An Adventurous Lady

by Valerie King

  Mr. Creed smiled. “Perhaps not him, for he was a thief since a child and therefore probably orphaned and without education. But not all the smugglers were of low descent. Some had a fair scrawl, as the one who wrote these riddles did. I only wonder if, once the map were complete, the fellow survived to see the next sunrise.”

  “What a horrible thing to say.” Evelina said.

  Mr. Creed’s smile broadened. “And if you do not take offense, Lady Evelina, I begin to think you are not in the least offended by such histories.”

  “No, I am not,” she responded a little sheepishly.

  “Then you are worthy of being in possession of the map I wish you good fortune in seeking the treasure of Jack Stub. I only hope the curse attached to any who searches for the treasure does not come true.”

  Evelina gulped. “What is the nature of the curse?”

  Mr. Creed leaned close to her. “Death,” he whispered.

  “Now you have gone too far, Mr. Creed,” Rotherstone interrupted. “You are frightening Lady Evelina.”

  Evelina glanced at him and could not help but giggle. “Only in the most delicious manner, I assure you,” she said.

  * * * * * * * * *

  Rotherstone looked at the lady next to him, and though he had already steeled himself against her willful determination to pursue the treasure, he still could not help but be struck by the sparkle in her green eyes. Almost, he found himself smitten, but this would not do in the least, so he gave himself a small shake. “Regardless,” he said, “a little more fact and a trifle less fancy might be of use, Mr. Creed, since my neighbors are intent on attempting to unearth Jack Stub’s treasure from my estate. Though I must say, you tell your tale admirably.”

  Mr. Creed’s blue eyes twinkled anew. “I told it as my grandfather did. I knew many a sleepless night, I promise you.”

  “I have no doubt you did,” Lord Rotherstone returned.

  Evelina gestured to the map. “So you would agree then that to commence at Devil’s Gate would be a proper beginning.”

  “As good as any, I expect,” he responded. “Although I should warn you not to be thinking the map is as straightforward as it appears.”

  “And do you have any particular thoughts as to just how it might be deceptive?”

  He shook his head. “Nay, but something is amiss. I just cannot say what. I will think on it, however, as should you.”

  “I shall heed your words.” She then turned to Rotherstone. “I intend to recommend to my neighbors that we begin at Devil’s Gate. Is this acceptable to you?”

  He inclined his head. To his bailiff, he said, “I think for the moment I shall permit this new band of adventurers to wander about at will. I would prefer that you and Lady Evelina decide on a proper day and time for the hunt so that the estate laborers will know when to expect them.”

  “Very good, m’lord.”

  “Will that suit you?” Rotherstone asked Lady Evelina.

  “Very much indeed,” she said. Turning to Mr. Creed, she added, “When I have met with our neighbors, I shall send a servant with a suggested time, and you may tell me if it is suitable for you.”

  “Very good, m’lady.”

  “You may go now, Creed, and thank you very much.”

  Mr. Creed bowed and quit the room.

  Rotherstone watched Lady Evelina begin rolling up the map and blue velvet slowly and carefully. She seemed pensive, though what she was thinking was lost to him. “You seem rather deep in thought,” he said.

  “I suppose I am.”

  “You are thinking about the treasure, then?”

  She turned toward him. “Actually, I was wondering if you meant to make one of your three requests today.”

  He was surprised, for he had not given the matter the smallest thought since the day before. “No,” he responded succinctly.

  “And do you truly feel it necessary to hold by such a condition?”

  He saw the concern in her eye and could not help but smile. “When did you decide I was such a complete monster?” he asked.

  He could see that the question startled her, for her eyes opened very wide. She remained silent for a long moment. “What gentleman other than a monster would behave as you have? First, you kiss me entirely against my will. Then, in the face of an innocent request, you exact another kiss, as well as the right to demand three things of me. Why would I not have an unhappy opinion of you?”

  “Let us review further,” he suggested. He could not help but smile, though he supposed it was not an entirely warm expression. “Both kisses appeared to me to have been equally enjoyed by you, or was I mistaken in that?”

  She shook her head. “You are far too skilled to make the experience less than,” she looked up at the ceiling as though searching for the right word, “pleasant.”

  “Pleasant?” he asked, amused. “Is that all you felt when I held you in my arms, how pleasant it was to be kissed by me? If this is true, I believe I should practice a little more.”

  “Now you are being absurd,” she said.

  “As are you, my lady. I did not invade your home. You have invaded mine. I have responded and made demands. How does that truly make me a monster? Oh, I see what it is. You believe every gentleman should simply bow to your wishes. Is this not so?”

  “Of course not,” she said. “I hope I am not such a vain, ridiculous creature. But why have you not been willing to be generous with me and with your neighbors?”

  He wanted to give her a sharp answer, but since he had already decided the time had come to engage his neighbors in a new game, he held his tongue. Instead, he took a deep breath and said, “You are right. I have not acted the gentleman as I should have.”

  “Then will you relent and release me from these three demands?”

  “No,” he returned softly. “I have come to adore the notion of having an excuse to see you again.” He watched her shiver. “However, I will try to do better with our neighbors.”

  The effect these few words had on the lady before him was rather marvelous. Her complexion grew heightened and a smile set her features in a beautiful glow. She had never appeared prettier, and his heart actually hurt just looking at her. “You have made me happy today, and that was unlooked for.”

  A silence mounted between them, and he found he could not shift his gaze away from her. He had previously thought that her acquiescence to his demands had given him some power over her, but in this moment he was completely powerless to do more than look deeply into her eyes. He wondered what she was thinking.

  * * * * * * * * *

  Evelina thought that never had a man been able to so easily capture and hold her attention. She had every reason to be angry with him forever, and perhaps she would have been, but she had heard in his words and now saw in his countenance a gentleness that commanded trust. She did not want to trust him, but she did. “I shall take my leave now,” she said. “I intend to share with our neighbors what you have agreed to.”

  He was still looking at her, still holding her gaze tightly within his own. Without thinking, she leaned quickly up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” she said, tears sparkling in her eyes. With the velvet-encased map tucked beneath her arm, she quit his home.

  By the time Evelina set her feet in the direction of Wildings, having walked instead of ridden her horse, she found she was trembling, though she could not comprehend why. What had changed, she wondered, that she would be so affected by this last conversation with Rotherstone? Yes, he had softened his attitude somewhat, but he still held to his original demands, so she should not be so ecstatic. However, she was: wondrously so.

  As she walked briskly down the drive, she strove to gather her reeling senses and to remind herself that this man, by his actions, was not to be wholly trusted. Why, then, had she kissed his cheek?

  * * * * * * * * *

  Rotherstone made his way up to the library. He moved swiftly, thinking he would have a sherry and read a book, but when his feet
took him directly to the south window, he understood precisely what he was doing. Some part of him, the part that had felt completely undone by the sweet kiss Lady Evelina had placed on his cheek, had needed to see her once more. There she was, already halfway down the drive, so fast was she walking.

  And there she was, a woman who had already changed so much for him.

  He should be thinking of her in an entirely different sense, as the one who had disrupted his home and in doing so provided him with the perfect excuse for taking revenge on several of his neighbors. Instead, his senses were fixed solely upon the warm imprint of her lips against his cheek. Was it possible he had finally met a woman whom he could trust?

  * * * * * * * * *

  Two days later, Evelina drove her gig to Pashley Court, Sir Alfred’s home, in order to meet with her neighbors. Though she had wanted to begin the hunt for Jack Stub’s treasure immediately following her conversation with Mr. Creed, this was the first occasion upon which the entire group could assemble together. More than once over those two days, she had longed to venture again onto Blacklands by herself, but her conscience forbade her. She felt her neighbors must be included in the search for the smuggler’s fortune. As much as she felt the map belonged to her, she did not believe the treasure did.

  Entering the drawing room of the ancient manor, she was struck again by how dark and relatively unwelcoming Lady Monceaux’s drawing room was. A bank of narrow diamond-paned windows that extended the length of one wall was the only source of light, and the wainscoting was dark, nearly black, as were the old smoke-stained beams that lined the low ceiling overhead. Although Lady Monceaux had attempted to lighten the chamber by covering the chairs and sofas in a light green silk damask, little could be done to entirely allay the gloom that pervaded the poor chamber.

  Regardless, she could see that spirits were high in view of her excellent news.

  Lady Monceaux helped her display the map on a table opposite the fireplace.

  “I cannot credit ’tis true,” she whispered to Evelina, “that we are to begin the hunt. My dear, I congratulate you. Only, however did you achieve it? How did you persuade Rotherstone?”

  Evelina controlled the blushes that threatened to overtake her and responded quietly, “With some difficulty, I assure you.”

  Sir Alfred cleared his throat and frowned his wife down. “So,” he began, a disbelieving grimace on his face, “Rotherstone has actually given his permission.” His arms were folded across his chest.

  “Yes, he has,” Evelina said, taking up a seat next to Lady Monceaux. “When we are ready to proceed, I am to consult with his bailiff, Mr. Creed, in order to arrange the day and time of our first exploration. I had a lengthy conversation with Mr. Creed two days ago. He knew a great deal of the legends surrounding the smuggler’s treasure, and of course he knows Blacklands better than anyone.”

  “That would be true,” the elder Mr. Rewell said. “For he was employed first by Rotherstone’s father many, many years ago, and Mr. Creed is now quite old.”

  Evelina said, “Mr. Creed told me his version of the smuggler’s legend, and I believe parts of it may be unknown to you all, for his stories have been kept a secret for generations.”

  The entire group stared at her. Miss Ambers leaned forward in her chair. “Are you at liberty to tell us these tales?”

  Evelina felt certain Mr. Creed had related them to her strictly for that purpose. She nodded and revealed to the intently silent group all that Mr. Creed had told her.

  “Upon my word,” Mrs. Rewell murmured at the end of her tale. “And the smuggler’s name is Jack Stub?”

  “Incredible,” Mrs. Huggett said, shaking her head.

  “I believe I might faint,” Annabelle Rewell said, “but it was most exciting.”

  Similar comments passed round the remainder of the group.

  Sir Alfred, standing near the fireplace, grunted and shook his head. “This is all very interesting and it may or may not be true. What I wish to know, Lady Evelina, is how it came about that so selfish an individual as Rotherstone was ever made to agree to our treasure hunt?”

  Evelina regarded him closely for a long moment. She recalled the degree of hostility between him and Rotherstone and again had the impression that more lay behind such crossness than mere dislike.

  Having anticipated his question, Evelina responded, “I may be mistaken, but I have a sense that Lord Rotherstone may be interested in making amends. He did not say as much, but his tone generally has become increasingly agreeable. He even dined at Wildings, as some of you know, and he was perfectly amiable to my entire family.”

  A round of whispered astonishment traveled swiftly through the dark chamber.

  Colonel Carfax rose from his seat and crossed to the table where the map was displayed. “Though I find this discussion interesting, and I do hope my cousin is at last coming to his senses, the real question remains—where do we begin?”

  Evelina smiled and rose to her feet. Joining him, she said, “You are a man whose interests reflect my own quite to perfection.” She pointed to Devil’s Gate and continued, “And now I will tell you something that I believe I should have confessed at the outset. The same night I found the map, I did a very quick exploration of this vicinity of Blacklands, but without success—in part because Rotherstone discovered me and escorted me back to the border between our properties. No, he was not entirely enchanted that I had trespassed, but as events have proved, perhaps our meeting in this way has opened the door for all of us. In any event,” she gestured to Halling Stream, “this is the area I previously explored. I promise you all that regardless of how sorely tempted I may be in the future, I shall do no further explorations by myself.”

  The colonel smiled at her. “You will hear none of us make the smallest complaint. I do believe we are all indebted to you for being included in the first place. After all, you have the map in your possession and the treasure would appear to be buried on Blacklands. Do any of us truly have a claim upon it otherwise?”

  Evelina glanced around the group that was now gathered loosely about the table. “I believe that such a treasure, should it actually prove to exist, ought to belong to our community. Though I admit I am protective of the map, any results of our search I lay no claim to whatsoever.”

  “You are being greatly generous,” Miss Ambers said.

  “Indeed, you are,” Mrs. Huggett intoned.

  “Yes, yes,” Sir Alfred said, frowning. “That is the proper attitude.”

  “I believe you are being far more generous,” the colonel said, meeting her gaze, “than most of us would be.”

  “Hear, hear,” Mr. Fuller agreed,

  Evelina met Colonel Carfax’s gaze. He was smiling, his expression wholly friendly. His blue eyes, she realized, were thickly fringed with dark lashes. He was a very handsome man, and she knew him to be a favorite with all the ladies about Maybridge. He was an excellent dancer, always had an interesting anecdote for those moments when an occasion grew dull and never refused an invitation to a game of cards, chess, backgammon or cribbage. He was an avid sportsman, enjoyed his snuff and frequently went to London for the amusements only the capital could provide. Since her arrival in Kent, she had never quite understood why she had not tumbled in love with Colonel Carfax, even though it was quite the usual thing for all the ladies to do. Yet his society had not evoked even the smallest flutter in her heart.

  The colonel said, “I am still mystified that he agreed to dine at Wildings.”

  “As was I,” she said, “but I believe Sir Edgar had something to do with that.”

  “Ah, Sir Edgar,” he murmured. She could not mistake the expression of quick disapprobation that twisted his lips.

  “You do not respect him?”

  “Anyone who knows the details of that man’s history cannot claim even the smallest friendship with him.”

  This time, Evelina was properly shocked. “I must confess I am astonished. I met him for the first time but a few days
ago and found him to be all that was gentlemanly and worthy.”

  The colonel inclined his head. “Perhaps he has changed. It has been known to happen.”

  Remembering that Miss Ambers had blushed the last time Sir Edgar’s name was brought forward, she chanced to glance at her and saw that the young lady was quite distressed.

  Immediately, she turned the subject. “But enough of gossip,” she added hastily, still addressing the colonel. “So, what is your opinion? What do you think of the riddles?”

  Colonel Carfax shook his head. “I only wonder how easily we will find the treasure. Surely so many riddles must indicate that though there is a large X on the map, perhaps the treasure will not be found so easily as we all hope.”

  “That is what Mr. Creed said. Indeed, he spent a very long time quietly perusing every inch of the map. He seemed somewhat puzzled, though he could not say why.”

  “And what of my cousin? Did he seem hopeful having seen the map?”

  “Generally, he seemed quite disinterested.” Curious suddenly about his relationship with Rotherstone, she asked, “Were you never friends with him?”

  “Of course, when we were younger, for we are of an age. We were at university together. I had a great fondness for him then. I was for the army, however, and our paths diverged greatly. When I sold out after Waterloo, I found him greatly changed.”

  Miss Ambers tapped the map and brought the conversation back to the matter at hand. “What do you think this means?” she asked. “ ‘Ye olde well, draws water deep, of ale and mead, made honeysweet.’ ”

  The younger Mr. Rewell said, “It must refer to a well to be found somewhere on Blacklands, surely?”

  “That is a question I believe I must put to Mr. Creed,” Evelina said. “On my initial exploration, I did not find one. However, wells are often knocked down and filled in, so I do not rely overly much on that particular clue.”

  Colonel Carfax shook his head. “Surely if the well were quite ancient, some remnant of it still might be on Rotherstone’s estate.” He tapped the large X located on what everyone believed to be the southwestern portion of Blacklands.