Page 59 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

He tapped the woman’s shoulder, who twisted, glanced briefly at August’s expression, and slid swiftly off Brown’s lap.

Smart woman didn’t want to get involved in a fight, and August was certainly not feeling like taking the peaceful way out. This man might not have been responsible for Lilly’s kidnapping, but he’d set in motion events that had led them both into danger.

And led them to each other.

But he’d be damned if he was going to thank a horse thief for that.

“Hey, come back.” Brown grabbed for the woman but too late. He scowled in August’s direction. “Get your own—” His pink complexion paled. “Lord Blackthorpe.”

“Good evening, Brown. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Yes, well.” He rose from his chair and smoothed his thinning hair over his head. Sweat clung to his upper lip, though by the looks of the empty tankards on the table the sweat could be from consuming too much alcohol. Either way, he knew he’d caught his horse thief by the way the man’s throat bobbed.

“Celebrating, are we?” He nodded toward the table.

Brown inched away then turned to dash. The crowded room played to August’s advantage, allowing him to catch up with the man and grab him by his collar.

“Going somewhere, Brown? To fetch your horse perhaps?”

“No, I—” Brown’ jaw tightened, and he met August’s glare. “Fine. Yes. I took him.”

“Take me to him.”

The man’s stare grew cold, and he tugged his shirt from August’s grip then jerked his head toward the rear door. “He’s here.”

August glanced back at the taproom door but spotted no sign of Lilly. With any luck, he’d return to her by the time she finished her letter and would even have Icarus in hand. Would gifting a once-stolen horse make a good engagement gift? He supposed not considering Icarus was hers in the first place.

“I know, you know,” Brown uttered over his shoulder.

He stalked after Brown, trudging through the thick mud of the courtyard toward the stable—a ramshackle building with rotten beams and flaking wood. “Know what?”

“I know about you.” Brown ducked into the stables and motioned to the rear of the building.

August spied Icarus but kept any relief to himself. He still had to deal with Brown. He folded his arms and eyed the man. With the vast array of rumors that had flew about London saloons from devil worshipping to affairs with royalty of both sexes, he doubted anything Brown thought he knew would shock him. “What do you know about me?”

“I know who your father is.”

August’s heart stilled. He forced himself to keep his expression blank. “Most people do, Brown.”

“No. Who your real father is.” Frederick’s offered a smug grin. “I worked with him you see.”

“My father was the Marquis of Blackthorpe.”

Brown smirked. “I have a deal for you.”

“You’re a thief, Brown. You’ll be lucky if you don’t wind up in the wrecks.”

“I’ve kept this information secret for many years.” He inclined his head, his grin widening. “Don’t you think I deserve a little reward?”

“You don’t deserve a damned thing.”

“Cursing ain’t gentlemanly behavior,Lord Blackthorpe. Except you’re no gentleman, are you? And I think if I told the truth, there would be quite a few questions asked.” He shrugged. “Impersonating a peer of the realm is quite the crime, ain’t it?”

A multitude of curses ran through August’s mind. He doubted Brown had any proof but someone digging into August’s past would cause problems and he couldn’t be certain there weren’t others who knew the truth. How many people had his real father told? If someone questioned enough people, the truth would out.

And he’d take Lilly down with him.

August folded his arms. “What do you want?”

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