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

liquid that cures any malady. You only have to think a cure into existence."
    "Sounds like someone is telling you fairy tales. Where did you get this information?" Her eyes glittered with disapproval.
    A smile formed on his face. If she only knew. "You wouldn't have me give away all of my secrets."
    "You're right. It's not important. Fortune seekers will do anything to get information. I don't like your kind, Abel. If the Diamond does as you say, it's worth much more than the usual archeological treasure. I'll see to it that Papa has your information. To keep it safe.”
    “You can't do that, Romy,” he protested. “I have to find it before Christensen.”
    She shook her head. “I wouldn't think it very wise for you to visit this Uktena in any case. I doubt it would approve of your treacherous ways. You're safer in Boston. Better yet, back in Texas. Good-bye."
    His eyes snapped shut, waiting for the sting of the beam. Instead, a heavy blow fell on his temple. He cracked one eye as pain exploded in his head and saw the look of remorse on Romy's face as his knees gave out. Some lady, he thought as darkness closed in.
    ****
    Romy stared at Abel's crumpled form. The first man she'd ever felt attracted to, challenged by, and he was a no-good treasure hunter. Pushing her skirt out of the way, she tucked the gun back in the holster strapped to her thigh. Better safe than sorry and the weapon had come in very handy tonight. Some habits were harder to break than others.
    The fang had fallen from his open shirt collar. It gleamed with an unearthly light. Brighter than the stone he first claimed it was made from. A treasure in itself. He knew more than he was telling about the fang. Her fingers stretched toward it, but she hesitated. Curses were usually a bunch of rot designed to ward off would-be thieves. If it carried a curse, why would Abel have it? Another lie to dissuade her from helping Papa.
    She slipped it over his head, brushing his hair as she did so. The lock fell across one eye, partially obscuring the fresh bruise blooming on his temple. Even unconscious, he was as handsome as the devil.
    A glance over her shoulder told her she was still alone upstairs. Guilt niggled at her for leaving Abel in the library, but he'd left her no choice. Someone had let him in, the same someone could get him out.
    "Bye, love. Have a nice nap."
     

Chapter Five
    In spite of knocking Abel out cold, a thrill of excitement fluttered in Romy’s chest. The dirty thief would be fine, if a little dazed tomorrow. She’d been forced to do it, really. The worst that could happen was that he found himself locked up in jail for breaking and entering. No less than he deserved, because if not for her, he’d have stolen all of Christensen’s information.
    Information now in her possession and she could hardly wait to go through it. If Abel wanted these papers, then they must contain valuable knowledge. She rolled the bundle into her satchel and tucked the fang into a concealed pocket in the lining of her handbag.
    She paused in front of a long mirror frosted with more dragons. Christensen seemed to have an obsession with the silly creatures. Licking her fingers, she smoothed a few hairs into place, making a point to avoid looking at the reflection of Abel’s prone form on the carpet behind her, and pulled at the top of her bodice before walking out of the library. Romy closed the door behind her and made her way down the hall.
    She hurried downstairs, listening to the strains of string instruments. In the past after announcing a new expedition, Papa had mingled with his admirers and suppliers. Tonight the dancing had resumed and Papa was nowhere in sight. The very last thing she wanted to do was seek Imogen’s help to find him.
    A hand cupped her bare elbow and she let out a squeak of surprise. If Abel had come after her, she’d have no chance to get away from him without embarrassing herself in order to reach the Lighthouser. She spun, ready to