Tomorrow's Treasure by Linda Lee Chaikin Page A

nonsense,” Anthony snorted.
    â€œIs it? She’s determined to get her baby back—
your
baby, Anthony, and she needs the Black Diamond to do it.”
    A muscle twitched near the corner of Anthony’s mouth. His cool gaze shifted away from Henry to Julien.
    A footfall sounded behind them. They turned toward the stable entrance, where Henry saw a young woman standing. Her blond hair was elegantly attired and glittering, and there were large diamonds around her throat and at her ears. The tender gray eyes looked with surprise at Anthony, who still held the sjambok. Then she winced, her hand going to her throat. Her gaze swerved to meet Anthony’s.
    â€œOh—”
    Anthony looked evenly at Henry, and he got the message:
Say anything, and you will live to regret it.
    Henry smirked. A mere slip of his tongue and Anthony’s prospects for marriage to Lord Montieth’s daughter would be dust. He smiled and relaxed for the first time. “Maybe we need not be so quick about all this, Julien.” He saw from Julien’s start that he clearly understood the veiled threat:
Persist, and I just may open Pandora’s box.
Lord Montieth was in the British Parliament under Queen Victoria, who, like Julien, wished to bring South Africa into the British Empire. He would certainly abhor any hint of scandal.
    Julien’s mouth tightened. “Anthony take Camilla to the house.” His words were as stiff as his carriage.
    Camilla’s questioning gaze swerved to Anthony. He went to take her arm, patting her hand. “There is nothing to be concerned about, my dear Camilla. Uncle Henry has had a minor accident, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. His horse threw him and ran off. I’m sure one of the stable boys will find it roaming round the estate by morning.”
    Henry felt the woman’s gaze. A hint of curiosity showed in her face.
    â€œA golden gelding?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, yes. You’ve seen it?”
    She cast a glance toward Anthony. “I might have been mistaken about the color,” she said in an apologetic tone. “I thought I saw a golden horse trotting loose when I walked up from the house just now. It seemed a little nervous.” She twisted her lacy handkerchief. “It may still be there.”
    â€œI’ll have a look—” Henry started for the doors.
    â€œNo need,” Julien cut in. “Anthony can do it. Where did you see it, Miss Camilla?”
    â€œBy the outer rim of the corral, near the trees.”
    Henry looked at Anthony, then at the boy’s wife-to-be. Was it his imagination, or did Camilla look strangely uneasy?
    The woman’s mood could be caused by her recent arrival in untamed South Africa. She did not look the sort to adjust well. Although pretty, she was thin and pale.
    Then a thought stopped him. If his horse was wandering about,then Katie had not taken it. Had she walked all the way to the carriage waiting near the African huts? Had she intended to run his horse off to keep him from following after her?
    â€œGo back to the house and wait for me, Camilla dear,” Anthony was saying. “I will join you there in a few minutes.”
    Henry looked after them as they left the stables. Their footsteps faded into the windy night.
    â€œWhat did you do with the Black Diamond?” Julien snapped.
    â€œDon’t be a fool. The longer you hold me here, the easier it will be for her to escape. She’s already an hour or more ahead of me.”
    â€œYou are still intent on blaming Katie for this theft?”
    â€œWho else could have done it? You won’t find her asleep in her room. Doesn’t that tell you something? She told me she was determined to leave.”
    A moment later Anthony returned to the stable leading the nervous gelding by the reins.
    â€œA bit shy, but otherwise unhurt.”
    Henry took the reins and led his horse to a stall.
    â€œThen Katie might have been