“Would you like to go first?” He moved aside.
He knew that she would because she wanted to be the first to find the treasure. Whether it was actually a treasure or not had yet to be determined, but if Eliza found the missing mummy, then it would be a treasure to her. And, if all the other valuables that had been stolen were hidden with it, all the better.
She stepped inside and knew that Lucian followed because his lamp also lit the way. Slowly, she made her way into the darkness and searched along the walls and then the end of the cave, but her shoulders dropped with disappointment when nothing was found. Lucian proceeded at a much slower pace, though she could not understand why, but when he stopped beside a low bolder and chuckled, she came over.
On the ground beside it was a slingshot and pile of stones.
“I left this here. I used to lie in wait for Xavier.”
“You would shoot rocks at your brother?” she asked in outrage.
“Yes. Do not all brothers?”
“No! It is dangerous.”
“Your brothers did not?” he countered.
Eliza frowned. “I am not certain what they did as boys. My governess did not allow me much freedom.”
“I cannot imagine you remained obediently by her side.” Lucian chuckled.
“No,” Eliza admitted. “She bored me with walks in the garden to learn all about plants, or in the music room to learn how to play the pianoforte, or in the parlor to work on my stitching, or in the schoolroom to learn how to paint, which are apparently the only skills a miss needs to know to land a husband.”
“Can you play or paint?” he asked.
“No. I lack every talent she attempted to teach.”
“I am certain she would have gotten around to teaching you how to manage a household.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Yes, because apparently, that is all the daughter of a viscount needs to know.”
“Not horrid literature?”
“Literature of any nature should be included in all educations,” Eliza insisted.
“Was it at the Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies?”
Eliza grinned, recalling how much she enjoyed her time at school. It would have been happier if she hadn’t continually been disappointed when her parents forgot to bring her home, but she pushed those emotions aside. “We studied the sciences such as botany, not just plant names, gazed at the stars and learned constellations, were taught French and Latin, mathematics and not simply basic household accounting, but investments, as well as literature. Oh, and how to manage a household because our parents expected us to be prepared for our future.”
“Investments?” Lucian asked in surprise.
“Yes. As it was assumed we would all marry we needed to be prepared if our husband died so that we would know if a guardian was squandering those funds. We were told that if we were wise, we would make certain a husband was aware of our knowledge so that he would offer us more power over financial responsibilities instead of relying on someone else to offer pin money when they believed it was appropriate.”
“I suppose women do have little control.”
“We have none,” she insisted. “Unless we manage to take it.”
“As you have done,” he murmured, drawing her close.
“I do not have control over my inheritance, but I do not need it right now either. I have my own funds and only I decide how it is spent.”
He cocked his head and the corner of his mouth twitched. “Being an author has made you financially secure?” Lucian asked as if he didn’t believe her.
“If I am wise in how I spend my funds, then yes.”
“You are a remarkable woman, Eliza.” Lucian stepped even closer.
Her heart swelled at hearing his compliment. “It does not bother you that I am independent and can financially support myself?” Most gentlemen would not approve of such.
