Page 55 of The Heir's Fortune
CHAPTER 21
Gideon awoke the next morning with a smile on his face – one that he wasn’t sure was ever going to leave him.
Madeline had agreed to be his wife, after what had been the most unbelievable coming together, even if it was likely ill-advised as they had yet to be wed.
It had been worth the ribbing that had accompanied their emergence from the front parlor. Of course, no one knew the full extent of what had occurred in there, but he had a sense that most of them guessed what was close to the truth.
They had agreed to keep their engagement news between themselves, at least until Gideon had a chance to speak with Madeline’s father, who was due to arrive to collect his daughter in the next week. In the meantime, Gideon would have loved to have spent the night with Madeline by his side, but he didn’t want to chance the repercussions of what it could mean for their families’ reputations. While their servants were few and loyal, they still talked, and his mother would be beside herself if she knew that she had completely failed in her duties as a chaperone.
Gideon headed upstairs that morning with the intent to share with his father the results of their treasure hunt, but his father’smost loyal servant, his valet and aid, Anderson, told him that his father was not having the best of mornings.
Perhaps it would be best to wait until he had the treasure in front of him. It might make more sense to his father that way.
“Well?” Gideon said to the men that morning once they had all risen, earlier than usual. “Are we ready?”
“Of course,” Ferrington said. “While the adventure has subsided, I would still like to see this treasure in your stores and all set to rights. Are we prepared for anyone that might try to intercept us?”
“We are,” Gideon answered affirmatively as he placed his own pistols in their holsters. He was not the best shot – he would prefer closer combat such as fencing – but this would have to do given the circumstances.
All of the men nodded their agreement before the women joined them in the foyer.
“Are you certain this is the best idea?” Cassandra asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Perhaps we should ask some of the local men to accompany you for greater numbers.”
“I do not want to get them involved,” Gideon said, shaking his head. “It is far too dangerous. At least we have all been taught how to use our weapons and are prepared for such a fight.”
“Very well,” Cassandra said, although Gideon’s eyes were on Madeline alone. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at him with something akin to fear in her eyes – an emotion he wasn’t sure that he had ever seen upon her before. “Be safe.”
The other gentlemen said their farewells to their wives, and Gideon longed to go over and wrap Madeline in his embrace, but, for now, their affection would have to remain private. Instead, he stared her way, hoping that she would understand from his expression what he felt and what he most wanted to say to her.
Gideon had two wagons brought around to the front of the house, insisting that he and Devon could drive them without the help of the coachman, who seemed slighted by their dismissal, but of course, agreed.
As wary as Gideon was while they began their return to the treasure, he couldn’t help the happiness that continued to engulf him, as Madeline’s aura floated around him despite her remaining at the house, reminding him of all that was good in the world. Love. He hadn’t been sure that he ever would have had the chance to find it – but here it was. Hereshewas.
They had no trouble finding the opening this time. Gideon had a moment of trepidation as he entered the small cut-out in the hill, a vision catching him of the cave sitting empty, all of the treasure gone as though it had just been part of his imaginings.
But no. There were all of the chests, laid out before him.
He turned around, expecting Devon to be behind him, but the small tunnel was still empty. It wouldn’t be out of character for Devon to be trying to convince one of the other men to help Gideon carry all of the treasure instead of him. Gideon began to walk to the front of the cave, calling out for his friend.
“Devon, are you coming? We only have to take these as far as the entrance before the other men can help. Are you?—”
He stopped when he reached the exit and was confronted by a nightmare.
There was a very good reason why Devon hadn’t joined him.
It was because he was being held at gunpoint – along with his three other friends. Their idea to have two of them on the lookout hadn’t worked incredibly well.
“Lord Ashford, I presume?”
Gideon looked up to find a man walking toward him, dressed in Spanish attire. His face was adorned by a small beard and a smirk.
Gideon opened his mouth to ask who he was, but Ferrington spoke first.
“DonRafael,” his usually jovial friend said with a growl in his voice. “I told you never to show your face here again.”
“And I told you all that this treasure belonged to me,” the Spaniard said in heavily accented English before turning his attention upon Gideon. “Your great-grandmother stole it from my family and I have come to see that it is rightly returned.”
“We were told that your claim to it was dubious,” Ferrington said.
