Page 58 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“You may write and ask him, though I doubt he will agree.”
“He is at our home as we speak,” Ephraim replied. “I must go and talk with him before he departs. I must know if he is willing. If he is, we may not have to endure any of this.”
Jasper nodded. “Go to him.”
“Thank you for your help, Jasper. I shall send word to you once I have the Duke’s reply.”
After a brief farewell, Ephraim hurried out of the public house and hastened home.
Chapter 22
Reuben left the Colborne house in a state of fury. He stalked across the park and lingered behind the oak that towered in the center. Ephraim had spoken to him and set a seed of rage within him. The old man had asked if Reuben might hasten the marriage—a prospect that did not fill Reuben with delight. He did not wish to rush. There were certain things he still had to do.
More than that, he understood where the urgency had stemmed from. He had witnessed the rogue watching Adelaide from the shadows of the India room, at Montagu House. He had made it his duty to discover what this fellow was up to—this supposed gentleman who seemed eager to follow Adelaide about London.
Even now, he saw the carriage lingering at the corner of the cobbled street. A carriage that did not belong here. He did not know how long it had been waiting, but he could guess at the inhabitant within.
A spurned admirer? I think not. I know you, Lord Rowntree. I know you would seek to take what is mine for your own delectation and delight. She is not for you, nor never shall be. You may cease your trailing of her or endure the consequences. I will not break this engagement, no matter what filth you may discover regarding my past.
He moved stealthily across the park and let himself out of the side gate. Approaching the carriage from the rear, he knew the fellow within would not see him coming… until it was too late. He reached for the door handle and wrenched it open. A gasp of alarm echoed from inside as he clambered into the darkness.
“Lord Rowntree, if I am not mistaken?” he said pointedly, facing the middle-aged man with the sandy hair and badger beard. The devil had the decency to look sheepish.
“Your Grace… I had not expected to see you here.”
“No, I imagine you did not.” He sat down opposite. “Might I ask what you are doing here, watching the Colborne residence with such outlandish veracity?”
Lord Rowntree cleared his throat. “I merely stopped to rest the horses.”
“Do not lie to me, or it shall be the last thing you do,” Reuben warned. “You know of me, correct?”
Lord Rowntree nodded slowly.
“So, you understand what I am capable of?”
He nodded again.
“You see, you might have all the lords and ladies of Bath on a tight rein, with your newly gained position there, but I do not bow to anyone,” Reuben continued, every word dripping venom. “You may have your underhand measures and your threats and your blackmail, but you do not frighten me. I have done far worse to men with far more power than you. Do you not think it strange that I have such a history, and yet I am still welcomed in polite society?”
“I do not know, Your Grace.”
“They understand that I am made of darker substance. They understand that if they cross me, or spurn me, or mention my name in a way that I do not care for, I shall come for them,” he said menacingly. “They know that I possess the ability to ruin every single one of them. The secrets I could tell, Lord Rowntree. They would make even your toes curl.”
“You do not need to threaten me, Your Grace. I mean no ill-intent.”
Reuben tutted. “Oh, but I think you do. You see, I have been watching you. Had you paid less attention to the charms of Lady Adelaide, and more on your surroundings, you might have noticed.” He paused for effect. “I saw you watching her at Montagu House. Everywhere she goes, your carriage is there. Might I ask why that is?”
“I admire her,” he replied.
“Well, at least you are honest.” Reuben gave a cold laugh. “The trouble is, Lord Rowntree, you are covetingmyproperty. Lady Adelaide is to be my wife, and nothing you can do shall prevent it. You may think you have enough information to scandalize me, but fiercer men than you have tried and failed. I cannot be ruined. You may count on that.”
“I do not covet her, Your Grace. I merely—”
“If another word of deceit leaves your lips, I shall have them removed,” he snapped. “I do not know what sort of sway you hold over the Earl of Leeds, but I am here to tell you to cease this endeavor—whatever it may be. He is my future father-in-law, and I will not have him threatened by the likes of you. I do not care what reason you may have for doing so. Moreover, I will not have you use him to get at Lady Adelaide.”
Lord Rowntree’s expression darkened. “How can you claim to know so much, and yet know so little?”
“I know all I need to know,” he replied. “Now, stop whatever it is you are doing, or face the consequences. I have men at my disposal, who will come for you in the night, when you least expect it. They will make it look like an accident. Besides, nobody in this city will miss you when you are gone. They would laud me for disposing of you.”
