The Treasure Hunter's Lady by Allison Merritt Read Free Book Online

I'm not mistaken.”
    She looked up at him. Regaining his senses, he retreated until he bumped into the map cabinet. Abel cleared his throat. “You are mistaken. It's an old rock I found in Texas. There's nothing here for you to see. In fact, you should be downstairs luring in a husband.”
    Her brow furrowed. “You're a terrible liar. It's a barb or fang, though I can't place what kind. Not like anything I've seen before unless it's prehistoric. It doesn't appear to be a fossil, yet it's so large.”
    The fang wasn't the only thing in the room that fell under that description. The borrowed trousers were getting uncomfortably tight. He prayed she wouldn't notice.
    His retreat didn't keep her from coming at him again. She plucked the fang from his chest and watched it gleam in the light as it dangled from the leather. She ran her finger from the top to the pointed tip. “There is a curious crack in it. What is it made of?”
    His mind raced to catch up with the conversation. “Obsidian.”
    “I doubt that very much. It's too light. I dare say it would fetch a handsome price on the market if it were a genuine artifact.” Blue eyes widened then narrowed, as she looked between him and the maps he'd lifted out of the drawer. Her coyness fell away like leaves in the fall. “You're a treasure hunter. You found out that Papa is going to search for the Diamond of Uktena, but you plan to steal it first.”
    He snatched the fang from her fingers. “Why would I want to steal a—” He gave up the pretense. “First of all, it isn't stealing if it isn't in anyone's possession. Second, I'm not a treasure hunter.”
    “Then why did you break into the party? Why are you sneaking around Christensen's house and why are you trying to hide the necklace? And it is stealing if you're going to sell a priceless artifact to the highest bidder on the black market.”
    Her curls bobbed with each question. He frowned. “I don't need a lecture from some little chit whose daddy is the biggest treasure hunter in the world.”
    Romy poked a finger into his chest. “Take it back. He's an archeologist and an adventurer. When he finds valuables he turns them over to the proper authorities.”
    He pushed her finger away. “I'll bet you a thousand dollars he's not going to do it this time.”
    Her eyes narrowed into slits, half-hidden behind a thick fringe of lashes. “You're wrong.”
    “When characters like Christensen are involved, all they care about is the money.”
    She eyed him suspiciously. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean it would be the biggest discovery of our time. Of any time. It's no mere gem, no ornament to put on a shelf.”
    "I have some knowledge of the Diamond," she defended.
    The admission was too nonchalant. Which made him wonder why she wasn't brimming with excitement about Maggard's upcoming venture. Had mere curiosity led her to follow him?
    He tucked the fang back inside his shirt. "I doubt anyone could put a price on its worth, but there are those willing to try. Christensen is one of them."
    She stared at him dubiously. "Because it's supposed to come from a mythical serpent?"
    "You really don't understand, do you?"
    "I'm not familiar with all the native legends, no. There are quite a lot of them."
    He debated telling her. It wouldn't benefit Romy to know what he was doing. After tonight it was unlikely he'd see her again.
    "Ask your father. He might know more than I do. I have to leave now. I'd appreciate it if you kept our little rendezvous quiet. It was nice meeting you. Maybe we can do it again sometime."
    He snatched up the papers, flashed a grin and started for the door. The rustle of skirts alerted him that she was right behind him, but he didn't slow down. Not until a cold metal barrel pressed against the back of his neck.
    "Stay where you are."
    Romy's voice was hard and all business. Abel raised his hands. She drew the gun back and came around to face him. The pistol was no little thing, not the type a dainty