Page 79 of The Last Chance
A niggling in Aaron’s gut had him suggesting a change of plan. “We should visit the earl first.” Berridge was guilty. No one else would dare goad the devil. No one else wished to hurt Aaron and erase a whole family from existence. “What if Lucia warns Berridge and he flees to his country estate?”
Giving it some thought, Daventry reluctantly agreed. “You’ll be professional. Berridge is in his sixties and incapable of taking one of your punches. We need solid evidence before accusing a peer and forcing him to name his accomplice.”
Aaron couldn’t afford to make a mistake. “Something tells me I’ll find answers there. I’ll keep my rage on a tight leash.”
They were about to leave when an imposing black carriage, pulled by a team of muscled black Friesians, came to a crashing halt on the street. The crest on the door was unmistakable—a gold dragon flying above crossed swords.
Rothley alighted, vaulting from the vehicle like he’d escaped from the underworld. Staring from beneath hooded lids, he strode towards Aaron, his greatcoat billowing. “Where the hell is she? I visited Fortune’s Den, but your brothers refused me entrance. Something is amiss because Aramis threatened to flatten my nose.”
Aaron had no choice but to add to Rothley’s torment. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you. Joanna’s life depends upon me keeping the secret.”
A dark cloud passed over Rothley’s features. “If she comes to any harm because of you, I’ll kill you myself. The law be damned.”
Aaron clenched his fists at his sides. Threats always brought out the devil in him. “Come to Fortune’s Den tonight at eight o’clock, and I’ll tell you everything. I’m trying to help her, buttime is short.” While he longed to put Rothley on his arse, he knew it would upset Joanna.
Rothley considered him through narrowed eyes. “This better not be a ploy to appease me. You’d better be there tonight, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
Blood rushed to Aaron’s fists, but he kept control of his temper. “I’ll be there. In the meantime, there’s something you can do to help.”
“Name it.”
“Find Fitzpatrick. I need to know if he paid Howard to ruin his sister. I need to know what Howard was doing at The Burnished Jade. I need a motive for murder that doesn’t involve me or Joanna.”
Rothley nodded. “I have your assurance she is alive?”
“She’s alive.” Or else he would be drowning in despair.
“She’s not missing?” Rothley said, more a plea than a question.
“No. I know exactly where to find her.”
The marquess released a weary sigh. “I’ll get what you need.”
Rothley made to leave, but Aaron called after him.
“What is it, Chance?”
“A word of warning,” Aaron said darkly. “No man threatens to kill me and lives to tell the tale. Lucky for you, I’ll make an exception, just this once.”
Rothley said nothing.
Aaron watched Rothley’s carriage charge away before turning to Daventry and voicing his fears. “Rothley is in love with Joanna. His actions border on obsession.” Aaron should know. There was a reason the rug near his study window was threadbare.
“Rothley is in love with Kate Bourne and has been since he was nineteen. He feels duty-bound to protect Miss Lovelace. That’s the cause of his frustration.”
Aaron had never heard of Kate Bourne, nor was he interested in the reason for Rothley’s gruff temperament.
Nothing mattered now.
Nothing but saving Joanna.
Upper Brook Street
Mayfair, London
“Lord Berridge is indisposed,” the butler said, raising his chin as if expecting an argument. “A strict mourning period is being observed. If the matter requires immediate attention, I suggest you contact his secretary.”
Aaron kept the rim of his hat pulled low and said nothing.
