Page 48 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
Although reluctant, Alexander knew that the following morning, he had to focus all of his efforts on work. He had a meeting with Sir Rupert Harland, and he was curious to see what the man would offer in terms of business propositions. As always, Tom would be present and accounted for, as Alexander highly valued his input, so it was important for him to find everything out first hand.
“Ah, Your Grace!” Sir Rupert arrived seeming cordial and respectful as he was ushered into Alexander’s study by the butler. “Finally, the moment has come.”
“Yes,” Alexander smiled, shaking the man’s hand, “it is a pleasure to welcome you to London.”
“Ah, it is my pleasure to be here, I assure you!” The man spoke a little too enthusiastically for Alexander’s taste, but he gave the man the benefit of the doubt.
“Please, take a seat.” Alexander gestured. “This is Thomas Higgins, my steward and right hand in all my business endeavors. I trust you won’t find his presence here distracting?”
“By no means,” Sir Rupert assured him, turning to Tom before he sat down and proceeding to shake the man’s hand as well. Only then did he take his seat.
“Might I offer you a drink?” Alexander suggested.
Sir Rupert pondered it for a few moments, then he grinned, revealing a row of uneven, yellow-stained teeth, which Alexander had not noticed until then. Now, they were all he could think about.
“Yes, I do believe I would like one,” Sir Rupert finally made up his mind. “And I suggest you have one as well. I am almost positive that you will need one.”
Alexander turned to the man, slightly taken aback by such familiarity, being spoken to as if the two were lifelong friends and not two strangers who had only met.
“Is what you have come to offer so incredible that I need a drink to believe it?” Alexander decided to accept the playful tone of the conversation.
Sir Rupert tilted his head a little as if to take a better look at Alexander, who suddenly felt a chill in his entire body like someone had forgotten to close the window on a cold, wintry day. Only it was summer, and it was exactly the opposite of cold.
“Shocking might be the better word for it,” Sir Rupert replied what to his own mind was clarification, but for his audience was an even more convoluted manner in leading them in the direction he wanted to.
The two men were now facing each other in what might have been a battle of wits, only Alexander had no idea what he was up against.
“I’m afraid I do not follow.” Alexander was still doing his best to keep his composure, but occasional glances in Tom’s direction assured him that his loyal steward was as uneasy as he himself was.
“Oh, it is quite simple.” Sir Rupert eyed the liquor cabinet. “Perhaps a drink first?”
Alexander gritted his teeth, gesturing for Tom to pour everyone a glass. He did so quickly, bringing the glasses to the two men seated opposite each other at a long mahogany writing table.
“Would you mind explaining the reason behind your… perplexing introduction, Sir Rupert?” Alexander decided to speak up. “I am a busy man and I have no time for games, if that is what you have come here for.”
“Oh, I assure you, Your Grace, this is no game.” Sir Rupert seemed eerily calm, while the other two men tensed in silence. “Because, you see, I know your secret.” The man sneered, his lips twisting into a cruel smile.
Alexander would not have been more surprised if lighting struck him right then and there.Secret?His mind raced. It couldn’t be. He had been so cautious, they both had. It was impossible. And yet, this man was sitting here, claiming otherwise.
Perhaps he was fishing for information? Alexander’s entire body tensed even more.
“Whatever you think you know, Sir Rupert, I assure you that I have neither the time nor the will power to deal with people like you.” Alexander tried the confident approach, but he quickly came to realize that it would not work. He started to get up. “Now, if you will excuse me—”
“Lady Anna Ravenscroft.” Sir Rupert called out the only name that mattered in Alexander’s life. “Sit down, Your Grace. You look uncomfortable.”
Alexander swallowed heavily, but he did as he was told.
Sir Rupert continued. “Unless you comply with my demands, I will not hesitate to expose your illicit affair with Lady Ravenscroft to the world.”
Alexander’s usually composed demeanor shattered in an instant, his fists clenching with barely suppressed rage as he struggled not to grab the man by the throat and end his days right then and there.
“You dare to blackmail me?” Alexander roared, his voice reverberating against the walls of his study. “You dare to threaten me with such despicable tactics?”
However, Sir Rupert remained untouched by this outburst, his eyes still gleaming with that same malicious intent. “I have no qualms about using whatever means necessary to achieve my goals, as you can see for yourself,” he declared coldly, his tone dripping with contempt.
“So you can rest assured that if you refuse to comply with my demands, I will not hesitate to ruin both you and Lady Ravenscroft. If you allow me to continue, you will see that the price for my silence isn’t all that much.”
“You scoundrel!” Alexander felt like slamming his fist against his table, but he knew better than to show this man how much this was affecting him. “What is it you want?”
