(Clayton #2) Perfect Sin by Kat Martin

Author:Kat Martin [Martin, Kat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780312975647
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Published: 2000-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Treasure? What treasure?” Rand turned away from the stream to face his friend more squarely. “You aren’t saying they’ve found the necklace?”

“No, not the necklace, at least not yet. But their discoveries so far have been quite significant. A jeweled crucifix, at least ten silver ingots, a solid gold jewelry box set with diamonds and emeralds, that sort of thing. At least two thousand silver Dutch guilders were uncovered in a single cache.”

Rand blew out a breath. It wasn’t at all what he had expected. “Did the professor anticipate finding this stuff? I don’t recall him mentioning any other treasure outside the necklace.”

“Apparently he thought there was a chance. He wasn’t really interested in finding anything except the necklace and he didn’t want to make promises he wasn’t certain he could keep.”

“But Talmadge must have known. And he must have been convinced the professor would succeed. And now you are telling me Talmadge has these items in his possession. The professor must be insane.”

“Naive, I think. Apparently he trusts the baron completely. I’m beginning to think the man is innocent of your suspicions. I don’t think Professor Harmon has enough guile to be involved in any sort of swindle.”

A thread of relief filtered through him. “I hope you’re right. I’m beginning to like the old man.”

“According to Mrs. Wilmot, who apparently overheard their conversations, Miss Harmon has tried on several occasions to persuade her father to be a bit more circumspect where the baron is concerned. Obviously, it hasn’t done any good.”

“If Talmadge has won Harmon’s trust so completely, he must have done so some time back.” Rand clamped a hand on Percy’s shoulder. “Perhaps, my friend, you have just uncovered the baron’s scheme. The professor’s finds thus far must be worth a great deal of money. It never occurred to me the man’s goal was so simple. Raise the money, use it to find the treasure—then simply steal it. If his plan succeeds, he’ll never have to work again.”

Percy looked uncertain. “If that was his intention, the risk of failing would have been high. There was no guaranty the professor would find anything at all on the island.”

“True. And Talmadge isn’t a man given to taking risks.” He rubbed the side of his jaw. “Still, the money was hardly his own. He had nothing to lose but time__

and a fortune in gold and jewels to gain should the venture prove successful.”

“Assuming you’re correct, how do we prove it? And what do we do to stop him?”

“That, my friend, is a very good question.” Rand hefted his musket and Percy did the same. As they started along the trail, Percy’s voice floated forward from behind him.

“You might also be interested to know he is seeing the servant girl, Maruba. Apparently, they have an arrangement of sorts.”

Rand stopped and turned. “My, you are a wealth of information today. An interesting tidbit. Perhaps in some way it might prove useful. At present, however, even catching Talmadge isn’t my main concern. I’m far

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