Page 75 of A Secret Consequence for the Viscount
Then all he knew was water and running and the shout of voices, the dark of night and a boat turning on an outward tide, a gangplank, a ship’s captain who took him to a small dank cabin and left him there.
All these thoughts turned in the chaos.
He had run himself, away from a life he could no longer fathom, reasoning that safety lay in the need for flight.
Instinctive. Elemental. Spontaneous.
The deep chasm of his life flowed in again, the danger, the shadows, the people who had been hurt in the Americas only because they knew him.
* * *
The ringmaster was already there this time even as some church bells chimed twelve. There were two ales on the table and beside him a thin dark man sat.
‘Tell him,’ the older man instructed the stranger as Nick also took his seat. ‘Tell him what you told me and don’t you leave nothing out, mind.’
The man paled and cleared his throat, his voice shaky and nervous as he started into the tale. ‘It is said that there is a new mark out on Viscount Bromley and the bagging of the prize is rich. A hundred pound for those who can take him.’
Nicholas’s blood had frozen at his name, but in company such as this it did not pay to give too much away.
‘He is a toff. He was the one who they had followed to America, only this time he’s here in London and there is no need to cross the ocean to kill him.’
‘Who gave the orders?’
‘The secret man. No one has seen him, but the gold he deals with is real.’
‘And why are you telling me this?’ Nicholas stressed the personal pronoun with a flourish.
‘’Cos it is said that your pay is almost as good and a lot less dangerous, guv. My wife insists that I have to abide by the law from now on if I am to be any use to her, but if I can pick up a bob here or there on the way, well, whose to know the difference?’
‘Have you heard anything of a plan?’
‘It’s a snatch from what I hear, at night. Maybe at his town house or the place of his lovebird.’
‘Lovebird?’
‘That was mentioned in the note. A woman who is a lady.’
Nicholas schooled his fury and his absolute and utter shock. All he showed was the interest a thief-taker might, distant and unattached as he dug into his pocket and handed over twenty pieces of gold.
He did not hedge his bets this time. No, this time he revealed his hand in all its rich glory. Let there be no question as to whether or not he would reward well for more information along the same lines.
The ringmaster gathered the coins, allowing the thin man one third of the pieces and himself the rest. The art of intelligence was never cheap or easy, every pimp knew that.
‘Find me a name and you will be able to leave London and buy land for yourself on the reward. I promise it.’
Both men now looked at him, their jaws slack and their eyes wide, and it was he who left the room first this time, the tavern-keeper tipping his head to him as he left.
He could not visit Eleanor again. He could not be seen with her. He had to stay his distance to keep her and their daughter safe, whatever the cost.
The well-spoken lord with the gold was watching him. Watching them. Only in cunning could he outwit the fellow, but he had to start his campaign right now. This minute.
The gall stuck in his throat as he understood exactly what he must do.
* * *
Three hours after Nicholas was supposed to have been there he sent a note. Even her brother looked worried at the missive.
‘If Nick is hurt, it will serve him right for not asking any of us to help him.’
