“It’s a chest I found under the oak tree,” Drystan said.
“On the Evans’s estate?”
“On your father’s.”
He vibrated with barely contained excitement.
“You’ve opened it?” Her voice was hoarse, but not because of sleep or the late hour, but from some emotion she couldn’t contain. It wasn’t happiness or excitement, but fear. It was an ugly small chest, but it seemed monumental to her.
“I know what’s inside,” he said. “It’s as if someone from the past knew you’d need it.”
Eyeing the container warily, she said, “I don’t want to know.”
Hands on the lid, he said, “What?”
At his incredulous expression, she realized her words and the reason she gave them. “You say it’s somethingIneed. What about you?”
“Perhaps I should have shown you instead.” He flung the lid open.
Inside, coated with years of whatever the tree had deposited in it, was some gem surrounded by silver. Not exactly a broach or a ring, but a piece of unfinished jewelry. It would take cleaning to know what the piece was meant to be or the value.
She gasped, and Drystan grinned.
“It was under the tree waiting for me to find it. Perhaps it was the extra rain we’ve had the last two years, shifting the land around there, perhaps it was my—” He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter, but I found it, and it’s enough to turn Galoncryf’s fortunes around. All you need to do is show it to your father tomorrow and tell him you don’t wish to marry John. How could he refuse you then?”
This was why she didn’t want him opening it. Because from his excitement, from the fierce light in his eyes, she knew he found a solution to saving her again. Over the years, that’s what he’d always done, hadn’t he?
She liked her games, and they never truly harmed anyone. Many of the servants laughed at her ways. They had enjoyment when a jest was played and even suggested a few for her to do on someone else.
Oh, but when she’d gone too far, when accidents happened, Drystan was there to help her. Never again would he sacrifice for her. She’d done her duty and accepted consequences already this night, and she’d do it again.
“Drystan, this is enough for you.”
“It’s not mine.”
“There are laws—”
He placed his hand on her wrist. “I know of the treasure laws. I’m not a descendant of your family, and I think it was intended to be found. It was buried under a tree. This is not something that can be accidentally dropped by a passer-by.”
“But none of us know of its existence.” She wrenched her hand away from his. She wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself for her sake. Her marrying John or a neighbor was always to be her fate. This man before her would never be hers. No manner of coin would change that. Her father would simply take the fortune, and Drystan would still not be worthy.
Slamming the lid down, she continued, “Take it and go, get far away from here. You could have your own estate with the ideas you have to be prosperous. You could marry, have children…”
Stepping toward her again, he brushed his mud-crusted fingertips against her cheek. “What are you implying? You are saying words meant to push me away, but your eyes…. I hardly dare hope what you are showing me in those eyes of yours.”
“Save yourself, Drystan. There’s no saving my fate or saving us.”
“Us?” He clasped her arms. “Could your words mean you care for me?”
Her heart suffered twice again! If he kept looking at her with those longing eyes, she knew it’d give out on her. No, it’d soar higher than it already was. She wasn’t mistaken before; there was something between them. And if so…she’d tell him her feelings as she should have done earlier.
“Care for you?” she said. “I more than care for you.”
Some sound escaped his chest. His hands brushed down her arms to clasp her hands, only to go back up to her shoulders. He moved as if he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. She knew how he felt.
“Saving your life, saves mine, don’t you know? I would be nothing without your happiness.” Drystan swallowed hard, and she watched the cords in his neck move with the rhythm of his action. She wanted…she wanted to press her lips right there.
“I love you, Elizabeth,” he continued. “I’ve always loved you. I know I shouldn’t—”
