Page 64 of Daring the Forbidden Earl
Johanna thought of the urchins on the street corner, and the coins they had fleeced from her upon her return to her apartments. She would not have minded parting with the money if they had actually apprehended this wretch. Instead, it was a rather empty purchase, and she was not going to give him the satisfaction of hearing that.
“What do you want with me?” she said, instead.
He rolled his eyes. “I need Lord Sinclair to listen, and he hasn’t done a very good job, so far. This all could’ve been prevented if he had come to Hyde Park alone, as I’d asked him to, but he never was very obedient.” He smirked. “Let’s hope, for your sake, that changes.”
“How do you know him?” Johanna urged, eager to gain as much insight into this man as possible.
The fellow scratched his chin for a moment. “In truth, I don’t. We should’ve shared a great deal, but life had other ideas.” A bitterness crept into his voice. “As for you… I’m wondering what I ought to call you. Do you prefer Mrs. Carlton, or should I refer to you as the future Lady Sinclair, though such a marriage will never be accepted by society? But I imagine you know that.”
“If you do not know him, then why were you so insistent upon meeting with him? I heard about your letters, and you did not sound very friendly.” Johanna was determined to give back whatever he gave, adopting the same bitter note.
The man laughed. “Those were not my first letters and, what can I say, I became rather frustrated about being ignored. I have sent countless, far friendlier letters to his estate in the country, and have never received a reply. And I can’t abide rudeness.” He paused. “Then, when I saw him at one of my boxing matches, and a very particular letter fell intomyhands, I knew an opportunity had presented itself. One that couldn’t have come at a more poignant time.”
Johanna’s stomach lurched. She did not know for certain which letter he was referring to, but she had a good idea. Mark had informed her that he had lost her rather scandalous letter and had scoured the filthy floor at a boxing match to try and find it. Evidently, somehow, this cretin had snatched it and realized he had some leverage against Mark.
Still, that does not explain why.
“Are you trying to blackmail him?” Johanna could think of no other reason.
The man laughed. “Not directly, though I do want something from him. Something that is owed.”
“What?”
The man wagged his finger at her. “All in good time, Mrs. Carlton. I wish to reveal everything to the organ grinder, not the monkey—no disrespect intended. And he should be receiving my final letter shortly.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “Actually, forgive me, I remember what I am supposed to call you. I have waited a long time for this, and now I am finally meeting you for the first time… my dear, dear Stepmother.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Mark staggered as the shock hit him. Stumbling into the nearby side-table, he reached out to steady himself, as some of the pieces slotted together in rapid succession. He thought of the night at the boxing bout, and the lost letter that he had not been able to find, for the life of him. In his mind’s eye, he saw The Mastiff helping him up off the floor, where he had likely swiped the letter, too.
“He means to extort me for money,” Mark declared. “I do not know how, but he must have discovered my and Johanna’s plans to elope. That must have made him panic, for if our relationship was made legitimate, he would no longer be able to blackmail me.”
Kenneth huffed out a breath. “But why would Lord Dresday keep his name from you?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Nora interjected. “Come now, you’re usually the perceptive one. Clearly, Lord Dresday would do anything to stop his prime prizefighter from getting into any unlawful trouble. If Carlton were to go to Bow Street with this information, that would be the end of The Mastiff’s fighting career, and the end of Lord Dresday’s stream of wealth.”
Mark returned his attention to Mrs. Waters. “Do you know where I might be able to find this Hugh Snow? Is there somewhere he often frequents? Anything you can think of would be tremendously useful.”
“The warehouses at the docks,” she replied without hesitation. “My Master joins him there often, to watch him train. I do not know which warehouse, exactly, but I know it is close to the Execution Dock. My Master often speaks of the sentenced souls who are marched there as Mr. Snow is training.”
Mark seized hold of Mrs. Waters’ hands and gave them a grateful squeeze. “Thank you so very much, Mrs. Waters. If there is any way that I can repay you, you have only to ask.”
“Actually, the only thing I want is to have Lady Keswick sign my books,” Mrs. Waters admitted shyly.
“I will do it, my dear Mrs. Waters. As soon as we have found my friend, I will come to you—or perhaps you should come to me—and I will sign everything you desire,” Nora promised, as she gave Liam a firm shove in the back. “Now, I suggest the three of you take your pistols and go and retrieve my dearest friend.”
Mark did not need to be told twice. Indeed, he and Kenneth already had their pistols, and he had a spare in the bureau that Liam could use.
I am coming, Sweeting. Hold on a while longer. I will soon be there, and I will rescue you from this peril.
Hurrying to prepare, Mark furnished his friend with the additional pistol and made sure to bring all the necessary accoutrements. That done, he urged Kenneth and Liam out of the drawing room door, across the entrance hall, and into the street beyond. Within minutes, they were settled inside the carriage, heading for the Execution Dock.
I do hope that name is not a bad omen…
* * *
Some forty minutes later, Mark and his two friends had abandoned the carriage, and were proceeding on foot. As they did not know precisely where this Hugh Snow fellow might be hiding Johanna, and with many warehouses to investigate, they did not want to draw attention by trundling along in that transportation.
At least night will not fall for some time.
