“I’ll take care of it,” Jeffries said. “There will be no Carlisle-Putnam wedding.”
“Thank you, sir. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to check on Edgerton now,” Alesbury said, taking his leave.
“Alesbury?”
Alesbury turned back to the director. “Yes, sir?”
“Will I be able to count on your continued service to the Crown?”
“For now,” he said and walked out the door.
Alesbury flagged down a hackney and gave him Edgerton’s address. He was impatient to see Violet and it took longer than he expected getting through the traffic in London. When the hackney stopped, he paid the driver and bounded up the stairs to the Edgerton townhouse.
Akers opened the door before he could knock. “Lord Alesbury.”
“Good morning, Akers. I need to see Edgerton.”
Akers stepped aside to allow him entry. “He’s still in his bedchamber. Shall I announce you?”
“Not necessary. I’ll show myself up.”
“Very good, my lord.”
Alesbury glanced in the parlor on his way upstairs, but it was empty. He wasn’t sure if Violet was home or not. He first had to see Edgerton, and then he’d inquire about his betrothed. At the top of the stairs, he turned left and knocked on Edgerton’s bedchamber door before easing it open. “Edgerton?”
“Come,” came a faint voice from the bed.
Alesbury walked to his friend. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot,” Edgerton said with a chuckle. “Take my advice and avoid it if you can—you don’t want to endure this.”
“I’ll try to keep myself out of such circumstances then.”
Edgerton raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you won’t be quitting the Crown’s service?”
“Not at the moment. I saw Jeffries earlier and filled him in on everything that happened last night.”
“Did you inform him I’d not be pursuing charges?”
“I did. Jeffries will see to it that Carlisle’s ruined, with no recourse for raising any more money.”
“He won’t be without funds if he marries Agnes Putnam. She has a very healthy dowry that could set up his smuggling ring again.”
“That won’t happen either. Jeffries will inform Sir Putnam that it would be in his daughter’s best interests not to marry Carlisle.”
“Good. At least we’ll get the bounder out of London,” Edgerton said.
“Speaking of marriage contracts, I’ve no need for Violet’s dowry.”
“I see. Would you like to put it in a trust for Violet and any children you may have?” Edgerton asked.
“Yes. That’s an excellent idea. That way, if Violet wants to set up a charity, she’ll have the funds at the ready. I’ll inform my solicitor that provision should be added when he meets with yours.”
“By the way, the ladies are out shopping, but if I know my mother, she’ll want the banns to be read. Yours will be the biggest wedding this Season. Are you agreeable to that?”
Alesbury groaned. “I had hoped to get a special license, but of course, I will bow to her wishes. That will also give you time to heal.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
