Page 88 of Four Promises to Love

The Hawks marched into the room, and Finn tamped down her tears.

“Blimey.” Caleb sounded impressed. “You found this chamber through a vision?”

“No,” Finn admitted. “Owen showed it to me.”

“Did you have a vision?” Tansy hopped over the stone floor, avoiding the cracks. “Do you know where the tre—I mean, the next clue is?”

“Nothing is coming to me.” Finn balled her hands, unable to hide her frustration. “I am trying, but Rose isn’t responding. I don’t know what I am doing wrong.”

Taking her hand, Owen gently unfurled her fingers.

“Perhaps it has naught to do with you,” he said. “Didn’t you say that the spirits decide when and how they wish to reveal themselves and you are a mere conduit?”

“You were paying attention?” Finn couldn’t help but ask.

“When it comes to you, I have always paid attention.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, and the smile in his eyes was worth the grief her gang was sure to give her later.

“If the spirits aren’t feeling chatty, we can do this the old-fashioned way.” Caleb was surveying the space as he rolled up his sleeves. “We’ll split up the chamber and leave no stone unturned.”

Two hours later, Owen was ready to admit defeat. He was hot, his shirt clinging uncomfortably to his damp skin. The caldarium had become stifling as the entire group packed in and combed over every inch. They’d searched every nook and cranny. Now he, Ethan, and Xenia were going through an alcove for the second time.

“The blasted clue isn’t here.” Ethan mopped his forehead with his cravat. “We’ve looked under every stone, in every crevice—and even searched the pool. We should stop and regroup.”

Owen agreed. Yet when he looked at Finn, he saw not just desperation in her eyes but despair. She’d taken the responsibility of uncovering Rose’s secrets seriously, and no matter what he said, she viewed this as a personal failure.

“Looking one last time won’t hurt,” he said.

“Speak for yourself,” Ethan grumbled. “My back aches.”

“Your back aches?” Xenia grimaced, placing a hand on her belly.

“Are you uncomfortable, pet?” In a blink, Ethan went from grouchy to solicitous. “This is far too strenuous for your condition. You must rest and take some tea.”

“A break does sound agreeable,” Xenia said.

“Please rest. You’ve done enough.” Looking around the room, Owen saw the weary faces. “In fact, I think everyone could use a break.”

It didn’t take much convincing. Ethan and Xenia’s departure prompted an exodus to the pump room, where Miss Letty had laid out refreshments. Only Finn refused to leave. She remained on her hands and knees, running her fingers along the floor seams. Sighing, Owen knelt beside her.

“You need to rest,” he said.

“I can’t.” She shook her head, her gaze fixed upon her task. “I have to find the next clue.”

“You are not going to do it by exhausting yourself.”

He cupped her jaw, turning her to look at him—and was shocked to see the sheen in her eyes.

“Finn, what is going on?” he asked with concern. “Why are you pushing yourself so hard?”

“I…I cannot let everyone down.”

Frowning, he tried to understand. “Because your reputation is at stake, you mean?”

“No. It is more than that.” A tear wended down her cheek. “People are depending upon me, and I cannot fail them.”

“The burden is not yours alone, love.” He thumbed away the tear and the one that followed. “We will solve the clues together.”