by Lynda Hurst
Trekking through the dark was a struggle, now that the moon had ducked behind some clouds, but Margaret recognized the way she had previously come. After what seemed a quarter of an hour, Margaret stopped at what appeared to be a thick conglomeration of vines and brushwood. “Follow me,” she said, as she ducked through the overhanging vines and disappeared behind them.
Recognizing the cavern that Frederick had mentioned as part of the land, Jackson trailed her closely and beckoned for the other men to step through the entrance. The cavern’s interior was dimly lit by a lone lantern deep within, and Jackson could make out Margaret’s figure picking up an item from the cavern floor. Drawing closer, he observed that the cavern contained many objects, relics, and artifacts by the looks of them.
“Here it is,” she said, awe evident in her voice, as she held out the artifact to him.
Glancing down at it but not taking it, he knew the piece instantly; the very object that Mensforth had shown the both of them that day in the museum. He gave Margaret a puzzled look, still not realizing its significance.
“The Artemis clue, remember? It’s supposed to lead us to the treasure,” she clarified.
Frederick asked loudly, “What’s this about a treasure?” Jackson and Margaret didn’t answer him as they reverently touched the piece, looking for answers to the Revelstoke treasure.
Devlin was the one to answer him quietly, “Long story, old chap. Faith can tell you the whole story when you have more than a moment to spare.”
Margaret made to step closer to Jackson, but she stepped down hard on the torn hem of her gown. Losing her balance, she also lost her grip on the artifact, sending it flying in front of her, only to have it smash to pieces on the cavern floor.
Horror filled her then, and she rushed onto her knees to get a closer look. Jackson felt badly for her, knowing how hard she had worked to get this close to solving the Artemis clue, only to have it dashed to pieces at her feet.
Rather than the cry of dismay he expected to hear from her, he startled when she whooped deafeningly, her shout echoing through the small space. Getting down on his knees beside her, he saw her reason for her cry of elation, as she pulled length after length of roped pearls from within the hollow of the artifact. Gold signet rings with rubies and emeralds were also littered among the remains, and as expected, a small roll of parchment held within a plain gold ring signified the next clue for the next adventure.
Awestruck and proud, Margaret crowed, “I’ve found the treasure at last!” And she gathered what she could within the skirt of her gown.
Helping her to collect the remainder, down to the last ring, Jackson retorted, “Purely by accident. We wouldn’t have known that the treasure was contained within the artifact itself until you had a moment of clumsiness.”
Floating in the heavens with happiness, she replied, “I would normally take offense to what you just said, but I am so happy we’ve finally found the blasted treasure that I am willing to let your comment slide. I cannot wait to show Faith!”
“Yes, but I must insist that you wait until tomorrow,” Jackson admonished. Everyone’s been worried, and they will want to see after you before we can discuss the treasure.”
“Ahem,” interrupted Devlin. “And the impending wedding. Let’s not forget that.”
In happy agreement, Margaret smiled up into Jackson’s face and replied, “Yes, let’s not forget that.”
Epilogue
One Month Later
Since the night of Margaret’s abduction, both of the Prestonridge and Ellesmere households bustled non-stop with activity, and with Frederick Revelstoke added into the mix, so did the newly-revived Revelstoke corner of the world. Suffice it to say, Frederick was none too happy to see the mess that was left in the library sanctioned by his own sister for their treasure-seeking efforts. By way of apology, Jackson offered to pay for the damages they inflicted and included a promised portion of the next treasure, that is, if they could manage to solve the latest cryptic clue.
Having been left home that awful night to await news of Margaret’s welfare, Faith had almost wished her houseguests to the nether parts of the country just so she could accompany the men. She had mourned the bedraggled condition in which Margaret had come home, and had waggled her brows at the protective arm Jackson had set around Margaret’s bare shoulders.
Jackson had announced to the room containing Devlin, Faith, Frederick, and Mary, “I have asked Margaret to marry me, and she has accepted.” Before his last words were even uttered, Faith and Mary let out high-pitched squeals of delight and rushed the newly-affianced couple with hugs and congratulations. Jackson had winced at their volume and gratefully stepped back to allow the females to their babbling chatter. Judging from the pained glances from the other men, they, too, had been treated to the same pain in their ears as he did.
Mensforth’s trial was an accelerated affair, brought on by the angry families of the slain. After only three days in court and with Devlin’s and Margaret’s testimonies also in the balance, Mr. Abraham Mensforth of Cambridge was sentenced to death by public hanging. Margaret refused to attend such a morbid event but felt some measure of pity for the man she had once called a friend.
The banns were posted and read in the Donnesbury parish within the same month, as Jackson wanted Margaret to be his as soon as it was possible. A longer engagement was entirely unnecessary, especially as Lord Anthony hadn’t been faring well since their return from London. It was both Jackson’s and Margaret’s hope that Lord Anthony would be present at their wedding, but Lord Anthony fell ill suddenly, and it was expected that he wouldn’t survive the next day. However, by some miracle, Lord Anthony had recovered, and when he was well enough for visitors, he told his son, “I’m waiting to witness my only son marry the love of his life.”
With Devlin’s help and influence, a special license was procured for them, and they were married by the local minister in the Earl of Ellesmere’s master bedchamber. Those who were there to witness the ceremony were known to say that the bride and her groom only had eyes for each other, and if it were any other setting, the couple would not have cared as they paid no mind to anyone else, only each other.
After the minister pronounced them man and wife and they shared their first kiss as a married couple, Margaret whispered against Jackson’s lips, “I have dreamed of this day for many a year, and you have made me the happiest bride because of you. No other man would have sufficed.”
Jackson smiled in response, and tongue-in-cheek, said softly, “I would hope no other man than me could make you this happy. I look forward to every adventure with you, and only you.”
Another kiss was shared between them, shocking the minister momentarily. Everyone else smiled indulgently at the couple, happy to have been witness to their journey that had led them to the marriage altar, and wished them well into a happy future together, one full of vibrant life and joy.
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“What was it that you wanted?” Faith whispered. His face was so close to hers, she could almost see her reflection in his eyes.
Drawing closer, he whispered. “This. This is what I wanted when I first saw you at Atwell Cottage.”
And he swooped in to capture her mouth in the sweetest kiss, her first kiss with the man she had loved all her life. She was stunned at first, not quite believing that he ever had the urge to kiss her, and it warmed her to her toes that he admitted as much.
She had never kissed a man and wasn’t sure what to do. Devlin pulled back a centimeter and said, “Kiss me back.” With pleasure, she gave her all in that kiss, enthusiastically pressing her lips against his. Joy shot through her as it finally hit home that she was kissing Devlin and it was glorious. She thrilled at his touch when he reached up with a finger to lightly stroke the side of her cheek, making her feel delic
ate and cherished.
Just as suddenly, Devlin gathered her close within his embrace, continuing the kiss. Faith almost swooned at the rapid change in position but had quickly caught hold of Devlin by his shoulders to steady herself. The kiss itself had changed from soft and sweet to one that was exciting and fueled with passion. As an eager participant, Faith followed Devlin’s lead, trusting him implicitly. Devlin, on the other hand, knew better than to let the kiss go any further than propriety would allow, but her lips were temptation incarnate, and he needed just one more second, one more taste.
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He lowered his mouth to mine. I felt electricity as his lips brushed mine. Then his mouth closed over mine, and I could feel the heat building. I was out of breath when he pulled his lips from mine.
“Oh baby, you still drive me crazy,” he said breathlessly.
I wasn’t ready to give in to the temptation. “I really must go, Chris. Six o’clock comes really quickly. If I stay any longer, I probably won't leave.”
“I have no problem with that, sweet pea. But you are right, it is only Monday, and we have a long week ahead of us. Maybe you can stay on the weekend.”
“We’ll see.” That was the only thing I could think of to say. I had to get my head together before anything like that was going to happen.
Chris rose from the sofa and pulled me to my feet. He pulled me close to him, and I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him, thanking him again for another wonderful evening. I put my head back and looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed me full on the mouth as he lowered his hands to my hips. I could feel electricity coursing throughout my body.
“Oh Chris, I feel dizzy.”
