“Are you sisters?” Andrea asked.
“Now we are,” Isabella said as she smiled at Charlotte. “I’ve been her companion since we were young girls. We did everything together.”
“Maurice trained Charlotte. She’s an excellent archer,” Isabella said. “We both listened to him tell us about his adventures in Tunis during the Crusades. Many times, his stories proved his point about one thing or another: archery, wine, or life. The stories I liked most were the ones about the items he brought back from the Holy Land: holy relics and the recipe for blending wine.”
Chapter Two
Tunis? From the Holy Land? Andrea’s ears perked. That explained some of the lovely items that decorated the room. She had no doubt about their authenticity and hoped for an opportunity to examine each one.
“What types of things did your grandfather bring back?” Andrea set the goblet down, the wine forgotten as she waited for Charlotte to respond.
“All you have to do is glance around the room.” Donald put his goblet down and rose. Stepping in front of her, he extended his hand.
Andrea looked into his eyes. She couldn’t help but notice him when she and her uncle entered. His brothers were dark haired, but Donald was blond and inviting. His eyes held a bit of mischief she found enticing. Andrea rose and placed her hand on his arm. Donald maneuvered her toward the shelf and handed her an ivory carving.
The piece was made of two elephant tusks that were split, delicately carved, and embedded with semi-precious stones. Metal rings joined the two pieces.
“This is a book cover. These are the holes where the cover attached to the binding.” She handled the piece with care and showed Donald.
“I had no idea. The piece was a gift to my grand-père from the Templars for his service in Tunis,” Charlotte said, looking at the precious cover.
“If you are patient, my niece can tell you the place the carving came from and the year it was made.” DuClare sat with the others, his chest puffed out.
“I am only a scholar interested in the investigation and research of antiquities,” she said, returning the cover to its place on the shelf.
“Andrea is too modest,” DuClare said. “She is an expert who is sought after by many to verify their treasures.”
“You have my thanks, Uncle. You are my best defender.”
Donald leaned close to her. “A book cover. We found the item hidden away in a decorated box in a secret room.”
Did he really expect her to accept that story? A mysterious box hidden in a secret room. She wasn’t easily deceived and had to control herself not to laugh.
“You doubt me. I suppose you give me no choice but to prove myself.”
He went to the other bookcase, opened a small door, and put in his hand. Moments later she heard a soft click and jumped when the cabinet moved. Donald swung the furniture on its hinges and revealed the secret room.
“M’lady.” Donald bowed and ushered her inside.
The man had an I-told-you-so look in his eyes and a delightful smirk on his lips that, for a moment, demanded to be kissed.
Andrea came to a halt and blinked a few times, shocked at the very idea.
“Is something wrong?” He leaned close. “The darkness perhaps?” The concern on his face touched her and having his full attention made her self-conscious. She tempered her reaction and gave him more thought.
“Not at all.”
Donald, a man not to be overlooked in a crowd, moved with a commanding grace. He was handsome with a boyish appearance. His garments fit him well, emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist. Although the clothes suited him, Andrea had the impression he was more comfortable in casual attire.
The nearly dark room did make her anxious, not that she would admit it, but her curiosity pushed her to stretch and peer inside. She startled when Donald lit a candle on the table near the door, then led her over the threshold.
As they walked inside, the candlelight spread and revealed a small, wood-paneled room. Andrea’s eyes skittered from one place to another as she tried to take in the surroundings all at once. Her gaze landed on tapestries of Templar knights hanging over decorative chests on two walls. Bows and swords in a vee-shaped pattern were on the other two walls. A lone chair stood next to the table in the center of the room, a decorative box the only adornment on the table.
“The two chests contain the belongings of Crusaders, Templar Knights. Maurice was close to many of the warriors. These items were important to them and when they fell, they didn’t want them touched by the nonbeliever. Maurice promised to take them with him.” Donald took a small, ornate box out of one of the chests, opened it, and showed her rings, bracelets, even a lock of hair.
Andrea examined the treasures closely while he went on. These had sentimental value but were nothing of any worth. With the reverence due them, she returned them to the box.
“He thought the families of the fallen soldiers would be comforted having their loved one’s personal items returned. Maurice saw many a wife, child, mother, or father and returned the few items he had. Unfortunately, he didn’t know to whom these belonged.”
“While in Troyes, Uncle Claude visited with the Templars. He mentioned Maurice and wasn’t surprised the brotherhood held him in high esteem. He is considered to be a devoted follower and noted soldier. I didn’t realize he served in the Crusades.”
“Is that why you were in Troyes? Searching out an ancient treasure?”
She didn’t respond. Careful. This man is not easily fooled. He was closer to the truth than he thought.
“The winery was one of the stops along the Templar trade route. This,” Donald swept his arm around the room, “is where a portion of their gold and silver was hidden. The treasure is
