How unfortunate.
“Everyone survived the night, but the ship was ruined on the reef. They sent a party in a life raft to get help, and while the rest waited, Reginald spent his time with a man called Mr Smith. They were searching for something and in the end, they found it.”
Jordan leaned forward. “What was it?”
“A small chest of jewels.”
“They’ve already found the treasure?” He slumped back.
“Some of it. The sailors wanted their share, and in the scuffle there was a mutiny, and most of the remaining survivors were killed, including Reginald.”
Gretchen frowned. “That’s impossible, unless Lilian was already pregnant. But then how could he have set up the Ridge?”
Arthur smiled. “There were three convicts on board who were assigned to a stockman who died from a snake bite. Lilian had fallen in love with one of them, who looked enough like Reginald to pass for him. He took on Reginald’s identity, and no one was any wiser when they were rescued.”
She had so many questions, but Jordan was faster. “What about the treasure?”
“Lilian split it amongst the survivors; some pearl divers, the convicts and herself. They used the money to help set up Retribution Ridge.”
“Where did the treasure come from in the first place?” Gretchen asked.
“Another ship which was wrecked there about a century earlier,” Arthur answered. “It was carrying treasure from the Dutch East Indies.”
“And there’s more?” Jordan said.
“We don’t know for sure.”
That was enough. They didn’t need to know more, not if Kurt was looking for it. “Great story,” she said. “Jordan, how about you tell us what you did at school today?”
“But I’ve got questions.”
“Not tonight.” She didn’t like him knowing so much.
“What are you learning about?” Arthur asked.
“Miss Simpson wants us to do our family tree, and then do a report on something interesting our ancestors did.” Jordan glanced at Gretchen. “Do we have anything interesting in our family?”
Maybe in a hundred years they would find the business her parents ran interesting, but right now it would just get them arrested. “I’ll think about it.”
“What about you, Sherlock?” Jordan asked.
“My dad’s side is full of military men with stories,” he said. “I’m not sure about my mum’s side. Maybe we can research our families together.”
“Yeah.” Jordan’s eyes drooped as the pull of sleep dragged at him.
“It’s time for bed,” Gretchen said to Jordan.
“But Mu-um.”
She shook her head. “Hopefully when you wake, the storm will be over.”
He pouted but shuffled to the side of the mattress he’d claimed as his. Gretchen clicked the lamp, so it dimmed to the lowest setting and kissed Jordan before tucking him in. “Good night.”
“Night, Mum. Night, Arthur.”
“Sweet dreams, Jordan,” Arthur said.
Gretchen moved back next to Arthur and leaned into him as he pulled her closer. “How much of that story is true?”
