Slow Summer Burn: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance (34 page)

Bran flicked on an overhead fan, the smell dissipated a bit, and he peered in. “Honestly, I’m surprised the decay’s not worse. The interior appears to be very well preserved, all things considered. And look,” he said, gently lifting one of the tray compartments to reveal another underneath. “Classic styling. Just beautiful.”

“Now what do we have here?” Nigel said, reaching in with a gloved hand. He placed a beautifully engraved wooden box on the sanitized table.

“Don’t open that now,” Bran said, peering at it. “I think it’s a spice box.”

“I wonder what kind,” Lexie murmured, gazing at it with interest.

Nigel placed the box on the table and Theo took a photograph of it. “If the spice is destroyed, I bet we can still do a chemical analysis of the remaining residue to determine what it was.”

“Would you like to do the honors next, Cameron?” he asked.

Cameron pulled out a bottle of wine. “The label has faded and is kind of smeared, but I can make out an ‘e’ with an accent on top.”

“Maybe it’s French,” Bran said. “Most wines at the time were shipped in vats, because bottling was so expensive. Only the best wines were bottled.”

“It may have had some sentimental meaning,” Nigel suggested.

“We should have it tested in a laboratory,” Bran said. “Let’s move on to the next item.”

Cameron placed the wine on the table while Nigel pulled out a locket. Carefully, he cracked it open. “Intact!” he cried. “It depicts a young girl. Someone’s daughter, perhaps?” He set it down on the table.

One by one, she, Nigel and Bran pulled items from the chest. A crumbling map. A letter sealed in a glass bottle. Some sort of journal wrapped in cracked leather. Theo snapped photographs of all of them as the cameraman got his shots.

“These are beautiful,” Avery said, “but I can’t see how any of these could be considered a ‘treasure worth more than gold.’ ”

Bran spoke up. “At the time, these were probably the most valuable things the person—I’m guessing the captain—owned.”

While they were talking, Cameron eyed the bottom of the trunk. “Wait a minute,” she said, reaching down. There was one more panel that didn’t quite look right. She lifted it up, and her breath caught in her throat.

Sitting there was a knife—a curved dagger with the most exquisitely jeweled hilt and sheath she’d ever seen. The stuff of legends. She picked it up and held it in her hands reverently. There were three enormous emeralds on the gold hilt, the center one cushion cut, while the ones directly above and below it were pear cut. Small diamonds were set in between the emeralds. Another enormous emerald was embedded at the end of the handle. The dagger’s sheath was also made of gold, and was encrusted in diamonds and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. She flipped it over. The back was mother-of-pearl, too.

Nigel broke the silence. “Is that … can it be?”

“The
original
Emerald Dagger,” Bran announced to the room. “I have heard of it, but I never thought I would see it.” He recited, as if from a textbook: “Believed to have been lost to raiders when a Turkish sultan was assassinated crossing back into the Ottoman Empire in 1632, the Emerald Dagger surfaced only once, in 1671, when a treaty between the Barbary corsairs and the Europeans was broken and fighting again broke out. A second Emerald Dagger, the Topkapi Dagger, was supposedly modeled after the lost original and now sits in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul.”

“Didn’t the
Lorelei
travel to Algiers?” asked Nigel.

“Yes. In 1709!” Theo exclaimed. “I researched this for my last Crowley novel.”

“And I thought Nathaniel Jacobs was just taking some creative license with ‘The Legend of the
Lorelei
,’ ” Bran murmured. “After all, the treasure chest surely wasn’t found in a cave, as the poem suggested.”

“This trunk is just the tip of the iceberg, Cameron,” Nigel said. “When it went down, the
Lorelei
was supposed to have been carrying tons of gold and silver in its hold.”

“We’ll have to wait for George Findley to get here to find out,” she said with a smile. “He’s due here in a week.”

“Will this be on display at the Historical Society?” Cole questioned. “I’d hate to think about the security I’d need to pull together to manage that.”

Bran shook his head. “No way. I can’t keep this here. Besides, this was clearly stolen and will likely need to be returned to Istanbul. I have a friend at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston who can walk us through the issues involved with getting this back to the Turkish government.”

“But the rest is ours,” Nigel said with no small amount of glee.

“Nigel, remember what we promised the state of Massachusetts,” Cameron said. “It’s all for the public. Once we excavate and salvage the wreck, we intend to set up everything we find on permanent exhibit at the Star Harbor Historical Society. And we’re putting in a proposal to expand the Society from its current building, and make an addition that will house the exhibit.”

“Yes, yes,” Nigel intoned, “the ship and its contents are a part of Star Harbor history. It belongs here for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “Just let me have my fun.”

“I will, Nigel,” she said with a smile.

From their seats, her mother, father, and Cici beamed at her. Even West looked happier than he had in a long time. She took off her latex glove and reached for Val’s hand.

When she looked at him, his eyes were warm. “I’m so proud of you, Cam.”

She smiled. Things in Star Harbor were heating up, and with autumn closing in, she’d have the time to devote to the
Lorelei
project. And to Val—her strong, solid, quiet man with eyes the color of the sea and a heart worth more than all the riches from any pirate treasure.

Though the camera was still rolling, she pulled his head down and kissed him. He kissed her back, his lips melting into hers.

And it was perfect.

Acknowledgments

Writing and editing the Star Harbor books has been a labor of love. From the first glimmerings of the idea—four brothers living through four seasons on Cape Cod—to reading through the final manuscript before it was published, every step has been, quite literally, life-altering. I could not have done this alone. So to you, my friends and family who have supported me on the road to and through publication—thank you.

I want to acknowledge those who went far above and beyond. As always, Jonathan for helping me with everything … and I mean
everything
. My family for their positive encouragement through the whole process. Jennifer for being there every day and bolstering me with praise. Wine and Words and The Roguers for being women I am proud to call friends. Once again, Robin, Catherine, and Vandana for all your research help. I can’t believe my good fortune in knowing such incredible women. Suzanne and Sara, each for taking the time to read through this manuscript. Your comments were amazingly helpful. Sue Grimshaw for believing in me and for growing with me. We’ve come a long way! And Nalini Akolekar for never telling me what I want to hear, but always what I need to hear. Thank you.

Finally, I want to thank you, my readers, for taking this journey with me. Without you, I would not have the ability to continue to write what I love.

PHOTO: © KRISTIN LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

A New England native and former attorney, ELISABETH BARRETT was inspired to write the Star Harbor series by her summers spent living and working on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Currently, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she is not writing, Elisabeth loves baking, choral singing, and hiking.
www.elisabethbarrett.com

THE EDITOR’S CORNER

Welcome to Loveswept!

I truly believe that one of the best things in life is spending long, leisurely days curled up with a book. Whether it’s a novel of erotic discovery and hidden desire like Stacey Kane’s scorching e-original
CLAIMED
, a sizzling small town romance like Elisabeth Barrett’s fourth e-original Star Harbor book,
SLOW SUMMER BURN
, or an electrifying story featuring hockey hunks like Toni Aleo’s contemporary e-original
BLUE LINES
…it’s a wonderful feeling to be transported to a new and exciting world … especially one filled with sexy heroes and vibrant heroines. Pick up these reads and lose yourself in romance and love.

And for more wonderful reads, don’t miss:

Sandra Chastain’s
SURRENDER THE SHADOW –
an enthralling classic of secrets and suspense; Katie Rose’s charming historical romance,
COURTING TROUBLE
– where an attorney and a determined suffragette butt heads; Adrienne Staff and Sally Goldbaum’s
CRESCENDO
– a sparkling story about a princely society man and his everyday princess; Iris Johansen’s blazing
YORK
,
THE RENEGADE –
where passion takes a man and woman on a wild ride in a rough-and-tumble mining town; and Ruth Owen’s
BODY HEAT
– an alluring tale of love, betrayal and murder.

If you love romance … then you’re ready to be
Loveswept
!

Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher

P.S. Watch for these terrific Loveswept titles coming soon: September arrives with more timeless stories for you – Three enticing stories from Sandra Chastain,
THE JUDGE AND THE GYPSY
,
FIREBRAND
, and
THE LAST DANCE
, beloved author Iris Johansen’s
THE DELANEY’S OF KILLAROO
, Fran Baker’s enchanting
SEEING STARS
, Julie Ortolon’s irresistible
DRIVE ME WILD
as well as three original stories: another fantastic installment from Ruthie Knox’s
ROMAN HOLIDAY
serialized novel, Lauren Layne’s seductive
AFTER THE KISS
, and Mira Lyn Kelly’s sexy and sweet
TRUTH OR DARE
. October has more e-originals in store: Maggie McGinnis’s brilliant
THE ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL
, Megan Frampton’s sweltering
WHAT NOT TO BARE
, and Katie Rose’s delightful
MISTLETOE AND MAGIC
, as well as some wonderful reissues: Connie Brockway’s dazzling stories,
DANGEROUS MAN
and
MY DEAREST ENERMY
, Ellen Fisher’s memorable
THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
, Ruth Owen’s riveting works,
SMOOTH OPERATOR
and
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
, Iris Johansen’s delicious
ACROSS THE RIVER OF YESTERDAY
, and three breathtaking books from Sandra Chastain,
THE MORNING AFTER
,
FOR LOVE OF LACEY
, and
GABRIEL’S OUTLAW
. Don’t miss any of these extraordinary reads. I promise that you’ll fall in love and treasure these stories for years to come.…

Read on for excerpts from more
Loveswept
titles…

Read on for an excerpt from Elisabeth Barrett’s

Deep Autumn Heat

CHAPTER 1

“Any local worth his salt knows what time the fishing starts in Star Harbor,” a large, handsome, dangerous-looking man with raven-black hair intoned in a deadpan. “And it ain’t eight-thirty.”

After listening to this blatant insult, Sebastian Grayson, world traveler and master chef, fought the urge to throttle the man who was now reeling in his line. Throttle him, or toss his own tackle box off Mutterman’s Pier and crawl back into his tiny berth on Val’s boat. Of course, both would require energy, so he let exhaustion win out. Pulling his leather jacket more tightly around his tired, aching body, Seb leaned back on a pylon and closed his eyes, breathing in the familiar tang of salt water and wet wood. The cold, foggy air rushing into his lungs was helping to wake him up some, but he’d still kill for a latte.

Cole’s wisecrack had definitely hit a nerve. Just like his brother, Seb was Star Harbor born and bred, and even though he hadn’t lived in town for the last decade, it didn’t mean he’d lost his “local” status. He’d been on this pier a thousand times. The clang of the buoys in the harbor, the strain and creak of the boats at their moorings, and the cries of the seabirds searching for their morning meal were all imprinted on his brain. The images of his three brothers were imprinted there, too, each of them in his favorite spot along the wharf, just as they were now.