to Hartford by now. I would like to send him a message.”
Lucian came to her, resisting the urge to pull her to his chest. “That can be arranged.”
She nodded. “He must be worried.”
“I would be.”
Rubbing her eyes, Emma turned. “We should make a contingency plan.” Her hands lowered. “In case something goes wrong.”
Lucian noticed her exhaustion. He reached for her hand and led her to the gold damask sofa. “Sit before you fall.” After settling next to her, he placed an arm around her shoulders. “I already have a contingency plan.”
She tipped her face up to his, scrunching her nose. “What is it?”
Unable to help himself, he slid his lips across hers. “Should things go wrong, I get you the hell out of there.”
Emma leaned back, angry sparks in her eyes. “That is not a good plan.”
“It is an excellent plan.”
She shook her head. “I will not be that close to Sean and leave him.”
Lucian’s arm tightened around her as he rethought sending for the rope. “Perhaps you should remain here, after all.”
“That is out of the question.” Emma shifted on the sofa. “Renfield wants the gold. You must not give it to him.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Just promise me you will keep Sean safe,” she mumbled as she drifted to sleep.
He kissed the top of her head. “I will keep you both safe.”
The door opened and Evie paused when she saw Emma asleep, then moved forward with soft steps. “Cook is preparing baskets to take with us,” she whispered.
Lucian felt his brows rise. “Us? You are coming? Does Jeremy know?”
Evie grinned. “He will learn soon enough.”
Emma jerked awake, glancing around with a start, then relaxed when she saw Evie. “Is the coach ready,” she asked around a wide yawn.
Jeremy came into the room, sliding his hands into black leather gloves. “All is ready.”
Evie nodded. “Then, let us be off.”
Emma rose and followed Evie from the room. Lucian slid a glance to Je
remy, surprised. “You will allow your wife to come?”
He blew out a breath. “Would do no good to argue.” He shrugged. “Besides, she can shoot a pistol better than most men.” A grin slid across his face as Jeremy spun around. “Damn accurate aim, she has.”
Lucian followed Jeremy to the coach, wondering about the secrets Lord and Lady Fielding kept. He scrambled in last and took the seat beside Emma as the footman closed the door. Then the coach gave a lurch and rolled down the drive.
After munching on roast pheasant and pickled asparagus, Lucian looped an arm around Emma’s shoulders. “Take a nap, minx. You will need it.”
She nodded and was asleep before her head rested against his shoulder. Jeremy nodded he do the same and Lucian settled his cheek against Emma and slept.
A horrifying dream of Renfield pushing Emma off the cliff near the jagged tooth brought Lucian awake with a start. He blinked into the dark interior of the coach, calming his mind. Not real. His arm tightened around her, feeling her warm breaths against the side of his neck, then he relaxed. She still lived, and he intended to keep it that way.
The coach slowed, and Lucian lifted his head. Jeremy moved the window curtain a fraction with a finger to peek outside.
“Have we arrived?” Evie asked.
Jeremy nodded and the coach shuddered to a halt, bringing Emma awake. She straightened, rubbing her eyes, and looked around. “Are we near the summer house?”
“It is just there, beyond those trees,” Jeremy said, nodding to the window.
The door opened and one of Jeremy’s men peeked in. Lucian recalled the tall, mountain of a man was called Humphrey. “We have your horses, milord.”
Jeremy nodded then turned. “Once the summer house is no longer guarded, Humphrey will come for you. When you get Sean in the coach, leave straight away. We will catch up.”
“Be careful,” Lucian said as Jeremy moved to the door.
“You, as well,” Jeremy said, then assisted Evie to the ground.
Emma clasped her hands together. “How do you think Jeremy and Evie will distract the guards?”
Lord Hunter (Secrets & Scandals Book 6) Page 16