Page 58 of Lady Beresford's Lover
Nick dropped his hand, but had to stop himself from growling. “I asked you if he wants to improve his finances through Miss Corbet.”
“Who else has he been dangling after?” his friend asked in an exasperated tone. “Not that I think he likes her over-much, but needs must.”
“How does he know anything about her portion?”
“It seems to be common knowledge amongst the dowagers and older ladies that her sisters had large dowries. Naturally, it makes sense that she would as well.”
Silvia would loathe anyone who wanted her for her money. He’d bet his fortune that she had no idea Lord Oliver was aware of her worth. “Bloody worm.”
Hawksworth heaved a sigh. “Could you please speak in full sentences? One could easily forget you are well educated.”
“As you wish.” Nick narrowed his eyes at Lord Oliver. “I said he is a bloody worm that should find somewhere other than in England to reside.”
“There, now you have a purpose, and you will be doing the lady a service.” Hawksworth pulled out a chair, kicking one out for Nick. “Probably his father as well.”
“I don’t give a farthing for his father.”
“No,” his friend murmured, “you wouldn’t. How do you propose to remove Lord Oliver from Miss Corbet’s surroundings?”
“I know a sea captain who wouldn’t mind taking him to India. He could probably get a good price for—”
“No.” Hawksworth interrupted. “Marrying for wealth is a perfectly acceptable way of repairing one’s fortune. You simply do not like him or that he has selected your Miss Corbet.” He waved his hand, and two chairs appeared at Lord Oliver’s table. “Let’s join him. I’m sure you are bound to come up with a better idea.”
“One that causes more suffering,” Nick said in an under-tone, but as they took their places, Lord Oliver rose.
“Give me a few moments, gentlemen. I shall return directly.”
Lord Oliver strolled toward a corridor leading off the main room. A few moments later, a scruffier-appearing man glanced around before following.
“I don’t like the looks of that.” Nick motioned with his head. “I’ll be back straight away.”
Hawksworth laid a restraining hand on Nick’s arm. “Do you want me to come as well?”
“No, it might look odd. I won’t engage them.”
He sauntered from the room as if he didn’t have a care in the world. The corridor was lit by candles in wall sconces. Neither gentleman was visible. Nick opened the first door he came to, which turned out to be a privy. Making his way to the end of the corridor, he finally spied a heavy wooden door that probably led outside. Pushing it open, he heard Lord Oliver’s well-bred voice.
“I’ll have the money as soon as I convince the lady to marry me. It won’t be long now. M’father doesn’t expect a large wedding.”
“I’m sure your lordship can think of a way to hurry her along.” The English was proper enough, but the man sounded as if he was from the Rookery. “Get her alone for a while, and make sure you roger her good.”
Nick clenched his hands, fighting the urge to beat the speaker into the ground and anyone else who happened to try to stop him.
“I won’t rape her,” Lord Oliver insisted urgently. “If my father ever found out, I’d be banished for good.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
Ah, that must be the scruffy gentleman.
“A simple abduction would work well. All you’d have to do is take her out of London for a night. I’m sure she and her family would see the sense of an immediate wedding.”
“Very well,” Lord Oliver said. “If she refuses me, I’ll do it.”
“If she refuses you, you’ll never get the girl in a coach,” Rookery said. “You have a week, or I’ll take care of it for you.”
Nick was half-way tempted to just kill Lord Oliver now, but Hawksworth was right. There must be a better way of dealing with the man, and murder was too quick. His lordship deserved to suffer for a long enough time to learn the error of his ways.
The next morning Rupert woke at his usual hour, surprised to find he wasn’t at all tired. That could only be due to Vivian. He was convinced he loved her, now all he had to do was show her she could trust him. Their nightly meetings would go on, and he would court her during the day as well. Eventually, he would help her be comfortable enough that she no longer required her Cleopatra costume. He hoped her troubles did not run deeper than he knew. That would present a problem.
