Page 40 of The Heir's Fortune
“That’s the one,” he said. “He was quite the adventurer.”
He said it wistfully, as though he wished he were the same.
“Well, he is the only one who will know our secret,” she said with a shrug, not quite as concerned as Gideon seemed to be. But then, Gideon had always been one to play by the rules.
“Your father entrusted my mother to be your chaperone while you are in residence,” he said as he hurriedly pulled his wrapper around himself and found her clothing, ever the gentleman as he lifted her nightclothes from the floor and began to help her dress. “If she found out where you had spent the night, she would feel obliged to not only inform him but also ensure that I did right by you. Which I would like to, but?—”
He stopped, discomfort on his face, and she smiled grimly and finished for him, “But you might have to marry another.”
All of the warmth of the night that had enveloped her suddenly fled with the cold truth of the morning.
“You know that if I had any choice in the matter, Madeline, it would not be this way,” he said, and she wished that he was saying something else – anything else – for she rather enjoyed how adorable he looked with his normally polished hair dishevelled and his wrapper tied so askew.
“I understand, Gideon. You have made the reasons for your decisions abundantly clear,” she said as she finished tying her own wrapper and strode toward the door, stopping with her hand upon the knob. “However, if who you marry is not your choice… then just whose is it?”
And with that, she petted Scout, opened the door, and strode out, determined not to look behind her.
CHAPTER 15
“Oh, Gideon!”
Gideon looked up from his desk, upon which he had spread out the painting that had proven to be a map of Castleton. He was holding the ocular device to his eye, looking through it at the map once more to ensure that he knew exactly where to begin this time.
But his sister interrupted him.
“Gideon, why are you looking at that map again?” she asked from the doorway, where she stood with baby Jack in her arms. Scout left his pillow at Gideon’s side and walked over to them but sat in front of them respectfully, his tail waving back and forth excitedly. “You know exactly where you are to go. Now all we need to do is search again, once everyone arrives and we are able to ensure our safety.”
“I want to be certain,” he said, not wanting to tell her that the stakes of finding the treasure had risen significantly – for him, at least.
“Will you watch Jack for an hour or so?”
Gideon started, for this was not a usual request. “Where are you going?”
“Devon and I must do something.”
He rolled his eyes. “I do not want to know anymore.”
“I never said what we were doing.”
“Where is the nanny?” he asked as he began to roll up the map before tucking it away in its container and locking it back in the desk where he knew it would be safe.
“Today is her one afternoon off.”
“Where is Mother?”
“With Father. They are on their ride.”
“I hope someone is watching over them,” he said, concerned that they would be out in the open when danger still lurked. He was becoming rather worried as it had been a few days since they had heard anything of Madeline’s kidnappers.
“Yes. Anderson is with them, and they are staying on the grounds, close to the house.”
He nodded.
“Is Madeline not here to help you with Jack?” he asked, trying to think of an escape from watching the baby. He loved his nephew, but he did not feel he had the skills required to keep a baby happy – even just for an hour. Cassandra had no time for his questions, however, as she sighed, placing her free hand on her hip.
“Gideon, I thought you might like to spend some time getting to know your nephew, but it seems I was mistaken. I will go find Madeline and see if she can help.”
“Fine, fine,” he said, waving her in, standing and holding out his hands tentatively. “This is all rather untoward.”
