Page 79 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“No, Your Grace.”
He sat up in bed, his heart hammering. “You are certain?”
“I am, Your Grace.” Her expression morphed into a mask of concern. “Is something the matter?”
“I do not yet know.”
At that moment, there came a knock at the door. Miss Green leapt to her feet as it burst open. Adelaide, Jasper, Ephraim, Lord Rowntree, and two other gentlemen stood in the hallway beyond. Realization dawned as they stepped into the room. He had been set up. They had sought their revenge upon him, and now there was little he could do to defend himself.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Ephraim spoke first. “I hope we are not disturbing anything?”
Adelaide hurried to Leah’s side, leading her away from the confrontation. They stood on the periphery, Leah’s face a picture of confusion. Reuben understood what was happening—he had been fooled into agreeing to this, and Miss Green’s protection was no doubt a part of the bargain. He did not know if she was actively involved, and he found he did not care. For he had been duped, regardless.
“What do you think you are doing?” Reuben growled.
“Seeking recompense for your threats and your blackmail,” Ephraim replied. “My daughter and Lord Gillet have explained everything to me—how you sought to extort me. Lord Rowntree is simply here for a slice of his own revenge, as it would appear you implemented a spy in his ranks. Not only that, but you almost beat him half to death. A man cannot let such things go unpunished.”
Reuben scowled at Lord Rowntree, whose face still bore the deep, black-and-blue bruises of the severe thrashing that Reuben had exacted upon him. Indeed, he was almost unrecognizable; his lip split, his eyes swollen, his nose broken at an unsettling angle.You cowardly wretch.
“You cannot threaten me,” Reuben retorted sourly. “I am untouchable.”
“It would appear that is no longer the case,” Ephraim replied. “You see, Lord Rowntree has gathered enough evidence to see you hanged. He has spoken with the Marquess of Taunton’s wife, and she is willing to talk. If you do not comply with our terms, she will go to the highest authorities in the court to see it happen. It is the same with the Baroness of Nantwich. You left her bereft and alone, and she desires due vengeance for that.”
A tremor of uncertainty passed through him. “And if I agree to your terms?”
“Those secrets of yours shall remain buried.”
“What terms did you have in mind?”
Ephraim smiled. “We are not unreasonable. In return for your cessation of any blackmail attempts, and your promise to break the engagement with my daughter, I shall pay you due recompense. You will also swear to leave us alone.”
Adelaide nodded. “Miss Green will also be recompensed for her troubles, by you. You will offer her a sum, to take care of any problems that may arise from this unfortunate situation. A fall in reputation, for example.”
“Rest assured that Lord Rowntree has several acquaintances waiting downstairs, who will vouch for your presence here, as well as these two gentlemen,” Jasper added. “A scandal will ensue, if you do not obey. I doubt you can risk another one of those, Your Grace.”
Reuben remained silent for a long while, his gaze drifting between the individuals in the room. He could not believe that he had allowed himself to be put in such a compromising position. All his life, he had been careful, yet arrogance had led him to be careless. He had been so certain of his ability to blackmail Ephraim that he had not expected him to retaliate.
And you, my love… I hate to admit it, but I admire you all the more for this,he thought, turning to Adelaide.I had not expected you to show such deceitful behavior. Indeed, I believe you and I would be far more evenly matched than even I had previously believed. You sly vixen.
“I must add that you will be required to keep my family’s secrets,” Ephraim continued. “If word reaches anyone of my part in Lord Rowntree’s tasks, I shall inform the Marquess and Baron’s wives and they shall go to court with the knowledge they possess. Do you understand?”
Reuben smiled coldly. “Oh, you have made your stance perfectly clear.”
“And what is to be your response?”
“I must accept your terms.” He hated the words as they came out.
“We are glad to hear that, Duke,” Ephraim replied.
“It would seem that I underestimated you, Lord Rowntree,” Reuben said, turning his attention to the bruised gentleman. “I had not expected you to switch sides in order to see me fall. I must doff my cap to you, for you have impressed me. Indeed, all of you have impressed me. I would never have thought a single one of you capable of this.”
Across the room, Miss Green huddled against the wall with tears streaming down her face. She looked as horrified as he did, though she had more to fear. If any of this were to come out, she would be entirely ruined. And yet, he did not have the heart to do that to her. He had made a promise, and he intended to keep it, even if he had not tasted the forbidden fruit. Besides, it would be a hollow sort of victory, to render her destitute. There would be no joy in it.
“I shall see to it that Miss Green is well taken care of, though you cannot expect marriage from me,” he said. “You are woefully unsuitable for such things. Instead, I shall find myself a stupid, simple creature who will become a stupid, simple wife. You shall receive your sum, Miss Green, and any protection you may require if a child is born.”
Miss Green whimpered. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
He could not bring himself to look at her any longer. Any power and grace she might have had dissipated along with her tears. All he could do was look at Adelaide, who glowered in his direction with such vehemence that it almost stunned him. For the first time, he wished he had not endeavored to blackmail her father. Perhaps, then, he might have truly acquired the one thing he desired… her.
