The butler took his leave, closing the door behind him.
“What news? You took your time reporting back to me,” Carlisle said.
“Events in Bellericay are spiraling out of control. Edgerton has started hiring staff at Blakely Manor, and I suspect he also has something to do with the mill reopening, although I cannot confirm the mill ownership as of yet,” Lord Ray Harrison said, taking a seat in one of the chairs positioned in front of Carlisle’s desk.
Carlisle slammed his hand down on the desktop. “Damn Edgerton! Why must he plague me at every turn?”
“There’s more.”
“What more can there be?” Blakely Manor had been crucial to the operation. It would have provided an ideal stopover to store the more sensitive goods before they traveled north. It was the perfect scheme and had taken more than a year to put into motion. Carlisle had been looking for a way to expand his smuggling operation because the last few barrels that had been sunk in the sea for later retrieval had leaked. He’d lost some very expensive French brandy when it became tainted with seawater. Losses had been piling up, and he’d needed an overland route to supplement the operation instead of relying entirely on sea retrieval. Blakely Manor had sat empty for years and had been perfect for his objective. “Why the sudden interest from Edgerton?”
“I don’t know. No one seems to know the source of his interests are in the area. Now that renovations at Blakely are complete and staff is being hired, between that and the reopening of the mill, the men aren’t willing to wait for the operation to start up again. With the disappearance of the old magistrate, we’ve lost our control over the area. I had the opportunity to speak with the new magistrate. He’s a stickler for details and follows the law to the letter. There will be no help from him, nor any blind eye turned to the operation starting up again.”
“Bloody hell!” Carlisle exploded out of his chair, sending it flying into the far wall. He stalked to the side table and poured a healthy dose of brandy into a glass. “Care for one?”
Lord Harrison nodded.
Carlisle brought two glasses back to his desk and handed one to his visitor.
“What would you like me to do now?” Lord Harrison asked. “I have nothing to entice the men with to keep them tied to the prior arrangement especially with the good wages Edgerton is offering.”
“Damn. Seems our vision of an easy overland smuggling route from London has been squashed for now. However, I’m in need of an influx of cash. See to selling the outlying properties I’ve recently purchased. Without the manor house, they’re useless to me.”
Lord Harrison took a sip of the brandy. “That may be difficult. They’re not located near any village and very isolated.”
“I know that. It’s the reason I purchased them in the first place. They would have been the necessary stepping stones for an inconspicuous route to my Country Seat.” Carlisle downed his brandy and let it burn down his throat. How could his carefully planned operation be falling apart just when he’d finally gotten all the pieces nearly in place? Blakely Manor had been the last property he’d needed to create the perfect overland smuggling route—a wagon route with enough stops that it wouldn’t cause undue interest with its heavy loads. It was maddening that he’d run out of money before he could purchase Blakely. His Country Seat was already mortgaged, as well as his London townhouse, so there was no help there for additional funds. He’d tried to get more credit, but banks were reluctant to extend him any as he was already behind on the payments. He was using the last of his sister’s dowry to fund his time in London and losing Blakely Manor to Edgerton was almost too much to bear.
Edgerton had been a thorn in his side for months, and now he’d bested him in Billericay. Could he know of the smuggling operation? Carlisle found that hard to believe, as the only people who knew the full extent of the operation besides him were Ray and the old magistrate. His blood heated as he thought of Edgerton. First, he’d taken Courtney Darkin and her large dowry from Carlisle’s grasp and now he’d foiled the perfect plan to expand his smuggling operation. Why was he so plagued? Carlisle vowed he would make Edgerton pay for his transgressions against him if it was the last thing he did before quitting London.
“Do what you must to sell those properties even if you must take a loss.”
Lord Harrison finished his brandy and stood. “I’ll keep you informed.”
Carlisle nodded and watched his trusted confidant leave his study. On top of the Billericay problem, two of his ships carrying vital merchandise were weeks overdue, and Carlisle could only surmise they’d been lost at sea. They’d been the answer to his immediate financial problems and it was a devastating blow, especially since he had no other goods to push north. Why was everything falling apart just when it seemed his plans would come to fruition and he’d be flush with cash again? He retrieved his chair and sat brooding at his desk, downing another brandy while thinking of his nemesis. What was the most devastating thing he could inflict upon Edgerton to make him feel even a fraction of the pain he was causing him?
Edgerton was the common factor between his money problems and the failure of his operation. He didn’t know how, but he had a sinking feeling the viscount was also behind his latest problem—the lack ofinvitations from theton. He needed access to young women with healthy dowries now more than ever. A speedy wedding was the only thing that could save him. He stared at the invoices piling up on his desk. “Damn you, Edgerton.” With a sweep of his arm, he sent everything crashing to the floor. As he watched the papers flutter to the floor, he had the gnawing feeling that his life was well on the road to destruction.
WHEN THEY RETURNED HOMEafter the Tisbury dinner, Edgerton kissed Courtney on the cheek. “I’ll join you shortly, my dear.”
“Don’t be too long,” Courtney said with a wink as she and Violet went upstairs to their bedchambers. He retreated to his study to think about the information Red Knight had told him earlier… he’d have to remember to call him Alesbury now that they were in London. His friend wanted to step back from the spying business, and though Edgerton would miss Alesbury’s expertise, he understood his reasoning. It was a juggling act that he was still learning, being spymaster while also spending enough time with Courtney, his mother, and his sisters. He had other spies in London that he could rely on, but he’d have to think carefully about whom to send to Blakely Manor.
He’d just sat down at his desk, when, to his surprise his mother swept into the room after him. “Charles, may I have a moment of your time?”
He knew from experience that the best choice for a peaceful household was to let his mother have her say. Once she’d said what she wanted, she’d retreat to let him think on it. “Of course, Mother. How may I assist you?”
“Are you aware that Lord Alesbury is showing a marked interest in Violet? He danced with her twice this evening.”
“I am indeed and have no objection to the man or his interest in Violet.”
“Must I remind you that Violet is the daughter and sister of a viscount and she should keep her options open. She could easily capture the attention of an earl, marquis, or even a duke”
Edgerton stared at his mother. She was a handsome woman in her late forties and still a force to be reckoned with, especially when she got an idea in her head. She was too stubborn to easily let things go. However, he wouldn’t let her pressure Violet into any particular match this Season. “Mother, may I remind you that Lord Alesbury is a viscount himself and a perfectly suitable suitor for Violet. I’ve known him for years, and he’s an honorable gentleman, has sizeable lands and funds, doesn’t gamble, and treats everyone well. What possible objection could you have if Violet shows an interest in him?”
“Charles, I know he’s your friend and have no real objection to him. I’m only suggesting that Violet be allowed to accept the attention of other worthy suitors as well as Lord Alesbury.”
“Mother, do not pressure Violet. There’s no hurry for her to marry. Let her follow her heart if that’s what she desires.”
Lavinia’s brows came together in a scowl. “Love does not pay the bills or feed a hungry stomach.”
