The one was rather shifty-looking, his ragged cap low over his eyes, a pipe sticking out of the corner of his mouth, surrounded by half-shaven stubble.
When he began speaking and addressed the other man as Blackwood, however, she realized how wrong her assumptions were.
Blackwood was rather well-dressed, his clothingfine, with an expensive hat covering what appeared to be a professionally styled beard, mustache, and mutton chops.
When he turned to the side, however, Minnie caught a look at his expression and decided that it was pure evil.
Blackwood's eyes narrowed as he spoke in hushed but harsh tones to the man whom reminded her of a sea captain. "I've waited long enough. It's time to bring down Hanson & Draper Shipping for good so that they will be begging me to protect them. That fool Draper has lost so much money to me, he practically handed over the keys to his company. His keys – and his daughter."
“What do you plan to do?”
“Promise them that I can help them rebuild and protect them from those who have stolen all the shipments from them. Draper thinks he mismanaged his books and had to gamble to try to make up the difference. Little does he know there was far more to it.”
“There are other partners.”
“Yes, but things will be so bad they will have no choice but to agree to my help.”
Minnie's heart seized in her chest. She pressed closer to Tommy, straining to hear every word.
The sea captain shifted uneasily. "I have some news about the girl since you left town. Word is she's married and gone."
"Married?" Blackwood spat. "Impossible. Draper and I had a deal. He owes me his daughter's hand, which I’ve already found a buyer for. A man who will not take kindly to not receiving what he has paid for.” He paused for a moment before waving his hand. “No matter. This man won’t care if she’s married or not, as he plans on taking her far from here, to a place where no one will ever know her past." His lips curled into a sinister smile that made Minnie's blood run cold. She curled her fingers into Tommy’s shirt,wondering how she was ever going to force herself to let go now, as Blackwood continued.
"Whoever the unlucky sod is that married her, I'll make his life a living hell until he begs me to take her off his hands. Draper signed a contract. That girl is mine."
Minnie trembled against Tommy's solid warmth. He rested his forehead against hers, his arms tightening around her, holding her steady as a wave of nausea crashed over her. Her own father had sold her like chattel to this vile man.
"What about Draper?" the captain asked.
"Oh, I'll squeeze every last shilling from him and his pathetic company. I already have my men planted in his ranks, skimming off the top. Soon, there won't be anything left of Hanson & Draper but the name. And once I have the girl, Draper's shame will be complete. He'll slink off into the gutter like the rat he is while I build his company back up.”
Tommy's jaw clenched as he listened, a muscle ticking in his cheek. Minnie could practically feel the fury radiating off him, mingling with her own horror and disgust.
Blackwood jerked his chin at the captain. "Have the ship ready. I want those goods moving tonight. Draper will never know what hit him when he loses his valuable merchandise.”
With that, the two men parted ways, melting into the shadows of the dockyard. Tommy kept Minnie pressed to the wall until their footsteps faded.
She sagged against him, her knees weak and her stomach churning. "Tommy," she whispered, her voice cracking. "What are we going to do? Blackwood... he means to destroy your life. My father’s company. To takeme. I can't... I won't..."
Panic clawed at her throat, strangling her words. But Tommy cupped her face in his rough hands, his green eyes blazing with determination.
"He won't lay a finger on you, Minnie. I swear it. You're my wife, and I'll protect you with everything I have. We're in this together now."
He pressed a fierce kiss to her forehead, and Minnie clung to him, drawing strength from his unwavering support.
“What do we do now?” she asked.
“We go talk to your father,” he said, his jaw still tight. He kept his arm wrapped around her, as though he also knew how important it was that she stay close, that he not allow any harm to come to her.
They walked quickly into the warehouse, heads down. Minnie knew that Tommy had seen Blackwood before, she just wasn’t sure whether Blackwood would recognize him — or her.
The clerk she had helped that day, not long ago, saw her first, his eyes widening as he took her in, before noticing the man at her side.
“Miss Draper,” he said. “What are you doing here?”
“Mrs.Ward,” Tommy interjected. “We’re here to see Mr. Draper.”
The clerk nodded, although he still seemed in shock as he led them through the warehouse to the offices beyond.
