An Adventurous Lady by Valerie King

Author:Valerie King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: england, historical, historical romance, sweet, regency, regency romance, sweet romance
Publisher: Twin Bridges Creations LLC

Chapter Eight

“I am shocked,” Rotherstone said facetiously. “You did not find Jack Stub’s treasure yesterday? Incredible. And after an entire afternoon’s search.”

“Must you crow so loudly?” Evelina said.

Yes,” Rotherstone stated, guiding her to the morning room, where Mr. Creed would soon join them. “For I remember quite distinctly that you appeared completely confident of success.”

“In that you are utterly mistaken—merely hopeful.”

He lifted a brow.

“Well, perhaps I did believe were we to search your land during the day, we would find the old well. If you recall, the well indicates the location of the treasure.” She huffed a sigh. “You must not come the crab, my lord. I am excessively disappointed. “

He merely laughed. “I see you have brought your map.”

Upon entering the morning room, Evelina saw that Mr. Creed had already arrived. She immediately spread the map out on the sideboard and told him all that had transpired, the exact route that had been explored as well as Mr. Crookhorn and Mr. Fuller’s exploration of the area to the northwest in hopes of explaining the slashing lines on the left side of the map.

Mr. Creed laughed. “I am persuaded these marks were a result of cleaning the quill and nothing more.”

At that, Evelina burst out laughing. “Oh dear. And Mr. Fuller was breathing quite raggedly when he returned to us. I do not think he is used to so much exertion. He will not like being told he played the fool.”

“No man does,” Mr. Creed responded sagely.

“I suppose I have but one question, Mr. Creed. Was there ever a well on this portion of Blacklands?” She ran a hand over the southwest corner of the estate. “Or did we not cover a wide enough terrain during our search, although we were there for hours?”

Mr. Creed examined the map carefully. “As to a well, I never knew of one in that vicinity, nor do I recall my grandfather speaking of one, and he served as a stable boy on Blacklands and was later head groom. If there is a well, I cannot say where it might be.”

“What do you recommend we do next?” she asked.

Mr. Creed thought for a long moment. “That you try again and do as you have said: extend your pattern of search to encompass a larger area. At the same time, set one or two persons to reviewing these riddles. Who can say what would have been in Jack Stub’s mind when he wrote them, but there is a meaning, of that I am sure.”

With that, Evelina felt she had to be content. “The entire group is anxious to begin again on Monday. Will that suit both of you?” When they agreed, she thanked Mr. Creed, who bowed and quit the chamber.

Rotherstone walked with her to the entrance hall and asked politely if she would care to stay to tea. She declined his offer. “For if you must know, Mama is permitting Euphemia to attend the assemblies tomorrow evening and she insists that I be with her when the seamstress comes this afternoon.

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