She felt her eyes go wide as the implications showered down on her. “That means Colin-”
“Is involved. There are only two ways he could have that note. One-if he hired that bastard to steal it; or two-if Colin stole it from that bastard.”
She searched his gaze. “And which do you believe?”
“That Colin stole it from our thief,” he said without hesitation. “My brother, in addition to his many other talents, is a formidable pickpocket. Very useful during his spy days. Apparently still useful.”
Pieces clicked in Victoria’s mind as she stared at the vellum. “So you believe,” she said slowly, “that Colin somehow crossed paths with our thief, stole the letter and map from him, and has been trying to find the jewels himself-only using the wrong information…” She looked up and met Nathan’s gaze. “Except now, he not only has the real letter and map and therefore the correct information, but our grid map showing the areas we’ve already searched.”
His taut features relaxed a bit and unmistakable admiration shone in his eyes. Reaching out, he clasped her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing a warm kiss to her fingers. “My darling Victoria, have I told you that I love your ability to cleave through even the thickest fog and get right to the heart of the matter?”
Her breath caught at the intensity burning in his gaze and she shook her head. “I don’t believe you’ve ever mentioned it.”
“Consider it mentioned.” After pressing another brief kiss to her fingers, he released her hand and paced in front of her.
She watched him in silence for a full minute, his expression so troubled, her heart hurt for him. The next time he passed in front of her, she reached out and laid her hand on his arm, stopping him. “You’re thinking that Colin had something to do with the failure of the mission three years ago,” she said softly. She gently squeezed his arm in a sympathetic gesture. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, looking mildly surprised. “Actually, no, I’m not thinking that at all. Whatever faults Colin might have, he is a man of honor and integrity. Unfortunately, he also tends to be daring. I’m thinking that he somehow stumbled onto the truth of what happened three years ago and instead of telling me, he’s decided to take matters into his own hands.”
“But why wouldn’t he tell you? Enlist your aid?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I can only guess, but I’d surmise that it’s because three years ago he doubted me. I think that over the past three years, as much as he wanted to believe I was innocent of any wrongdoing, that kernel of doubt remained. When he discovered what really happened, and realized I hadn’t betrayed the mission…” He blew out a long breath. “I’m sure he was seized with guilt. Knowing him as I do, I think he’s acting on his own as some sort of self-imposed penance. A way to make up for his lack of faith in me. He wants to find the jewels, expose the traitor, and clear my name.”
She searched his gaze. “You feel this way because that’s exactly what you would do for him.”
“Yes, I would.”
“I’m barely acquainted with your brother, so as an objective observer I feel the need to point out that while you could be right-and for your sake I pray you are-it is equally as possible that you’re wrong. That Colin is responsible for everything that has happened.”
“The chances may be equal, but I’m not wrong. Which means Colin could be in grave danger.” Clasping her hand, he drew her toward the mahogany slant-top desk near the window. “I’m going to recreate the decoded letter and grid, and I want you to redraw the map. Then we’re going to study them until we figure out what we’ve missed. Figure out the best place to search next. My every instinct warns me that time is short. I don’t think we have the time to search all five of the grids left on the map.”
For the next thirty minutes the only sound in the room besides the crackle of snapping wood burning in the fireplace was the scratching of their quills on vellum. Victoria then spent the next two hours minutely studying the series of squiggles she’d drawn. They looked like gibberish. She slowly turned the vellum, looking at the lines from all angles until her eyes felt gritty.
“I’ve tried a dozen different codes, but can’t decipher anything further,” Nathan said, his voice filled with frustration. “Anything from the map?”
“No… although an idea just occurred to me.” Sitting up straighter, Victoria stared at the lines. “All along we’ve assumed that based on the words ‘rock formation’ in the letter, this drawing depicted the particular formation where the jewels were hidden. But what if it depicts something else?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps a patch of tall sea grass?”
Nathan scooted his chair closer to hers and peered at the drawing. “If it’s sea grass, we’ve either missed the jewels or Baylor’s information was wrong.” He slid over the grid map he’d recreated and pointed to the still unexplored areas. “All of the five remaining squares are inland, too far away for the sea grass to grow. But I think you may be right about this not being a drawing of the actual rock formation.”
They both studied the lines, and she mused, “What if it’s a series of trails, or paths?”
He nodded, then pointed to a spot where the lines intersected. “It could be three trails that converge here.”
Victoria looked at him with a growing sense of excitement. “Do you know of such a place on the property? Where three trails converge near a rock formation?”
He rose and paced across the room, his brows bunched in a frown. Forcing herself to remain silent so as not to interrupt his thoughts, she could almost see the wheels turning in his mind as he mentally scanned the estate’s abundant acreage.
“Near the north corner,” he muttered, then shook his head. “No, no rocks there.” He paused at the desk and again studied the grid map. “There are so many trails,” he said, shaking his head in frustration. “But nothing is coming to mind. I’ll need to think on this-” He stopped abruptly and stared at the squiggles she’d drawn. “Water,” he said. “Not dirt trails, but water. Streams.” He repeated the word “streams” a half-dozen times, each time sounding more excited. Then he pointed to one of the squares they hadn’t yet searched on the grid map, the square covering the farthest northwest end of the property.
“Here. There are three streams that converge here. It marks the boundary between my family’s property and the Alwyck estate.”
“Is there a rock formation there?”
His gaze met hers. “There are the ruins of a small stone cottage. Just three crumbling walls, no roof… by God, I think that must be it!” There was no mistaking the excitement in his voice, in his eyes. Taking her face between his hands, he pressed a hard, fast kiss to her lips then let out a short, triumphant laugh. “You’re a genius.”
“Me? You’re the one who figured it out.”
“But you provided the idea. The inspiration.” He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “I’d say we make an unsurpassedly marvelous team.”
Something in his tone, in the sudden seriousness of his gaze, curled heat through her, robbing her thoughts. Next week she would think of an outstanding reply, but for now she simply nodded.
Clearing her throat, she asked, “Shall we leave immediately for this abandoned cottage, or do you wish to wait for daybreak?”
His brows snapped down in a frown. “Victoria, I want you to stay here.”
She stepped back and his hands slipped from her cheeks. Planting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “Stay here? While you recover the jewels by yourself? I’m afraid not.”
He reached for her, but she stepped back again, eluding his grasp. “Victoria, I need to know you’re safe-”
“And I need to know
“Now that the real letter and map are no longer in my possession, anything could happen. I can’t risk having you in the middle of a possibly dangerous situation.” This time when he reached out, he caught her shoulders. “After what happened with that knife-wielding bastard…” He briefly squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed. “Your father swore me to protect you, and I won’t fail again.”
Lifting her hands, she clasped his strong forearms. “You didn’t fail the first time, Nathan. As far as I’m concerned, the safest place for me is with you. I’ve come this far on the search, I refuse to be denied seeing it through to the end. We’ve been partners all along and shall remain as such. Besides, with both of us looking, the
