He shook his head and shoved his over six-foot frame into the tiny hole.
She pulled the chair closer to the desk and leaned over the book as if in intense concentration. When the door opened, she looked up and cast an expression of complete annoyance.
“Yes?”
Vernon leaned against the doorjamb, crossed his ankles, and smiled. So he believed he’d convinced her to help. She would help. He’d see.
“Are you translating the book?”
“You gave me little choice.”
He stepped forward, and she lifted her hand. He stopped.
“The only way I’ll agree to complete the task is if you leave me completely alone. If you must come in, you will knock first.”
He snarled his lip. “In my quarters?”
“You can remove anything that you don’t wish for me to have access to, but the writing is smeared and the translation is difficult. I need complete silence in order to accomplish my task.”
“Why should I believe you?”
She lifted the sheet of paper. “You shall find the treasure on an island in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain.” She lowered the paper. The only thing that would have helped the effect was if she’d had spectacles. She must remember to purchase some in the future.
“Does it say which one? I think there are four.” He ran to her side and tried to tug the book from her grasp. He almost moved the chair, but she planted her feet on the floor and stiffened her legs. Justin wrapped his arms around her calves. She wasn’t moving easily.
She tugged the book back. “Do you want my help or not?”
He released his grip. “Very well. I shall leave you in my cabin until the book is translated.”
“And then?” She couldn’t keep the quiver from her voice.
“And then we shall see.”
He rounded the desk. At the door he stopped and flashed her a winnowing smile and a wink. When the door closed behind him, she slumped in the chair.
Justin scooted her back and moved from his prison. He stood and stretched. “Apparently you have afforded us a reprieve.”
She tapped a quill to her chin. “A very short reprieve, I’m sure. He won’t desire to be from his bed for long.”
Justin faced the aforementioned object. “Then we must think of another solution.”
“Indeed.”
****
His eyes blurred, and he massaged the bridge of his nose. The idea that he would translate the book in short spurts that she could feed the captain had been brilliant. It only left them with one problem—they were translating the book and leading Vernon Shelby directly to the treasure.
Would Father notice his absence? Would Mr. Quinn be looking for Magnolia?
Surely by now the hunting party had noticed that Mr. Shelby was missing. Unless he told them he had to leave on business or some other such nonsense. He could have easily concocted a legitimate story. But again, what about their fathers searching for them? He didn’t see his own father giving up.
Magnolia was curled on her side and sleeping peacefully. Shouts and yells echoed outside the door. The crew prepared for departure. He’d had no intentions of being on board when the ship set sail, but now he saw no other way. Perhaps the ship would dock on the Spanish mainland and they could escape then. But somehow he doubted it.
Magnolia rose and stretched her arms above her head. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Not long.”
“You shouldn’t have let me. What if Mr. Shelby walked in?”
“Then I guess the commotion would have awoken you.”
“Justin, do be serious.”
“I am.”
She shook her head. “How goes the translation?”
He massaged his forehead. “Grandmother was very cryptic. She knew not to include precise details. Such as, ‘the island was once abandoned by all inhabitants.’ Who knows which of the Balearic Islands was abandoned?”
“Formentera.” She whispered the word.
“What?”
“Formentera was abandoned by all inhabitants sometime in the 1500s.”
“Oh.”
“I believe they were tired of invasions.” She worried her skirts. What wasn’t she saying?
“Is there something else about Formentera you want to tell me?”
“Just that it is small, miniscule. How a treasure could be hidden there I’m not sure.”
“So it won’t take Shelby long to search the island, if we give him the right island to search.”
She blinked. “Are you saying we should lie about the island?”
He shrugged. “If we can disembark on an island that is more heavily populated, perhaps we can escape more readily.”
“That is a thought.”
“Do you know anything about the other islands surrounding Spain?”
“Not much. The Balearic Islands have four main islands and then several that are much smaller, including Formentera. We could translate the message to say the largest island.”
“We could, but it seems rather obvious.” He massaged his chin. “I think we should be sneakier.”
“How so?”
“Make up something he is more likely to believe.”
“Ibiza!” She paced and tapped her finger to her chin. “It is rather rocky, but perhaps we could translate a cave that holds the treasure.”
“Ibiza is larger?”
“Yes. It is north of Formentera. So if we can disembark and escape our capturers in Ibiza, then we can make our way to—”
He clutched her upper arms. “Don’t even say it, don’t think it. We will not be going after the treasure.”
“But—”
“Magnolia, I’m sure my mother knew about the treasure, but she never said anything. There had to be a reason. I’m going to assume it was because the trek was too dangerous. And you should assume the same.”
He moved around her and lay down on the bunk. “I’m going to rest. Wake me if you think someone is coming.”
Chapter Ten: The Voyage Begins
Vernon watched the door to his quarters. He’d not entered in some time. Surely the young lady had translated more by now. Not that it mattered. He had all the directions he needed. They would head south, around the Spanish peninsula and to the Balearic Islands. By the time they reached the area the young lady would have the entire book translated. The treasure was within his grasp.
He leaned against the railing and studied the dock. His financer would be arriving any moment. The message he’d sent several days prior had surely reached him by now. Would he bring his ward? Vernon hoped not.
The woman was spit and venom. Her beauty paled in comparison to the woman he held prisoner. Magnolia Quinn’s reddish hair teased him. And her green eyes burned with a fire he wished to reignite. He could tell she had enjoyed the reel he’d played at the hunting cabin. Next time he would have Rove play the reel and he would show her how a real man danced. The others in the hunting party had been nothing more than sleazy, old men. Many had made their living by lying in the political arena.
Then there was Mr. Justin Blakemoor. The boy. He was barely wet behind the ears. How did he hope to pursue someone of Magnolia's character? Her wit? She deserved someone more cunning. And she would get it—in him.
Perhaps he did need to see the young lady one more time before his friend’s arrival. The fellow wouldn’t be pleased that another had joined them on their journey. So he wouldn’t tell him. Magnolia’s idea to hide away in his cabin suited him perfectly. And when the translating of the book was complete, and she no longer needed privacy, he would join her there—where she was comfortable—in his space.
****
Fiercely she copied Justin’s words into her own, making sure to change the information to suit their new story.
A knock resounded on the door, and she lifted her head. Justin!
He was already rousing and moving toward the desk. Had he ever really been asleep?
“May I enter?
”
She cleared her throat. “You may.”
The pirate stood at the door with a smirk on his face as if he knew something she didn’t. Which he probably did. She couldn’t help it—she shifted.
“May I help you?”
“You already are. But I was wondering.” He drew closer, tapping his finger to his lips. His mouth was divine. If only he wasn’t evil.
“Yes?”
“Might I offer you a drink? Some food perhaps.”
“Food?” Her stomach rumbled. She’d been betrayed.
“Food it is. And I assume you’d like a drink with that.”
She nodded. She couldn’t help it—she was weak.
“Would you like to eat alone or would you prefer company?”
Justin would be hungry as well. “I fear I’m a rather sloppy eater, it might be best for me to be alone.”
“Very well.” He called out the open door. Charlie arrived. He had a bruise around his eye and he didn’t look happy to see her. “Charlie, please bring a dish of fresh fruit and a loaf of bread for our little worker.”
“I will.” He popped his knuckles.
“Um, Captain Shelby, could Rove bring my food?” She hoped adding the title would help with persuasion.
“Whatever for?”
“I think that Charlie might spit in it.” She smiled sweetly.
“Charlie, you wouldn’t spit in Miss Quinn’s food, would you?”
“Never.” He held his hand to his chest in mock horror, but his eyes said different. He would seek revenge for revealing he’d released her bonds. That might be something she’d live to regret—if she lived long enough.
She didn’t need to bring him more trouble. “I’m sure Charlie will do an excellent job.”
“Go, Charlie. I will wait here until you return.”
She almost felt Justin groan. At least he’d kept from making it audible.
“So have you translated anything more?”
He moved closer, and she jumped up and walked to him, grabbing one of the papers as she went.
He leaned over her. His bare chest touching her exposed shoulder. He was warm, hot even. She swallowed.
“Ibiza?”
“Yes. The book says that it is an island north of the island that was once uninhabited, and that is Ibiza.”
“Isn’t Ibiza a little rocky to hide a treasure?”
“I thought the same thing, so I’ve been looking for the mention of a cave.”
He moved a strand of hair away from her face and behind her ear. Her breath caught.
“You are being more helpful than I imagined.”
She shrugged, causing her shirt to fall down her arm farther. His eyes moved there. She wished she could pull it up, but as long as he was focused on her shoulder then he wasn’t looking at the desk.
“I do love a good mystery.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“You have?” How did he know so much about her?
“I have.” His dark eyes grew even darker.
Warmth pooled in her middle. “How do you know so much about me and I know nothing about you?”
He placed two fingers in his mouth then he laid them on her collarbone. She was going to melt into a puddle.
“I’ve made it my business to know everyone within the Blakemoor circles.”
“Oh.” What was he saying?
“You are the most fascinating of the lot.”
“Fascinating?”
“Indeed. Beautiful, young, adventurous, yet untaken. I feared that the knight would capture your heart, but I was happily mistaken.”
“You know about Kenelm?” How long had Vernon been watching her?
“On a first name basis with the knight, are we? No matter. Soon you will be on a first name basis with me. And you won’t be solving the mystery because of the mystery, but because you want to please me.”
She prepared to comment on his conceit, but he wrapped his arms around her waist, dragged her to his chest, and smashed his lips to her. The kiss was almost punishing. Then he released her, and disappeared through the door, and closed it.
She wobbled backward until she caught the desk. Two kisses in one day? Was the world coming to an end? Maybe.
****
Justin climbed out from his hiding spot. He knew something had happened immediately. Red tinged Magnolia’s cheeks and her lips were swollen. Vernon Shelby had kissed her.
She looked at the door with a dazed look. Was she hoping he’d come back and kiss her again? She didn’t look overly distraught by the event.
“Magnolia, you did well.” It was all he could say.
“I did?”
“You did.”
She sucked in a breath. “You can’t be out here yet.”
“I know Charlie will return with food soon, but I had to make sure you were all right.”
Tears covered her eyes, making them a brighter green. “I guess I am. We are still alive.”
He cupped her cheek, and she turned toward him. So she still liked him a little. “That we are. And as long as we have breath, we have the will to fight and escape.”
“Agreed. Escape.” She bit her lip. Was she about to change her mind? What if she wanted to join the pirate on his quest and leave him behind? He’d already told her that he didn’t want to go after the treasure.
A knock resounded on the door and he rushed back to his hiding spot. It was getting harder and harder to fold his body into the tiny hole.
“I have your food.”
The door screeched open.
“Thank you, Charlie.”
“You know I won’t forget what you did to me.”
“I know.” Her voice was strong and sure. Why wasn’t she afraid?
The door closed. The aroma of fresh bread reached him, and he stood up and tore off a hunk. She took a seat on the bed and bit into an apple.
“So I have a pirate’s henchman angry with me and a pirate—”
“In love with you?” The words caused him pain.
“I was going to say infatuated with me.”
He settled on the edge of the desk. “Magnolia, you can’t get wrapped up in his charms. He is dangerous.”
“I know.” She looked at the apple and drew her brows downward.
“We need to plan our next move.”
She nodded.
Voices rose outside the door, and he prepared to spring beneath the desk again.
“I’ve found the boxes.”
“Excellent. And the girl?”
Why did that voice sound so familiar?
“Yes. She is translating as we speak.”
“She knows Russian?”
Uh-oh.
“Of course. Now I’ve prepared a place for you in the hold.”
“Where? Oh no, I will be sleeping in your quarters.”
“You will stay where I say while on my ship.”
“Hmm, I will accept your uncivilized ways for now. But when Eudora arrives, she will not wish to sleep in the hold.”
Eudora?
Magnolia looked at him, her eyes wide.
Now it made sense. Fortescue Cunning, Baron of Eure, was the financer for the expedition. If he brought Eudora into the captain’s quarters to share the room with Magnolia, he would be caught.
The boat lurched and almost knocked him off his feet.
“Why are we moving?”
He could almost hear the smile in Captain Shelby’s voice. “I’m sorry that your mistress is late.” He paused. “Hoist the sails, boys; it is time to get our voyage started.”
Author’s Note
I’m so sorry to leave you with a cliffhanger, but the story demands it. Never fear, I won’t make you wait too long to learn what happens. I personally can’t decide whether I like Vernon Shelby or whether I don’t. How do you feel?
You can learn the rest of the story in The Case of the Hidden Treasure.
Other works by Felicia Rogers:
The Renaissance Hearts Series
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Book One: There Your Heart Will Be Also
Book Two: By God’s Grace
Book Three: Labor of Love
Book Four: Beyond a Doubt
Book Five: Letters in the Grove
Stand alone works:
Love Octagon
The Painted Lady
The Perfect Rose
The Holiday Truce
A Month in Cologne
Andrews Brothers
The Ruse
The Rescue
Southern Hearts Series:
Millicent
Amelia
Cora
Wounded Solider Series:
Diamond Mine
Pearl Valley
Emerald Street
“Justice” and Miss Quinn Mysteries
The Case of the Missing Cross
The Case of the Puppet Constable
The Case of the Secret Love
The Case of the Chinese Boxes
The Case of the Hidden Treasure (Nov 2016)
The Case of the Lost Island (Dec 2016)
The Board Series by F. A. Rogers
(novellas are listed in order)
Maralie
Reuben
Vanessa
Simon
Darla
Daniel
Irving
Levi
Francesca
Benjamin
James
The Return to Eden’s Hollow
The Case of the Chinese Boxes (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 4) Page 5