Page 60 of A Treacherous Treasure

“Don’t put your weight on it. No sense prolonging the healing, and you know that Gilbert Heywood’s ball is in a week.”

She had forgotten about that.

“I have twisted my ankle before and it healed after a few days. Hopefully this will be the same.”

He was staring hard at something. She looked down.

“What is it?”

“That rock you’re sitting on. May I see the map?”

Rebecca took the folded paper from her pocket and handed it to him.

He looked from the map to the rock and back again.

“I was walking toward this rock when I stepped in the hole because I thought it might be the rock on the map. What do you think? Do I need to get up so you can see it better?”

“No, stay there. I think it is the rock. Now we just have to find the tree.”

They looked around them, at all the trees. Rebecca stayed seated and spun around, trying to see all around her. Soon they were both looking at the same tree.

A twisted, crooked tree stood about five feet from the rock, but it looked old and dead, bearing no leaves and very few branches. The only reason they hadn’t seen it immediately was because there was a smaller tree growing between it and the rock.

“This is it.” Rebecca’s heart beat faster.

“I think you’re right. And if it is, this tree is growing right on top of the treasure chest.”

“How difficult will it be to dig it up?”

“Not that difficult.”

Would Thomas and Benjamin dig it up? Would they find the treasure chest there?

“We have to tell the others. This is very exciting, but . . . I can’t ask the servants to dig it up because they might tell someone, and we’ll have more people out here, possibly shooting at us again.”

“Benjamin and I can help. That is, if you wish it.”

“Oh yes, of course. That is so kind of you. And I would be happy to share the treasure with you, since you helped me find it.”

“That will not be necessary. The treasure is on your property, so it is yours, and my family and I have enjoyed helping you search for it.”

“It might not even still be here. Someone else may have dug it up long ago.”

“That is possible, of course. Come, let us get you home, and then I will tell the others about what we found.” He tried to hand her the map.

“No, you keep it. You can use it to show Benjamin and Caroline and Margaret.”

He put it in his pocket. Then he bent and slipped his arm around her and helped her to her feet. “Don’t walk on it,” he said.

Rebecca leaned against him and put very little pressure on her injured foot, limping heavily.

“If you will allow it, I think you need to let me carry you.”

“Very well.” She was rather enjoying how he seemed to want to help her, and she didn’t want to make her ankle worse, as she was hoping to dance with him seven days from now.

He bent and slipped his free arm under her knees and lifted her in his arms.

She hadn’t been carried since she was a very young child. She felt awkward, not quite sure where to place her hands, and ended up leaving one in her lap and her other on his shoulder.