“What a beautiful day!”called a feminine voice.
As one, the men all turned to look back at the tunnel entrance in time to see Miss Burrell, Miss Ebrington, and Miss Walden step into the sunshine.
The blood that had been pounding through Vincent’s veins now rushed for a different reason.He stepped back from his brothers, tugging his coat and waistcoat back into place, and swiped his fingers through his hair to shove it out of his eyes.
“You changed your mind!”Matthew cheerfully called as though the events of the last minute had not happened, striding over to Miss Ebrington.“How delightful!”He held out his arm, she tucked her hand through the crook of his elbow, and they began to stroll.
Wallace gave Vincent a scorching look before plastering an idiotic grin on his face as he called a greeting to the women.
The group walked along the beach, discussing various sightings of ghosts over the years that the Hobart brothers knew of and that Miss Walden had seen.She was surprisingly reticent in discussing the topic, Vincent thought, then realized that Miss Ebrington and Miss Burrell had not added much or asked many questions, either.Perhaps they were frightened?
A vision flashed in Vincent’s mind, a memory of Miss Walden flinging rocks in the dark cave, working steadfastly to rescue herself.
He doubted she was frightened of ghosts, real or imagined.
As if she felt his gaze upon her, her cheeks flushed.
Without meeting his stare, she pulled a watch out of her skirt pocket and consulted it.“This walk has been most enjoyable, but I need to return to work.Mrs.Digby is probably waiting for me in the library by now.”
“Agreed,” Wallace said.“It’s not wise to keep Aunt Gert waiting.”He held out his arm as he rushed to Miss Walden’s side.
It was barely noticeable, but Vincent was noticing everything about her, and saw her infinitesimal hesitation at taking Wallace’s arm.
“I’m going to fetch my workbasket and come back down to the beach while the weather is still good,” Miss Burrell said, casting a glance at the dark clouds roiling several miles offshore.The breeze indicated the storm headed inland.
“Allow me,” Xavier said, offering her his arm.
Wallace steered them to the path through the tunnel rather than up the side of the bluff.Vincent hung at the back of the group, watching the three couples, his jaw clenched.
The torch the ladies had used still burned, stuck in a sconce on the rock wall.They collected it, lit two more, and carried on.
“I remember this cave,” Xavier said with a hint of wonder as they passed an opening.“We used to play in here when the weather was stormy.”He veered into the cave entrance, and they all trooped in with him.
“We brought our tin soldiers and enacted battles in here,” Wallace said slowly, his gaze traveling around the space.“I’d almost forgotten.It’s been so long since I was here.”
Vincent stepped close to the ledge where’d he’d recently retrieved his tin soldiers, left behind so long ago.The tattered wool blanket was still there.Bunched up now, instead of spread flat, the way he’d left it.And what was that on the ground beside the ledge?It hadn’t been there before.It almost looked like a puddle of melted wax.He’d always brought torches with him, not candles.Had Davey and his cohorts been in here?To what purpose?Surely the smugglers wouldn’t be using another cave on Gert’s property so soon.
Before he could get a closer look, Miss Walden walked over to the ledge and pointed at the blanket.Her skirts hid whatever interesting bit was on the ground.“Did you leave this blanket behind as lads?Or do you think maybe the smugglers recently brought it and forgot it?”
While Wallace and Xavier debated if it was theirs or not, Vincent kept silent, knowing it was his and this was not the position he’d last left it.
“I really must be going,” Miss Burrell said, glancing toward the cave entrance.
“Yes,” Miss Ebrington agreed, passing her and going out into the tunnel.“We want to, ah, do some excavating before the day passes.”
Miss Burrell nodded vigorously.“Yes.Excavating.Exactly.”They began walking, heedless of not having one of the torches.
Matthew, Wallace, and Xavier rushed to join them.
Only now did Miss Walden reach for Vincent’s arm, and definitely led him out of the cave.Gently, subtly, but her intent was clear.
She was just in a hurry to get back to work with Aunt Gert.Right?
Vinent cast a look over his shoulder into the cave, but could see nothing in the Stygian darkness as the other three men carried the only lit torches and were already nearing the bend in the tunnel.
Aunt Gert was in the kitchen when the group emerged from the tunnel, seated at the worktable with Mrs.Bickford.Gert beamed at them as she stood.
“You’re all back!Lovely!I’ve had the most marvelous idea.Miss Burrell, Miss Ebrington, please say you’ll come to dinner tonight.Or just stay.I’ll write a note and have Bickford deliver it to your parents, letting them know you’re both still here.”Her broad smile took half a decade off her face.
