Page 110 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“In the meantime,” Mr. Clarke said, interrupting their moment of compassion. “We have a villain tied up in your kitchen, we need to send for the Constable, and we need to get to the bottom of this mystery.”
“He’s right,” Thomas said. “I am assuming the man in the kitchen is somehow linked to these horrid letters, but we don’t know anything for certain.”
Jenny sat back down and listened intently, realizing that her interest was also piqued.
“What letters?” Lady Diana asked.
“We’ve been receiving threatening letters about our place in society,” Jenny said, although she didn’t add that she thought it was Diana all along.
“Has he said anything to you about who he is?” Alison asked Mr. Clarke.
“Not as of yet,” he said. “But then we haven’t had a lot of time to talk, truth be told.”
“Mr. Clarke and I spent some time securing him, and then he came to my study to tell me everything that happened,” Luke explained.
“Well, why don’t you bring him in here now, so that we can find out the truth?” Lady Diana demanded. “I for one would certainly like to know why my brother is currently in bed with a bullet wound.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Teresa added. “It will give us a chance to interrogate him.”
“Alison?” Luke asked, looking to his wife. “What do you think?”
“I think we need answers, and this seems like as good a way as any to get them.”
Luke paused for a moment, evidently considering the options, but finally he nodded to Mr. Clarke and to Thomas, and the three of them left the room. When they returned, the man staggering into the room between them was snarling and growling like an animal.
Jenny shuddered at the sight of him. Even if he hadn’t shot at her earlier that day, she would have found the sight of him revolting and his behavior even more so.
No one spoke for a long time, all of them staring at this hideous man in front of them, until finally Luke took the lead.
“Who are you?”
“Why should I tell you anything?”
The man’s voice was high-pitched and scratched unpleasantly at Jenny. He sneered at Luke as he spoke, looking him up and down with disdain.
“You are hardly in a position to argue, are you?” Luke asked.
“And you are but a groom who is putting on the airs and graces of a businessman. Remember who you are, boy.”
That confirmed, to Jenny, that it was this man who wrote the letters, and she felt her hackles rise.
“Why would you write such horrible things to us? What have you got against us?”
“Oh, it’s the little maid who wants to marry a lord. Got ideas above your station, you have.”
Thomas stepped forward and loomed over the man. “Perhaps you will answer me, then. Do you know who my father is?”
“Should I?”
“The Duke of Carrington is a very powerful man, and at my request he can ensure you receive the harshest punishment. And I may just request that, should you deny us the answers we are looking for.”
“Ooh, the Duke of Carrington,” the man mocked, imitating Thomas’ accent.
“And my brother is a Viscount—”
“I know who you all are,” the man said with another sneer. “And I’ll answer your questions, if only to get out of here sooner. I’d rather the gaol than a house of falsehood.”
