Page 113 of Four Promises to Love

Finn could practically hear his thoughts.

I do not know who you are, nor do I trust your spiritual tomfoolery. Know that I will not stand idly by and allow you to hurt my son or the rest of my family. I will be watching you.

Beneath his flinty gaze, Finn felt her bravado deflating. She wanted to label him a condescending prig…but she knew that wasn’t true. He simply cared about his family and would do what was required to protect them. In truth, he’d passed on those admirable traits to Owen.

Moreover, he wasn’t wrong. Finn had been lying to Owen—to all the Harringtons. She was going to hurt Owen. Her chest constricted as she contemplated hurting all the people at this table: Xenia, Gigi, Evie, and their husbands. They’d taken her and the Hawks under their wing and shown nothing but kindness and generosity. More than anything, she yearned to be deserving of their trust. She wished that her playacting could be real—that she could be Owen’s love, his bride, even the mama of his children.

After I tell him the truth, will any of that be possible?

“This emerald ring sounds extraordinary,” Lady Blackwood was saying.

“We’ll show it to you, Mama,” Xenia said. “Ethan is keeping it in the iron box in his study. According to Mr. Walford, an expert on the village’s history, the ring is part of a parure.”

“And solving the final clue will lead you to the rest of the jewels?” Lady Blackwood inquired.

“We believe so,” Gigi said.

She picked up a fork for the course being served, and Finn quickly chose the same.

“More importantly, the clue says that Felix Pearce left his last confession with the jewels. We think he was a witness to what happened to Rose and Thomas, and once we uncover the truth, we will break the curse,” Gigi finished.

Lord Blackwood raised his brows. “How close are you to solving the riddle?”

“We have hit an impasse,” she admitted. “However, Finn suggested that the lies mentioned in the clue might have to do with Felix Pearce. And maybe his confession, as he put it, is hidden at his final resting place. The trouble is we don’t know where that is. We’ve searched the family plot at the churchyard, and there was no sign of him.”

“Since the family hid him away his entire life, they likely did so in death as well,” Lady Blackwood murmured.

“Precisely. Our next step is to do a thorough search of the properties owned by the Pearces. Unfortunately, they had vast holdings over the years. Fortunately, I have a connection to the fellow who now owns most of them.”

Gigi smiled sweetly at her husband, who rolled his eyes.

“The most likely location is the Pearce manor,” Grantley said. “Since Abel Pearce and his family vacated the premises, it has been sitting empty. The estate is sizeable and finding a grave, especially if it was intended to be hidden, will not be easy. There are also other properties to search. The old mill, for instance, and buildings along the village square.”

“I would be happy to lend a hand,” the marquess said. “After the delightful repast Xenia has provided, the exercise would do me good.”

“I shall go with you,” his wife said. “I find the notion of a treasure hunt quite exhilarating.”

“We can split up to cover more ground,” Gigi said excitedly. “Owen and Finn could accompany Grantley and me to the Pearce manor, if that suits you both?”

At Owen’s inquiring look, Finn hesitated. If this led to the discovery of the jewels, she needed to be present. But she also had matters to settle with Caleb now that he’d had time to, hopefully, cool off.

“I would like to help,” she said. “Perhaps I could return to Pell House first and assess the damage?”

“We have been informed about the attack on your young assistant.” Lord Blackwood’s countenance darkened. “Dreadful business. Ethan and James, you both know the local authorities. Have you summoned them to hunt down those scoundrels?”

“There is no need,” Finn said hastily. “The villains are unlikely to return.”

“That is beside the point.” Lord Blackwood gave her a stern look. “The terrorizing and abduction of children cannot be condoned. The blackguards must be brought to justice. If law and order is not upheld, we will be overrun by swindlers and rogues.”

Finn counted her lucky stars that his lordship didn’t know who he was sharing a table with.

Lord Ethan spoke up. “I’ve sent word to Constable Rawlins, Papa. He is investigating the matter.”

Anxiety swarmed Finn. She told herself that Carver’s men were likely back in London. The country authorities would have no hope of finding, let alone apprehending, them in the rookery ruled by Carver.

“Since that is settled, back to my plan,” Gigi said. “James and Evie, will you escort Mama and Papa to the mill? And Ethan and Xenia can head to the square⁠—”

“I’m afraid I must excuse myself.” Xenia’s smile was apologetic. “As much as I’d like to help, I am feeling a bit peaked.”