Lord Hunter (Secrets & Scandals Book 6)

by Tiffany Green

  “Jeremy and I have also agreed on something.”

  Emma dragged her gaze up to his, startled at the graveness in his voice. “What?” She was almost afraid to know.

  “I am taking you back to London on the morrow.”

  “No.” She raised her chin. “You cannot.”

  “The matter has already been decided. We leave at dawn.”

  Invisible manacles tightened about her wrists. Emma rubbed them, they felt so real. Turning back to the window, she watched a tiny yellow butterfly flitter above a cluster of pale blue hydrangeas. She envied the small creature in that moment. To do as it wished, go where it wanted. “And I have no say in the matter?” she asked without taking her eyes from the butterfly.

  “Emma,” Lucian began, her name ending on a sigh. “I will keep you safe. If it weren’t for those madmen on the loose, you know I’d let you stay. Hell, I’d join you on the hunt.” He came up to her, his arms wrapping around her waist. “I am sorry, minx.”

  She stood in the circle of his arms, wanting to melt back against him. Instead, her stubbornness kept her rigid. And her anger grew. This was what she feared in a husband. Always, for her own good was she denied the thing she loved most. She had hoped Lucian would prove different. He had even promised he would. But, facing the least bit of danger, he revealed his true intent. In the guise of safety, he’d keep her locked away.

  Blinking out of her thoughts, she found the butterfly gone. As she would go later tonight. When Lucian slept, she would sneak out. Tamping back the pang of guilt, she blew out a breath. Her mind made, there was no turning back. And she would have but one chance to locate the gold.

  “What are you thinking, minx? I know something is going on in that pretty head of yours,” Lucian said and settled his lips against the nape of her neck.

  Emma ground her teeth against the traitorous tingles delighting her insides. She balled her hands, trying to hold on to her anger. Trying not to succumb to the growing passion plaguing her at Lucian’s touch.

  “What is it?” he whispered against her skin, raising the fine hairs on her neck. Then he kissed her, his hands sliding up to cup both breasts.

  She closed her eyes as wet heat pooled between her legs. Her womb throbbed for Lucian. To have him fill her, pleasure her, and make her soar to the heavens.

  He turned her. Emma was afraid to see the heat in his eyes, afraid she’d take his hand and drag him upstairs. She lapped at her dry lips. Samir needed time to hide the clothes, she reminded herself.

  Lucian’s finger looped beneath her chin and forced her head up. Her gaze clashed with his. Passion smoldered in his dark eyes, but a question loomed there, as well. And she remembered. He wanted to take her away on the morn and wanted to know her reaction.

  Emma pulled away, and he let her go. After a step, she spun around, furious, her skirts twirling about her ankles. “You want to know my reaction to your decree? Well, here it is. You promised you would not do this to me.” She wagged a finger at him. “I had your word you would not prevent me from hunting.” She could have stomped her foot. “Your word, Lucian.”

  He had the good sense to look abashed. Then he squared his shoulders. “That was before you were shot, Emma, and almost lost your life. To the very madman on the loose looking for the same treasure.” He drew in a breath and shook his head. “Can you not see? You could die.” His eyes filled with grief at the possibility. Then he stormed to her and pulled her into his embrace. “I cannot let that happen, my love,” he rasped in her ear.

  Pressed against his hammering heart, Emma felt him tremble. She wrapped her arms around him and patted his back, unable to hold on to her anger. “Nothing is going to happen to me, Lucian,” she said. “I am afraid you are well and stuck with me.”

  He chuckled, his arms tightening around her, then he pressed a kiss to her temple. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Then he drew back and took her hand. “Come, I have something for you.”

  Emma’s breath caught. She received very few presents in her life. “What is it?”

  He pulled her toward the stairs. “You shall see.”

  Afraid he would take him to their room where Samir might be hiding her disguise, Emma let out a relieved sigh when he turned in the opposite direction at the top of the stairs. She followed him to a room with a beautiful wooden floor, polished to a glistening shine. Several instruments were set out on stands, and two grand pianos faced each other at the other end of the room. At one of the pianos sat Jeremy. With a smile and a wink, he began to play. Emma’s breath caught. A waltz. Her eyes flew to her husband’s. “You remembered.”

  Lucian brought her hand to his lips. “Of course, I remembered.” He then stepped back and gave a deep bow. Rising, he held out his hand. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?”

  Swallowing back a giggle, Emma gave a rough curtsey, then placed her hand in his. “Certainly, my lord.”

  Then, Lucian spent the afternoon teaching her how to waltz.

  “You are a quick study,” Lucian said as they twirled about the room for the hundredth time.

  Emma closed her eyes, wondering what it would be like to attend a real ball. To wear a beautiful gown and sip champagne. Her eyes snapped open. “What does champagne taste like?”

  He chuckled and drew her to a halt. “Would you like to find out now?”

  She clapped her hands. “Oh, yes, I would.”

  With a twinkle in his eyes, Lucian went to the door and spoke to Joe the footman. The man bowed and dashed away. He soon returned with a cart. Wrapping the chilled bottle in a cloth, he popped the cork. White foam spilled from the bottle, but Joe used the cloth to keep it from dripping to the floor. With a flourish, he poured the bubbly liquid into three glasses, then lifted the tray.

  Emma smiled as Lucian took two flutes and presented her with one. Her eyes dipped to the fizzy white lid and watched it melt away, leaving tiny bubbles to rise up from the bottom. Jeremy came forward and took the last glass, then raised it between them. “To Emma. May all your first experiences bring you as much joy.”

  Uncertain what to do, Emma watched Lucian hold his glass to Jeremy’s. With a grin, she did the same and they touched rims, the clinks ringing out in the room. Taking a deep breath, she brought the glass to her lips and felt the bubbles tickle her nose. Then she took a sip. Pleasure exploded on her tongue as she swallowed the fizzy liquid.

  “Well, how is it?” Lucian asked.

  She took another sip then smiled. “I quite like it.”

  He flashed her a cocky smile. “I knew you would.”

  When they finished their champagne and left the room, Emma’s heart sank. This afternoon had been incredible. She found she loved to dance. She loved champagne. And she loved her husband above all else. How, then, could she sneak away later? How could she betray him when he had brought her such happiness today?

  Humming the melody of the waltz to herself, Emma was struck with a sudden thought. She almost stumbled as the significance of her realization dawned. What she had been missing came to abrupt focus. So sharp and intense, it almost took her breath away. And Emma knew, without question, she had to go forward with her plans.

  She knew where to find the gold.

  Chapter 28

  Emma kept her ears perked, trying not to think of Lucian’s reaction when he found her gone. Knowing how deep he slept after intense lovemaking, she had been relentless. For hours, they worshipped each other. Her body hummed with the memory. And swallowed back a groan at the thought of him waking to find she had sneaked away a half hour into his slumber. She knew he’d be very angry. Anger was too weak a word. Furious. Livid. Incensed.

  Enraged.

  Swallowing back a sigh, she tried to concentrate on the task at hand. Not getting caught. By Jeremy’s prowling men, Sorrington, or Renfield. Or Lucian. She shuddered, then heard the unmistakable sound of a horse snort. Emma froze, then slid a glance to Sean.

  With a finger to his lips, he nodded they get off
the road.

  Emma followed him into the trees, Samir at her back, praying they did not get discovered. They were but minutes from their destination. She cringed at the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs beneath horse hooves, but they stopped in the darkness and listened for the rider. The mist curled around the horse’s legs as they waited. Emma’s pulse roared in her ears, sounding much like the waves sawing in and out of the ocean nearby.

  The clip of hooves on hard dirt made her stiffen. She could make out little of the road and the single horse now before them. If it hadn’t had a white blaze between its eyes, she would have missed the animal. Holding her breath, she waited as the man turned this way and that, scanning the area. Was it one of Jeremy’s men? Renfield? She could not tell.

  After an eternity, the man turned his horse and moved away. Emma’s breath came out in a whoosh, her shoulders relaxing. They remained in the shadows for another few minutes, to be certain the man was far enough away not to hear them come from the woods.

  “That was close,” Sean whispered as they crept back onto the road.

  “Too close,” she admitted.

  After half an hour, they found the trail that lead to the jagged tooth. The sky had already turned slate gray, she noticed with a start, and tried not to think of Lucian’s reaction when he woke. Her hands shook as she stopped her horse on the beach, and Sean helped her down.

  “Now what?” he asked, glancing around.

  The cool sea breeze caressed her face, pulling at the wayward curl on her cheek. Emma nodded to the rock she had found the gold. “The sailors hid the gold then crafted a map to keep from getting lost. They must have been starving and needed to search for food.”

  Sean nodded in the dim light, his eyes flicking to the rock and back. “Yes, we’ve discussed this.”

  Excitement pounded in her breast and she settled a hand on her brother’s arm. “They crafted but one map.”

  His face scrunched up, looking like he used to as a boy trying to solve a riddle. “Yes. One map. Emma, I don’t see—”

  “One map, Sean.” Her fingers dug into his arm, trying to get him to see the truth. Knowing they could not stand there all morning till the dolt figured it out, she expelled a sigh. “One map for two purposes.”

  He drew his brows even more, then the light dawned. “Are you saying they used the same measurements to hide the gold as they did to search for food?”

  “Yes!” She turned to the water. “I’ve studied the map of this coast long enough to know it lines up with the map the sailors drew. I just wish I would have realized it before now.”

  His eyes glistened in the gray dimness, then slid to the rock. “Of course,” he whispered, turning to Samir. “Hand me a pick and bring the shovel. We have some gold to find.”

  “Oh, and the rope,” she told Samir as she retrieved the map.

  With careful measurements, Emma’s heart knocked hard within her chest when she found the next circle. It did line up with another rock jutting from the sea.

  Sean flashed her a smile, his eyes glistening as he slushed through the wet sand and hopped on the rough rock. Exploring the fissures and cracks, he reached inside several before a whoop rent the air. “I’ve found it.” He turned to Samir. “The pick.”

  Chinking at the rock for several minutes, Emma held her breath as he hefted out another box, identical to the first. Tears blurred her vision when he jumped to the sand before her and opened the lid. She was right. They found more gold!

  “Where to next, Em?”

  Swallowing the knot in her throat, she examined the map and her coordinates. “This way,” she said, noticing the tinge of peach beneath the clouds. Dawn. She drew in a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. They had one more box to locate. One more. Then she’d return.

  To Lucian.

  Her shoulders stiffened at what she knew was to come. But it was too late to do anything but find the last box.

  They inched along the coast, Samir measuring with the rope. Sean walked beside her, carrying the box. “He isn’t going to let you continue.”

  Emma closed her eyes, knowing exactly who he was and what it was he wouldn’t let her continue. She gave a crisp sigh and glanced at her brother. “He didn’t stop me this time.”

  Sean nodded, a frown between his brows. “He will be furious, Em.”

  She almost groaned out loud. “I do not need to be reminded.”

  His lips set in a grim line. “But I am sure he will not strike you.”

  Emma stopped. Had that been worrying her brother? She stormed to his side. “No, he won’t. I know that for a certainty.”

  The tightness around Sean’s mouth eased, and he looped an arm around her shoulders. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he said, “Thank God. I would hate to have to kill him.”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder and patted his back. “So would I.”

  “You’ve grown fond of your husband.”

  Emma watched Samir work the rope. She could not deny her brother’s statement. “I have.”

  “You love him.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yet you are here. Why?”

  She gave Sean another pat. “Because I love you, too.”

  He gave her a squeeze. “I love you, as well, Em.”

  Samir straightened and pointed to another rock. She glanced at Sean and knew his thoughts. With a gasp, she felt him tear away and race down the beach, his boots kicking up the sticky brown granules. Laughing, she dashed off in his wake, knowing she’d not catch up to him now.

  The clinking of the pick sounded before Emma reached her brother. Sweat dotted Sean’s brow as he worked to free the last box of gold. Out of breath, she bent over and splayed her hands on her knees, then jerked her head up when the pick stopped.

  Sean lifted the last box out, laughing. “We did it, Em. We found the gold.”

  She smiled at her brother, then saw the pink tinge in the sky. Morning. No doubt, Lucian had already roused and was bellowing loose the window panes. She cringed at the image. “Come, let us get back.”

  After rolling up the rope, she looped it around her shoulder, then lifted the pick and shovel from the sand. Sean and Samir carried the heavy boxes and they started back to the horses.

  Emma bit her lip as something nagged at her. She tried forcing it from her mind, knowing they had to hurry back to the mansion. But it would not turn loose. Her steps slowed. She came to a stop, gazing down at the imprints her brother and Samir left in the sand.

  “Emma?”

  She heard Sean but did not answer, her mind on the dilemma she now faced. Leave now or find out if her sudden thought was correct.

  Sean trudged back to her. “What is it, Em?”

  Drawing in a breath, she lifted her head. “The last circle on the map,” she whispered.

  His eyes widened. “You don’t think there’s more gold, do you?”

  “I don’t know. There were three sailors. We have discovered three boxes.” She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  He opened his mouth, snapped it shut, then gazed at the water for a moment. “I should get you back. Lucian will be mad enough.”

  “The last circle is very close.” She shuffled forward a step. “Too close to leave now.” Before she could give her brother the chance to dissuade her, Emma turned and walked back to the rock. Throwing the shovel and pick to the sand, she unfurled the rope and measured out the correct distance, locating the last rock. Of course, it lined up.

  Sean drew to her side, pick in hand. Hopping on the rock, he searched the surface, his brows drawn as he reached inside holes and crevices.

  Wrapping her arms around her middle, Emma watched the creamy foam at the head of each wave spread across the wet sand. Lucian had to be awake by now. He did not sleep till noon as was customary of one of his ilk. No, indeed, her husband was an early riser.

  “What the devil?”

  Emma swung her gaze back to her brother as he worked the pick in the rock. He s
topped and pulled out a small box. Different than the other three, this could fit in his palm. Jumping to the sand beside her, he held it out. “Here, you open it.”

  Her hands shook as she took the small leather wrapped box. Pinching the lid between her fingers, she tried to wiggle it free. “I think it’s stuck.”

  Sean took the box and pulled at the lid. “The wood must have swelled.” He shook it and something rattled within.

  Emma frowned. “Doesn’t sound like gold.”

  “No,” he said and shook it again. “More like rocks.”

  Her gaze met his. “Or jewels.”

  He smiled. “Come, let’s get you back to your furious husband.”

  She swatted his arm. “Don’t remind me.”

  Sean glanced at Samir, the smile falling from his lips. Concerned, Emma turned and gave a start. An arm was wrapped around Samir’s throat, a pistol to his head. Renfield. Beside them stood Sorrington, arms crossed, scowling.

  Stepping before her, Sean whispered, “Run, Emma.”

  “You both will come here or this man dies,” Renfield shouted.

  When Sean tried to stop her, Emma shook her head. “He will kill Samir. Come, they just want the gold.”

  Sean’s eyes narrowed. “The boxes are there at Samir’s feet. They could have taken them and left. I think they want something more.”

  Her gaze settled on the box in his hand and nodded. “Come, they must know about our latest discovery and want that, too.”

  Side by side, they walked to the men. Emma wondered if Lucian had started his search. Would he think to come here? Renfield and Sorrington were alone. They would stand no chance against Lucian, Jeremy, and all the hired men.

  “What is in your hand, Wickham?” Renfield asked.

  Sean held up the box. “What? This? I don’t know.”

  “Throw it down beside the larger boxes.”

  When Sean hesitated, Renfield pressed the barrel deeper into Samir’s temple. “I will kill him if you don’t do as I say.”

  Blowing out a breath, Sean threw the box in the sand.