Page 82 of The Wise Daughter
“Please do,” Aaron grumbled.
“Your soon-to-be father-in-law lost every bit of money you were foolish enough to give him, so he wagered Raven Manor. And lost.”
“And when did he have such an opportunity?” He should have known Bilford would find another way to take something. He may not have been a thief by the usual standards, but Aaron was convinced he was one nonetheless.
“We became fast friends.” Bilford chuckled. “We may be far from London, but I have my own little club and was kind enough to let him join us. He’s been coming round nearly every night this week.”
All this time, Aaron thought Mr. Lacy had been diligent about getting Raven Manor ready. He should have heeded Nora’s warnings and watched him more closely.
“So Lacy and I decided to play cards while everyone danced. In any event, he wagered Raven Manor when there was nothing left to tempt me further. The poor man never stood a chance, Derricott. You should see how terrible he is at cards. Doesn’t matter which game either. He ruins every chance he gets.” Bilford’s chuckle deepened to a low, guttural laugh.
Aaron ground his teeth. Bilford knew exactly what he had been doing. “You should have known better than to accept such collateral, Bilford. Raven Manor isn’t his to give.”
“Oh, I know. You didn’t think I was going to make that argument, did you?”
“Then what is your argument?” Aaron was getting frustrated with this tedious line of talk.
“Merely that you either help your future father-in-law in some manner or suffer the shame of being connected to the newest tenant of Marshalsea.”
“You’d send collectors after him for such a ludicrous bet?”
Bilford smirked. “We could make an interesting wager over it now if you don’t believe I would.”
“I’m through with wagers. You’re wasting my time.”
“Really? Consider one more thing, Ravenglass. What is everyone to think when you, the new duke, won’t help keep your bride’s father out of debtors' prison?”
Aaron clenched his fists.
“And what’s worse,” he lowered his voice, “what is your bride to think? How will she face you day in and day out knowing her father islocked up because you wouldn’t offer the help that would keep him out?”
Bilford had him now, and Aaron could tell he knew it.
Aaron thought quickly. “I’ll give you seven hundred pounds instead. Take the money and never speak to me of this again. That’s more than fair.”
Bilford shrugged. “Maybe, but not if you consider the justice I’m after. Your father owed me at least that much. Now, combine that with the living of the estate I just won. Oh, and let’s not forget the embarrassment you caused my daughter. Add it together, and I’m sure you owe me at least five thousand pounds.”
Aaron was livid. “Five thousand pounds? Impossible.”
“You have to pay it, Ravenglass. Even if Raven Manor had tenants, which it currently does not, it wouldn’t bring in more than four or five hundred a year. The repairs alone make it an unwise investment. It would take years before you regain what you spent on it.”
“You make a persuasive argument. Perhaps I should just give you the manor instead of money, but as you said, you didn’t play cards with Mr. Lacy to get the manor, did you?”
Bilford’s lips stretched into an oily smile. “Oh, I know that house has sentimental meaning. Wasn’t it supposed to be the dower house? You keep it in hopes of your mother returning, don’t you?” He chuckled again. “Come now. Let’s not let bad memories sour our business.”
Aaron very nearly insisted Bilford take the manor to spite him, but Bilford was right. His mother would have lived there if she hadn’t run away. It wasn’t only an old house. It was part of his history and held certain hopes. Regardless, he knew deep within he wouldn’t let his estate be broken up by something so dishonorable as Bilford’s wretched threats.
He walked around his desk, considering possibilities, from offering Bilford another property to letting him call in the debt and send Mr. Lacy to prison. He needed a moment to think.
As he sat at his desk, a thick letter caught his eye, probably the letter Cornell had mentioned. Aaron lifted it, intending to pocket it and read its contents later, but he enjoyed the thought of making Bilford wait a little longer while he considered what to do. Besides which, his curiosity pulled him in. He broke the seal and read,
Forgive me, Your Grace, if my abundance of caution is not necessary in this instance, but I received a letter from your betrothed (enclosed here) which struck me as rather odd and uncharacteristic of our previous business dealings. I took it upon myself to make a few inquiries and discovered several complaints against her. If I am not mistaken, she was engaged to a certain Lord Newbery who paid thousands of pounds to her father to pay off gambling debts. There was also a Mr. Hunt, who, though he was never engaged to Miss Lacy, also paid a thousand pounds directly to Mr. Lacy with the promise that she would marry him. Be it far from me to make decisions regarding your engagement, but I thought it incumbent on me to warn you that there is a pattern here you should be aware of.
If Miss Lacy’s request in the letter enclosed is, indeed, according to your wishes, please confirm to me your approval, and I will proceed. If you do not wish to act upon this request, simply let me know, and I will advise you on what to do next.
Your humble servant,
Cornell
