Page 88 of Tempting the Scoundrel
“No? Then let me aid your memory.” Alex lifted the briefcase and set it on Seymour’s desk with a hard thump. “I’ve learned agreat dealabout the shipping business recently. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the expense of transporting goods from one continent to another. Particularly when they’re as distant as, say, Australia. The connections one must have! The capital!” She tilted her head and gave him a cutting smile. “How difficult that must be, when MPs earn no salary.”
Seymour’s expression had gone cold. “I’m the son of the Duke of Norfolk.”
“And brother to the Earl of Surrey.” Thorne almost let out a surprised laugh when she gave that particular name. The Earl of Surrey was one he knew well. Clever girl. Alex caught his look and gave him a brilliant smile. “You’re familiar with the earl, aren’t you, darling?”
“I know every name in the Brimstone’s books,” Thorne said, crossing his arms. “He’s settled debts that would have sunk most aristos.”
“Oh, I believe they did strain even the duke’s flush coffers. And fortunately for Lord Seymour, when I investigate someone, I take copious notes.” She opened the briefcase and set out paper after paper of sums—not only from the Brimstone, but other businesses. The MP regarded the papers but said nothing. “How much would this leave for a second son’s business ventures, I wonder? What do you think, Nick?”
Nick grinned. He could watch her do this all day. “Fucking nothing, I’d wager. Aye, Seymour?”
The MP shoved the papers away. “What of it?” he asked, lifting his shoulders. “It’s not unusual to have investors, though I understand women know little of such things.”
“Indeed! Investors. Thank you for reminding me.” She picked up another paper and flicked it across the desk. “Yes, a dozen or so, and a rather impressive list. You might notice their names are crossed off. I did that as I met with each of them.”
Lord Seymour froze. “I beg your—”
“Pardon,” she said with a mocking look. “I wasn’t finished. They were all under the assumption that your business dealt in shipping supplies and goods, as Australia gives and receives half of its imports and exports. Why, they wereveryinterested to know that their investment was being put toward illegal human trafficking for the purposes of mining and smuggling opals. I also let them know about the cost involved in transporting the raw gems to Germany for cutting. And what difficulty getting them there, with the French and Germans in a bloody conflict as recently as last year.” She set her hands on the desk and leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “Imagine their shock when I told them all what their money was really being used for.”
The MP’s breath came rapidly. Thorne’s, too, but for a different reason: his wife was fucking magnificent.
“Get out of my house,” Lord Seymour said, his voice trembling. “Or I will alert the authorities.”
Thorne leaned down. “Who do you think owns the authorities?” he asked, flashing his teeth. “I do.”
“Now, Nick,” his wife said, chastising. “Let’s not be rude. We’re quite happy to leave, of course. But first, I have another matter of business to discuss.” She reached into the briefcase for another sheet, and set it down in front of him. “The settling of your debts. To me.”
The MP sat straight and stared down at the sheet in alarm. “My—what—”
“You see, once your investors heard that they were being swindled and unknowingly engaging in illegal trade, they were willing to let me buy up what you owed. So I did.” She tapped the paper. “There’s the amount, all added up. Quite a sizable sum. But I am willing to consider a trade.”
Thorne marveled at her. He had seen her absorbed in her work, admired the way she spoke passionately about politics, but she was in her element now. Like Lord Seymour, he leaned forward to listen to the bargain. To hear what she had worked on for days while he worried over her.
And here she was, saving it herself.
Lord Seymour cleared his throat. “Trade?”
Alexandra smiled. “Pull the contract on my life.” But when Lord Seymour almost relaxed, she added, “Then resign your post and leave the country. You will close up your mines and use whatever capital you gained in this trade to pay every single worker a hefty severance.”
The MP shot up from his seat with a snarl, restrained only by Thorne’s grip. “That’s outrageous!”
“Outrageous?” His wife’s smile disappeared. She shut her briefcase with a thump. “I can’t prove that you had my contacts murdered, but Icanprove you owe me money and that your shipments are fraudulent. Recall that I can take everything you own, right down to the very last button on your coat. Between your brother’s debts and yours, not even your father the duke can help you now.”
Lord Seymour collapsed in his chair, wild eyed and a bit stunned. Thorne almost couldn’t blame the man—when Alex came here with the intent on destroying this man, she’d performed the task thoroughly. “I . . . I need time—”
“Pull the contract and leave, pay your workers and close the mines, or I will publish every last bit of information I have and financially ruin you. That’s my offer. It expires the moment I walk out that door.” Alex grasped the briefcase off the desk and moved as if to leave.
“Wait.” The MP put up a staying hand. “All right.All right. I”—he clenched his jaw and shot a glare at Thorne—“I accept.”
“Good. Then we shall vacate your home.” She nodded at Thorne and gestured to the door. “Oh, and Lord Seymour?” She gave a small smile. “If I ever see you in England again, or if I hear that you have reneged on our deal, I’ll come to collect every last debt you owe. And I won’t be so pleasant next time.”
Lord Seymour’s eyes flashed with fear.
Once they exited the townhouse, Thorne scanned the road for anyone about. The dark thoroughfare—thank christ—was empty. He couldn’t restrain himself anymore. He hauled Alex up against the wall of a nearby building and set his mouth to hers.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her fiercely. “I love you so much.”
Alex let out a breathless laugh. She dropped the briefcase and grasped the collar of his jacket to pull him closer. “Why Nicholas Thorne,” she murmured against his lips, “do you mean to tell me you find threatening people to be arousing?”
