Page 47 of Lady Controversial
‘I’ll be damned,’ Marcus muttered, removing his hat and scratching his head, cheering along with everyone else. He had never seen anything like it in his entire life and knew for a certainty that there had been absolutely nothing rigged about it.
The desire to reach Barker and talk to the lad in person was now pressing. But so was the crowd that…well, pressed against him, moving him in the opposite direction to that which he wanted to take as they crowded around the runners, demanding pay-outs on their wagers.
‘Make way, make way I tell you!’ Marcus cried, waving his hand and emphasising his upper-class accent.
No one paid him a blind bit of notice, and he was eventually obliged to step aside or risk being trampled underfoot. Cursing, he tried to see over the heads of the swaying crowd and keep the lad within his sights. Not that he could go anywhere in a hurry, he reminded himself. That cut would have to be dressed first. Besides, Barker knew that Marcus had wanted a word with him and it was in his best interests to make that happen.
Eventually the crowds dispersed and Marcus was able to reach the place where Barker had left his carriage, well away from the action and the direction which the crowd would have to take to return to civilization.
‘Remarkable!’ Marcus said when he reached Barker’s side. ‘I think we can do business. Where is he? Let me talk to him.’
‘He’s…er, he’s being seen to.’
There was something not quite right about Barker’s hesitant response and Marcus sent him a look of narrow-eyed suspicion.
‘That’s all right. I assume he can talk at the same time as he’s being stitched up.’
‘You and I need to discuss terms first.’ Barker, a large man with meaty fists, squared his shoulders. He had, Marcus knew, been a bare-knuckle fighter of some renown himself in his day and could easily overpower Marcus should the need arise. Marcus glanced over his shoulder at his two associates, who stood back but remained alert and would step in at a nod.
Marcus felt a little embarrassed about their requirement, especially when Barker sent them a scathing look and didn’t seem to be intimidated. Even so, he had learned the hard way to protect himself by whatever means necessary, his pride be damned.
‘We have already spoken at length, and I have made you a generous offer to quit this area.’ Marcus’s words were clipped and authoritative. ‘I will take the lad off your hands for the price we agreed, which will give you adequate funds to take your circus to another town well away from here.’
‘I could take the lad with me. Nothing’s been agreed between us and as things stand he still works for me.’
‘I would advise against going back on ourgentleman’sagreement.’ Marcus took his own turn to square his shoulders. He couldn’t match Barker for bulk, but his aristocratic background lent him a certain air of authority that ordinarily intimidated lesser men. When Barker merely sneered at him he felt exposed, and a shiver of fear ran down his spine. He had his own protection, but God alone knew who Barker had waiting in the wings. Whoever it was, they were unlikely to fight fair.
‘We agreed to discuss terms. It was you as wanted to see the lad fight before putting your money where your mouth was. You had yer opportunity but thought you was being gulled.’ Barker chuckled, a guttural sound that owed little to humour. ‘You know better now, and given what a good show of himself my lad put in tonight, the price has gone up.’
Marcus scowled, infuriated by Barker’s nerve. ‘How dare you! Do you have any idea who I am?’
‘I’ve got every idea exactly who you are,’ Barker grunted and clenched his fists, but it seemed increasingly obvious that he was distracted. Perhaps his lad’s sword arm had been irredeemably damaged by that cut and he was looking to bamboozle Marcus. Better men than Barker had tried it and failed. No, that couldn’t be right. The lad would not have been able to finish his opponent off if he’d beenthatbadly hurt.
Even so, something wasn’t right.
‘Let’s talk with the lad and give him the opportunity to decide his own future,’ Marcus said briskly.
‘Not happening.’ Barker folded beefy arms across his torso and scowled at Marcus. ‘He’s my property. You deal with me. Try taking him away from here and you’ll have a riot on yer hands. You saw for yourself just how popular he is round here. He’s a big draw, worth a lot to yer.’ Barker turned away when someone tapped his shoulder. ‘What is it?’
‘Can’t find him, guv’nor. He’s disappeared off—’
‘Keep your voice down!’
His words reached Marcus’s ears nonetheless, and the pieces fell into place. ‘He’s scarpered, hasn’t he?’ he said slowly, smiling as Barker squirmed and shook his head. ‘He’s had enough of being used and abused by you, and I should think so too. The man you put him against today could have killed him. He damn nearly did and now you’ve scared your asset off.’
‘You’re talking bollocks.’
Marcus ignored the half-hearted denial. ‘Never mind,’ he said. ‘Unlike some I could mention, I’m a gentleman of my word. Give me his name and I will still pay you the sum we agreed upon before you got greedy.’ Marcus took his turn to fold his arms, pleased with an offer that Barker was in no position to refuse. ‘There, I can’t say fairer than that.’
‘Nah. Thanks but no thanks.’
Marcus puffed out his chest, infuriated because the man showed such little respect andappeared to think he could get the better of him. Marcus had shown too much enthusiasm for the lad’s swordsmanship, there was no disguising that rare error of judgement, but even so the day had yet to dawn when an oik of Barker’s stature would get the better of Marcus Brooke.
Marcus took a step closer to Barker and glowered up into his ugly face, finding the close-up view of his broken nose and bulbous eyes disconcerting and a little intimidating, but he knew better than to show any fear.
‘I will find the boy with or without your help, Barker. You would do well to remember that I have the sort of influence you can only dream of. It would be a grave error of judgement to make an enemy out of me. You will never be free to operate in the south of England again if you go back on our agreement. Think on that before you try to throw your considerable weight around.’ Marcus paused, pleased to see Barker understood that it was no idle threat since uncertainty now clouded his expression. ‘Now, for the last time, what’s the lad’s name and where can I find him?’
‘What makes you suppose it’s a lad,’ Barker said after a prolonged pause, the suggestion of a taunting smile gracing his cracked lips.
