Page 78 of A Treacherous Treasure

“All I’m saying is that it’s a possibility that we should consider.”

“Benjamin is right,” Thomas said. “We should at least consider it.”

“But everyone now knows, do they not, that the treasure was found?” Rebecca’s brows were drawn together in obvious concern.

Everyone expressed an opinion about how quickly the news would have spread, especially since the Bow Street Runners had been called in to investigate. But they all agreed that “everyone who doesn’t know will hear about it within minutes of arriving at the ball.”

“And we all think it most likely,” Caroline said, “that you will be awarded the treasure.”

“Do you not think it will be divided among Captain Heywood’s rightful heirs?” Rebecca looked surprised.

“I think not,” Benjamin said. As if he were wise beyond his seventeen years, which he wasn’t. “The treasure was found on your property—you are the sole owner—and you had made no attempt to hide the treasure yourself and knew nothing of it when you came into ownership. I believe the inquest will find in favor of you.”

Mother and Caroline nodded.

“You will certainly have very many eligible gentlemen vying for your attention,” Caroline said with a sly smile.

“Not that you would not have had many suitors before they knew about the treasure,” Mother said.

“But you will have many more now, and so must be on your guard,” Thomas said.

Everyone stared at him.

“It is true, and you all know it.” Thomas looked out the window rather than defending his statement further.

“There are unscrupulous men in the world, to be sure,” Mother said.

“What will you do with the treasure?” Caroline asked, changing the topic of conversation. “It is a great deal of money, quite a fortune in gold.”

“It is probably foolish to spend it before it is even mine,” Rebecca said, “or plan for it when it has not yet been given to me and may be distributed elsewhere. But if it is given to me, I should like to share it with my brothers and sisters, to lay by a dowry for each sister, and a sum for each brother to set up housekeeping when they decide to marry.”

“That is so very generous and kind,” his mother and sister said.

“But I also don’t wish to give only to my family, as that seems a bit selfish.”

“What do you mean?” Caroline asked.

“I wish to give to the poor as well, as we are instructed in the Scriptures.”

“It is not wrong to keep some for yourself,” Caroline insisted.

“Yes, but hoarding wealth is surely wrong, as in the Bible story of the man who tore down his barns to build bigger ones to store his wealth but was not rich toward God. We never know when our last day will be.”

Thomas was reminded of how charitable Rebecca had always been, taking food and medicines to the poor, especially among her tenants, but even outside of them. His heart seemed to go out of his chest in desire for her.

Was this his sign?

~ ~ ~

Rebecca didn’t like to think that Thomas and Benjamin were falsely accusing Gilbert Heywood in their hearts. Were they letting their attachment for her cloud their judgment and make them jealous?

Thomas and Benjamin were both good men. They would not take it too far. After all, there was no evidence to link Gilbert Heywood to any of the nefarious events of the past several weeks. The constable had accused the Justice of the Peace, who, they had been told, had been apprehended and jailed, although he might not remain in jail long, as they had no evidence beyond Mr. Fogg’s confession—Mr. Fogg who was dead. But whoever were the guilty ones, the Bow Street Runners would no doubt uncover the truth of it all, for which they were famous.

The conversation went silent for a moment, possibly due to the fact that they had been asked not to speak of any of the details of the constable’s possible murder and how they found the treasure, the map, or any other details. After all, if they questioned someone and that person knew more than they should, it would be a good indication that they were guilty.

Rebecca took the quiet moment to say another silent prayer that there would be no quarrel or upset feelings between Benjamin and Thomas at the ball tonight. She felt strange even praying that—a bit narcissistic, truthfully—but it was obvious that Benjamin had felt a bit of an attachment for her, although she hoped he had overcome those feelings.

She also said a prayer that her own feelings of attachment for Thomas would not be crushed tonight. As it was, he had not made any declaration for her, had not indicated he was in love with her or wished to marry her, even though they had kissed. She’d seen the tenderness in his expression and manner that night, but since then, she had not seen a return of that tender feeling—though they hadn’t had any opportunity to be alone since then.