Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“So, the happiest outcome is that Van Arsdale wants to surpass his rival and gain fame from a donation to the British Museum?”
“Yes, that’s what we’re betting on.” Dom shot Tess a smile.
Tess knew her own smile was weak and uncertain because hearing it spoken aloud in Miss Prince’s sharp, firm tone reminded
her that they were putting a great deal of hope in Gordon Van Arsdale believing acclaim would come from giving this find to
a British museum rather than creating his own.
“And the worst outcome,” Miss Prince went on, “is that he fires all of us, hires new excavators, and ships it all back to
America anyway.” She turned a look her brother’s way. “And the papers will report that the Princes were dismissed from one
of the most extraordinary finds in English archaeological history.”
Tess had been standing, her back to the window and the old oak, but now she made her way to the settee opposite her brother and Dominic and slumped down.
“I don’t think the odds are in our favor,” she admitted in a low tone, loath to say it and yet determined to get the words
out. “And I hate thinking that this might tarnish your family’s reputation or future opportunities. It seems too great a risk.”
Lifting her head, she looked first at Tristan and then the man she’d fallen completely in love with. “I think perhaps the
best course of action is continuing on the dig under the terms we all initially agreed.”
“But you’re not on the dig anymore,” Tristan pointed out. “I suggest we rectify that at the very least.” He turned toward
Dominic. “You can arrange that, yes?”
“Of course, but—” Dominic stood up from the settee and then approached his sister. “What was that play you saw last year and
adored?”
Miss Prince arched one brow at him, then frowned as if she was beholding a madman. “Mr. Wilde’s play? The Importance of Being Earnest. How can that possibly be relevant?”
“Yes, and it is relevant because despite the title, everyone is pretending to be something they’re not to get what they want.”
“The point of the play is that it was a bad idea, Dominic.”
“Nonsense. It was a comedy and it all worked out in the end.”
Miss Prince’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I’m a terrible liar. You know that.”
“We’ve both held our noses with clients and even with Papa when he did something dreadful through the years.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“We can part ways on this. You and I.” Dominic glanced at Tess, and there was such hopefulness in his eyes that Tess felt it too. “We’ll attempt our idea. If you like, you can tell Van Arsdale that you disagree wholeheartedly.” He tipped a crooked smile. “Which, in some ways, you do.”
“I don’t.” Miss Prince shook her head. “I just don’t think it will work and that it will cost us this opportunity.”
“Right, but my idea is that it need only cost one of us. You needn’t even disagree. You must only remain staunchly in favor
of whatever the Van Arsdales want.” Dominic shrugged. “If it goes our way, you’ll tell them how beloved they’ll be for their
donation. If it doesn’t, assure them that your preference was always to see their American museum established.”
“You’re asking me to betray you?”
Dominic placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Eve, it’s not betrayal. It’s an insurance policy. One of us must continue
on this dig. And you, most of all, have spent years suspecting we’d find a hoard here.”
“You won’t be happy walking away from this dig, Dominic. I know you better than that.” She slid a glance at Tess and smiled.
“But I also know there’s now something far more important to you.”
Tess watched him as his expression remained decisive, unwavering, and then he fixed his gaze on her. Though they weren’t standing
next to each other, she felt that look of his as a cascade of love and warmth that washed over her.
“And you, Miss Hawthorne,” Miss Prince added, drawing Tess’s attention away from Dominic. “What will you think of me if I
side with the Van Arsdales?”
Tess approached and twined her arm with Dominic’s. “I agree with your brother. One of us—” A thought struck Tess and she turned
back to Tristan.
“I’d prefer to stay on the dig too,” he told her, as if he could read the unspoken question.
“Then we divide.” Dominic’s voice had taken on a firmer tone. “At least as far as the Van Arsdales are concerned. And then
we can be sure that at least part of our soon-to-be-joined families can be a part of this historic dig.”
“We just have to hope Gordon Van Arsdale believes siblings would oppose each other this way.”
“He’ll believe it.” It was the one aspect of their plan that Tess did not doubt. “Van Arsdale thinks everyone is motivated
by money. If anything, he’ll realize that Miss Prince and Tristan no longer need to divide their payments.”
Eveline Prince eyed her brother and then smiled softly at Tess. “I am hoping the two of you succeed and we can all take part.
I truly am.”
“So are we,” Dominic told her and then bent to press a kiss to Tess’s forehead.
She felt it to her toes. And though they’d all just agreed to divide, she felt they’d gained allies.
Next, they had to inform Lord Fenbridge of their plan.