Page 105 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

She had survived worse. The ache of a mother buried too soon. The distance of a father who barely looked at her. A marriage that had offered her everything but love.

She’d get through this, too.

But survival wasn’t the same as living. And for a little while, with Rowan, she’d actually felt alive.

CHAPTER 34

“Mr. Latham will see you now, Your Grace,” the young clerk said, his voice high with nerves. “Though I doubt he’s expecting anyone today.”

“I imagine not,” Rowan said, following the clerk down a narrow hall lined with old filing cabinets. The Plymouth office of Latham & Associates smelled like stale paper and pipe smoke, the walls tinged yellow with age and habit.

George Latham, thin and sharp-featured, with spectacles halfway down his nose, was hunched over a ledger when they entered. He glanced up, clearly startled, his brow lifting as he recognized his visitor.

“Your Grace, ahem, well, this is a surprise.” He stood quickly and bumped his desk, sending his inkwell wobbling before it toppled with a splatter.

“I wasn’t aware you were in Plymouth.”

“I’m not here for pleasantries,” Rowan said, stepping further into the room. “I need details about a payment you processed a few years back. It went to a man named Captain Elias Veer.”

The color drained from Latham’s face. “Captain Veer? I’m not sure I recall?—”

“You recall perfectly well,” Rowan cut him off, stepping closer to the desk. “Twelve hundred pounds, paid through an intermediary called Edward Bentern. Ring any bells now?”

Latham’s hands shook as he reached for a handkerchief to mop his forehead. “Your Grace, I handle many transactions. If you could give me more details?—”

“The details are that someone paid a substantial sum to have me abducted and pressed into naval service,” Rowan said, his voice deadly quiet. “Veer has already confessed his part. Now I want to know who was behind it.”

“Abducted?” Latham sank into his chair as if his legs could no longer support him. “Your Grace, I did not know. I thought it was merely a business arrangement.”

“What kind of business arrangement?”

“I don’t know! Mr. Bentern’s representative contacted me about facilitating a payment. Everything was handled through proper channels, all documentation was in order.” Latham’s voice grew more frantic with each word. “I never met Mr. Bentern himself.”

Rowan leaned forward, placing his hands flat on the desk. “Then who did you meet?”

“His accountant. A Mr. Quince from London. He brought the authorization and the funds.” Latham fumbled through his desk drawers. “I still have the correspondence somewhere.”

“Find it.”

The search took several minutes, Latham’s hands growing shakier as he rummaged through files. Finally, he produced a slim folder containing several letters.

“Here,” he said, passing the papers to Rowan with obvious relief. “Everything I have regarding the transaction.”

Rowan scanned the documents. The handwriting was neat and professional, but the content revealed little. Mr. Quince, representing the interests of Edward Bentern, arranging payment for services rendered by Captain Veer. No sign of what those services might be, no hint of the true purpose behind the transaction.

“Where can I find this Mr. Quince?” Rowan asked, pocketing the letters.

“Lombard Street, I believe. Though I haven’t heard from him in some time.” Latham wiped his brow again. “Your Grace, I swear on my mother’s grave that I knew nothing about any abduction. I simply facilitated the payment as requested.”

Rowan studied the man’s face, noting the genuine fear there. Latham was a small fish, a tool used by others. Threatening him further would yield nothing.

“If you’re lying to me, I will find out,” Rowan said, straightening. “And if I discover you knew more than you’re admitting, I’ll see you ruined.”

“I understand, Your Grace. I’ve told you everything.”

Rowan turned to leave, then paused at the door. “One more thing. Has anyone else asked you about this transaction? Anyone at all?”

Latham shook his head vigorously. “No one, Your Grace. You’re the first.”

---