Chapter 1

The walls of Castleton were closing in on him.

At least, that was what it felt like, with the weight of his responsibilities pressing him into the very ground he tread, and the life he had been doomed to from birth stretching out before him.

And there didn’t seem to be anything he could do about it.

He had considered whether he should fake his own death. Allow his brother to become the Duke of Sheffield. He was far better suited for the position. Edward’s entire childhood might have been preparing him to become one of the most powerful men in England, but that didn’t change the fact that Arthur was the one who possessed the temperament for the role.

“If only we were twins,” Edward said aloud now, causing his brother to look up from where he was bent over a ledger in the corner of the study. A study that was now Edward’s, but it was Arthur who utilized it for its true purpose.

“Why would you desire such a thing?” Arthur murmured, pushing his spectacles up his nose.

“If we were identical, we could switch positions and no one would ever be the wiser. How unfortunate that we look so different.”

Arthur snorted and turned back to his ledger. “How would you capture the attentions of all your women if you looked like me?”

“I never said we should look like you,” Edward countered with a chuckle, “but you know that if you actually looked a woman in the eye, they would be far more interested than with this standoffish air you have about you. Besides, it’s not my dashing good looks that entice the young ladies. It’s my title and fortune.”

“You’ll have to choose a wife eventually,” Arthur said, ignoring Edward’s analysis of his inability to speak to women.

“Not necessarily,” Edward said with a shrug. “You can also carry on the line.”

“Do not pass those responsibilities onto me,” Arthur said. “Besides, Mother intends for you to marry Lady Jane.”

Edward snorted. “I have no intentions of marrying her.”

“Why not?” Arthur asked in a strangled voice.

“Because she practically flees when she sees me,” Edward said, before pointing a snide gaze toward Arthur. “Besides, how could I marry her when you are in love with her?”

Arthur’s jaw dropped open. “I am not.”

“No need to lie,” Edward said. “It is not your words. It is how you look at her, how you act around her. You should tell her how you feel.”

“No thank you. She is your betrothed.”

“She is not my betrothed. That is a scheme of another’s doing.” Time to change the subject. “You would make a much better father than I ever would.”

“You would be a fine father if you ever stayed in one place.” Arthur set his pen back within the inkwell now, turning around and giving Edward his full attention. “You do know that you can no longer go running about the world. You have responsibilities here now.”

“Do I really, though?” Edward said, winging up one of his generous eyebrows. “Why do I have to stay when you enjoy all of this so much?”

Arthur sighed, folding his arms across his chest. “I cannot take your seat in the House of Lords. I cannot make final decisions for you. And I will not be the one responsible for all who are under your authority. I will, however, help you as I have been doing. But only if you stop all of your nonsense.”

“Arthur, don’t be like that,” Edward said, tilting his head and looking at his brother imploringly from his seat on the corner chaise lounge, where he had been resting his head. Edward leaned back against it now, closing his eyes. “I can bring the family much fortune.”

“We already have a fortune,” Arthur said, exasperation evident in his tone. “Do not insult me by thinking I would fall for that. I know you far too well.”

“Very well,” Edward said, his hand falling to the side, and he opened his eyes, meeting his brother’s gaze. “But you know why I do what I do. It is the excitement that drives me. The thrill of discovery. Who would I be if I was not on the hunt of my next treasure?”

“You are Edward Sutcliffe, Duke of Sheffield. That is who you are. Nearly every other man in this country would give anything to take your place.”

“They can have it.”

Arthur snorted. “And you would take the life of a working man? Tied to one place without means to travel a few towns over, let alone across the continent?”

Edward bit his lip contritely. “I see what you are saying, Arthur, and I do know the privilege I possess.” He pulled out the piece of paper that had been in his pocket but primarily on his mind, twirling it around in his fingers.

“What do you have there?” Arthur asked, always perceptive.

“Nothing.”

“Edward.”

“Very well. I received some information.”

“From whom?” Arthur asked with suspicion he had every right to hold.

“From a friend high in the Spanish ranks.”

“And what does this friend have to say?”

“Oh, you are curious,” Edward said with a grin.

“Not really.”

“Come now. Admit it.”

“I will not.”

“Arthur,” Edward said. “Confess that you want to know, and I will tell you.”

Arthur pressed his thumb and forefinger against his temples. “Very well. I am curious about what the note holds. Happy?”

“Yes, actually,” Edward said, enjoying needling his brother far too much. “The note sent to me included a rumor of a sunken Spanish ship. Apparently, however, before the ship went down, it was boarded by pirates.”

“And?”

“And,” Edward said, leaning forward in excitement, “the pirates absconded with the one million four-doubloons the ship was carrying, along with a shipment of silver.”

Arthur stilled, his shock greatly satisfying.

“Why was a ship carrying such a great fortune?”

“The silver and gold was being transported to Spain from mines in Potosí. At first it was thought the treasure went down with the ship, but apparently that is not so.”

Arthur sat back, tenting his fingertips together.

“Then where is it?”

“Somewhere in Spain. My friend said there are suspicions of a betrayal – that the pirates were working for a man who kept it for himself.”

“It would need quite a hiding spot.”

“So it would.”

“Let me guess – you intend to find it?”

Edward leaned forward. “It has been almost an entire year since Father died, and I can no longer hide behind mourning his loss. I will take that few months, find this treasure, and then I will be done with that life, Arthur. I swear it. I just need you to cover for me while I search for this. It should be straightforward. One last time, Arthur. I promise.”

Arthur eyed him with a look that told him he didn’t entirely believe him, but Edward hoped his earnestness that this would be the last time was evident. He just needed his brother’s help. His heart beat as he waited for his answer, the thrill of excitement of the chase already building.

When Arthur sighed and ran his hand through his hair, Edward’s heart jumped. He had him.

“Very well,” Arthur said, shaking his head as though already upset with himself. “One last time.”

“Thank you!” Edward said, jumping from the chaise as new life filled him, and he skipped over to Arthur and took his head between his hands before laying a smacking kiss on his forehead, causing Arthur to flinch. “You will not regret this.”

“I already do,” was all Edward heard as he practically ran from the study.

He had planning to do.

Mariana strolledout to the balcony, allowing the sun to wash over her and warm her through as she leaned against the stone to look out at the Bay of Biscay. It was a clear, calm day and, finally, Mariana felt as at peace as the scene before her.

It was hard to fathom that she lived in this palatial estate alone, but her husband’s family preferred Madrid – which was perfectly fine with her. She had no wish to spend time with any of them.

She was free of Javier. That was all that mattered. There was nothing his family could do to control her again, she told herself, setting her jaw. She would be sure of it.

She had endured enough in the short years they had been married. Now, as terrible as it was, Mariana couldn’t help the relief that he was gone.

“Mariana!”

She turned, her loose hair flying in the wind as she heard her name called from below. That was odd – she wasn’t expecting anyone.

“Raquel?”

Her friend was the only person her staff would allow entrance without alerting her.

“I’m sorry,” her friend said, her chest rising and falling hard when she appeared after her quick ascent of the stairs. “I have surprised you.”

“Perhaps, but you are always the most wonderful of surprises,” Mariana said with a smile. “Where are the children?”

Raquel was the wife of one of the wealthiest local merchants. Keeping herself so far from the capital, there were few people Mariana was in contact with who were of similar station to herself. She and Raquel had quickly noted their kinship when they had met, and she enjoyed spending time with her friend’s young family.

Javier had been horrified when he had discovered their friendship, but it no longer mattered what Javier thought.

“With the tutor,” she said with a smile. “I thought I would steal away some time with you.”

“Please do,” Mariana said, leading Raquel to the balcony. “I was just wondering what I was going to do with myself all day.”

Raquel took a seat and lay back, closing her eyes in the sun, taking what would likely be one of the few moments of peace in her day. “Have you heard from the brother?”

“I have not,” Mariana said, taking a seat across from her friend. “For months now, I have been told that he would arrive any day to begin overseeing this estate, but fortunately for me, he seems to prefer the city. Perhaps I shall be able to live the rest of my days here in San Sebastian without interference.”

“That would be wonderful, would it not?”

“It would.”

Mariana tapped her foot impatiently against the stone floor of the balcony, and after a moment she could feel Raquel’s gaze upon her.

She turned her way. “What is it?”

“Are you happy, Mariana?”

“Of course,” Mariana said quickly.

“But are you truly happy? Now that you have had time to live without Javier, are you able to find joy in your day?”

Mariana didn’t immediately answer, instead turning her head to look back out over the sea. The pale blue sky melded into the blue-green of the ocean in the distance, the beach stretching out to meet the tide.

She knew to what Raquel was referring, and the truth was, she had felt the stirrings deep within herself. Stirrings for something… more. She just didn’t know what that more was.

“I have everything I could ever ask for,” she began slowly, cautiously. “A beautiful home. Wonderful friends. Enough funds at my disposal that I can do as I please.”

“But?”

“But, for one, it could all be taken away from me in a moment if Javier’s brother so chooses. I would have the inheritance from my father to live off of should it be necessary, but nothing here is permanent.”

“Is that all?”

“And I am alone,” Mariana said, dropping her head. She hadn’t wanted to admit it, even to herself, but Raquel’s probing brought out the truth. “While I will admit to you and to you alone that I am happy to be rid of my husband, I do not have any children with him, although truth be told, perhaps that is a good thing for I have no further ties to his family. My parents have passed, and my sisters are happily married with their families on opposite sides of Spain. I do not want to be a burden upon them. I married a marqués – I was the one who was supposed to take care of the family.”

Raquel pushed herself back and forth in the rocking chair as she studied Mariana.

“Your sisters have their own families. The only person you must look after now is yourself.”

Mariana hated that Raquel was seeing this side of her, but, if she was going to open herself up to anyone, it would be her closest of friends.

“So what do I do now?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.

“I suppose you look for any opportunities that come your way.”

“I’m not sure I know what that means.”

“It means that you never know what you’re going to find.”

“I do not venture far from here.”

“Well,” Raquel said with a shrug. “Just maybe something will find you instead.”