Page 59 of A Sense of Fate
‘I will, and I’m very grateful to you.’
‘Always a pleasure.’
The gentlemen shook hands and went their separate ways.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Are you going to tell Flora what Conrad’s brother had to say for himself?’ Pawson asked as he and Archie sat inside his carriage. They were on their way to Fox Hollow to collect the sisters and take them to Beranger Court.
Archie scowled, much as he had been doing ever since Marcus Conrad made a revelation so astounding that Archie was still reeling from the shock. Even he, who had a very low opinion of Elroy Conrad’s morals, hadn’t assumed he would stoop quitethatlow. ‘I don’t see how I can, and trust me, I’ve been contemplating little else since learning the particulars.’
Pawson was grim-faced too. ‘I believe the father was a coward for not exposing the son’s behaviour.’
‘I think that he intended to, despite the damage it would have done to his family’s name. Elroy was given a warning to reform or face the consequences. Elroy didn’t believe the father would denounce him, simply because he’d always indulged him in the past. Besides, it would reflect badly upon them all and spell the end of Marcus’s political career. Then the father died and Elroy probably assumed he was free to carry on with his disreputable ways.’
Pawson sighed. ‘So it would appear.’
‘Even being thrown out of Coutts and disowned by the family hasn’t stopped him. In fact, any restraint he’d once managed for his father’s sake and in order to keep his place at Coutts is no longer necessary. The only person’s opinion he cared about was his father’s. He needed to stay on his good side if he also wanted to remain solvent, but he’s been cut off from the family coffers by a brother who sees him for the scoundrel that he is—and as we know, Elroy is the type who enjoys exacting revenge.’
‘Right.’ Pawson nodded his understanding. ‘He won’t want his exploits coming to light, but he probably enjoys knowing that if it happens, it will destroy Marcus.’ Pawson snarled. ‘What a charming character he is.’
Archie winced as the carriage wheels jolted through a rut. ‘We have no actual proof of the extent of his depravity, and it’s the devil of an accusation to make about Flora’s father, even though she has precious little time for him. It will reflect badly on her entire family too if there’s any validity in the rumour. Knowing Elroy Conrad as well as I do, I have little trouble believing it of him, but Latimer is supposed to be a man of God.’
Pawson made a disgruntled sound at the back of his throat. ‘Ain’t they sometimes the worst?’
Archie rubbed his chin and flashed a wry smile by way of acknowledgement. ‘There was always something about Conrad that I found objectionable. I wondered if I was being a little above myself at the time, disliking him for no reason other than he was from the middle classes.’
‘That don’t sound like you, guv’nor. After all, you speak to me.’
Archie gave an amused grunt. ‘I reached the same conclusion as you about Conrad. I forged and maintained friendships with other men of his ilk.’ Archie paused. ‘We need evidence.’
‘I’ve set people to watch for Conrad in this neck of the woods. If he intends to try anything hereabouts, I shall get to hear about it. If you ask me, he will do exactly that, simply because it will be right under your nose and he resents the fact that you didn’t die. He won’t rest until he has the final word, guv’nor.’
‘I am aware of that.’ Archie threw his head back and sighed. ‘But will Flora and her sister be safe with him on the rampage?’
‘As long as they don’t know the truth, I can’t see why they wouldn’t be. You worry too much. Flora stood up to her father and he won’t be back until he’s licked his wounds and dreamt up a fresh strategy. Conrad won’t try anything with either of them without his prior knowledge and approval since Latimer pulls the strings in that relationship.’
‘And yet I still don’t like it. Melanie overheard a heated conversation between Latimer and Conrad. If what Marcus Conrad told us about his brother’s connection with Latimer is true, then it stands to reason that she overheard them laying their plans, even if she doesn’t realise the significance of what she actually heard.’
‘Let’s hope she doesn’t, the poor lass,’ Pawson said with feeling.
‘Indeed.’ Archie firmed his jaw. ‘Latimer thinks that both of his daughters are in possession of sensitive information regarding his activities. Only imagine the consequences for a man of Latimer’s standing if unfounded rumours of said activities were to emerge. He isn’t popular within the ranks of the clergy and the slightest excuse to bring him down would be pounced upon.’
‘We could always start a whispering campaign,’ Pawson suggested with a whimsical smile.
‘Tempting, but best not. I despise the man for what he’s done to his daughters, and what we suspect him of doing elsewhere, but I won’t destroy him without actual proof. That would make me no better than him.’
‘I wasn’t serious. Well, only a little.’
Archie nodded. ‘Latimer will be increasingly desperate to regain control of both of his daughters. He knows that Flora has financial independence and won’t return to the family fold, no matter what he says or what threats he makes. Which leaves only one avenue left open to him.’ He fixed Pawson with a look that conveyed his fear for her life.
‘Have his own daughter killed? He wouldn’t go that far, surely?’
‘I wouldn’t put anything past the rogue, and I certainly don’t intend to allow him that much rope. But still, let’s hope you’re right and we still have a little time on our side. At least Conrad and Latimer don’t know that we suspect them, which gives us an advantage of sorts.’
‘Very likely, but I’m thinking that Flora will know that you’re holding out on her and demand to know what you found out.’ Pawson chuckled. ‘She’ll manage it too. You know she has your measure and that you can’t ever deny her anything.’
Archie scowled across at his man. ‘She will be preoccupied with Melanie and swept up in the plans for Violet’s wedding. Here in the carriage, her sister will be with her, so there will be no opportunity for private discourse.’
