Page 84 of A Treacherous Treasure

Thomas rode home from Gilbert Heywood’s ball with his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

He’d only been trying to help her, since she’d been so friendly with the man since they arrived, choosing to ignore Benjamin’s and his advice that Gilbert Heywood was likely not to be trusted. But if she wished to flirt with Gilbert Heywood, why should he care? She’d kissedhim, not the other way around.

He’d been right to make a vow to himself about staying away from Arthur Heywood’s widow. Any woman who could marry Arthur Heywood was not very discerning, to say the least. And here was proof—she was dancing and flirting with Gilbert Heywood, who only wanted her for the treasure that was buried on her estate.

What was worse was that she was so quick to lash out at him when he was only trying to tell her, discreetly, what he had learned from the note Pursglove had sent, which had been placed in his hand personally by Pursglove’s courier.

He had spent the rest of the evening away from the ballroom, mostly talking with the other men in the card room, which was why he now reeked of smoke. He’d never been fond of the smoking habit himself.

The ladies spoke quietly when they did speak. Mostly they were quiet, for the first half of the trip home, until they persuaded Benjamin to talk. And then he couldn’t seem to stop talking about Miss Mattie Springfield, the girl he’d danced with four times. If he weren’t pretending to be asleep, he might warn Benjamin that it was unwise to dance with a lady more than once, and certainly not more than twice, unless he was engaged to her. But his advice had been spurned once tonight, and he would not give it again.

Besides, Benjamin already had been told not to dance so much with a woman he was not engaged to. His brother thought he knew more than Thomas.

He refolded his arms over his stomach without opening his eyes.

The ladies were so quiet that Thomas began to wonder if Rebecca had told them what had occurred between them. His curiosity about whether she had danced any more that night and with whom also began to torment him. But he would never let her know that.

When they stopped at her door, he continued to feign sleep so that Benjamin would get out with her and walk her to her door. Perhaps that was beneath him, but he was still too angry to be perfectly civil toward her and not betray his feelings.

The sooner he could forget about Rebecca Heywood, the better.

~ ~ ~

How foolish she had been to kiss Thomas Westbrook!

Rebecca recalled how he had completely ignored her after their exchange on the terrace. Meanwhile, she had told every gentleman who asked her to dance that she was resting her ankle. But while she watched the other couples dancing, she was remembering her dance with Thomas Westbrook, every time he touched her hand, and the kind compliments he had paid her.

She needed to stop thinking about him. He obviously was not the man she thought he was, as he turned out to be easily offended and quick to judge her.

Truth be told, she was not proud of her own behavior, as she had also been quick to accuse him. She wished it had never happened, but perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps this was God’s way of protecting her from a loveless match.

She slept very little after arriving home just before sunrise from the ball. Despite staying in bed late, the day seemed to go by slowly. She tried knitting, but her neck began to ache. She tried reading, but her mind kept wandering, so that she’d barely read a page in half an hour. Her thoughts kept going to the ball, to the treasure, to the constable, the Justice of the Peace, the coroner, and especially to Thomas Westbrook.

A carriage was coming up the lane toward the house. Was Mrs. Heywood home already? She’d hoped she would stay a few days with her friends who lived near Gilbert Heywood.

As it drew closer, she realized it wasn’t Mrs. Heywood at all. She watched until the carriage door opened and out came Gilbert Heywood.

Her breath caught in her throat. What was he doing here? If he was under suspicion of being part of the scheme to steal the buried treasure, why hadn’t he been apprehended?

She had no wish to face the man. Could she have her servant tell him she wasn’t at home? She’d never lied like that before, or asked a servant to lie, and it did not sit well with her. But if the man had been scheming against her, it couldn’t be safe to be in his company.

God, help me.

She hurried down the stairs as Gilbert Heywood rang the bell. When the servant came to her, she said, “Show him into the sitting room.”

Perhaps the Justice of the Peace had lied about Gilbert Heywood being involved in their scheme to find the treasure for themselves. Perhaps he was only trying to save himself by blaming a landowning gentleman. Although she wasn’t quite sure how that would help him.

“Mrs. Heywood.” Gilbert bowed to her, a smile on his lips.

“Mr. Heywood, what a nice surprise to see you. Did you enjoy the ball?”

“It is a surprise, no doubt, but I had something particular to propose to you.”

“I suppose you wish to purchase this property, which belonged to your cousin, but I am not interested in selling it to you, I’m afraid. I’m very sorry to disappoint you.”

“Oh, no. I am not here to renew my offers for Heywood House. Forgive me if I am startling you or intruding on your sensibilities.” His face seemed to freeze, as though remembering something. “How is your ankle? I trust you are not feeling any ill effects from the few times you danced on it last night?”

“No, thankfully it seems to be well today. I suppose it was because I took care not to dance too frequently.”