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“But Lady Havenby is meeting us at the ball. She’ll worry if we don’t arrive on time.”
“It’s about the message he sent. It won’t take long.” Only long enough to ensure he didn’t intend to do anything rash. If something happened to him like it had her father—
“Norah.” Lena’s gaze held on her with intensity. “This isn’t just about Vanbridge or Father’s missing coin. Tell me what’s truly bothering you.”
Norah drew a quick breath. The mention of their father caused her heart to stumble. The weight of what she’d said to him the day he died threatened to crush her once again.
Lena took her hand and held it tight, her blue eyes steady though her brow was creased with worry. “It’s all right. You can tell me. I’ve known something was wrong since before we left Oak Island. It has to do with Father?”
At that, Norah’s eyes filled with tears. “I did something terrible. That last day. It was all my fault.” The words came in a rush. She couldn’t have held them back if she wanted to.
“What was your fault?”
“I argued with him that morning. I wanted to spend a few months in Montreal with my friend, Anna, and her family. But Father refused.” Her breath shuddered as her guilt overwhelmed her. “I told him the search was pointless. That he hadn’t found hardly anything all those years. That he loved those shafts and the hope of treasure more than he loved us.”
Lena gasped, her eyes wide with dismay. But she still held Norah’s hand. “Oh, Norah.”
“I know.” Norah’s tears fell. “He died because of me. I’m a terrible daughter. A terrible person.”
“No. No, you’re not. He and Mother argued about that same thing more than once. I know because I heard them.”
“You did?” Norah took the handkerchief Lena handed her and wiped at her tears. “I thought I was the only one who heard them.”
“It did feel as if he put the treasure above us. You were brave to speak your mind. Each year since Mother died, his obsession grew. You did nothing wrong other than tell him how you felt.”
“But if I hadn’t pressed him, he might have not been caught in the collapse. He would’ve been more careful. The fact that he was angry with me—”
“It wouldn’t have mattered.” The pain in Lena’s face hurt Norah’s heart. “That didn’t cause him to do anything differently that day. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what. Still, I said nothing until it was too late.” Lena squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “Living with that has been nearly impossible.”
“Lena.” Norah waited until her sister opened her eyes. “If I’m not to blame, then neither are you.” She sighed as she considered that truth. “Father lost some of his perspective when Mother died. I felt like I had to try to make him see that. Realizing I wasn’t enough to convince him to change was devastating.”
“You mean thatweweren’t enough. Ella tried to warn him about that, too.”
“I wish she were here.” Norah sniffed. “I should’ve shared this with both of you months ago.”
“It wasn’t the right time then. It is now. And we’ll share this with her when she returns.” Lena leaned forward to hug Norah, and they held each other tight for a long minute.
“Thank you for understanding. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You won’t ever have to find out. Sisters are forever.”
“Yes. Forever.” Norah drew back, her heart lighter with one exception. “Can we please stop by the museum? Simon said in his message that he intended to take action to resolve the thefts. I worry he’ll do something dangerous.”
Lena’s lips tightened. “I’m not sure if it’s wise.”
“It won’t take long. I promise. Just a few minutes, and we’ll be on our way.” Lena’s reluctant nod sent a wave of relief through her.
“Lady Havenby won’t even realize we’re late,” Norah told her after they were handed into the carriage. Still, a shiver ran along her spine when she noted the concern etched on Lena’s face. That made her worry all the more.
*
Simon stared indisbelief at the hidden panel behind the lefthand drawers of Stockton’s desk. If only he’d paid more attention when he’d searched the first time instead of focusing on the papers.
It had taken time to see the drawers were shorter than they should’ve been. After several minutes of prying, the wood panel behind them popped free. Inside were three more of the missing artifacts.
