Page 56 of The Dare Before Christmas

Jules glowered at their joined hands and then at Barnaby. “Godwin, I always thought you a decent sort, so I’ll give you precisely two minutes to explain why you and Victoria look so dishevelled, and where the hell you’ve been, before I pound an answer out of you.”

“Stand down, Jules,” came a wryly amused voice as the duke placed a hand on his eldest son’s shoulder. “They’re engaged. Though, I admit, Barnaby, I would like an explanation as to why you both look so disreputable.”

“We found the treasure, that’s why,” Victoria said, quite unable to keep the triumphant grin from her face. She didn’t think she’d be able to stop smiling for weeks, perhaps months, such was her delight and happiness in the events of the past hour.

Their friends crowded around them with an eruption of exclamations and questions.

It took the duchess to bring some order to things and herd everyone back into the house so that Victoria and Barnaby, who were feeling decidedly chilly now, could warm up and have a cup of tea.

“Engaged!” Emmeline shrieked, tugging at Victoria’s arm and practically bouncing on the spot! “When? What happened? Was it terribly romantic?”

“Just now, just before we found the treasure,” Torie said, hugging her friend. “And yes, it was perfect. The most perfect moment I could possibly have imagined. Oh, Em, I’m going to marry Barnaby. Isn’t it marvellous?”

“Marvellous!” Emmeline agreed, hugging her back and laughing, tears in her eyes, sharing in Torie’s joy in the way only a true and dear friend could.

“Yes, yes, marvellous, very romantic. Congratulations. Now, for heaven’s sake, Torie, show us the blasted treasure!” Jules demanded.

Torie stuck her tongue out at her brother and marched past him, into the parlour as everyone else followed her in. She went directly to the chair beside the fireplace and sat down, with Barnaby standing beside her, such pride in his eyes as he did so that she felt a little giddy.

Once everyone was settled and she had their undivided attention, she began her story, starting with the first time they had found the chapel, but leaving out anything she deemed too personal.

“So that’s why you ran out in such a flurry!” Evie said, when Torie explained the moment when she’d realised where the treasure was hidden.

Torie nodded, looking a little sheepish. “I’m sorry, Evie, I know I ought to have told you then, but….”

Evie waved this away. “Nonsense. I shouldn’t have told me either, if I were you. It was your adventure, your discovery. Though, I have to say, Torie, I am dying of curiosity. What was the treasure? I shall burst if you don’t tell us at once!”

Torie glanced up at Barnaby, who was staring at her adoringly and grinning like a bedlamite. “Go on then, love. Put them out of their misery.”

With a laugh, Torie took the remarkably heavy weight from her cloak pocket and carefully unwrapped the necklace from the clean handkerchief Barnaby had supplied for the purpose. She held it aloft and the astonishing jewellery swung back and forth, the massive ruby and encircling diamonds glittering in the lamplight. The room erupted, their friends and family all eager to get a better look and exclaiming with excitement. Torie was congratulated and feted, though she tried to explain that Barnaby had been as much the discoverer as she had. Naturally, her modest fiancé waved this away as nonsense.

Once everyone had settled down again, Torie got to her feet and went to Evie. “This is yours now, Evie.”

Evie gasped, staring at her. “Oh, no! But, Torie, you found it. We might never even have looked if not for your interest. I thought it was an old wives' tale, and—”

“No,” Torie shook her head. “Barnaby and I have discussed this, and the jewel belongs here. The heart belongs with Heart’s Folly. It must have been a gift from Mr Payne to his beloved wife. After all, if the man built her this wonderful home, it’s just the sort of thing he would do. So it deserves to remain here, with you, with a woman who is as adored by her husband as Mrs Payne was.”

“And with a bit of luck, you’ll have as many daughters,” Barnaby said, grinning slyly. “Six, was it, Torie?”

“Seven, I think,” she replied, snorting as Evie’s eyes grew round and even Louis looked a little startled.

“That is the most remarkable gift, Lady Victoria,” Louis said, sliding an arm about Evie’s waist and pulling her close. “And you may rely on the fact I could not adore the lady of the house more, no matter how many daughters she produces, though I am happy to try for seven. I think we ought to have at least a son or two in there as well, though, mon amour,” he added gravely.”

Evie gave a bark of laughter. “You do, do you? Dreadful creature,” she said fondly.

“It needs rather a good clean,” Torie said, handing over the necklace. “It’s still a bit sticky.”

“It’s wonderful,” Evie said, sounding choked.

Louis handed her a handkerchief with an expression of tender amusement. “She’s the most appalling watering pot these days,” he said as Evie snatched it from him with a disapproving sniff.

“Well, I think I had better get cleaned up,” Torie said ruefully.

“Me too,” Barnaby said, looking down at his dusty trousers with dismay. “I’m afraid I shall run out of clothes soon. I had no idea this trip would be so hard on my wardrobe.”

“You are looking thoroughly disreputable,” Aunt Hester agreed, looking him up and down with a pained expression. “So run and change quickly, before your lovely fiancé goes off the idea of marrying such a ne’er-do-well.”

“Oh, I shan’t do that, no matter how he looks. And it’s my fault, in any case,” Torie said stoutly.