Page 24 of The Duke's Treasure
She paused for a moment, staring him in the eye. She should say no. She barely knew the ma. And yet…
“Of course I do,” she said, realizing what she meant. She trusted him as she hadn’t trusted anyone in some time. Sending the treasure to England was certainly a risk, but somehow, she knew that he wouldn’t betray her.
“I could have Rodrigo help me. He has friends who could also assist. I’m sure some of them would even accompany me back to England.”
“When should we retrieve it?” she asked eagerly, but he was already shaking his head.
“You cannot come back to the cave.”
“Why not?” she demanded.
“Because we might meet those men again if they come searching, and I cannot allow anything to happen to you, do you understand?” he said, heat in his voice that nearly made her stop arguing.
Nearly.
“I am as involved in this as you. In fact, I would say it is my responsibility.”
“Do you take the blame for all of your husband’s actions?”
She thought of all Javier had done in the past.
“No.”
“Then don’t start now.” He set his jaw firmly as they rode in through the gates. He stopped, and she reined in her horse, looking at him with question.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to go set things in motion,” he said, his lips pressed firmly together. “I will see you shortly.”
“But—”
“Mariana, I got you into this mess, perhaps when I should not have done so,” he said. “Let me fix it and keep you safe while doing so.”
“Very well,” she said, unable to ignore the supplication in his gaze. “Stay safe, do you hear me?”
He nodded, but as he rode away, she couldn’t ignore the fact that it felt like her heart had gone with him.
When Edward found Rodrigo,it didn’t take much to convince the Peruvian to help him. In fact, the man was eager to assist Edward, and quickly promised to sail with him and the treasure to England.
“Just for now,” Edward assured him. “Until we figure out how we can return it to your people. Mariana wants it to go back to where it belongs.”
“Mariana?” Rodrigo said, his eyebrows lifting as he sent a knowing look Edward’s way, and Edward waved him off. They discussed their plan for that night, and Rodrigo promised to find the number of men necessary while Edward hired a ship.
“Tell the men I will pay them handsomely,” Edward said, and Rodrigo nodded.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“No need for that between us,” Edward said, and Rodrigo nodded but didn’t correct himself as he left to find friends to help.
Edward couldn’t help but continue to look behind him as he hired a ship, along with a captain who agreed, for a price, that Edward could put what he wished in the hold with no questions asked. Edward could only imagine what the captain thought he was stashing, but if he told the truth, it was far more likely word would get out.
As he made all the arrangements, however, he couldn’t push the one thought, the one question from his mind – what was going to happen to Mariana?
CHAPTER 9
Mariana paced back and forth in the front room of her house, unable to tear her gaze from the window. Edward had left hours ago, and he should have returned by now. There was a great amount of treasure, and Edward had taken all of the horses and wagons that she had in her stables, but even still it had been quite some time.
He was loading the ship tonight, and she wondered how soon he would be leaving. Selfishly, she wanted him to stay for a time, but of course, it made no sense for him to pay for a ship to remain in the harbour while he enjoyed himself with her, putting both them and the treasure at risk.
