Page 52 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
He is expected to go before the magistrates on Tuesday afternoon. A deputy has been selected to stand in on Mr. Palmer’s parliamentary duties, until this matter can be resolved. That position falls to Gordon Wealdstone, Lord Rowntree, of Greater London.
Ephraim’s heart thundered in his chest as he came to the end of the brief article. He did not know this Mr. Palmer on a personal level, though he had heard the name mentioned at parliament. However, he understood his part in what had happened. The information he had gathered for Lord Rowntree had been used against Mr. Palmer, so that Lord Rowntree might find himself with a suitable seat in the House of Commons.
It was not entirely orthodox for a Lord to gain a seat in the House of Commons, but it was also not unheard of. A temporary position could easily turn into a permanent one. Lord Rowntree was gaining more power, and Ephraim had helped him do it.
For what?he thought bitterly.For the sake of a match you do not agree with? For the sake of a marriage that will only make Adelaide miserable? For a failure thatyouwere responsible for? You were the one who put your family in this mess by speculating against Margaret’s wishes, and now you have made it worse for others, too. You silly, selfish fool.
He flipped through the rest of the newspaper, scouring every page for news of the Marquess of Tavistock. So far, there seemed to be no mention of him. Nevertheless, Ephraim got the feeling that it would not be long until the Marquess appeared on the pages. Lord Rowntree was a master of playing the long game. His patience was his virtue and his most dangerous skill.
Setting it down with shaky hands, he picked up the letters and riffled through them. One stood out. He knew before he even opened it that it had come from the devil himself. It almost seemed as though it had been timed to coincide with the news article.
He opened it out and began to read. With every word, his heart sank deeper into a pit of despair:
I hope this letter finds you well. You did a rather splendid job of dealing with the fellows at the Houses of Parliament, and I have a great deal of respect for your actions. However, I must regretfully inform you that our business agreement is not over. There is one more task that I require from you, before I will release you from the terms of our bond.
I need you to steal a golden scepter from the altar at Westminster Abbey. It belongs to the Archbishop. You cannot fail to see it upon entering the Abbey itself. I shall leave the details to you. However, I require the scepter by the end of next week. That gives you six days. I imagine that shall be more than enough.
Failure to comply with my request will result in harm towards the fairest member of your family. Lady Adelaide is a rather delightful creature. If you cannot deliver these terms, then perhaps we may come to some other arrangement regarding your sweet daughter. I am in the market for a wife.
I shall leave the decision up to you.
Best regards,
G. Wealdstone, Lord Rowntree
Tears pricked Ephraim’s eyes as he read over the letter once more. Part of him hoped the words might change, or that the entire thing was a fabrication, borne of his feverish mind. No such luck. The letter remained solid and brutal in its impact.
You have done this on purpose, you sly dog,he realized.You know that I cannot steal such a thing from the Abbey without finding myself in the dankest cell of a dingy gaol. They shall crucify me for it. It is an impossible endeavor.And yet, he knew he had to do it. He would not sacrifice his daughter’s virtue to a man like Lord Rowntree. He would rather spend the rest of his life incarcerated… which was probably a good thing, considering where the task ahead might lead him.
He understood, in that moment, that he had been woefully entrapped by Lord Rowntree. Evidently, the devil had seen Adelaide and decided she might make a nice wife. The only thing that Lord Rowntree knew was blackmail, deceit, and cruelty. He had applied all three, in an attempt to have Adelaide for himself.
You will not have her, you evil cretin. Over my dead body.
Just then, he heard the front door open and someone come into the entrance hall. He brushed the tears from his eyes and shoved the nefarious letter into his jacket pocket. He did not want his family to see him like this.
“Papa?” Adelaide called, her voice breaking his heart.
“In here, darling!”
She appeared a moment later, her cheeks flushed. “There you are. It is wonderful to see you up and about again,” she said. “Are you feeling much better?”
“Oh yes, my dear girl. I am much more like myself.”
“May I fetch anything for you?” She glanced at the empty table in front of him. “Were you expecting luncheon?”
He nodded. “Daniel has sent for something. Would you care to join me?”
“I am still fit-to-bursting from breakfast,” she replied, with a merry chuckle. “I shall be in the library if you need me. Are you sure I cannot get you anything before I go?”
He shook his head. “No, my dear girl, seeing your face is quite enough.”
“Is something the matter?” Her expression turned solemn.
“No… why would it be?”
She shrugged. “I am uncertain. You seem… out of sorts.”
“It is the last breaths of this darned cold,” he replied quickly, covering his tracks. “My eyes are terribly itchy still, and I feel as though an elephant is sitting upon my chest.” He did not tell her that his eyes itched because they were full of tears, and his chest ached because his heart was shattering before her.
