Page 77 of A Treacherous Treasure

Surely the ball would help to clarify things for her.

~ ~ ~

Thomas found himself thinking more about Rebecca’s kiss than about the treasure, the murder, or the treacherous events of the past week.

Perhaps this ball would help him untangle his thoughts about Rebecca Heywood.

His sister’s and even his mother’s spirits seemed high as they entered the carriage and started on the short way to Rebecca Heywood’s home. His brother’s spirits, on the contrary, were more subdued. He barely spoke all day except to ask his sister’s opinion on what he should wear and how he should tie his cravat, an oddity that had Caroline exclaiming, “You wantmyhelp?” His brother had very strong opinions about everything, even clothing, so it was not surprising that Caroline would react thusly.

But all was quiet as they rode to Heywood House. And when they arrived, he expected Benjamin to jump out and call for Rebecca, taking the opportunity to hand her into the carriage, but he made no move. So Thomas went to the door. But before he could knock, Rebecca appeared.

How lovely she was, wearing a lacy ball gown and a genuine smile that stretched her lips and showed her teeth. There were many ladies who never smiled like this, with warmth, genuinely and without artifice.

She took his hand and he led her down the steps.

“Thank you for inviting me to accompany your family in your carriage,” she said.

“You are most welcome, as you know.”

Ignoring a vow one had made, even when the vow was to oneself, was no small thing. He was still of two minds, however, but he’d prayed for God to give him a sign at the ball tonight. Should he follow his more foolish feelings of attachment and love? Or should he adhere to his original vow, never to get involved with anyone who was attached to Arthur Heywood?

Tonight he would let his fate be decided.

He and Benjamin were seated across from the ladies, with Rebecca between his mother and sister, who both looked quite happy to have her there.

Benjamin was quiet as the ladies chattered away together like magpies, talking of how much Rebecca must miss her mother and sister now that they were gone, talking of who would be at the ball and with whom they hoped to dance.

“Mother, you should dance tonight. Truly, you should,” Caroline said.

“Oh, no, I think my dancing days are over. I only used to dance with your father, if you remember.”

“Yes, but it’s all right now.” Caroline spoke softly. “You should dance and enjoy yourself. You’re still alive.”

“I am aware.” Mother gave her a cheeky half smile.

“And I hope to see Rebecca dance with every eligible man at the ball.”

Rebecca’s cheeks seemed to turn pink as she stared open-mouthed at Caroline. “I think that would be a good thing for you, Caroline, but I am newly widowed. It would not be proper.”

“You are so young,” Caroline said, undeterred. “You deserve to be happy after . . . Well, you deserve to be happy. No one would begrudge your enjoyment of a ball. No good-hearted person, that is.”

“I do not wish to have everyone talk and say that I made a spectacle of myself, but I confess, I do hope to dance tonight, at least a few dances.” Again, her cheeks grew rosy at the confession.

“I daresay the host, Gilbert Heywood, will want to dance with you,” Mother said.

“Yes!” Caroline said. “He came all this way to call on you twice.”

“That was only because he wanted to purchase Heywood House.”

“You don’t know that.”

“And you should consider why he might want to purchase Heywood House,” Benjamin said, arching his brows. “Perhaps he knew about the treasure and wanted it for himself.”

“Benjamin,” Mother said in a scolding tone.

“It’s true. Who else is more likely to have heard the rumors about Captain Heywood’s treasure than someone in the family?”

“But darling, you don’t want to falsely accuse anyone. It isn’t kind, and what if you’re wrong?”