Page 83 of A Treacherous Treasure

They sat watching the dancers for a few moments, then they both stood and walked slowly toward the door that led out to the garden. As soon as they reached it, Caroline squeezed her arm and left her.

The terrace was lit by several lanterns, as well as the light of a full moon and the light coming through the windows. A dark figure several feet away came toward her. It was Thomas.

“I just wanted to remind you to be wary of trusting Gilbert Heywood.” Thomas stopped two feet away from her without reaching for her hand or even smiling.

“I am not sure in what way you think I will trust him.”

“I only wished to remind you to be on your guard. He seems very eager to dance with you and be near you.” He still kept his distance from her.

Was this truly all he wanted to say to her? A pang stabbed her heart.

“As I said, I’m not sure what you thought I would do . . . that I would pledge to sell my house to him? Or perhaps that I would fall in love with him and forfeit the treasure to him?”

“I am sure you may fall in love with whomever you wish.” His words were clipped. “I only thought to put you on your guard, as I just received a note from Mr. Pursglove that said—”

“There you are, Rebecca. I saw you—” Gilbert Heywood stopped in mid-step as he strode through the door and across the terrace toward her. “Mr. Westbrook. I didn’t know you were . . .” Gilbert Heywood’s countenance changed into a dark scowl, an expression she’d never seen on his face before.

“I came out to get some air. Such a beautiful night,” Rebecca said quickly, trying to diffuse the tension that seemed to be mounting. “Shall we return to the ball?”

Her stomach sank at the way Thomas and Gilbert were glaring at each other.

“I have a private word to speak with Mrs. Heywood, if you don’t mind.” Thomas’s voice did not exude the usual warmth. In fact, she felt as if she didn’t know him at this moment.

“Very well,” Gilbert said with equal coolness. “I shall be inside if you need me.” He directed this comment to Rebecca, bowing to her before going back inside.

“I don’t think you should be allowing that man to get so close to you,” Thomas said.

Rebecca stared at him, open-mouthed. This was a side of him she had not seen—a petty, jealous side. Well, it was good that she was seeing it now, before any promises had been made.

“I don’t understand,” she said, heat rising inside her. “There is no reason to suspect Gilbert Heywood of anything nefarious. Is it so difficult to believe that he simply likes me for myself, not for my fortune?”

This was her fear coming true, not only that no one could care for her, as her first husband certainly had not cared, even enough to stay home with her, but also that she would fall in love with another man who would mistreat her, making her sad and miserable.

Thomas did not reply right away. She saw his chest rise and fall rapidly, his eyes narrowing.

“You may believe what you will, of course. Far be it from me to dissuade you from defending Gilbert Heywood, but I was trying to tell you that the coroner, Mr. Pursglove, reports that upon questioning him, Mr. Strader, the Justice of the Peace, implicated Gilbert Heywood in the matter of the treasure. Strader says it was Heywood’s idea to search for it, and it was he who enlisted the butler’s help in discovering the existence of a treasure map.”

“These are the allegations of the Justice of the Peace?”

“Yes. I am sorry to cast a shadow on your new suitor, but . . . I will trouble you no further. Good evening, Mrs. Heywood.” Thomas walked past her without a glance in her direction.

Rebecca felt sick. What had she done?

Thomas was angry with her. That was clear from his manner. But why should he be? She didn’t know that he had information from Mr. Pursglove casting suspicion on Gilbert Heywood. He could not be angry with her when she did not know.

But she had sounded quite petty herself, had she not? Accusing him of—O God, what did I say?

She’d said something about him thinking she would fall in love with Gilbert Heywood and give him her fortune. Had she truly said that?

She could feel her face growing hot. But he had said she could fall in love with anyone she wished, and . . . what else had he said?

This was just like the fights she had with Arthur, when she was so upset that she couldn’t remember what they had said to each other when it was over.

Well, if this was what marriage to Thomas Westbrook would be like, she wanted no part of it. She was better off alone and on her own. She had her own fortune and did not need a man.

She held her head high and walked back through the door into the ballroom.

Chapter Twenty-Four