The Adventurer

worth?" he asked casually.
    "Not really, but I'm sure it's a great deal. Each pair was made out of a different gemstone. One pair was made out of sapphires, one out of rubies, one out of diamonds, one out of opals and one out of pearls. The story is that Emelina Fleetwood knew she would never marry and she was determined to give herself the kind of jewels a rich husband would have given her. She wanted to prove she didn't need a man to shower her in luxury. She could do it all by herself."
    "And you want to follow in her footsteps?"
    Sarah frowned. "Not exactly. I don't think you understand. The Fleetwood Flowers are a piece of history, my personal history."
    "You're really fixated on those earrings, aren't you?"
    "They're family heirlooms. Naturally I'm interested in them."
    "Sure. Family heirlooms. They hold no monetary interest for you at all, do they? Just pure historic value. I suppose you're going to tell me you're not going to sell them if you find them?"
    Sarah put down her glass of wine with great care. The laughter had completely vanished from her eyes. "What is this?" she asked quietly. "You think I'm some sort of opportunist? A gold digger? A scheming little hussy trying to get rich quick?"
    "I didn't say that."
    "You don't have to say it." Her gaze narrowed. "Look at it this way Gideon. Unlike most treasure hunters, I'm at least going after a fortune that belongs to me."
    "You think that because those earrings belonged to someone in your family who lived way back in the late eighteen hundreds that you now have a claim on them?"
    "More of a claim than anyone else."
    "I've got news for you. Treasure that old belongs to whoever is clever enough to dig it up."
    "I plan to be the one who's clever enough to dig it up."
    "Take it from me. Amateurs never find real treasure. You'll be wasting your time, Sarah."
    "I was right. You do have a tendency to harangue."
    Gideon glanced up and saw Bernice heading toward the table. "Let's change the subject. Here comes our fish."
    Sarah lifted her eyes ceilingward in an expression of utter disgust and snapped back in her chair. "Wouldn't want to spoil your appetite."
    "You won't."
    Five minutes of oppressive silence followed. Gideon decided he wasn't going to be the one to break it. The salmon was good, as usual. Mort really could cook.
    "Gideon?"
    "Yeah?"
    "You don't really think me a cheap, scheming opportunist just because I want to find the Flowers, do you? Do you genuinely believe I'm just trying to use you?"
    He put down his fork. "I'm not sure what to think. It's possible you've spent the past four months establishing a sort of relationship with me so that when you finally asked for help, I'd be more likely to say yes and work cheap."
    "Damn. It never occurred to me you'd see things in that light. I was so sure…"
    He picked up his fork again. "You're an unusual woman, Sarah. And that's putting it politely. I don't know what to make of you, yet."
    "I really have got you terrorized," she said, her voice unnaturally flat.
    "I wouldn't say that."
    "Does this mean you truly aren't interested in helping me find the Flowers?"
    "I didn't say that."
    "Well, what are you trying to say, for heaven's sake?"
    "Don't get mad."
    "I'm not mad. I just want to know where I stand. Are you going to help me or not?"
    "I'm still thinking about it."
    "Was your ex-wife a gold digger?" Sarah demanded suddenly. "Is that why I'm making you nervous? Do I look like her or something?"
    "No, you definitely do not look like her. Leanna liked success in whatever form it took and she liked flash. But I wouldn't call her a gold digger. She had too much class for that."
    "Flash? What do you mean by flash?"
    "Never mind. Eat your linguine."
    "Gideon, are you going to help me with my treasure hunt or not? Tell me now. I don't take suspense well."
    "You should, since you write it."
    "That's different. What's your answer?"
    "I don't know yet. I'll let you know later."
    "Oh, yeah?" She glowered at him. "I'm not so sure I need or want your answer now or later."
    "Okay."
    "Don't be so bloody difficult, Gideon. Let's just forget the whole thing."
    "Fine."
    Her fingers clenched around her fork. "I can't believe I was so wrong about you. Can't we at least talk about this some more?"
    "Not right now. I said I'd give you my answer later and I will. Let's talk about something else."
    "Like what?"
    He shrugged. "Pick a topic."
    She paused. "All right. What kind of academic background do you have?"
    "Does it