Page 437 of From Rakes to Riches

While the railway directors put forth various horses, the henchman kept saying, “I don’t know any Norton.”

When he was slung face first over the horse and tied down, David lifted his head by the hair. “So you want us to take you to the police? How noble of you to accept the blame for everything. I’m sure Norton will send you food in jail.”

“All right, all right!” the henchman said. “He paid me. I was just goin’ to kiss the girl, maybe scare her a bit.”

Mr. Hutton held back Mr. Perry.

“That’s my daughter you’re talking about!” Mr. Perry yelled.

“Let’s go see Norton,” David said.

Everyone scrambled for their horses and carriages, and Mr. Bannaster led the henchman’s horse. David looked up at Victoria.

“I’m not staying here,” she said.

“But I thought Prudence needed you.”

“I’m sure she’s sound asleep in her bed. You need me more.”

“I do?”

“Yes. Or at least I need to be with you. Now do you want everyone to reach Mr. Norton before we do?”

“To Norton’s!” David yelled to his coachman before climbing up inside.

“The coachman knows where he lives?”

“I swear that man knows whereeveryonelives.”

She leaned against him in relief.

“I’m wet, Victoria.”

“I am, too.”

The caravan descended on Mr. Norton’s, and Victoria watched worriedly from the carriage as David dragged the henchman up the short length of the front pavement. The other directors followed behind in a group. David pounded loudly on the door over and over again, until finally a light appeared inside.

A butler in a nightcap tried to appear dignified. “Please return in the morning.”

“Tell Norton that Viscount Thurlow is here,” David said. “We have business to discuss. He’d better hurry unless he wants me to make sure he has not a business left to run.”

Norton finally appeared at the door in his shirtsleeves and trousers. He was a balding man, with his stomach hanging over his waistband. He was obviously incapable of mounting a credible threat to a woman all by himself, so he’d had to hire someone.

Not that he would admit it, as he stood just inside his door, out of the rain.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Thurlow,” Norton said, smiling. “You woke me up for this nonsense?”

“You weren’t sleeping,” David said, dragging the henchman into the light. “You were anxiously awaiting a report from this cretin. Well here he is to make his report, but he doesn’t have much to say for himself. I’ll say it for him. He failed. Southern Railway will not fall apart at your hands. When we sign in the morning, we’ll become the largest railway in the south.”

Even from the carriage, Victoria could see Norton’s teeth grind.

“As for you,” David continued, “I’m prepared to forget this indiscretion.”

Norton finally spoke. “But I won’t. I’ll make sure everyone knows that apeeris involved, Thurlow. You’ve been trying to keep it a secret, to protect the last shred of dignity the name Banstead might carry. But when I’m done?—”

“Go ahead,” David said.

Victoria gasped.

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