Sheffield’s expression clouded. “He did not.” Sheffield drained his coffee cup before setting it down with a thud. “If you won’t give me the map, how in blazes do you expect me to be able to find this treasure and bring you back your share?”
“I don’t.”
His brows rose. Thick black brows, as black as his long hair tied back in a queue, which perfectly set off his chilly blue eyes. Light glinted off his gold hoop earring.
Her ice eaten, Harriet clutched her empty bowl with both hands to keep from shivering. “I intend to go with you.”
He didn’t snort or scoff, as she’d expected. Just stared, his blue eyes boring through her as though he could see the graying, frayed chemise beneath her best blue morning frock.
“Have you ever even been aboard a ship, Miss Chase? It will take us a week or more to sail to Corunna—each way—and then the time required to find the iglesia referenced on the map. The Wind Dancer is built for speed and carrying cargoes, not passenger comfort.”
“I was born aboard a ninety-eight-gun ship of the line, my lord, and spent the first four years of my life at sea. I will not be complaining about life aboard a civilian vessel while we are at peace.”
“But now you are not a child in the care of your parents.”
“You mean I am a young woman who must have a care for her reputation? Or are you more concerned how having an unmarried woman aboard your ship will affect your reputation?” She pushed aside her bowl and folded her hands on the tabletop, the epitome of calm and propriety. “If you are worried that I am trying to spring the parson’s mousetrap on you, my lord, I assure you that is the farthest thing from my mind. I already have an intended groom.”
Just the tiniest of lies, since Sir Percival hadn’t actually proposed. Yet. But he would. Just as soon as she had a dowry. He’d almost as much as said so.
Sheffield still didn’t look convinced. She pressed on. “My brother won’t be able to accompany us, but Betsy, my maid, will be aboard so we will be properly chaperoned at all times.” And Gabriel would make certain Mama thought Harriet was visiting Aunt Elizabeth, and that Aunt Elizabeth thought Harriet was at home with Mama. No one would know she had been gone until after she returned. And she wouldn’t have to wear breeches to carry out her plan.
Gaining her dowry, and Sir Percival, would be worth suffering through two weeks at sea in Sheffield’s company. She fingered the silver pendant on the chain around her neck. The end result would be worth any temporary discomfort.
Sheffield leaned even closer, a twinkle in his eyes, his bare index finger idly stroking a design on the back of her hand. “Admit it, Miss Chase,” he said, his deep voice soft and slow, as much a caress to her auditory senses as his finger on her skin. “You want to go on an adventure before you settle down as a respectable matron.”
Harriet tried not to smile back at his conspiratorial tone, the laughter in his eyes, or shiver from the frisson of pleasure tingling down her spine at his touch. Here was the rogue who’d supposedly seduced dozens of women. She saw why they’d succumbed to his charm.
Forewarned was forearmed. She would not be counted among his conquests. She was saving herself for Sir Percival.
“I want to retrieve my family’s share of the treasure. Nothing more, nothing less. If there were any other way to accomplish this, I would not leave my home in Brixham.”
Sheffield gave a slight harrumph and sat back.
“How soon can you have your ship and crew ready to sail, my lord?”
He shrugged. “A week, maybe less. If we don’t leave soon, winter storms will make the crossing more… "
“Dangerous?”
“Interesting.” He grinned, showing white teeth against tanned skin. They weren’t boring, perfect teeth—a small chip on one side tooth accentuated his canine teeth, lending him a wolfish air.
Harriet suppressed a shudder. “Can you be ready in less than a week?”
“Why the hurry? If we don’t go now, it will still be there come spring. If it’s still there at all. It’s already been five years since our fathers hid the treasure. We’ll be lucky if gypsies haven’t found it and made off with it.”
Harriet shifted in her seat. “There’s something I haven’t told you yet.”
Sheffield narrowed his eyes, banishing all traces of humor. “I’m listening.”
She cleared her throat. “Someone broke into our home a few days ago and rifled through my father’s effects, all his correspondence. Mother thought it was boys from the village hoping to read gory tales of the war. I’m convinced it was someone after the key that’s mentioned in one of Father’s letters. The map was gone and they stole all the keys in Papa’s desk, even the key to my music box, as well as the housekeeper’s spare key ring.”
“We don’t need a key. If it’s a locked chest, a pistol can take care of the lock. But if the thief stole the map, how are we to find the treasure chest in the first place?”
Harriet tapped a finger to her temple. “I spent many hours studying it over the years since Papa sent it home. I have drawn a copy.” She rested her hand on Sheffield’s forearm. “My lord, we need to go get our treasure before the thief claims it and it’s lost to us forever. Whatever this treasure is worth, it might be a paltry sum compared to your family’s fortune, but my family has great need of it.”
He glanced at her hand on his arm. She quickly withdrew it.
“Let me hazard a guess. The dowry for you, and education for your brother.”
