Page 28 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“He made a threat against her. He knows she is dear to us both.”
Although, not because I have any romantic affections towards her. She is my friend, nothing more,he added silently. There had been a time, between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, when he had wondered what it might be like to wed Adelaide. Everyone had expected it. And, being so close to one another, of course he had contemplated it. She, however, had never shown any hint of reciprocity in that arena. As such, he had let those thoughts fade and let family expectation extinguish alongside it. In all the years since, those ideas had never resurfaced in his mind.
“The vile devil,” Ephraim hissed. “He knows that I cannot do anything to inform Adelaide without revealing the entire, sordid truth to both her and my wife. This is nothing but cold, callous blackmail.”
Jasper nodded. “I agree, My Lord. He is no fool. He has done this before. I believe he understands where to strike, to manipulate men into doing his terrible deeds.”
“Then again, how am I any better?” Ephraim murmured. “I sought him out, practically begging at his door for a loan. It was not the other way around. I caused this. Why should I be surprised that he is putting assurances in place?”
“You must not be so hard on yourself, My Lord.”
“I must be, so I never put myself in this position again,” Ephraim fired back. “I will complete this task, and then no more. I shall use the rest of the money wisely. No foolhardy investments, no speculations, nothing. I will become a better man, so there can never be a repeat.”
Jasper felt sorry for the older man, who seemed to age before his very eyes. “At least… at least Lady Adelaide will be safe. As dubious as the Duke of Bradford’s history may be, he will be able to provide for your daughter. And, in turn, for you and your Countess.”
“A poor solution to an old man’s problem. It is a father’s duty to protect his children and his wife. I have failed on both counts.”
“Not yet, My Lord.” It troubled Jasper to see Ephraim so downcast. He had never thought to hear such defeatist words coming out of the Earl’s mouth. The Earl of Leeds was a fighter. He did not bow down to anyone; he had said so himself.
“She warned me about those ships, Jasper.”
“Pardon?”
“The Countess, she warned me not to invest in those silk traders—she did not trust them. She was right. I ought to have listened,” he went on, a dry laugh stretching his voice. “I dare say she has more business acumen than I do.”
Jasper grimaced. “Speaking of those ships, I told Lady Adelaide that a few of them had come into port. I met her in the hall and did not know what else to say. I implied that their arrival was why I had to speak with you so urgently.”
“More lies…” Ephraim sank lower into his armchair.
“Should I not have spoken so?”
“No, my boy. Do not mistake me, I am grateful for your quick mind. You may well have bought me some time and a means of explanation.”
“That was my hope.”
“When the other half of my fee appears, Adelaide and Margaret will believe it has come from the ships,” Ephraim conceded. “It is the perfect ruse. I only wish I did not have to lie to them.”
Jasper dropped his gaze. “Is it too late to confess?”
“Much too late.” He sighed. “And, in the end, it may all be for naught.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“The Duke of Bradford has yet to send word about his intentions towards my daughter, though we spoke together earlier in the week,” he replied miserably. “As you have seen, there has been no announcement. We have yet to negotiate the cost of the dowry. He appears to have vanished entirely. Truly, I am beginning to have severe doubts about that unscrupulous individual as a suitable match for my daughter.”
“And you are sure that Lord Rowntree would not accept the initial half of the fee, if you were to return it to him now?” Ephraim shot Jasper a stern look. “No… a foolish thought. My apologies.”
“Believe me, if it were possible, I would have done it,” Ephraim said solemnly. “In the first instance, I would have denied Duke Bradford’s initial request for Adelaide’s hand in marriage. Had she insisted, I would have urged her to reconsider, and then sent that tainted sum straight back to where it came from.”
“I am sorry,” Jasper murmured.
“For what, dear boy?”
He shrugged. “For all that has befallen you. You do not deserve such misfortune.”
“If we had only managed to convince the two of you to fall in love with one another, we might have avoided all of this. There would likely be grandchildren running amok at this very moment, instead of so much heartache and confusion.”
Jasper stared at him, trying to gauge if he was teasing. Ephraim’s face was deadly serious, his eyes fixed on Jasper’s. He squirmed in his seat, the sentiment making him feel deeply uncomfortable. Another person to add to the list of folks who thought his friendship with Adelaide was unnatural.
