Page 49 of Lady Gambit
Meldrum stepped back, his confidence faltering. “If you’ve come to blacken my other eye, be assured I had nothing to do with that blasted shooting. Only a fool would maim one brother when there are three more waiting in the wings.”
The door suddenly burst open. A gentleman in his late thirties with a thick moustache and side-whiskers strode into the room. He took one look at them and came to a crashing halt.
“Don’t mind Bertie.” Meldrum gestured to his dark-haired friend.
Bertie raised his hands in mock surrender. “I do beg your pardon. I didn’t know you had guests. I shall leave you in peace.”
Bertie made to retreat, but Meldrum wouldn’t hear of it. “Stay. If Flynn means to accuse me of attempted murder, I want a witness.”
“We’re here to discuss your marriage proposal, not to accuse you of a crime,” Miss Chance said as per the plan, though the thought of her marrying any man turned Dorian’s stomach. “Mr Flynn will want to ask you a few questions. My brother was shot during an attempted abduction. He needs you to prove that your desire to settle your debts did not lead you to do something foolish.”
With Meldrum drowning in a mire of debt, he had no option but to invite them to sit. “I’m innocent of any crime. I have nothing to hide.”
Bertie—introduced to them as Gerald Bertram, an old friend Meldrum met on his Grand Tour—took the chair by the hearth. Keen to woo the woman who might save him from the Marshalsea, Meldrum cupped Miss Chance’s elbow and escorted her to the plush sofa. Dorian sat in the adjacent chair and was forced to watch Meldrum fawn over Miss Chance.
Meldrum turned to face the lady, his knee brushing hers. “Your brother said he would rather tie a noose around his neck than call me kin. What makes you think you can persuade him otherwise?”
Miss Chance’s smile radiated confidence. “My brother cares about my welfare. If he thinks I am happy, he will agree to the match. But before we continue, I must know you did not plan to have me abducted to force my brother’s hand.”
Meldrum shrugged. “What can I do but give you my word?”
“You can help to find those responsible.”
The lord stared blankly. “Isn’t that Flynn’s job?”
“If you want to win the lady’s hand, you must show willing,” Bertie said with a weak chuckle. “You can ask at your club. You can pester theton’s best gossips. It’s the obvious place to start.”
Dorian might have agreed but could think of nothing but Meldrum’s pasty white paws mauling Miss Chance.
“The lady knows you’re marrying her out of desperation,” Bertie said. “A romantic gesture may soften the blow.”
Meldrum snorted. “I think a title is compensation enough. She can have the run of Farnworth Park. I’ll not trouble her there.”
And Aaron Chance would be forever keeping the bailiffs at bay.
Bertie sighed. “Forgive my friend. He’s a dolt who’s forgotten that all men are equal in the Marshalsea. Fear not, Miss Chance. A strong woman might be just the thing to help put his priorities in order.”
Meldrum’s cheeks flamed. “What the blazes, Bertie! You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“Trust me, I am.” Bertie laughed. “I am.”
“You’re aware I have no memory of my parents?” Miss Chance looked at her clasped hands resting in her lap. “They may be criminals. Aaron took me in while I was living on the streets. Why would you want to court scandal by marrying someone thetonconsiders inferior?”
The devil covered her clasped hand with his own. “I knew you were beautiful from the rare glimpses I’ve seen. Sitting with you now, I find there’s something quite compelling about your countenance.”
The muscles in Dorian’s abdomen tightened.
It took every effort to remain in the chair.
He pursed his lips before he swore and ruined the investigation.
“You flatter me, my lord. But I cannot consider your suit until Mr Flynn has vouched for your innocence. He can only do that if you answer his questions.”
Glad of the distraction and that Meldrum was prompted to release Miss Chance, Dorian said, “What do you know about Nora Adkins?”
“Who?”
“She’s a patient at Bethlem Royal Hospital. You’re on the Board of Governors. You visited the hospital late last night when Nora Adkins absconded.”
