Page 96 of The Paid Companion

Jolted, he steadied himself with both hands. “Damn you to Hell, St. Merryn.”

“I suggest we discuss this like sane gentlemen, not a couple of wild hotheads,” Arthur said quietly.

“How dare you call yourself a gentleman, sir, after the wicked thing you have done?”

Arthur slowly lowered the pistol. For the first time Roland appeared to notice the weapon. Frowning, he followed the motion with his eyes.

“What, precisely, am I supposed to have done that is so evil?” Arthur asked.

“You know the nature of your crime very well. It is monstrous.”

“Describe it to me.”

“You forced my sweet Juliana to give herself to you in exchange for your promise to pay off my gaming debts. Do not deny it.”

“Actually, I am going to deny it.” Arthur used the tip of the pistol to motion Roland back into the room. “Every damn word.” He glanced toward the dark stairs. “Come inside. I do not want to conduct this conversation out in the corridor.”

“Do you plan to murder me, then? Is that the final step in your scheme of revenge?”

“No, I am not going to kill you. Come back in here. Now.”

Roland glanced warily at the pistol. Reluctantly he peeled himself away from the wall and edged into the room.

“You never loved her, St. Merryn, admit it. But you wanted her, did you not? You were furious when she ran off with me, so you concocted a cold-blooded vengeance. You bided your time. You waited until you saw that I was in dun territory and then you sent Juliana word that you would cover my debts if she would agree to surrender herself to you.”

“Who told you this strange tale, Burnley?”

“A friend.”

“You know what they say: with friends of that sort, you do not need any enemies.” Arthur put the pistol back into his pocket and surveyed the chamber. “I presume you came here tonight because you expected to find Juliana with me in that bed?”

Roland flinched. His mouth thinned. “I received a message while I was playing hazard. It said that if I came to this address immediately, I would find proof of your crime here.”

“How was the message delivered?”

“A street boy handed it to the porter at the club.”

“Interesting.” Arthur crossed the room to the wardrobe and examined the empty interior. “And did you find proof that I blackmailed your wife into bed?”

“I had not finished searching the room when you arrived.” Roland clenched his hands into fists. “But the fact that you are here would certainly indicate that you are familiar with this room.”

“I had just reached the same conclusion about you,” Arthur said.

He turned away from the wardrobe and went to the washstand. Methodically he opened and closed the drawers.

“What are you doing?” Roland demanded.

“Looking for whatever it is you were supposed to discover in this room.” He opened the last drawer and saw a black velvet sack closed with a leather cord inside. A chill of understanding crept through him. “Then again, maybe I was the one who was meant to make a discovery here tonight.”

Arthur untied the thong and turned the black velvet bag upside down. Two objects bound in linen fell into his palm.

He set the items on the washstand and unwrapped both in turn.

He and Roland studied the two beautifully enameled snuffboxes. Each was decorated with a miniature scene of an alchemist at work. Each lid was set with a large, faceted red stone.

Roland moved closer, scowling. “Snuffboxes? What are they doing here?”

Arthur watched the lantern light dance on the gleaming boxes in his hand. “It appears that we were both meant to play the parts of fools tonight. We very nearly succeeded in our roles.”

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