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Henry laughed. “Well.”

Edward leaned closer. “What is it?”

“A few sovereigns, by the look of it,” said Henry. “Well, go ahead and count them.”

“Five. Five sovereigns!” Ned looked delighted.

“Consider them yours,” said Henry.

Edward immediately said, “Henry, that is hardly necessary.”

“I think it is entirely necessary.”

“But—”

“He found them.” Henry took the purse and emptied the coins into Ned’s palm. “There.”

Ned stared at them. “For me? Really?”

“For you.”

Edward shook his head. “You will spoil him.”

“He is fifteen. Five sovereigns will not spoil him.”

Edward shook his head. “Like father, like son.”

The Colonel smiled contentedly.

Ned closed his fingers around the coins. “What if I find another?”

Henry smiled. “Very well. You may continue your investigations.”

Edward looked at him. “Henry.”

“I said investigations, not destruction.”

Ned grinned.

Henry continued, “If you find another hidden drawer, you may have whatever is in it, provided it is of no particular importance.”

Ned’s eyes widened further.

“Anything?”

“Within reason.”

“Always within reason,” Ned lamented.

“Money, you may keep. Ordinary personal articles, provided they are of no importance to the family, we shall discuss. But if you discover a family heirloom, an important letter, or anything which appears to have historical significance, it remains with me.”

Ned nodded eagerly. “Agreed.”

Henry extended his hand and Ned shook it.

“It is a deal.”

Colonel Brandon, who had returned to his book, looked over the top of it.