Page 9 of The Duke's Treasure
Edward took his chances then, stepping closer toward her.
“Because I discovered something last night.”
“Oh?”
“You lied to me.”
She lifted a slender shoulder. “Not that it makes any difference, but what is it you believed I lied about?”
“Ah, did you spin more than one tale, then?”
“I owe you no truths nor anything else, Your Grace,” she said. “You showed up here, to my home, uninvited with some ridiculous tale. Why should I give you anything, including the truth?”
“Because if your husband did steal such a fortune from King Philip and his deception was ever discovered,youwould be in a great deal of trouble.”
She crossed her arms over her chest as though she didn’t care, but Edward had the feeling that his words had gotten through to her – to cause her some worry, at least.
“I have done nothing wrong,” she said. “Nor has my husband.”
“Nordidyour husband, you mean,” Edward corrected. “I hear that he is no longer with us.”
“I never lied to you,” she said with a sly smile now. “I told you he wasn’t in residence and confirmed that he wasn’t in Spain. His spirit isn’t, at least. I have a pretty good idea of where that ended up.”
He smirked then, unable to help himself, as annoyed as he was at her half-truths.
“Tell me, Your Grace,” she said, her hips swaying in their panniers as she walked toward him through the grass, “if such a treasure was findable, and you did discover it, what would you do with it?”
“It depends what the treasure is,” he said. “It would not be the first that I have discovered. If I knew who the rightful owners were, then I would return it to them. If, however, there was norightful owner, then I would donate the funds to someone who could use them.”
She looked at him in disbelief. “Then why go to all of this trouble?”
“Isn’t that the question?” he said cheekily. “I have a feeling that you would get along well with my brother.”
“Is he anything like you?” she asked with a snort.
“Nothing at all like me,” he said in response.
“Then maybe we would get along after all,” she mused aloud. “I am not sure why you are back here aside from a desire to accuse me of lying to you.”
“If you lied to me about this, then what else are you hiding?” he asked, advancing on her now, but she held her ground, tilting her chin up toward him as he neared.
“I am hiding nothing,” she said. “I am simply a widow, living out my life in peace here in San Sebastian. I didn’t lie when I said that my husband’s brother is in Madrid. He is the marqués now.”
“My answers do not lie in Madrid,” Edward said shaking his head. “They are here in San Sebastian. This is where I’m told the trail ends.”
“I know this manor better than anyone,” she said. “If there was a fortune in doubloons here, I would certainly be aware.”
“Let me search,” he said, hating that he was practically begging but he wasn’t sure how else to go about it. “Let me explore the grounds and give me your backing so that the townspeople will allow me in places they otherwise wouldn’t.”
“Why would I do that?”
“If you do, I promise you that you can use the treasure for whatever means you see fit. If that means returning it to the Spanish government so they don’t come after you, then so be it.”
She paused a beat, and he thought he had her, before she shook her head.
“No. That is not a good enough reason. I need proof.”
“Proof?”
