Page 35 of A Treacherous Treasure

“I suppose it depends on the kind of tree it is,” Mrs. Westbrook said. She had ceased to look and had seated herself on a rock overlooking a lovely little glen.

Caroline’s brows were drawn together. “This is more difficult than I thought it would be.”

“We just have to keep looking,” Benjamin said. But even he had a look of mild frustration on his face.

“One thing we cannot do,” Thomas said, with his usual sober expression, “is let anyone see us looking. No one can know we are searching for something out here, even if we don’t tell them what we’re searching for.”

“We understand,” Benjamin said with a slightly exasperated sigh. “We know someone else is looking for it as well.”

They all seemed to glance at Rebecca, no doubt remembering that she was shot at by that someone, and that her husband was murdered by them.

Thomas stared at her the longest. He looked as though he wanted to say something, but he ended up turning away and looking more closely at a rock. All the while, he had a pistol in his hand, pointing it at the ground while he went about searching.

Truly, he was a good man. He didn’t draw attention to himself the way Arthur used to. He didn’t say flirtatious or flattering things, and where Arthur was blond and had light-colored eyes, Thomas Westbrook’s hair was dark brown and his eyes a deep blue. Arthur also never seemed to think of anyone who wasn’t directly connected to him, but Thomas Westbrook had been kind to her when there was nothing for him to gain, disinterestedly protecting her and making sure she was safe.

Sometimes she wondered what she ever saw in her husband, why she’d been so foolish as to fall in love with him. He’d humiliated and betrayed her, over and over. But at least he’d left her his estate. Why he took the time to provide for her, she still didn’t understand. It seemed to be the one loving thing he’d done for her.

She’d been pregnant with their child, so that must have contributed to his decision. She tried to remember exactly what he’d said when he told her he’d changed his will.

“I increased Mother’s jointure, should I die, but I made sure you would inherit everything if I die before the baby is born.” Strange that at his age, and given his unsteadfast nature, he would have been thinking about dying. Perhaps he also anticipated being shot by a jealous husband.

Then she remembered he’d said, “My solicitor said it was the wise thing to do and that he would take care of it. He brought me the papers and I signed them.” The idea had been his solicitor’s, apparently, and not his.

But it had been one of the times when she’d been buoyed by hope that he would change. She had hope that the new baby would be the catalyst to make him ashamed of his trysts with other women and would make him finally love her enough to stay home with her.

But that hope had ended in disappointment on top of disappointment.

She mentally shook herself. She couldn’t let that pain invade her time with the Westbrooks.

They continued to search the rocks and trees for a while longer, until Mrs. Westbrook said she was beginning to feel tired.

“You may come and look out here any time you like,” Rebecca told the three younger Westbrooks. “There is no one to care, but please do be careful.”

“Yes, we need to bring a weapon when we do come.” Thomas gave his brother and sister a pointed look.

“They should inform you they are coming, should they not?” Mrs. Westbrook said.

“There is no need. The less information written down or spoken, the better.” Rebecca would feel horrible if anyone was harmed looking for the treasure.

Thomas nodded.

They all walked back to the house in companionable conversation. Truly, she couldn’t remember a more enjoyable day, even though they hadn’t found the treasure. But that sent a pang of guilt through her.

When would she stop feeling guilty for the moments when she did not feel sad?

Chapter Eleven

Thomas mentally harangued himself for not telling Rebecca Heywood who had shot at her and was digging for the treasure on her land. But how did one inform a woman the identity of her husband’s murderer? It could not be done lightly or without first preparing her.

But he should have informed her. He should have hung back and told her when his family went to get into the carriage. But that had not seemed appropriate, telling her quickly with no notice. Besides, someone might have heard them.

Perhaps he should have told her when they were out looking for the treasure. He could have told his family at the same time—except that he wasn’t sure he wanted to burden them with that knowledge.

But now it was the next morning and he was readying himself to go to confront both the constable, Mr. Fogg, and the Justice of the Peace, Mr. William Strader. After all, it was the Justice of the Peace’s responsibility to arrest Mr. Fogg and bind him over to await the assize, where he would be tried for murder.

Thomas would deal with this the proper way and keep his family and Mrs. Rebecca Heywood safe. Mr. Fogg should face judgment for his crimes.

Perhaps he should get Rebecca Heywood’s permission first. After all, the treasure was her secret, and he would probably be forced to reveal it to the Justice of the Peace.