Page 17 of A Treacherous Treasure

“I’m so sorry, but I cannot.” What would her mother-in-law say if she never came home? Her son did it often and was never scolded, but if Rebecca did it, she could just imagine the accusations she would throw at her.

“Mrs. Westbrook would wonder where you are,” Thomas said. “I will take her home in the carriage,” he said.

“I am sorry you have to go to so much trouble,” she said.

“It is no trouble.”

He was so stoic, she wondered how he felt about having to escort her home.

A few minutes later, Thomas Westbrook was handing her into his carriage. The prospect of speaking to him alone about the buried treasure, even if it was only for a few minutes, made her feel a bit less sad about having to go back to the place where she’d experienced so much sorrow.

~ ~ ~

Thomas spoke as soon as he heard the noise of the carriage wheels on the road.

“I will go out tonight, back to the place where the man was digging, and see if I can catch him in the act.”

“I wish I could go with you.” Mrs. Heywood sighed as she twisted her hands together in her lap.

Of course, she knew she couldn’t. There were many reasons why, so he said nothing. Then he asked, “Do you have any ideas about where you can search for information about the treasure, old letters, perhaps?”

“I will search in the library. I don’t think anyone has used it since Arthur’s grandfather was alive. I am sure to find some old letters in there.”

“You may not find anything. It could be a great deal of wasted time.”

“I don’t mind. I have nothing else to do until my mother and sisters come. But the problem could be searching the room in secret, for my mother-in-law will want to know what I am doing and will no doubt forbid me to be in the library.”

“She cannot forbid you any part of the house. It belongs to you now.”

“That is true, I suppose, but I am not accustomed to standing up to my mother-in-law.”

He could well imagine. That woman was like a fire-breathing dragon. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Rebecca, but . . .

“You will have to start standing up to her. Perhaps if you do, she will find someone else to live with.”

“That would be a blessing.” He could see her half-frowning in the dark carriage. But after a brief silence, she said, “Forgive me. That was unkind. I’m afraid I have a bad habit of saying what I’m thinking, and it’s often improper.”

“I believe that is called honesty.” But they both knew that speaking the truth was not a very acceptable practice in high society social circles.

“I don’t wish to be unkind, but she is very difficult. I must remember that she is grieving. Perhaps God will give me the grace to ignore it.” She sighed.

“I’m sure He will, but if you ever wish to have a respite from her sharp tongue, you are always welcome at Wyghtworth. My mother and sister would enjoy your company very much.”

Was it rude that he did not include himself in the people who would enjoy her company? But he didn’t want to create a false impression, and there was no chance he could ever be interested in Arthur Heywood’s first wife. That was not an affront to her, but the very idea of marrying someone who had formerly been married to Arthur was abhorrent.

The disturbing reality, however, was that he found her appealing, interesting, and intriguing, with her honesty, her warmth toward his mother and sister, and her gratitude toward him for helping her that morning.

These feelings, no doubt, would pass, every time he remembered that she had been married to Arthur Heywood.

“I’m sure you will heed the constable’s warning, but I wanted to add my own hope you will refrain from going on any walks in the near future. Best to stay indoors until the man who shot at you is caught.”

“I agree.” She sighed again, no doubt remembering with whom she was sharing the indoors.

He helped her from the carriage and walked her to the front door of the house. The door was locked and they waited two full minutes for someone to answer the door. No doubt it was her mother-in-law’s way of finding out what time she arrived, and of punishing her for being out.

His heart sank at the look on her face when she took her leave of him and went inside. The poor girl. No doubt she would pay for accepting an invitation to dine elsewhere, and especially from the Westbrooks.

Chapter Six