Page 27 of Tempting a Lonely Lord (The Rakes of Mayhem #6)

“Albert gathered everything we’ll need for our treasure hunt, Master Michael,” Stephen said, lifting a sturdy basket filled with various tools. Inside, a leather water skin, a few apples, and a wedge of cheese nestled among the supplies—just in case the boy grew hungry.

“Thank you, Lord Bridgewater,” Michael said eagerly. “Can Lacey come with us?”

“Of course. Lacey will enjoy herself,” Stephen assured him.

He glanced toward the tunnels, anticipation thrumming through his veins. His dream of Miles had been so vivid, so real—his brother had shown him the way, led him through the tunnels, and whispered the words that still echoed in his mind: My death was not an accident.

A lump formed in his throat, but he swallowed it down. Not now. Today was about the treasure.

“Where are the tunnels?” Michael asked, his wide-eyed curiosity unmistakable.

Lacey barked as if urging him on.

To Stephen, it was almost as though she were saying, What he said. The thought made him chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Michael asked.

Stephen crouched down, grinning. “I was just thinking of something amusing. But now it’s time to get serious.” He held up a finger. “First rule—we stick together. Rule number two—pretend we’re pirates. And what do pirates do?”

Michael’s face lit up. “Piwates have fun!” He puffed out his chest. “Lacey and me are weady !”

Lacey gave an excited bark in agreement.

Stephen gestured to the opening. “Then here’s where we begin.”

With their lanterns raised, he and Michael stepped inside, Lacey padding close at their heels. Stephen pulled the door shut behind them.

The tunnel wound and twisted beneath the earth, the damp air thick with the scent of stone and dirt. Their lanterns cast flickering light along the rough-hewn walls, illuminating shadows that danced and shifted.

“Are you all right, Michael?” Stephen asked after a few turns.

“Piwates are never afraid,” Michael declared, stepping in time to a determined marching rhythm.

Stephen grinned but said nothing more. The boy’s enthusiasm was infectious.

As they turned another corner, the tunnel suddenly opened up into a larger space. Shelves lined the walls, their wooden surfaces coated in dust and cobwebs.

“I wonder where all these tunnels lead,” Stephen mused aloud, a flicker of regret settling over him.

If only he had taken more interest in the manor and its land instead of gaming and drinking, he would have known these tunnels long ago.

“We should keep going—unless you see something we ought to investigate, Mr. Pirate,” he said, deferring to his younger companion.

Michael held up his lantern, considering the shelves. “No, I think we should walk,” he said before setting off again, Lacey trotting faithfully behind. “How much longer, do you think?”

Stephen smirked. “I don’t know, Michael. But there’s treasure down here. I can feel it. Are you with me?”

Michael’s eyes gleamed in the lantern light. “Yes, we are!” He marched ahead, then suddenly stopped, his lantern illuminating a darkened corner. “What does the tweasure chest look like?” he asked. “Does it have a hump on the top?”

Stephen’s brows lifted. “Do you see something?” Adjusting his lantern, he directed the light toward the corner. A shape emerged—a wooden chest, its surface worn and aged, covered by so much dirt that it nearly blended into the wall.

“It’s a tweasure chest!” Michael cried. “We found our tweasure!” He jumped up and down in excitement. “Look! It’s got a lock, and it’s chained to the wall!

“That’s to be expected, lad. Pirate chests are always locked,” Stephen said, chuckling. He scanned the room before grabbing a hefty rock from the floor. “Let’s see if we can do something about breaking it free from the chain.”

With a strong, deliberate strike, he brought the rock down against the rusted chain. The metal gave way with a sharp snap.

Michael bounced on his heels. “It’s weal exciting! Can we open it now?”

Stephen hesitated, eyeing the ornate design of the chest. “Perhaps we should wait until we get back to the manor house? That way, your grandmothers can see what you’ve found.”

Michael considered this, his small hands gripping one of the ornate handles. “All right,” he agreed.

The chest was heavier than either expected, but between the two of them, they managed to lift and carry it through the tunnel’s winding passages. The musty air seemed even thicker with mystery now, and Stephen couldn’t shake a nagging sense of unease.

Had they truly explored the depths of this tunnel?

According to his count of the turns, they were close to the entrance— his entrance. The one Miles had shown him in his dream.

Five more turns, and there it was. The lanterns illuminated the door, the large stone he had placed beside it still marking the way.

“We should hurry,” he said, ushering Michael and Lacey forward. “Our lanterns won’t last much longer, and I’d rather not spend the night down here.”

“Arf!” Lacey barked in apparent agreement.

Stephen pushed the door open but left the marker stone where it was—in case he needed to return. “Let’s get the treasure chest opened, Lord Stephen. I want to see all the gold and jewels.” He turned to the dog. “Isn’t that right, Lacey?”

“Arf!” Lacey seconded the sentiment.

Stephen admitted—at least to himself—that the treasure was important.

He couldn’t wait to see it. But would he find enough gold and rubies to pay his mother back?

There was so much to fix around the manor—he needed whatever money the chest could offer.

The kind of treasure he dreamed of could make a big difference in his life.

And what of Elizabeth? He couldn’t pursue her if his pockets were empty—especially if he was the cause.

If Elizabeth suspected he was still gambling, she wouldn’t want to have a relationship with him. And he dearly wanted to pursue her.

Michael stopped and looked up at Stephen. “How much farther before we can open the chest, Lord Stephen?”

“We need to keep going, Michael,” Stephen said, quelling his frustration.

As much as he enjoyed Michael, the boy could be wearing, he admitted to himself.

But not when the little bugger was biting his lower lip with determination and trudging down the stairs, clasping the handle tightly.

The two of them made it downstairs, the chest between them, just as Garrett answered the front door.

“Your Graces,” Garrett said, bowing. “Lord Dudley and Lady Connolly arrived back from the stables a few minutes ago. They are in the parlor.”

“Wonderful. Have you seen Lord Bridgewater?” the duke asked.

“He and Master Michael should be returning from their treasure hunt shortly,” Garrett replied.

“Treasure hunt?” the duke and duchess echoed in unison.

“We have just returned,” Stephen said, drawing their attention.

Harriett clapped her hands together as they appeared. “It appears you found something!”

“We need to hear more about this,” Lucas added.

“And have you opened it?” Harriett asked, her voice gleeful.

“Not yet,” Stephen said. “We thought we’d do that now in the parlor.”

Michael grinned proudly. “I bet it’s full of wubies and diamonds!” He looked around. “Where are my gwandmothers? They’ll want to see the tweasure!”

“Arf!” Lacey barked in agreement.

“You’re all just in time,” Stephen said, leading them into the study.

~*~

As Stephen set the chest on the desk, William stood, brows lifting. “Michael, I see you and Lord Bridgewater have found the treasure! Congratulations.”

“Garrett, fetch Grandmère and Grandmama,” Bella said. “Let them know Michael and Uncle Stephen found a treasure chest!”

As they waited, William, Bella, and the Dormans recounted the incident with Winterborne and the traps.

Stephen paled, shaking his head. “My God. I’m so grateful to that horse. Bella, are you hurt?”

Bella gave a small, reassuring shake of her head, but before she could respond, Stephen pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’ve no idea how devastated I’d be if something happened to you.”

He felt the strength in Bella’s embrace, the warmth of her grounding him in a way he hadn’t realized he needed. The worry that had gripped him began to ease, but the weight of what could have happened still pressed against his chest.

She stepped back slightly, looking up at him. “Uncle Stephen, I’m fine, I promise. Winterborne saved me.”

Stephen exhaled, his hands still resting lightly on her shoulders. “That horse is worth his weight in gold. And you—you’re far too precious to lose, Bella. I’ve already lost my brother. I couldn’t bear…” He trailed off, his voice rough with emotion, his expression shadowed by old grief.

Bella’s eyes softened, and she squeezed his arm. “You haven’t lost me.” Her voice was quiet but steady. “I know we’ve been distant, but I don’t blame you for anything. I want us to be close again.”

Stephen studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. “I want that too.” The words were simple, but there was a quiet resolve in them, a silent promise.

Bella smiled, her warmth piercing the barriers he hadn’t even realized he had built.

Stephen let out a shaky breath, rubbing a hand over his face before offering a faint smirk. “Well, this has been quite the day. Between treasure hunting and near catastrophes, I think I need a drink.”

Bella arched a brow, concern flickering in her eyes.

He caught the look and gave a knowing chuckle. “A proper one, mind you. Tea, perhaps. Or spiced cider.”

Her expression eased, and she squeezed his arm again. “Then perhaps we should see what’s in the chest first. Who knows? It might be worth toasting to.”

Stephen’s lips quirked into a smirk as he gestured toward the chest. “Now that, dearest niece, is a fine suggestion. I shall raise my cup of cider to whatever fortune awaits us.”

With a shared glance of anticipation, they turned toward the treasure, knowing that whatever lay inside was only part of the journey ahead.

Just then, the grandmothers entered, and Michael bounced on his heels with excitement.

“It’s time! Let’s see my tweasure !”

Stephen cast one last look at Bella, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before turning toward the chest, the moment between them sealed. The past could not be changed—but they had a future to mend.

Stephen lifted the hammer and brought it down in a swift, decisive motion. The lock shattered, and the lid sprang open.

An array of trinkets and gemstones gleamed inside.

Lucas stepped forward, sifting through the contents. He lifted one of the stones, turning it between his fingers before exhaling. “These are paste. There’s some gold, but not much.”

Stephen’s stomach sank. He had hoped—truly hoped—that the treasure was real. That it might be enough to help restore the manor, pay his debts, and perhaps even change his future.

As disappointment settled over him, Lacey suddenly jumped up, paws braced against the table, eager to inspect the so-called treasure.

“Lacey, no—”

Before anyone could stop her, the chest teetered, then toppled over the edge.

Gold trinkets and paste jewels were scattered across the floor with a clatter.

“Blast it, Lacey!” Stephen groaned, kneeling to gather the fallen items.

William crouched beside him, reaching for a few of the scattered pieces. But as Stephen lifted the overturned chest, something shifted inside.

A small, hidden compartment had popped open.

Frowning, he reached inside—and pulled out a folded, timeworn document.

He turned it over in his hands, brushing off the dust before carefully unfolding it. His brows knitted together as he scanned the faded ink.

“What is it?” William asked, leaning in.

Stephen exhaled slowly, then handed it to him. “Take a look at this.”

William took the parchment, his gaze sharpening as he studied the detailed markings. “This isn’t just any map. It appears to be a mineral map.”

Lucas stepped forward, his brow furrowing. “A mineral map? Of this property?”

The room fell silent for a beat as realization dawned.

“If this is legitimate,” Stephen murmured, his grip tightening on the edges of the chest, “a corner of the family land could be hiding a fortune in copper.”

~*~